12 Days of Christmas-Day 7

Day 7--Seven Swans A'Swimming 

Seven swans a'swimming are proving to be pretty elusive in regards to some deeper "meaning"  other than the religious one.  So let's do some brainstorming about what the giver could possibly mean by giving his/her true love seven swans a'swimming.   Well first of all we all know seven is a lucky number and considered  the number of God and then we come to the swans themselves.   Most of us think of grace and beauty when we think of a swan.  There is something very beautiful about these white birds that seem timeless.   So I could see why someone might give their love something with a swan with the idea of it being representative of timeless beauty and grace. Who knows maybe the "swimming"   part meant they were giving their true love a piece of real estate with a lake which just happened to have seven swans living on it.   Hey that would be a great gift wouldn't it!

Since we are talking about timeless beauty and elegance I have several ideas of topics I could share on this topic but I think I will go with my first idea --Seven women I consider represent timeless beauty and grace.  (left to right-Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Barbara Streisand Jackie  Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, Benazir Bhutto) 

12 Days of Christmas--Day 5

Day 5-Five Golden Rings 

If you like it, put a ring on it! 

This one is pretty straight forward right.  I mean what woman alive doesn't like getting jewelry of some sort from her true love.   And of course December is the most popular time of the year to propose in fact 26% of the proposals for the year at Christmas.  Talk about a great way to start a new year!   

Since we are talking about rings, and romance I think I'll share 5 romantic places to get away with your special someone.    

Cute and Cozy 

Warm and Sultry 

Sparkling Nights 

Imagination running wild 

Basking in the blue 

12 Days of Christmas-Day 3

Day 3--Three French Hens 

French Chickens or French Chics?

Interesting enough the third day's gift isn't as straightforward as you might think.   There is very little known as to what the writer was actually referring.   The author could have meant an actual chicken from France of which there are many breeds,  one of them being the Faverolles  which are quite remarkable looking birds.  However, since it just refers to hens it seems a little ambiguous.  Did you know a female octopus and a female lobster were called hens?  Who knew! And doesn't that give us a really different visual  for the third day.   I'm going to stick with the idea of chickens because I just can't wrap my mind of giving an octopus  as a romantic gift... Yuck!  

Since I really  am not sure chickens are that interesting,  I decided to go with the option of sharing three things that are very French and definitely more interesting.   

Paris the City of Love

French and Fashion are synonymous aren't they ? 

C'est delicieux

12 Days of Christmas -Day 2

Day 2--Two Turtle Doves 

Not much different from a pigeon ...hmm I don't think so 

So what in the world could be interesting about a turtle dove?    I don't know about you, but when I hear the word dove I imagine the white one with a green twig or branch in it's mouth.   You know the one they always  use for peace.  However,  there is a special trait turtle doves share and many believe it is as important as peace. Can you guess what it might be? If you guessed love then you are 100% right.   In fact Turtle Doves are quiet famous for being monogamous and forming life time bonds.  This is often the reason we will find them used as a symbol of love in literature and poetry.  So if  your someone special gave you two Turtle Doves he/she might be telling you they want to love you for a lifetime...I know kinda sappy huh,  but defiantly a special gift and of course perfect for us hopeless romantics.   

Since the turtle doves  represent true abiding and constant love I'm sharing  two  poems about love and of course the Turtle Dove is very present  

AN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LOVE POEM 

I hear thy voice, O turtle dove-

The dawn is all aglow-

Weary am I with love, with love, 

Oh, whither shall I go? 

Not so, O beauteous bird above, 

Is joy to be denied...

For I have found my dear, my love;

And I am by his side. 

We wander forth, and hand in hand 

Through flowery ways we go-

I am the fairest in the land, 

For he has called me so.  

May First,  The Time for Love 

Late evening, on the first of May -

The twilit May - the time of love.Meltingly called the turtle-dove,Where rich and sweet pinewoods lay.Whispered of love the mosses trail,The flowering tree as sweetly lied,The rose's fragrant sigh repliedTo love-songs of the nightingale.In shadowy woods the burnished lakeDarkly complained a secret pain,By circling shores embraced again;And heaven's clear sun leaned down to takeA road astray in azure deeps,Like burning tears the lover weeps.