Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Y is for Yuletide

Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday challenge is "Y".

Reflections in the bay window of Otto and Kristin's house in Port Townsend.
I was trying for a Escher-like effect, even seeing through darker parts
to the shrubs outside of the window.

Now, I know it's strange to be writing about Christmas on a sweltering day in July with the temperature in the upper nineties and no air-conditioning. But what better time to try to remember a season when frost nipped the nose, and (believe it or not) mittens and mufflers were welcome? Especially in Ontario, Oregon, where our daughter Candace lives, or in Port Townsend, Washington, where son Otto lives.

And in those colder climes, fires were something to welcome, not to fear. Fires continue to rage in California and two of them threaten our dear redwoods retreat in Mendocino County, one from the east and one from the southwest.

Maybe this will cool me off a bit!

This noble fir graced daughter Candace's living room.


This tree is in the home of the younger Otto Smiths in Port Townsend, Washington.
Otto's wife and my good friend, Kristin, is dressed in her Swedish holiday wear.

Christmas poinsettia in Candy's house.


Monkey Boy enjoys the fire in the home of grandson Joe, his wife April,
great-grandson Ocean
and - of course - Monkey Boy.
They live a few miles out of Port Townsend.

12 comments:

Dragonstar said...

Clever! I never thought of Yule! You're right, this is the best time of year to remember the winter.

Petrus said...

Poinsettia is very popular in Spain at Christmas - it's planted out around the main square and it's possible to buy plants at the local shops .

Red must be a favourite Christmas colour - shops will lay a red carpet outside in front of the shop for about 4 weeks. ( more of a roll than a good quality carpet - soon gets dirty - but a nice idea )

EG CameraGirl said...

Happy Yule in July!

nonizamboni said...

Great visual journey, Phyllis! You must be sweltering and worried about the fires, both uncomfortable and worrisome. July is hot up here with a good deal of humidity but the winds seem to blow in and take the mosquitoes with them. My daughter in D.C. is suffering--she's on a 3rd yr. rotation at the VA hospital so she has a.c. but its the getting there and back.
Take good care and please know I'm thinking about you and Otto--and I always appreciate your kind words about my writing. It encourages me more than you can know.
xxxxx
m.a.

Dina said...

I love these pictures of Christmas time and the reminder of cold crisp air. In Jerusalem we are having day after day in the 90s.
Down in Australia where it is winter now they celebrate a "Christmas in July."

Bear Naked said...

Yuletide in July.

My daughter is having a Yuletide in July party this weekend.
She invited all her immediate neighbours also so they wouldn't go into shock this Saturday afternoon if they heard Yuletide carols being sung around the pool.

Bear

Michele said...

What a beautiful post and great idea... you are a smart woman to come up with Yule!!

Reader Wil said...

These "Yule "pictures are so full of the x-mas spirit! Thanks for your comment on Slide-Shows.

mrsnesbitt said...

Here in Yorkshire, UK it is SUMMER! Let me remind myself of what the word S U M M E R means..........
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Ahem.......

Sorry, can't think right now, but your post seems to be appropriate. Yes, we once had BBQ's on our warm evenings, now we have a heater on whilst we huddle round the TV!

LOL!

Thanks for participating....round 3 soon!

Katney said...

Not many people would think of Yuletide for Y in July. Good job here!

Powell River Books said...

Christmas is such a fun, family time. Thank you for sharing your Yuletide. I love Port Townsend. It is such a great town to walk around to enjoy all the shops, people and ocean. I chose Y is for yarn, I invite you to come see. - Margy

Maggie May said...

Brilliant photos!