Holiday Bits and Pieces

tiny trees on a bedroom dresser

When I open my writing desk...keepsake card surprise from Mary

part of a larger display...the little deer is made of carved wood

another one dollar ornament that's new on the den tree

 holiday cards on the entry table

keepsakes in white, especially

the kissing angels from Kaye 

 dining room wreath and plates

another tree on the kitchen counter

This skinny tree is in a crock and needs another bird or two.

The Days Before Christmas

 This Christmas will be like no other. Decorating has helped, but there is a void  without family and friends celebrating together. However, there has been time to focus on that very first Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas.

This nativity was a wedding gift in 1971.

The angel did not come with it. It was an angel my mother had.

The mail brings one or two cards each day. I'm using two letter holders this year.

The larger one gets traditional Christmas cards.

The smaller one gets photo Christmas cards.

Each day I get to enjoy this collection of special cards. I placed them on the top of the washstand that's in the hall. My friend Mary has given me card treasures through the years.

I keep finding ways to add a few small decorative touches during these pre-Christmas days.

This kitchen window garland I made several years ago. 

The idea came from a 2003 Home Companion magazine.

How I miss that publication!

Thanks for coming by. 

Let's focus on Christmas joys each day.

Here We Go Again

Yipes! December is moving along at a fast pace. Time to get the house decorated with all those favorite things from years past and to try out 
a few new "treasures." One Santa decoration was found months ago at an 

antique mall. I am filling Santa's sack with small toys and items.

This was my first decoration of the season. The banner is old, but the scarf is 

new. Changing the entryway is a lot of fun now that the rack is finally up.

This cute snowman was a purchase last year at Charlene's. The wreath he's holding has a vintage look.

This slender tree is new from Big Lots. I love these simple wooden ornaments I have had for years. On the big tree in the living room they get overshadowed by all the other decorations. This tree purchase was a birthday gift to myself. Sitting in my easy chair I'm able to gaze at the tree on the hearth and delight in  old-fashioned simplicity. 

My first card of the season was this beauty from Mary. Every year she has surprised me with beautiful cards and creations. On my bookcase I am using four special ones.

More to come. Until next time...

Another Shopping Experience

My friend Kim and I spent Tuesday on the Covington Square and visited shop after shop. Oh, my goodness, there were so many Christmas sights in every store.

The first antique shop we visited had a talking Santa. Since we weren't expecting it to move and talk, it was a bit startling.

 At Upscale Resale these red and green deer ornaments were a lovely bargain due to  50% 0ff. 

 We had lunch at Old Town Hall Cafe.

 A friendly lady offered to take our picture.

I only snapped one photo of the outside decorations, but there were many to enjoy.

At another shop I decided on two pretty ornaments. Once I had them home, I snipped off the hanging loop and placed them in glass containers in make- believe snow. I placed the dainty trees on each end of the piano.






















My biggest purchase was a lantern that I added fairy lights to. The wreath was an old one I decided to use with the lantern.

Soon Christmas will be here. I've been getting some gifts wrapped.

Also made two different styles of Christmas cards for family members using rubber stamps and paint.

Christmas Tidings

Christmas cards are starting to arrive, and I love receiving them. This year I'm using toast and napkin racks to display them.

Every year I know not to buy any more Christmas items. But every year I fail. Two recent finds were a glitter house from Charlene's and a Thomas Kinkade ornament from Plantation Antiques.

The top of my bookcase is full this year.

The Christmas Open House at Plantation Antiques was held Saturday. I was happy the unsmiling lady and box of Aunt Geneva's ornaments found new homes.

This is always my favorite room in December.

Love to spend time here gazing at the tree ornaments or reading with a cup of coffee.

Thanks for dropping by this Monday. Do come back as I hope to share a few more Christmas moments.

Christmas Joys

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2: 1-20

(bookmark ornament...open Bible...reminder to pause and reflect

on the true meaning of Christmas)

Ornaments... Memory Keepers

(still adding to the tree 'cause I keep finding ones I had forgotten about)

Christmas Cards 

( exquisite, traditional, simple...love 'em all )   

Wrapping Gifts...fun, fun, fun!   

(glittered letters...easy identification) 

 Vignettes

(sweet lamb nestled on a favorite platter atop old scale)  

Best Month for Mail

Christmas cards are starting to arrive. I don't even mind the cold walk to the mailbox. One problem I have each year is deciding how to show them off. Sometimes I drape them over a long ribbon or tuck them around a door frame or heap them in a basket. This year I'm going to use letter holders. I have four different styles I have secured over the years. They will keep the beautiful cards displayed, and they'll be close for reading and rereading. The card above was stitched in 1983 by my longtime friend Mary. I love this card! I also love that we have been friends since high school. Each Christmas Mary's card comes out of a storage drawer and gets an honorary position on the tall bookcase.