Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year

I found a lovely old postcard photo to share with you on this New Years Eve Day.... And wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year.... I know some of my friends are having some troubling times and I so wish for them to have better times ahead.... Have faith and inspiration the New Year will be filled with peace and joy.....
Ps. I have taken the last couple days and placed lovely little ornaments safely in storage boxes in hopes of opening them for decorating next season... I am working on a couple little tucks of Valentine's I will share with you in a couple days....
I am off to finish a couple chores I didn't complete yesterday... My daughter and her husband are coming for a steak supper this evening and a we will go to the Elks for refreshments and champagne at 8 and be home by 10... I don't care to party and like to be home on New Years so this will be fine..... Be safe all....

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Scrapping On Old Photo

I finished this a couple days ago and thought I would share with you. This is the old photo I purchased at a antique shop in Indiana.... I will find a home for it as I slowly pack treasured Christmas to snooze for another year..... I have a desire to place objects in a new home and embellish in a different manner without spending any money... so the challenge is on... We are off to purchase groceries this morning as we are out of some basics.... Have a very nice day......

Monday, December 28, 2009

Victorian New Years

Ever wonder what Victorians did to celebrate New Year's????? It seems that during the 1870"s the custom of young, eligible gentlemen to come calling on equal eligible young ladies come to be.... New Year's Eve celebrations did not occur until about World War 1. The Victorians rang in the New Year with a celebrate Ope House which lasted from noon to 6 P.M. The gentlemen paid short calls at each household and left their calling card.... The young ladies, surrounded by families, of course, received the gentlemen and would serve light refreshments. The custom became so popular that young ladies vied with each other as to the number of calling cards each one had received... The custom however quickly faded away,some ten years later, as families of young ladies realized more drinking than calling was being done. People still entertained with family and friends but not so anxious for young gentlemen callers.

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Musings.... We celebrated our last Christmas family get-together yesterday afternoon and evening and shared a very ,very nice time.... I need to get back to reality and think about placing little loved ornaments into storage boxes for another year ........ I so hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas but I know a for all it isn't as lovely as for others... Seems we all have our different time for happenings in our lives... Remember those who may be going through some difficult times with a prayer and understanding and well wishes....

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Best Wishes

I hope many sounds of laughter and smiling faces were enjoyed the past couple days by all. Tom and I have one more family get together tomorrow afternoon with his children....
Thoughts of packing loved objects away for another year are wondering in my mind... I usually place some Valentines decorations out when Christmas is safely in their boxes... Last year I made a couple Valentines to display and may have to create something new this year....
Hope you all enjoy your weekend and I will try to post Monday.... Blessings......
ps.We are off to a tournament the Tinora High School Boys play in tonight and Monday night and a sandwich out....

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone

My wishes for you are a Peaceful and Very Merry Christmas and if you and your family are traveling, be safe........ Blessings....................

Monday, December 21, 2009

Special Week

As we enter this very special week of tradition and time of recalling our childhood memories.... having embellished our homes with twinkling lights and shiny glass balls it is time to enjoy time with our families... and reflect on what happened so many years ago making the reason for the season... I have shared many legends and tradition with you the last couple months and some samplings of my home and a few creating projects... I have so enjoyed others musings and lovely pictures of their labor of love of decorating and creating... I don't think I will be posting this week, but taking time for small treats....Tonight and tomorrow night we are going to Tinora's basketball games.... I plan on small amounts of baking and preparing different dishes for our gatherings.... as I am sure many of you will be doing the same....
I did however want to make sure I took special time to wish all my readers and friends a very, very, blessed and peaceful week and if you are traveling, be safe... May all your wishes and dreams come true.....
Merry Christmas to all of you.......

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer


The sleigh was all packed
The reindeer were fed
But Santa still knelt
By the side of the bed
"Dear Father" he prayed
"Be with me tonight,"
There' much work to do,
And my schedule if tight"
"I must jump in my sleigh
And streak through the sky
Knowing full well
That reindeer can't fly."
"I will visit each household
Before the first light
I'll cover the world
And all in the night."
"With sleigh bells a ringing
I'll land on each roof"
"To get in the house
Is the difficult part
So I'll slide down the chimney
Of each child's heart"
"My sack will hold toys
To grant all their wishes
To supply will will be endless
Like the loaves and the fishes"
"I will fill all the stockings
And not to leave a track
I'll eat every cookie
That's left for a snack"
"I can do all these things, Lord
Only through you
I just need your blessing
Then it's easy to do
"All this is to honor
The birth of the one
That was sent to redeem us..
Your most Holy Son"
"So to all of my friends
Least your glory I rob
Please Lord, remind them
Who gave me this job...."

