December 16, 2010

A Christmas Kiss.

Staying with the romantic theme this week, I have to admit that I love to be kissed. Oh yes I do - and I love to return the kisses even more.

A kiss can mean so much - it can be such a very innocent display of fondness and devotion as well as it can be the most intimate display of romance and love.

I was brought up in a loving home and physical display of affection was always present. I recall that we always kissed our parents good night, for many years as kids.

Thus when I love, I kiss.

I kiss Batcat daily on his cold nose or shower his black beautiful fur with kisses when I hold him tight. I kiss my friends on the cheek and of course, the men I fall in love with can expect to be kissed by me constantly. When I flirt, I blow covert kisses to my admirers and I sign love letters occasionally with a lipstick kiss.

And of course, during Christmas, there is always a Mistletoe hanging somewhere in my house. I love this romantic tradition that belongs to the holidays.
Not many know that this beautiful evergreen is actually classed as a hemiparasite and in nature it grows attached to trees or shrubs, draining them of nutrients.

Kissing under the Mistletoe is suggested by some legends to be of Scandinavian origin; if enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their weapons and observe peace until next day. Ultimately, a mistletoe bunch was hung from the ceiling as a symbol of goodwill and friendship.

To me though, this beautiful Holiday plant simply adds a romantic streak to my Holidays. And maybe one Christmas, there will also be a man there for me - to kiss and to be kissed by - standing underneath it.

38 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Don't worry some day you will be totally swept of your feet and kissed with such passion that you forget you are standing underneath the mistletoe.

Sandy said...

I always kissed my Dad and Mom good night when I lived at home even continuing it into my adulthood when I visited them. I kiss and hug my hubby all the time. I think we are very alike Zuzana!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful images. A kiss means a lot.

Kath said...

How delightful, I wish you a life full of kisses!

Kat_RN said...

We have mistletoe growing in the oak near where I park. When I leave for work, my Sweet Husband walks me to my pickup and kisses me under it.
Hope you find that sort too.
Kat

Elisabeth said...

My strange childhood, Zuzana has caused me to be wary of kisses, except with special people. But I enjoy them in theory, and I'm glad to hear that you do.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Imust admit that I love to be kissed and kiss. But in India, display of affectiuon is quite rare and so we don't much kiss people (except when in love). My mothers feels very shy when I kiss her and sometimes she also does not allow me to kiss her. I have tyo forcefully kiss her. But when it comes to men, . . . hmmmm, you know better.

Zuzana, times won't be the same. My sincere wishes for lovely and wet kisses to you that the mistletoe will be a long forgotten item.

Joy always,
Susan

Unknown said...

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without mistletoe, and it's abundant in the trees in the south!

Sending you kisses Zuzana.

Claus said...

I didn't know that about mistletoe! How interesting! Of course, mistletoe is not know in Guatemala, nor a "must" in homes at Christmas time. We do see it in movies though :o) and are familiar with it, but as far as being a part of our traditions, no.
Thank you for sharing Zuzana! Something nice and new I learned today.
have a great day!!

Donna said...

Nothing better than kisses, Zuzana. Our family has always kissed and shown affection.

Mistletoe can be seen everywhere here in the south hanging from the trees.

I wish you lots of kisses!

Hugs,
Donna

Brian Miller said...

oh i love a good kiss as well..smiles. need to go get me some mistletoe to carry around...

Myrna R. said...

I love the mistletoe in your home and your thoughts about kisses. I send you a cyber kiss of friendship.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I was goig to buy some mistletoe at the Barn when we bought our tree at the weekend but they had completely sold out! I was so disappointed as I love mistletoe but I will try elsewhere this weekend! It looks lovely in the mosaic against your red sofas:-)

A lovely topical post Zusana, I send you kisses across the ether!

Jeanne
xox

Hilary said...

I'm a kissy sort too. My cats get smothered with them. My son is hugged and kissed upon each greeting and departure for the day and of course romantic kisses mean(t) a lot. I wish you many such kisses under the mistletoe.. this season and always.

Anonymous said...

You are such a romantic and that is wonderful. The world needs more romantics.
Aren't cats the best to cuddle & kiss? They always smell so good : )

tony said...

i never the origin of misletoe! Of Course ,In Yorkshire We Snog!!!! xxx

Laura said...

I love the idea of laying down arms beneath the mistletoe....a story I'd never heard before.
xxxxxoooo

Holly said...

