Our Christmas Morning Tradition + What Makes a Fire Burn? + A Very Nervous Patient
Good Morning from Prince Edward Island
Time to cuppa?
Get out the finest; you deserve to treat yourself to one simple pleasure today, every day.
Crazy to think it is just five more sleeps…
And Christmas morning tradition begins. One of ours is preparing an extra special breakfast and serving it on our wedding pattern, Barrymore by Noritake, which we started collecting in 1986. We light a beeswax candle, give thanks and enjoy the meal together. We are fortunate to have one daughter home with us and missing our eldest.
Do you or your family have a Christmas morning tradition?
While we prepare for downtime from Christmas to New Years’ and thinking about 2021, this poem, by Judy Brown speaks to me.
It can be a challenging time of year for many people and I can empathize. Fortunately, the persistent love given by my wife turned my hard time of year into a joyous one.
Love is the great miracle cure. -Louise Hay
I have also come to believe in the reason for the season and celebrate the love that was sent and offered to all.
If none of this resonates with you, you cannot argue with kindness and the joy that comes from helping those in need.
I leave you with hope for a world at peace.
Koolulam is a social-musical initiative, meant to bring together people from any and all walks of life. 3,000 people of all religions coming together in Haifa to sing: One Day.
And thank God I'm breathin'
Then I pray, "Don't take me soon
'Cause I am here for a reason."
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around because
I've been prayin' for
For the people to say
That we don't wanna fight no more
There'll be no more war
And our children will play
One day, one day, one day, oh
When they feed on the souls of the innocent
Blood-drenched pavement
Keep on movin' though the waters stay ragin'
You can lose your way, your way
It might drive you crazy but
Don't let it faze you, no way, no way!
This morning, I listened to the peaceful sound of Winnow by Simeon Walker
But before I go, a big THANK YOU to all of you who supported us this year through the services we provide. A big THANK YOU to our staff who worked extremely hard to serve others in a safe and responsible manner. A BIG thank you to our mail order team, who were inundated with over three times our normal volume this season and did a great job of keeping our standards for speed and correctness to the best we have ever done. Thousands of orders and only a few booboos. It was amazing.
Sending much love from Prince Edward Island today.
Take care and stay safe.
I hope you have a nice weekend and find moments of solitude and peace.
Merry Christmas,
Bruce, Millie and Bobbi
ps. Your Morning Smile
Working in an ophthalmology practice that specializes in LASIK surgery, I am expected to comfort nervous patients. But prior to one operation, the patient was so nervous she was actually shaking.
Nothing I said to her would comfort her so after the doctor finished on the first eye and before he began on the second I wanted her to know the surgery was going well.
"There," I said, patting her hand reassuringly, "now you only have one eye left."
Comments
Jennifer said:
My daughter wrote this poem:
’Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house
Gifts were all scattered and plenty of crumbs for the mouse
The stockings were laying all over the place
The parents felt like they had run a 40 mile race
The kids were all tired and cousins they were missing
364 days couldn’t come soon enough and they were a wishing
Some little cheeks with tears they were soaked
For a special new present already had broke
But hearts were flooded and were more full then bellies
Even if ham was superb that was bought from the deli
Forget all the food, and the gifts and the mess
Sit down with some coffee and let go of your stress
For Christmas doesn’t just come and last for one day
The meaning to all this madness in a little manger He lay
Jesus came in the quiet one night
A single star shone to celebrate so bright
But He wants to be part of your daily life
To bring joy and meaning and purpose and walk beside you in your strife
Because Christmas can be summed up with the victory of the cross
Where the weight of all sin, the depth of all loss
He took on himself so willingly
Where He shed His blood for you and for me
So if after the holiday you are feeling a bit down
Take a journey back to Bethlehem town
Look to the baby who was resting there
To the one who knows you and so deeply cares
Then look to the cross and the victory won
For God so loved the world that He gave His son
With a heart full of gratefulness fall on your knees
And go now and be the light that this world so desperately needs"
Merry second day of Christmas!!
December 26, 2020
Carolyn Bradner said:
Hi Thanks for your blog & glad to have it back. My order of PEI Jams, jellies , marmalades arrived very fast . Love your Border collie & your cat. Looking forward for when we can get back to camping trip in PEI., & visiting our favorite places .Just like PEI Preserves again. Have A very Merry Christmas & A Happy & Healthy 2021. All the Best.
December 24, 2020
Pamela A Magee said:
a blessed and holy Christmas to you and your family! Thank You for your wonderful blogs
December 24, 2020
Kathryn J Zaengle said:
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. During these difficult pandemic days they always bring a smile to my face and a fond memory of visiting your establishment several years ago while on a cruise that included PEI. We have recently relocated to Maine and look forward to visiting you again when the pandemic is under control. I always get my husband one of your fabulous fruitcakes for Christmas. He’s one of the few in the family that really, really loves fruitcake. Thank you so much for getting our shipment to us so quickly.
December 22, 2020
Julie MacKenzie said:
I love that song! Seeing that many voices coming together to sing it was amazing! It gave me goosebumps! I belong to a couple choirs myself. Singing gives me so much joy…& I loved seeing all the joyful faces on that video. Thanks for sharing Bruce. 👍😊
December 20, 2020
Murdock Morrison said:
Hi Bruce and family- such a nice and comforting blog in so many ways with special poems and verse by many talented individuals . The video One Day was powerful and one to share with others which I will do. All in all, a great Blog year and many more to come. We wish you and yours and that includes Millie and your cat a nice Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, love and peace. Murdock and Connie
December 20, 2020
john boutilier said:
There can’t be a breakfast more special than the one we’ve been enjoying for 21 years in your restaurant, during our annual trek to PEI. Can’t beat your country breakfast! We are vegetarian and your staff always accommodate us by subbing a few mini pancakes for the bacon. Hope to make it there in the summer of 2021. All the best!
