Your word for 2012

Dog Looking at and Listening to a Phonograph, "His Master's Voice", The Original RCA Music Puppy Dog Logo Symbol for Advertising
Originally uploaded by Beverly & Pack

Are you going to choose a word for 2012?
Last year I chose "shine" and for 2012 I choose "listen".
This dog is listening intently. My word will remind me to listen to friends and family, and to listen when I pray.
I know God often whispers and I want to hear His whispers.
Molly at birdiebluesky.blogspot.com will be choosing a word too.
I got this quote from her blog:
"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a new beginning." T.S. Eliot
I find it fascinating to read what other people choose as their word; somehow we each find the perfect word for ourself.

Wordless Wednesday

Peacock
Originally uploaded by Arizona Parrot

Well, close to wordless Wednesday. I adore the beauty of peacocks so this photo is a change of pace after Christmas.

Birthday of Jesus

Close-up of baby jesus
Originally uploaded by wrenoud

I looked for an empty manger photo and found this beauty showing the Holy Babe, Jesus.
His light is shining, do you agree?

Amaryllis in Full Splendor

I promised photos of my Razzle Dazzle Amaryllis when it fully opened, and here they are. The name suits the plant as it dazzles and razzles :)
I bought a big fat bulb at a garden center about a month ago, planted it in a small pot, watered it occasionally and it gives back a lot of beauty.
In the second photo is a Christmas cactus that is three years old, and a new miniature rose my stepmom sent to me from Jackson and Perkins. Some of its flowers are white and some are pink; I think it may be two plants in one container.
Merry Christmas to All as the Holy Day draws near.

Pork chops roasted with fresh rosemary

We love to use our cooking stone to cook one inch thick pork chops with plenty of fresh rosemary branches from our garden. We spray the stone with oil, then set the pork chops and rosemary on it, and cook pork chops and rosemary for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.
If you do not have a cooking stone do not fear! This works well in a glass pyrex oven proof rectangular dish.
Bake potatoes in the oven, starting them 15 minutes early for a total of one hour for the potatoes, and prepare a salad. Soon the feast will begin.
The top photo is of the cooked pork chops and rosemary and the second photo show the meat and rosemary before popping it in the oven.
A big plus is that the rosemary perfumes the entire house. Delicious.

Amaryllis, Razzle Dazzle

Hi Friends,
The first photo I took today of my Razzle Dazzle Amaryllis which will have red and white flowers. It fits the Advent season as it gets ready to open, and I wait impatiently to see its full beauty, just as we await Christmas Day. 
Do you see the pretty Christmas cactus in the background? I included the two bottles of Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Juice to show the height of the Amaryllis, and also just cuz the cider is delicious.
The second two photos are of my all red Amaryllis and were taken last Christmas.
I am thrilled to see that Razzle Dazzle has the buds for FOUR blooms.
When it blooms fully I will post a photo here to share with y'all.

Quiet Christmas Moments

-201 : a very sir tom christmas
Originally uploaded by kitkatherine

This is a busy season, duh!
That is why I savor quiet moments interspersed among the gift buying, wrapping, mailing, decorating and other bustling about.
Things I savor include:
A good book, like ones by Jan Karon.
Tea or coffee. Constant Comment tea has a clove Christmasy scent.
Keep a roll of quarters in your car so your kids can put quarters in the Salvation Army kettles.
Enjoy eating a candy cane.
Enjoy the moment like this guinea pig looks like it is doing.