That gave me chills!! I am an affectionate person as well... I crave touch.

Zuzana-
I have lost all of the contact info that was in my email. :( So if you would send me your address again I promise to write it in my address book like a good little girl. ;);)

xoxox -Holly

steviewren said...

You've hit on the very thing I miss the most in this season of my life. I don't mind living alone. I don't mind not having a love interest...but I sure do miss the kisses! I kiss my kids and grandkids, but let me assure you...it's not the same.

Mimi said...

I too love the idea of laying down arms under the mistletoe.
And wishing you thousands of kisses under your mistletoe!

adrielleroyale said...

Oh I love kisses :) I adore that top picture! It's so intimate and passionate! I can relate to the affectionate family upbringing too, we are still the best huggers around :)

SandyCarlson said...

So beautiful and warm. Thank you.

Betsy Brock said...

I agree...there's nothing better than a good kiss. :) I think I need to hang some mistletoe above my desk!

Cat in the road said...

"xoxo"

Anonymous said...

Here's wishing you many kisses!

I recently saw mistletoe at the botanical gardens growing on trees. Apparently, it doesn't harm the trees and they live together in harmony...

Absolutely Ladylike said...

This is so cute dearest Zuzana...I pictured you and Batcat and it reminds me to run down and kiss my little black rabbit, Kormi...I greatly miss him every time I leave Budapest...he's 11 years old...incredibly soft, the favorite member of the family and of course he's very handsome as well :-)

Happy Holidays and much love to you: Evi

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

"And maybe one Christmas, there will also be a man there for me - to kiss and to be kissed by - standing underneath it."

That has to be, that there will again be a man there for you. There have to have been many, before. Hope there are many [or one] ahead, whichever you prefer. :-)

Anonymous said...

Like I told LadyCat yesterday... Chocolate Kisses all over my face, please. A fun post here, Zuzana..
:) The Bach
Lord Thomas of Wellington

SandyCarlson said...

Time for me to go buy some mistletoe. I was thinking before I read this how sweet it would be to be kissed good-night....You speak to my heart.

Jerry said...

I envy the man that you will someday find under the mistletoe. He would be extraordinarily blessed.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I love this post...a bit of history about mistletoe. I had no idea. I would like to have some beautiful mistletoe (like yours) in my home! I never see it anywhere...only fake impersonations of what you have in your photograph! Pretty.

A good kiss...love them!

sprinkles said...

Oh my goodness, how did I miss this post? I kept thinking I haven't seen an update from you in awhile and wondered where you were. And you've been here all along!

I grew up without a lot of physical affection so I find that I really enjoy a good hug as an adult. I like kisses too but I'd take a hug over a kiss any day - unless it's with someone I'm dating, of course! I do kiss my dogs daily though. Just my little way of letting them know how much I love them.

Maja Miusow said...

,,Kissing under the Mistletoe'' what a lovey traition, its such a pitty we dont do this in Poland;)

jules said...

To sweet. I learned something this morning. I did not know the origins of mistletoe!

Maria said...

Same with me. I kiss my kids all the time.

Zuzana said...

Elizabeth, Sandy, Rajesh, Kath, Kat, Elisabeth, Susan, Gaston Studio, Claudia, Donna, Brian, Myrna, Jeanne, Hilary, LadyCat, tony, Laura, Holly, Stevie, Mimi, adrielle, Sandy, Betsy, Sribe, ladyfi, Evi, Amelia, The Bach, Jerry (what a great compliment!;), Jill, sprinkles, maja, jules (welcome) and Maria – thank you so much everyone for these fun and versatile comments!
I am delighted to learn that so many of you too love this gentle expression of affection and that you enjoyed the story behind the Mistletoe tradition.
Even though it is only a symbolic one, I have to say that If you believe, anything can happen...

Thank you so much everyone for always taking the time to stop by and for letting me know - in such kind words - that you did so…

Xoxo
Zuzana

A Plain Observer said...

what a lovely post. I also grew up in a very lovely home, but although my mom hugged me, I dont remember kissing being a display of affection. I do, however, use kisses to show my love. I kiss my kids on the tip of the nose, they know that.
May you find a man you can kiss under, around, near, far and anywhere mistletoe or not.

Zuzana said...

Thank you dear Myriam, what a beuatiful comment...
xoxo