Christmas Countdown

The store decked out for the upcoming holiday season.
This wish tree in the front window.
An urn of glass hearts.
Tapered Candles in "the rack", a fabulous display. Tapers are by Ester and Erik of Denmark. They are smokeless, dripless, and long burning.
Cone shaped pillars by Ester and Erik of Denmark. These are truly the most beautiful burning candle.
Word magnets by Vancouver Island metal artist. These magnets are super strong and beautiful.
Topical leaves and fresh orchids makes a wonderful gift, they will last up to three weeks in your home.


I love Christmas. I don't want to hear any bah humbugs! This is the season for family and friends, food and laughter, joy and yes, sorrow. Christmas brings out our goodness, our sense of hope, and our dreams. This year the front window of Surroundings is a simple group of branches in a pot, hanging from the branches are hundreds of little white cards, each card has a personal Christmas wish. This display started on Thursday November 19th, and will continue to accumulate till Christmas Eve. Please come into the store and put your own special wish on the tree.

Our wish tree will be blessed by a monk on Christmas Eve.

REMEMBERING

My Father and Uncle Jack walking along Wyte Ave. in Edmonton this past summer

My Grandfather, Wallace Baskerville was with the RCAF in WW I, during WW II he worked for Immigration Canada bringing home the war brides. He never told any war stories, it would be years latter, that my father would tell me about Grandpa. Both my parents talk about what it was like to be a child during WW II.

This past summer while visiting my Aunt, I took the above photo of my Dad and his brother, my Uncle Jack. They reminded me, as they walked ahead, so much of my Grandfather. It was like looking at two Grandpa Baskerville's walking up the street. I do not have a photo of Grandpa to post, so I felt this photo would suffice.

I'm walking the dog through the woods this morning when I hear a distant siren. I look at the time on my cell phone, it is 11 am November 11th, I stop and close my eyes. I remember.