A Look Back at 2012

A quick peek back at year 2012.

And a wish for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!

Come To Bethlehem

"Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ the Lord, the newborn King."

Wishing a very happy Christmas to all of you.

(Shadow box nativity made by my Mama, in the late 60's or early 70s.)

Christmas All Through The House

Christmas is tucked into every corner of my home. 

Little Tomten (Swedish for elf) and his forest friends.

I made this little elf when I was a teen, to match one we found at a store. 

(See the store version down at  the other end of the piano.)

 Deer hide among the trees and family pictures.
(Many of the tree ornaments were given to us by my late MIL.)

Bright pixies frolic in a basket of wooden fruit.

(Those came from a fair trade store, where women from
underdeveloped nations sell their crafts to support their families.)

 Sequined felt trees.

(Made by my husband's Grandmother many years ago.)

More of Grandmother's trees.
(My mom found the smaller tree at a vintage shop.)

 A Gurley candle choir sings on the bookcase.

A candle nativity sits on a shelf.  

( This set belonged to my folks, and I played with it when I was a little girl.

It has seen better days, but I still love it.)

Wooly sheep safely graze inside the china cabinet.
(the cats can't get them there.)

The lamp post.

(We received 2-3 inches of heavy, wet snow last night.)

Snow Is On The Way!

We are supposed to receive our first snowfall late tonight and into tomorrow!

AND...

The  forecast is calling for snow on Christmas day!   YAY!!!
Thank you Mr Weatherman!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

May Choirs of Angels Come To Greet You

 Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

                                                    - Jan Struther

Click to play

This post is dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School

and the families and friends who mourn their loss.

Christmas At The Little Blue House

Winter has arrived, 

but the residents of the Little Blue House are snug and warm.

Blue Bear and his family 

send you many good wishes for a Happy Christmas!

* * *

Look here to see previous posts about Blue Bear  (a much loved toy from my childhood)

and his Little Blue House and Little Red Barn.

Maple Leaf Teacup

A package arrived on my doorstep and inside was

 a lovely Canadian maple leaf teacup from my sister.

Isn't it pretty?

Such a meaningful gift, because 

we lived in Canada when we were little girls.

So I'm enjoying a nice hot cup of Earl Grey 

and Swedish ginger cookies.

Teacup:  Canada From Sea to Sea, Royal Albert (England)

Teapot:  Greystone, Denby (England)

Linking to
Teacup Tuesday with Terri and Martha
Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi
Friends Sharing Tea with Bernideen

How Lovely Are Thy Branches

"Oh Christmas tree,

How lovely are thy branches."

Red Flannel Union Suit

(Santa gift wrap, maker unknown)

The red flannel union suit is, by all appearances, Santa's undergarment of choice.

Have you ever worn a pair?

(Santa Gets Dressed fabric- Alexander Henry)

(Santa card- Peggy Jo Ackley, The Family Line, Inc.)

 (Santa gift wrap- Gordon Fraser)

(Santa gift wrap- maker unknown)

(More of my paperdoll collection can be found on my Paperdoll Page,
at the top of my blog, directly under the header.)

Quick Christmas Gift Tags

Gluing together a few quick and easy tags for Christmas gifts.

Punch out simple shapes, add rhinestones for sparkle, 

personalize with initials, and tie with vintage ric-rac.

Fun and done in less than 30 minutes!

Easy Microwaved Apples

 For a quick and tasty holiday treat, cook an apple in the microwave.

Core and slice one apple. (I like to leave the skin on.)

Top with:

2 Tablespoons of brown sugar

1 Tablespoon of sweet cream butter

chopped pecans

smidge of cloves

smidge of ginger

(You may substitute any of your favorite nuts and spices) 

Microwave for one minute.  Stir to coat the apples with the buttery sugar mixture. 

Microwave for one more minute (or until your apple reaches the desired softness.)

Top with a dollop of whipped cream, if you like.

Yum yum!