Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Best Days Of The Year

I think the six days between Christmas and New Year's are the absolute best in the entire year. More time with the kids, outdoor fun, good food and divine naps are woven into this dreamy interval than any other stretch of time. Imagine my delight on learning from Karin at La Pouyette that in her native German there is an old-fashioned expression for this period. Here are a few scenes from our  'zwischen den Jahren' - 'between the years.'









So tomorrow is back to reality and our regular routine; the kids go back to school and ski team practice. I am feeling a little wistful but at the same time looking forward to what the year ahead holds for us. Wishing all of you the very best in 2013!  xoxo

Posted by at 5:18 PM
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37 comments:

  1. Phyllis were you in our backyard taking that first photograph? Seems all of New England has stonewalls running everywhere. I love this time of the year since it’s easier to see where all the stonewalls led since there are no leaves from google earth. Love your images and the one of your front porch is magical!

    Wishing you and yours a joyous, healthy and very Happy New Year!

    XXX
    Debra~

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  2. Beautiful, Phyllis. I cannot imagine living in a place so beautiful. And, I love Karin's saying "between the years." Happy Happy Happy

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  3. Look, you caught that beautiful blue twilight sky! So pretty. I love your little little trees all encased in snow. Your fireside photo is also wonderful. Is that apple cider with the star anise? Wassail?

    Happy New Year to all!

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    1. Steve, that elixir is apple cider, honey, lemon, fresh ginger, star anise and Austrian apple & pear brandy with a few drops of toasted sesame oil. If a grapefruit martini won’t cure what ails you, a hot toddy will. ;-)

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  4. Welcome to 2013! Gorgeous photos, my friend. I can't believe we've only known each other about a year. Feels much longer to me. Thanks for all your lovely posts in 2012. You took us to England, Rhode Island, Virginia and so many other amazing places. But, my favorites were the visits to your beautiful home ~ thank you, Phyllis, for sharing your talent with us.
    Happy New Year!
    L

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  5. Happy New Year Phyllis! It all looks so incredibly peaceful and serene. I can just imagine staying in for days on end, not feeling the urge or necessity to leave when you have all that snow! Wow...its beautiful.
    Wishing you all great things Phyllis in the coming year. Happy 2013!

    PS Featured your beautiful luminaries in my post todsy, not sure if you saw it:)

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  6. Phyllis, is that your house???

    Firstly thanks for your sweet comment and for getting through my long post (I imagine people were speed reading...who has time for reading a long essay??!). I appreciate your support and love! Secondly, your photos and thoughts are so happy and inspiring. I, too, love those days in between Christmas and New Years and love that expression. I always feel like it is lost time (lost in a good way), like no one has scheduled any work and we can all have fun without feeling guilty. They are the best days. We need more of them because in the end, it is all about people and just "being" that really makes me happiest.

    xo Terri

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  7. Im with you, feeling wistful, but ready to get back on track. It looks like you had the most wonderful holiday, and I love all your pictures! Wishing you the best for you and your family in 2013!

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  8. I love that saying! I've loved this week we've had between Christmas and New Years…we've been thoroughly enjoying doing nothing here at the beach! I am trying to savor every minute of it! Thanks for sharing this post! I've been so blessed by your friendship! Happy New Year, Phyllis!

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  9. Love, love these photos!! You have had such a wonderful year and I can't wait to read your blog for the year to come:-) xxoo, K

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  10. Beautiful photographs. The stone wall with the moss just peeking out looked enchanted. I would like to see pictures of it in other seasons, too. Between the years is a favorite time of mine also. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  11. How I envy your snowy Christmas...beautiful. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on the after Christmas chill out. It's so good for us! Happy New Year!

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  12. We have been enjoying resting and staying cozy too. I love the details of your winter holiday, Phyllis, beautiful photography!.

    I want to sit by the fire and sip the toddies. Love your festive photos too, the sparkler shot is magical with the stars at the ends of the rays. Happy New Year to such a thoughtful, inspiring and talented lady. Thank you for sharing your life!

