“There is one more good thing about Winter — he brings Christmas. Through the bleak December the thought of the coming festival is pleasant — like the reflection of a fire on our faces…. Christmas-day is the pleasantest day in the whole year. On that day we think tenderly of distant friends; we strive to forgive injuries — to close accounts with ourselves and the world — to begin the new year with a white leaf, and a trust that the chapter of life about to be written will contain more notable entries, a fairer sprinkling of good actions, fewer erasures made in blushes, and fewer ugly blots than some of the earlier ones. And to make Christmas perfect, the ground should be covered and the trees draped with snow; the bleak world outside should make us enjoy all the more keenly the comforts we possess; and above all, it should make us remember the poor and the needy; for a charitable deed is the best close of any chapter of our lives, and the best promise, too, for the record about to be begun.”

~Alexander Smith, “Winter,” (Scottish poet and essayist; 1829 – 1867)

Thoughtfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& “Christmas All Year” advocate)

We value your trust and friendship, and wish you joy in this and every season of the year!

~ James and Betty Hanselman

For all of us at Hanselman Landscape

“There is something in the very season of the year, that gives a charm to the festivity . . . . The imagination turns every thing to melody and beauty! It is, indeed, the season for kindling, not merely the fire of hospitality in the hall, but the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

~Washington Irving, “Christmas,” from The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (American writer, historian, and diplomat; 1783 – 1859)

A joyful array of birds adds festive liveliness to the Pines and Japanese Maples outside my kitchen window, while seasonal berries gaily festoon the plants along the pathways in our garden. Each splash of life and color magnifies the wonder and delight of each winter day. . . and I am grateful!

Shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& eager bird and berry watcher)

“Wonder is an essential ingredient if life is to be made livable. Wonder is the cure — the cure for life-killing boredom. Wonder is the drug — the natural drug without which people may turn to narcotic drugs. Sure, most people bravely soldier on without wonder, and even do so without drug addictions and self-destructive behavior. But is that the point of life? To soldier on long after the thrill of living is gone? That’s not life — that’s life with all the wonder crushed out of it and compressed to mere existence. Wonder is what we’ve lost. Wonder is what we miss. Wonder is what we want. Wonder is our hidden Narnia into which we long to step and explore.”

~ Brian Zahnd (contemporary American pastor, author, and would-be mountaineer, in Beauty Will Save the World)

Are you aching for wonder in your daily life? Step outside into the sparkle of a rain-drenched garden. Meander along a stepping stone path under a cathedral of stately Dawn Redwood trees. Sit on a boulder and watch a hummingbird sipping the sweetness from an Azalea blossom. There is wonder in the grand vistas of mountain ranges sweeping to the edge of the horizon, but there is also wonder in the intimate garden setting just outside your door. Can we restore the wide-eyed wonder you long for by bringing beauty within reach of your everyday experience? We’d be delighted to help! 717-653-1273

Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& wonder seeker)

Rocks are incredibly practical in many applications: sitting, walking, jumping, eating (ice cream!), anchoring, stabilizing, strengthening, building, paving, sculpting, skipping, gathering, surfacing, collecting, beautifying, bordering, fencing, playing, climbing, exploring, sheltering, shading, beautifying . . . . What’s your favorite use for rocks?

Contributed by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& classic rock fan)

Recently, James and I spent a beautiful afternoon motorcycling along River Road near the Susquehanna River. We were searching for the Kelly’s Run Trail, a roughly four-mile walk through Rhododendron-covered, new-growth forest along delightful Kelly’s Run. We had last hiked the trail almost 30 years ago when our children were young but had not been back since. Now, with a rare, free afternoon, blue skies and sunshine, adventure called and we answered.

When we arrived at the trailhead, we were greeted by one of the rangers of the Lancaster County Conservancy. She told us about the trail just ahead of us and about other hiking trails and nature preserves managed by the Conservancy. We were amazed to learn that there are over 45 nature preserves in western Lancaster and eastern York County, Central Pennsylvania. Of these, over 20 have established parking lots and trails, and provide the best opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and bird watching.

We were pleased to know that this organization has been gradually taking on management of some of Lancaster and York Counties’ wilder areas with the intent to make natural beauty more accessible to the public. Please visit the website to learn more about these fabulous places: https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/

Then, when adventure beckons, be sure to respond! You’ll be glad you did!

Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& local adventure seeker)