December 20, 2020
Peggy Freeman said:
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and yours, Bruce! Thank you for the beautiful “One Day” video. What a powerful song! Yes, one day we will wake up in a world at peace. A world where our children can play without fear of any violence. Won’t that be a wonderful day! Peace and happiness!
Peggy Freeman
December 20, 2020
Joanne Leger said:
My only adult son comes over & we enjoy homemade Belgian Waffles on Christmas morning.
December 20, 2020
Brynhilde Roth (Bryn Roth) said:
Wishing you, your family, and your staff a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
December 20, 2020
Kay Duren said:
Thank you for your weekly celebration of life. I am a sponsor of a Galapagos tortoise who is part of the rescue/restoration of this endangered species. Yesterday I was privileged to hold his 2 year old self and felt that I was holding the future in my hands. Thank you for listening. Our natural world needs so much attention.
December 20, 2020
Irene & Tom O'Leary said:
Thank you for the Blog Bruce. Look forward to it. Thank your shipping dept. for the gift boxes for our families. They were thrilled, thought that was a wonderful idea. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
December 20, 2020
Jack & Lillian Paul said:
Thank you for your Blog Bruce. Reading that little bit of PEI each week is a blessing.
From our home to yours ….“Merry Christmas and a Happy healthy New Year.”
December 19, 2020
Philip S Britton said:
Bruce,
The Blogs have been a comfort, a reminder of peace, your ability to put the thoughts, quotes and music of so many different sources into a common theme is truly a gift.
December 19, 2020
Wendell Hennan said:
Wishing you and your family and Millie and Bobbi a peaceful and joyous Christmas and all good things in MMXXI.
Because your blog is weekly I am guilty of forgetting about it, but if you could see the smile on my face Saturday mornings when I see your email and know that there will be interesting reading, warm thoughts and much wisdom in store.
Warm regards and I home for little more than to be able to travel to PEI again next year and visit my favourite spots.
Wendell
December 19, 2020
Sharon Kalich said:
Hello Bobbi, my cat Zeus sends you greetings. Merry Christmas to you Bruce and family, hope it is a cozy serene one. Here is a wish that the New Year is filled with hope and ability to hug our loved ones and friends once again.
December 19, 2020
Caroline B Stogrin said:
A huge thank you again for making Christmas in Texas special for our son. It is so special to send a gift from you to him as a reminder of Canada. He loves getting your gift box and usually can’t wait til Christmas morning to open and taste the goodies.
Can’t say enough about your wonderful staff who are so polite, patient and efficient! Merry Christmas to all of you!!
December 19, 2020
Linda Lowther said:
Loved this blog but then I love all your blogs. The video of One day brought tears. I will be in to pick up my pie on Wednesday and hope to see you in person but just in case, a very Merry Christmas to you, Shirley, Millie and Bobbi and your wonderful staff! Virtual arms around you!
December 19, 2020
althea said:
Bruce: Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Xie Xie. Arigato. Peace. Shalom. (These words came accompanied with tears of gratitude while listening, watching One Day.)
December 19, 2020
Debbie Atkinson said:
Loved your comments and quotes Bruce. Your business is nothing short of awesome and we are so glad to have you right here on PEI. Much love and best wishes to you, Shirley and the girls.
December 19, 2020
Mikel and Kay Stevenson said:
Our previous comment accidentally “sent” too soon. We wanted to acknowledge and thank your shipping staff who are so very efficient and prompt in answering any and all of our questions so promptly. Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year to all.
December 19, 2020
Mikel and Kay Stevenson said:
We can only echo the comments above. We love your uplifting and positive blogs that come from a generous, compassionate heart…we look forward to them every Saturday morning and have shared them with many. Thank you. We also want
December 19, 2020
Mikel and Kay Stevenson said:
We can only echo the comments above. We love your uplifting and positive blogs that come from a generous, compassionate heart…we look forward to them every Saturday morning and have shared them with many. Thank you. We also want
December 19, 2020
Barbara N. said:
Merry Christmas and all the best in 2021. Our daughter and son-in-law in British Columbia received their Island Preserve Christmas package and were thrilled. Loved trying all the Island goodies.
December 19, 2020
Julie Joly said:
December 19, 2020
Cathy Hammond said:
Beautiful quotes today. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
December 19, 2020
Jamie said:
Thank you for your lovely blogs. They are a breath of fresh air each week end. For years our Christmas breakfast has been a variety of homemade danish, some of which are made with beautiful PEI preserves. May all have a Gorgeous Holiday Season.
December 19, 2020
Shirley Monsebraaten said:
Saturday morning reading your Blog is the highlight of our week as we long for summer on the Island and Sunday morning breakfast at the Preserve Co.
December 19, 2020
Laurice Robinet said:
A very Merry Christmas and Happy 2021 to you and all of your staff! I have enjoyed your beautiful pictures and your blog this year. It was a delight to deal with your company, and I am eagerly looking forward to the reactions of my family members to whom I am gifting your jams this Christmas. One early recipient was very happy to receive their package, as it brought back wonderful memories of camping with their children in your area of PEI. I can’t wait until I can visit—maybe summer of 2021 if this pandemic is over.
December 19, 2020