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  13. Happy New Year Phyllis, I so agree, I have had my share of naps and nothingness after so much activity, it sure felt good, but I too need to get back on the train of life tomorrow. Looking forward with excitement and anticipation for this upcoming year. Beautiful images in this post, thank you for sharing your talents with us, So happy to have met you and looking forward to learning more about you on our journey in blogland,
    xo Kathysue

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  14. Happy New Year to you! I love that week between Christmas and New Years! We did not plan one thing...just hung out and did family things. We all enjoyed sleeping later - even the dog slept in! Now it's back to reality and time to finish cleaning up the Christmas decor! Cheers! - Shelley

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  15. Phyllis,
    The "week between years" (love that label) seems to boost the spirit and bolster the energy to enter a new year with the enthusiasm and anticipation it deserves.
    Happy New Year to you! I look forward to continued good reading from your lovely blog.
    Karen at Garden, Home and Party

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  16. Dear Phyllis,
    These are just the right images for the "years in between" :) Each one reflects the atmosphere of these few days perfectly!

    Warmest wishes for a very good, healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    And thank you very much indeed for mention my little blog with the link!!!

    Heartily greetings from the Périgord,
    Karin

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  17. Between the years! Adore learning something new everyday.

    Odd, feeling the need to take holiday between the years. After decades of feeling strongly I must work-work-work.

    Happy New Year.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  18. Phyllis

    I adore that picture of the dry stone wall and your porch looks so inviting! I feel so fortunate to have become friends through blogging this past year!

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  19. Between the years.....love that! Hope you have a fab year!

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  20. i absolutely adore this post phyllis! between the years, YES!
    i too love this time, a reprieve, quiet, togetherness and always hopefully big snow drifts. our area did not receive the latter but you have a good snow,
    gorgeous snapshots of your 'between the years'
    blessings to you for 2013
    debra

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  21. Happy 2013, Phyllis! Isn't it wonderful that Mother Nature cooperated and we had a whitish Christmas? We look forward to reading more of your pretty posts in the new year.
    xxoo
    C + C

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  22. Beautiful pictures Phyllis! I so agree with you about "between the years." Such a nice time to reflect on our blessings!
    Hugs and Happy 2013!
    Amy

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  23. what cozy, happy images....happy new year

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  24. What fun pictures Phyllis!
    I love the "between years" saying and I totally agree with you...Most years it's my favorite time as well! I love a wonderful snow day, hot cocoa in the afternoon and a great book in the evening!
    Maybe next year for me...but I hope you had a wonderful between years! I look forward as always to you posts!
    hugs from here
    Donna

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  25. Also wishing you the best in the new year, Phyllis. Hope 2013 brings you much inspiration because then you'll pass it on to readers like me.
    Hoping this is not too selfish for a New Year greeting-
    b

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  26. I love the notion of between the years, thank you for sharing that! I look forward to following your beautiful inspiration in 2013 xob

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  27. Beautiful photos, Wishing you the best in 2013!!

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  28. Hi Phyllis.
    Wonderful photos.
    I hadn't really thought about the time between Christmas and New year - but the German expression "between the years" beautifully sums up that time of saying goodbye to one year and preparing for the new year to come.
    Hope you have a lovely day,
    Liz x

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  29. Phyllis,
    I too embrace the in between days after Christmas and before the start of the New Year like an afternoon nap or an easy walk.
    The light even seems to stand still. Then we return to the New Year and long for those lazy lit days.
    We have ski practice on our weekends and head upstate later today. My boys are already there, enjoying the time before they return to college.
    Love your home and all the goodness that you share.
    pve

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  30. Lovely, moody photographs, Phyllis. I enjoy the week between the years, as well because my family can stay for a long visit. Our only requirement is to cook and bake old favorites and enjoy each other's company. It doesn't get any better than that.
    Best...Victoria

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  31. "Between the years..."; love it! Beautiful post and your photos are great!Happy New Year darling. XX

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  32. I love all things sparkly so when the trees naturally sparkle from ice it's the most beautiful thing ever. I hope you're enjoying your winter!
    xo
    Sharon

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  33. I'm coming over to your house!!! Haha... love these beautiful images!!! I know exactly what you mean; It's so hard to get back into the routine of things but it's for the best! I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful Holiday season and hope you had a wonderful New Year as well! Can't wait to see what awaits on your beautiful blog this year!

    Best wishes!
    Desiree

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  34. Thanks for sharring these beautiful pics and I like also the expression off karin.

    Greetings
    XX
    Jérôme

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  35. Such a pretty, snowy scene! Love the confetti hanging from a chandelier? The beautiful cookies and a mug of hot cider, I'm in, love.
    Hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start!
    Monica

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  36. Such a pretty, snowy scene! Love the confetti hanging from a chandelier? The beautiful cookies and a mug of hot cider, I'm in, love.
    Hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start!
    Monica

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