Friday, December 23, 2016

The Lansdowne Letters: Surprise!


Well, the surprise is on me!
Just when I had everything worked out with technology,
and I thought I was good to go with me and posting,
I had an unexpected development!


Presents Under the Christmas Bush
Mojave Desert Near Oatman, Arizona
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved 


Santa came early on Tuesday and gave me
the best Christmas present I've ever received!



McCarran International Airport,
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved 


Christmas in Calgary with my family for the first time this century!!!
So I've been packing and traveling, and here I am,
not in the middle of the Mojave Desert, but in snowy Calgary.


Out the Front Door 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved 


Sometimes you just can't fight the universe!
Fighting the universe landed me in Bullhead City,
which to my consternation, is growing on me!

So I signing off posting until January 4th, 
unless I find a pocket of time!
But I will get around and read your posts as much as possible!

In the spirit of Christmas in Lansdowne House,
I'm sharing my all time favorite Christmas carol,
The Huron Carolalso called Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.
Click Here  (You Tube is not letting me add it to my post.)

It was written by Jean de Brébeuf in 1643.
Jean de Brébeuf was a Jesuit missionary among the Hurons in Canada.
The original title is Jesous Ahatonhia,
but I first knew it as Gitche Manitou,
a traditional Algonquin name for God.
Gitche Manitou is Canada's oldest Christmas song.

This song means a great deal to me 
because of the time I spent in Northern Ontario 
among the Ojibawa and Cree Indians when I was a young girl.

Wishing you and yours the best of Christmases
and a very happy new year!



Northern Nights in the Bush
Flickr:  J.H.   License




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue


Bay of Fundy out of Westport, Brier Island
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved







28 comments:

  1. Oh My, I have tears for your happiness. How truly wonderful, and sometimes the best is a surprise. Hope they managed to sneak in some winter clothes before you flew away.Have a wonderful time in Calgary, Merry Christmas and heaps of Good Wishes for the New Year.

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    1. Merry Christmas, Jean! I've had a lot of tears myself, and it's been great fun surprising one relative after another. My brother and SIL Sue just got it from Kuwait tonight ~ the snow and cold was quite a shock after the Middle East. We're having a blast! All my best to you, Hugh, and your family this Christmas!

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  2. What a wonderful surprise for you! Have a wonderful Christmas in Cow Town and ENJOY YOURSELF MUCHLY!

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    1. Thanks, Debra! We've been having so much fun ~ Only one more niece and nephew to come, flying into Calgary from Vancouver on a very snowy night! Merry Christmas to you and your Rare One! Sending you a big hug!

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  3. Enjoy your time, Louise! I am enjoying the snow here in Montreal, and the city has been good at clearing it up on the roads and sidewalks. Merry Christmas to you, my cherished friend. :)

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too, Linda! Sending you lots of Christmas cheer and hugs!

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  4. My heart is filled with joy for you Louise. I know how much family means to you and I am so happy that you got this extra special Christmas present. Have a wonderful holiday my friend.

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    1. Thanks, Peggy! Family is everything to me, and I am thrilled to have this Christmas with my family. Everyone is e except for one niece who is spending Christmas in Katmandu. Sending you, Don, and Sadie Christmas hugs!

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  5. I am so happy for you, Louise! Have a wonderful time. Merry Christmas, dear friend. Lots of hugs xo

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    1. Lots of hugs back at you, Martha! I can hardly believe I am here! It's the gift that keeps on giving. All the best to you, along with lots of hugs!

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  6. Merry Christmas, dear Louise.

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    1. All the best to you, Norma, and your family! Sending you big Christmas hugs!

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  7. That is a great gift to find under a pitiful tree haha hope a wonderful snowy christmas is had with your family at their Calgary pad.

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    1. Snow we got in spades, Pat! We had a blast tobogganing today! I hope you've had a fun Christmas Eve!

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  8. What a wonderful surprise gift, Louise! Perfect for you as I know how much and how close your family is!
    Have a really good time in Calgary and all the best to Terry and your family.
    Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thanks, Jim! We're having a blast! All the best to you!

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  9. That's an amazing picture, have a merry christmas!

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    1. I hope that you've had a lovely Christmas Eve, Adam!

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  10. Nine degrees? Brrrrrrr! The carol is beautiful.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Brrrr is right, Janie! We were out tobogganing in the snow late this afternoon! Take care!

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  11. Enjoy your white Christmas up north!

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    1. I am, Sage! It is cold and wonderfully snowy (I don't have to drive LOL). Hope that your Christmas was great!

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  12. Happy Christmas to you! AND you had a white one too! :-)

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  13. when heart calls truly for something God arranges it for you and you got what you wanted dear friend!!!
    so glad for you and i know that though it is snowy outside the door but there is lots of warmth and colors of love and relationships inside your precious house !
    take care and have a wonderful safe and healthy happy new year !

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.