Warren D. Jennings

Saturday, December 19, 2009

White Christmas and Road Trip



























"Winter..... is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy your idle hours.." John Boswell .....

As I sit with coffee in hand, I peer out my picture window... I view a winter wonderland..... The lovely snowflakes are gently making their journey to the already white coverage of the ground... I went outside in my jammies a couple minutes ago and snapped a couple pics for you to enjoy with me.... It is quite lovely.

Yesterday Tom and I traveled to Angola to a antique shop as I wanted to find a base for my mercury glass cloche... I also found a couple of indents at a reasonable price.. and brought them home to give them a family and tuck them in amongst other loved Christmas objects. They seem happy they found a loving warm home... I also found a lovely old photo... quite large that I have a desire to do some scrapping on... I will share when I complete the project....
Today Tom and I are both in LOW-SLOW... Seems so wonderful not to have to anywhere and enjoy the lovely moments.... After lunch, I will be preparing a roaster pan full of ham and scalloped potatoes and a crock pot full of mashed potatoes, as Tom and I are on KP duty for the Moser Christmas party this evening.... Christmas will be celebrated in Archbold at the park pavilion... It is rented every year for his family Christmas as none of us really have large enough home to accommodate all his large family... I am off to enjoy my stretch of peace and possibly a walk in the soft snow..... Best wishes...













Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Time Of The Year




It is the time of the year when you reconnect with objects you love.... the ones boxed up from a year ago... I look forward to dusk and the turning on of my Christmas lights and watching a Christmas movie or two on the evening hours....
For many Christmas decorations are valued memories..... I am always looking for inspiration from any source I can find and have enjoyed too numerous of the blogs to mention with lovely thoughts, ornaments and decorated homes and have had the hours of pleasure viewing lovely photos and reading your writings.... I have many ideas for next year... and the look I would like to achieve....
I tried to purchase a few vintage indents and pink glass balls on eBay earlier this season only to realize there are some who will pay way more than I am willing to to have them.... I quickly changed my desire to be content with what I have already with the hopes many I can find a few through the summer months.... If not will come up with other inspiration.... as I love the look of aged pages and treasured objects to recreate at a budget price.....
My main wish just whispers " Peace, comfort and joy" that the holiday season calls for... I believe the joy of the season is the time we can spend at home, our retreat and lovely showcase for the holidays.... I find great contentment in this and do remember to decorate, celebrate, and the plan to rejuvenate......
I am off to turn on some Christmas music softly and clean my modest little home that I am so very thankful for.... Blessings ........
"Remember Santa isn't the only one who waits to taste those delecious gingerbread and sugar cookies."
I need to bake..........................



Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A List For Santa

Author Unknown.......

Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window where you play
Your blankets snug around you
Into sleep you drift away.

I bend to gently kiss you
When I see on the floor
There's a letter dearly written
I wonder who it's for.

I quietly unfold it
Making sure you're still asleep
It's a Christmas list for Santa
One my heart will always keep.

It started just as always
With the toy's seen on TV
A new watch for your father
And a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on
I could see the deep inside
There were many things you wished for
That your loving heart would hide.

You ask if your friend Molly
Could have another Dad
It seems her father hits her
And it makes you very sad.Then Dear Santa
If the neighbors down the street
Could find a job that he might have
Some food and clothes and heat.

You saw a family on the news
Whose house had blown away
"Dear Santa send them one thing,
a place where they can stay."

"And Santa, those four cookies that I left you for a treat.
Could you take them to the children
who have nothing else to eat."

" Do you know that little bear I have,
The one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you to take
To Africa this year.."

And as you fly your reindeer
On the night of Jesus birth,
Could your magic bring everyone
Goodwill and peace on Earth."

There's one last thing before you go.
So grateful I would be
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus
In the manger by the tree"
I pulled the letter close to me
I felt it melt my heart
Those tiny little hands had written
what no other could impart.

"And a little child shall lead them"
Was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve
While Santa Claus was there.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Magazine Love

I have found the Jeanne d Arc Living magazine has just consumed me.... I love the look and I am hoping I can create some objects to help give me that look. I have to use a small budget to add a few changes... thinking this style will be easy to achieve... As I just want tucks of it...... I did purchase a mercury glass cloche from Tracey for myself for my Christmas gift....... I looked at it for a couple months.... so with the chance we may not be able to purchase in the states I am so glad I did... The magazine is a tasty dose of lavishness entwined with naturals..... Just perfection.......

