Saturday, December 18, 2010

Where the Treetops Glisten



This photo was taken last year, in a sweet little town where my brother lives with his wife and beautiful little girl. Christmas last year was charming. Just my immediate family.... skating on frozen lakes, eating dried pears, soaking up the baby love (my niece's first Christmas), happily dreaming of moving to this adorable town, into a sweet little character home of my very own.

Maybe, some day I might find myself there. But not yet. I can't leave my island behind. I have grown some roots here. I've made some wonderful friends. And there are places I haunt that I just can't imagine myself parting with. The mountain I climb, the oak groves I wander, the rugged seaside trails I roam. The ocean is a powerful magnet. I think I truly belong here. If only I could persuade my family to move here instead.... but I know that they have built their nests in other places.

And I will see them tomorrow. In the morning, I will leave my cosy nest to see my closest family members. We will spend a few days together before the entire extended family gathers for a Christmas in the mountains. We get an old ski chalet all to ourselves...for all 44 of us. It's going to be crazy. And perhaps a wee bit snug. But, there will be skating and skiing and snowshoe trails to follow. There will be food and drink and plenty a merry making. There will be a Charlie Brown tree. And a secret Santa. And an abundance of snow to find the reindeer tracks in. Or perhaps, the bear prints?

And I will be blissfully capturing every moment of it with my camera. I can't wait to come back and share.

Have a wonderful Christmas, my friends.
Much love to you all.
xoxoxoxo

25 comments:

  1. It sounds like you're in store for a magical Christmas with your family. I eagerly await the photos, I know they will be captivating.
    Merry Christmas, my cherished friend. May the holidays surround you in love, laughter and light!
    xoxo

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  2. 44 people!!! Oh my stars girl! I hope there are a lot of bathrooms in the old Chalet! ;)

    Have a beautiful Christmas Jaime!
    xo Catherine

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  3. Love that photo, have an amazing time with your family.

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  4. have a Merry Christmas .. wow...it's going to be a busy and noisy one for sure with that many.... don't think it would be my cup of tea .....

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  5. Merry Xmas, Jamie. I am so glad the family is getting together. Have fun

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  6. all 44 of you together.....how fantastic is that, even if a bit snug....
    have the safest of trips and the most fantastic time ever playing with your loved ones....

    and that pull the ocean has on you....me too !
    xo

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  7. Beautiful shot. and Wow! What a Christmas you have to look forward to! Can't wait to hear the stories.

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  8. you are invited to follow my blog

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  9. jaime - what a picture. i just sat & soaked it in before reading any words, but i'm thinking i do that a lot when visiting here.

    i've said before, and i will say it again, that you lead a life that sounds like a fairy tale. a good one. with pretty illustrations. :) your christmas plans also. they sound like something you dreamed.

    have a beautiful, wonderful, marvelous time. oh - "and children listen . . ."

    xoxo
    Debi

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  10. Merry Christmas to you. Your Christmas plans sound marvellous! Enjoy yourself and enjoy others. I wish you all the best in the New Year.

    Much love,
    D

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  11. wishing you a wonderful christmas!

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  12. That is such a lovely photo! Where does your brother live, if you don't mind my asking?
    Your island is so magical, I have decided that I must see it someday. =)

    And a very merry and bright Christmas to you, lovely Jaime. That sounds like an incredible way to spend the holiday!

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  13. Merry merry merry Christmas to you - sending you love.

    xo

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  14. just left you a note on flickr :) have fun all squished in with your family ~ xoxo

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  15. your holiday sounds like perfection. Enjoy every moment to the fullest.
    Merry Christmas Jaime! and may the New Year bring you much happiness.

    p.s. did the package arrive?

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  16. Hello. I just wanted to stop by and wish you a very happy christmas. I do love coming here to read your words and see your beautiful photographs - even though I don't comment all the time, this is one of my favourite places to visit online.

    Hoping you have the *best* of times with your family.

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  17. I read this and I honestly, honesty thought, "Oh course! That's exactly the Christmas I would picture for Jaime." I wish you and yours - all yours - a very, very merry Christmas. Much love to you, my dear friend!

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  18. All 44 of you? Wow!

    Have a happy merry Christmas. May it be full of joy and love and warmth. (Which is exactly what it sounds like it will be.)

    (I've always wanted to skate on a frozen lake. Once I snowshoed across a frozen canal - near the edge where it met Lake Superior. And Lake Superior apparently almost never freezes over. Not exactly the same.)

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  19. Take pictures! Best wishes for Christmas and the year to come.

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  20. It's Christmas evening and we are having a lull before we start cleaning up all the happy messes we've made. I wanted to stop by and wish you the merriest of Christmases. May you and your family enjoy laughter, love and peace. May you feel all the love that we feel for you. May you truly know you are blessed. Sending you much love! ~ Relyn

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  21. that sounds like the most perfect wonderful christmas ever. like a dream.

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  22. Sounds like the perfect way to spend the Christmas holidays! Hope your Christmas was wonderful! xo

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  23. jamie your blog is such a pretty place to visit. and it reflects the very best of you, the truest you. your words, your images all seem to be telling us about who you truly are. i just love the curiosity and questions about everything you encounter :) you write and capture the very essence of the natural world. have a wondrous year!
    xo

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  24. hey, lady!

    your photos are beyond stunning... ALWAYS. i have not been by in so long, but i'm doing a little bit of blog-hop catching up tonight, and i'm delighted to see all the beautiful changes here. your blog is like a zen spa!

    i could only ever HOPE to be as gifted with photography as you are.

    i hope you had a blessed christmas and that your new year is off to a grand start.

    hugs
    ~georgia

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  25. I've been missing you, my friend. I hope all is well and you are having fun.

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