"Claire, it would make no difference to me. I love you so. Nothing you ever did could stop my loving you."  Frank/Outlander Chapter 1

ANOTHER PLACE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU COULD HAVE AN ADVENTURE (AND THE KIDS TOO):

1052 Hwy. 92, West

Auburndale 33823

"There's no place on earth with more of the old superstitions and magic mixed into its daily life than the Scottish Highlands. Church or no church, Mrs. Baird believes in the Old Folk, and so do all the neighbors."  Frank  Outlander Chapter 1

HONORABLE MENTION (and a nice pick to be included in a day with the kids adventure)

250 W. State Rd. 520

Cocoa Beach

all new interactive

Authentic dinosaur fossils

Minerals, amber, jewelry and meteorites

Indoor interactive hands on fun

Live 8′ alligators and reptiles

Fossil dig, Educational and fun

2 blocks from the ocean

"You look wonderful by candlelight, you know. Your eyes are like sherry in crystal, and your skin glows like ivory. A candlelight witch you are."   Frank in Outlander  Chapter 1

"Don't be afraid," he whispered into my hair. "There's the two of us now."  Jamie in Outlander Chapter 14

10″ Male and 9″ Female 2000 Millinnium Plush Bear Pair in… (262163185558) $33.62

MILLIONS spent in Scotland on filming lately.

"No worry, lass. I've been hurt much worse, and by people much less pretty."Jamie in Outlander Chapter 4

TITANTIC LIMITED EDITION PORCELAIN # PLATE FRANKLIN MINT… (262157474141) $21.99

So here we go into another trip into the holiday season.  Which for me started in October and runs thru 1/3 this year.  October I decorated and November I celebrated but my real work comes in December, for Christmas as New Years celebrations for me seem to involve watching TV or reading…..We have our lights up outside and I have my cards out (I always do them on the Friday after Thanksgiving and mail the on that Sat.)   But we still have to pick out the tree, get the decorations up  and the hardest part–get the presents bought and in my family’s case get them out in the mail soon and during all that try to stay in the holiday mood…like Claire said….just starting.    https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-therapist-is-in/200911/10-tips-beat-the-holiday-blues

"No wonder he was so good with horses, I thought blearily, feeling his fingers rubbing gently behind my ears, listening to the soothing incomprehensible speech. If I were a horse, I'd let him ride me anywhere."   Clair in Outlander Chapter 4   Talking about Jamie.

Before Europe embraced Christianity they celebrated the winter solstice:  the shortest day and longest night of the year (which fell on December 21 or 22.)  Evergreen boughs were included in the ceremony as they were the only plants that continued to grow and thus brightened the ceremonies and dwellings as well.   But it was German Christians (16th century) that added full trees with decorations to the mix and legend has it that Martin Luther may have added lighted candles–my studies of the man dosen’t make me believe the glum former priest was that kind of decorator but who am I too deny legend?  http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/AllAboutTrees/SelectionTips.aspx

So anyway by the 1500’s we had trees—hopefully I will get mine and get it up before that much time stretches out beyond me….

"I'm too hungry to be a threat to anything but breakfast. Let a stray bannock come within reach, though, and I'll no answer for the consequences." Jamie in Outlander, Chapter 4

 Did you ever wander why Red and Green for the season?  Seems that it was rediscovered by the Victorians, but further study shows that it is probably a sign of boundaries that date back to pre-Christian Celtic traditions which has been found in their myths, it was later found in the screens dividing the Christian medieval church and picked up by Victorians—who were notorious for refinishing the aging churches and put back into the holiday season.  If you haven’t gotten the flow on this one—the ancient Celts celebrated Solstice and it marked the end of the descent into darkness (shortest day of the year) and the assent of the world back to the light–and so the boundaries I’d like to think the red was on the winter side and the green on the return to light and growing things, but that’s just my interpretation.   So do you have your decorations up yet I just started today.        http://www.victoriantradingco.com/

And when we reached the castle, he left me at the gate with no more than a softly mocking, "Good e'en, Mistress Sassenach." But I felt as though a friendship had begun that ran a bit deeper than shared gossip under the apple trees.  Jamie & Claire in Outlander Chapter 9

Most of our Christmas though can be attributed to the Victorians who really had a thing about the holiday ( (and porn but that’s for another discussion) and returned the red and green and other oddities to the celebration which embodies a lot of what we still cling to today.  It is interesting that such a restrained personage could be so open and creative about the decorating, but then they had to do something with their excess energies, I guess.     http://www.bbc.co.uk/victorianchristmas/history.shtml

"Je suis prest." I am ready. I hoped he was.  Jamie and Claire in Outlander, Chapter 10

And then there’s presents…..while decorations can take time if you’re like me you have bunches and you don’t have to leave home to get it done—except the tree which we’ve already discussed.    On the other hand even if you make the presents yourself you still have to get the materials to make them.  Then pay for them (can you say credit card declined?)  and after you max everything out you bring them home and start the long honored tradition of  wrapping–a job that takes hours and is undone in seconds, and seldom does anyone even notice your effort.  I have a couple of things, but am going to start in earnest on Thursday….HELP.     http://ideas.hallmark.com/christmas-ideas/6-gift-wrapping-tips/

"Does is bother you that I'm not a virgin?" He hesitated a moment before answering.

"Well, no," he said slowly, "so long as it doesna bother you that I am." He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door.

"Reckon one of us should know what they're doing," he said.     Jamie & Claire in Outlander, Chapter 13

So as you see like Claire my journey has just begun into the holiday world of adventure and costly expenditures, but she ends up with him: 

I on  my journey will be lucky if I have any of him left:   

A Highlander in full regalia is an impressive sight-any Highlander, no matter how old, ill-favored, or crabbed in appearance. A tall, straight-bodied, and by no means ill-favored young Highlander at close range is breath-taking.  Claire in Outlander, Chapter 14

MIAMI GRAND PRIX LOBSTER CAR POST CARD (262157469922) $4.99

ALL THE  CHRISTMAS PICTURES  TODAY ARE FROM THE PARKS, SHOPS AND MUSEUMS OF CLERMONT     http://www.clermontfl.gov/events/light-up-clermont-hometown-holiday-parade.stml

'Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.'  Jamie & Claire in Outlander, Chapter 14

DISNEY WORLD MEMORIES FROM (262157459934) $9.99