"I would rather have one pleasant word in kindness said to me, than flattery when the heart is still and life has ceased to be."... author unknown

Monday, December 14, 2009

Musings

Thursday,Friday, and Saturday we attended Tinora girls and boys high school basketball games in the evenings.... Yesterday, I baked a batch of our favorite cookies after church and breakfast at home.... and relaxed all afternoon viewing blogs I had never viewed before... Last night I watched a series of three Christmas movies that was aired on the Lifetime Channel.....In other wards I just took it easy... turned on the Christmas lights and lit a candle and chilled.... It was lovely......

There are many Christmas symbols such as Santa Claus... based on a actual person named Saint Nicholas..... I did a post last month on Christmas stockings that named Saint Nicholas.... In Germany Saint Nicholas was called Kris Kringle which comes from " Christkindle" that translates Child Child. The dutch called him Sinder Claes. This evolves into the name we know as Santa Claus.... The days are getting short and soon many homes will have excited children awaiting the arrival of this pudgy little guy we have all known from childhood to adulthood.... We have wrote a note to Santa that he doesn't need to stop here this year but to pass on over to the house down the road where the grandchildren reside.... We at our house have been blessed with all we feel we need and feel no pressure of the shopping sprees that take place in many American homes.... I have no need or want for any of this... only for the desire to spend a few hours with our loved ones... our family.... and oh yes some candy and cookies and a luscious meal is desired... This is our gift......

" I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.....
Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford

" To become a grandparent is to enjoy one of the few pleasures in life which the consequences have already been paid... Robert Brault



Sunday, December 13, 2009

Mistletoe And Evergreens

Division exists between those who say mistletoe must not be brought into the house before New Year's Eve and those whom believe it must be a part of the greenery brought Christmas morning. What all agree on however is the custom of kissing under it. Traditionally a man may take a kiss from a girl standing under the sprig, but only if he plucks a berry from the plant and presents it to her with each kiss . Once the berries are gone , so too the kissing.

Mistletoe and husband divination also go hand in hand, with unmarried women told to swipe sprigs of the plant from the church altars, and hide them in their pillows to bring dreams of their future husbands. Unmarried girls would supervise the burning of old mistletoe to see how it went. Steady flames were good signs, but the spluttering ones foretold of cross and bad tempered husbands.

Evergreens brought home from church are said to be especially lucky and should be hung in the house and remain up all year to bring good fortune.
Evergreens are symbolic of enduring and renewed life which is why we decorate our homes with them at Christmastime.
Our ancestors decorated their homes with holly, ivy, and rosemary, bay, and laurel plus anything that still showed green. Our choices today have become standardized as we do not observe allot of the rituals of the past with one such as holly believed to have protective powers, especially against the witches and lightening. The bush itself treated with great reverence, and used to clean chimneys. Holly is seen as a masculine plant and ivy a feminine one, leading to them being united at Christmas.

Friday, December 11, 2009

History Of Christmas Lights

Thomas Edison as we all know invented the first practical light bulb in 1879... Three years later an associate Edward Johnson electrically lit the first Christmas tree. The tree was displayed in the parlor of his New York home and created quite a stir.
In 1895 President Cleveland proudly sponsored the first electrically lit Christmas tree in the white house... It was a hugh specimen of multi-colored lights... Electrical sockets had not yet been invented so it was quite a job... Course none of this being at all practical to the average American family. The G.E. Co. in 1905 offered a pre-assembled lighting outfit for the first time. Although G.E. offered the lighting it did not manufacture it. The American EverReady name did. Recognize the EverReady name.... It is truly amazing over the years to our day now all the hundreds of choices we have for decorating our Christmas trees of today. We certainly have come a long way from the Victorian Years of lighting trees with actual candle burning and a bucket of water near by.... Yikes.... But it isn't it amazing in our thoughts a old-fashion Christmas takes us back to the thoughts of Victorian days with the hand-made ornaments and naturals.... popcorn, nuts, fruits.... I love thoughts and lovely images of years past... but love the conveniences of modern day....

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Enjoying The Moments

As I sit and enjoy my quiet time with coffee in hand I can't help but have good tidings for the season.... The wind is showing it's strength and snow is flying and I am enjoying the warmth of my home and oh, so fortunate to have a warm home... I have enjoyed so very many lovely posts sharing their decorating and beautiful open houses attended... Many lovely creations by hand and vintage glass balls tucked safety into beautiful glass jars and cloches filled with bottle brush trees and all things sparkly are among my favorites.... I so love the sugary-sweet glisten of Christmas and love to take many objects through Valentines Day. I hope the sugar plum fairies are dancing in your head as I would love to view many more ideas and lovely homes....
Remember your homes are all decorated in it's holiday finest make inspiration and anticipation soar in wonderment of the days to come.... No matter where you go or what you do for yuletide cheer- take precious moments, stop and enjoy.. Find the beauty and charm in the holiday season as we celebrate the anniversary of Christ's birth.

