Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

 Although this photo was taken years ago 

this will be the scene at the park

near us when

we have what Torontonians call

a lot of snow.  Not the case today.  But soon.

I love the image which is

perfect for this joyous time of year! 

I hope you're having a great holiday whatever you celebrate.  We had dinner

with friends tonight -- so fun. We've had kind and thoughtful cards and
presents, tons of laughter and so much love.

Thank you friends and family.  The best.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! -- the 25th thing I learn over and over, having fun with your family is awesome

Santa street in Toronto

(not its proper name)

photo

Barbara Muir © 

Today I feel like every Santa sculpture in this scene.  We had a family 

celebration meal yesterday with part of our family -- sweet gifts,

laughter and delicious food.  And we will have another holiday
festive meal in the new year. So much fun.  

When I look back on the year -- time spent with family and friends have been
definite highlights of 2025.  So special and filled with laughter and

fun. So many fun occasions and art openings. 

Happy Holidays to you, and I hope you get to spend your time off with
people who make you the happiest.

Thank you for your kindness and support all year.  

Happy Holidays! 

The 23 thing I learned again in 2025 is I know what my purpose is -- to try and make people happy

Cherrywood Snow Scene

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2015

SOLD ♥ 

(Actually sold over and over --

as its my Christmas card theme.)

This was a really super day for being happy -- we had a family 
Christmas dinner at lunch with part of the family. We had so 
much fun, and it made my day. The holiday preparations went
into full gear before the family arrived.  The garland is over

the fire place.  Some presents are wrapped.  I made my beloved
cranberry jelly.  And I started delivering my holiday card to people
in the neighbourhood. 

And they loved the card, which made me really happy. It's snowed 

enough to make it look festive.  All good. 

Happy Holidays to you!  Thank you for a wonderful year family
and friends! 

The 22nd thing I learn on the 22nd of every month, and did again in 2025 -- love is the best!

Me and Steven in our
winter gear about
about 13 years ago.
Photo
Dawn Yaeger 

It's the Monthaversary of our first date, which we celebrate every month,
and always toast one another at dinner, even if we're just drinking milk.

I learn over and over -- every day, sometimes every minute -- that love is
great, and that we are so lucky to be in love.  

Crazy busy time.  We are catching up on the holiday after being under
the weather. Some family comes tomorrow, for a very happy
holiday lunch.  So I can't say much tonight, except thank you to everyone
who lifted my spirits and made my day in 2025.  This man is most definitely
at the top of that list!

Happy Holidays! 

Here we go -- the light's coming back. The 21st thing I learned again this year -- Here's to the light!

Frescoes in a chapel in the 

Siena Cathedral,
in Siena, Italy 
Photo

Barbara Muir ©

We were going to go and watch a friend take part in a parade
to celebrate the solstice, but she fell and hurt her leg, so she
couldn't do it.  But speaking of light -- driving towards the
west at sunset was spectacular today.  Golden light transforming

an entire side of the street -- making it magical.

I found a former post about light that is perfect for today.

Steven and I had our first holiday party -- with party crackers at

dinner -- snap -- hats and silly jokes.  So fun.

So here's my former post:

"I'm showing an image from my time in Florence.  Being part of
the Florence Biennale changed my life in so many ways.  It
was so exciting to meet international artists.  And it's wonderful
that many of us are still friends, some through social media, and
some of us have met again in person -- delighted to see each other.
I think exhibiting in Florence let the light of glorious friendships,
and spectacular memories into my life.

I met new friends, saw amazing art, fell in love with a
country I had only dreamed of, and heard of, both from my
parents and many of my friends who had either been born in Italy,
or had parents who were Italian.

My ancestry connection is that my great, great, great grandmother
was Florentine.  So being in Florence made me very happy.
Part of the thrill of being in Italy, was taking a bus tour around
the area where we were staying, to Siena, and Pisa.  The image
tonight is of a fresco in the Cathedral in Siena.  Our tour guide
used her influence to get us into a spectacular chapel in the
cathedral, and changed my view of art from the period.

It turns out the art that was not damaged (in this chapel very
few visitors are allowed to enter, because breath damages
the colour) is absolutely brilliant in colour.  Every colour was so
bright. All of the Florentine art of the period that was subdued
in colour was -- according to this guide -- damaged.

Woo Hoo.  May bright colour reign supreme!  It was one
of the most beautiful rooms I've ever been in in my life.

Wishing you a very Merry Holiday Season.  Looking forward
would I love to return to Europe? The answer is yes!"

That's my dream for 2026!

Have a loving your life day!

 

Last year the 20th thing I learned was go ahead and do it -- This year, 5,4,3,2,1

 

Colours of Joy
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

(available)

Super day today.  Amazing how different life is when you get over

having whatever we had -- cold/flu/nasty.  We are well.  And

everything seems celebratory.  At the same time -- we want to
celebrate Yule, and the New Year and see friends and relatives,

so we can't sit around twiddling our thumbs.

A new go ahead and do it trick I learned the other day seems
insanely simple, but I've got quite a bit done since I started it.

You get an idea -- count 5,4,3,2, 1 and do whatever it is that
inspired you.

Maybe that's why we had so much fun holiday shopping today
(don't worry our family doesn't do excess). But we needed

lights, and a couple of gifts, and holiday crackers for whatever

meals we'll share with family and friends. Done. 5,4,3,2, 1!

I love this painting, and it is available. It is an abstract
appreciation of life by the ocean.

Have a loving your life day!

The 19th thing I learned all over again in 2025-- as a good friend of mine in New York says -- Go outside

 

Cedarvale Park on Boxing Day last year

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2024

Our Fall Blooming Anemones in full bloom

This one aspect of our beautiful garden
makes me so happy.  They were very late

 blooming again his year because of the high

heat this summer.

Photo
Barbara Muir © 

The political scene right now can get very depressing.  The 
stories of wars, and mass shootings, all seem insane.

Do yourself a favour.  Turn off your phone, and all of your devices,

bundle up if you're in our part of the world, and go outside.
Arrange the lights on your tree. Pick up some boughs.
Sing a song or two.  And forget all of the bleak stuff.

The outside world is waiting to enchant you.  We have met

amazing people on our walks.  Wonderful artists, amazing
photographers, and published book writers.  I mean.

Have a loving your life day!