God always gives his best to those who leave the choice to him.......

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Here We Come A Wassailing

A tradition from Great Britain.... celebrating Christmastime and many happy tidings...
The word wassail literally means to be wealthy... it is a toasted goodwill. In years past wassailing mainly involved people singing carols from door to door. The carolers would carry a bowl of wassail, which was a hot mulled cider, or some kind of mulled wine or apple based beverage. Often people floated a piece of toasted bread on the top of the steaming wassail... which was the origin of our modern day expression " I would like to propose a toast." When carolers entered homes they shared their wassail and received eats... At this time wishes for a merry Christmas and happy tiding for a New Year would be exchanged by all. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots of trees while making lots of noise to scare off bad spirits responsible for door to door singing and drinking becoming a Christmas tradition....

Spiced Apple Cider
1 gallon apple cider... If you want milder use apple juice...
2 tablespoon whole cloves
2 tablespoons whole allspice
6 cinnamon sticks
orange slices with peel
Piece of cheesecloth....
Tie spices in cheesecloth. drop spices and oranges into cider in pan and heat till spices have mulled..... on low heat at least 40 minutes....
There are also many mulled cider mixes available at a larger cost in stores......

Christmas is known as one of the most popular holidays of the calendar year, although can be one of the most stressful and depressing for many.
Why not try this old tradition and sit back and enjoy some mulled cider with family and friends and enjoy all that surrounds you.....


Monday, December 7, 2009

Creating




It's in the air..... It's beginning to look allot like Christmas.... The skies are full of white sparkling flakes, ever so gently falling to the ground as I sit and sip my coffee this morning ..... I wanted o share with you just a couple of the brown lunch sack Christmas card folder I made to share with special friends... 4 will be going to the woman's Christmas party I will be attending this evening..... I also have fathered a couple pics of angel wings, I drew the pattern free hand and cut out 5 layers consisting of sheet music, aged book pages and fancy scrapbook papers... Tied then together with ribbon and they look really sweet on a jar or pillar candle or just as a Christmas ornament..... They could be used on canning jars of homemade jams and other gifts also.....
" Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it"................William Arthur Ward


Sunday, December 6, 2009

Christmas Cards

I have been creating a few special Christmas cards to take to a woman's Christmas Party tomorrow night to a few of my friends and must get my addresses on others in the next couple days... Last evening we went with another couple to Ft. Wayne to meet another couple, old friends, and enjoyed a lovely and delicious dinner and conversation with them.... The trip was nice with a few snow flurries in the air and viewing Christmas lights on the way home was very enjoyable.
I am off to finish the 5 special Christmas card folders .... Christmas cards are so charming and lovely to receive... If you possibly can add a hand written note to each one to make it a personal message... Christmas cards have been around since 1843.... when the first Christmas card was designed.... by J.C. Horsley... In 1846 thousands of cards were printed and sold to the public. Christmas card have been produced by giants like Hallmark every since.....

Stressed?????
" If you want to forget all your other problems, wear too tight of shoes".......

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Different Traditions from Other Countries

I enjoy reading and researching traditions and legends of Christmas.... Thought I might share a couple with you today......

* If you live in the Netherlands, you put hay and sugar inside your shoe on the night before St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas horse will eat the hay and sugar when they stop at your house... After the horse eats, Saint Nicholas repays you by filling your shoes with candy and tiny gifts.......

*In Spain, you place straw in your shoes. The camels of the Three Kings will eat the straw as they pass by your house and leave gifts on Epiphany, twelve nights after Christmas.

* In some parts of Germany, Christmas you get gifts from a girl called Christkind. She wears a crown of candles and carries a basket full of gifts to give to children... { a scary being called Hans Trapp is said to go with Christkind, who waves a stick to threaten the naughty children....

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire... It's time for home.... author unknown

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Christmas Caroling

Christmas Caroling.... Caroling can be a wonderful family Christmas time outing. In the days past, caroling was usually done by sleigh, requiring some pre- planning . Potatoes would need to be baked , to then be placed into jacket pockets to keep fingers warm. Likewise bags of sand would be heated to place in the sleigh for keeping feet warm. Today, caroling makes a joyous evening, both the carolers and the one's gifted by the music. Remember, Christmas caroling has been around since the night Jesus was born. It has been said on the night a choir of Angels sang out in celebration......

"Gratitude is the best attitude"...... author unknown