Christmas Bits

I hope your holidays have been good. We've had a lovely time. It's been relaxing and nicely paced and I haven't been able to tell you what day of the week it is for days. I think that's a good sign.

Two of the cutest photos from Christmas Day...our grand-dogs:)

Stella (sitting on first daughter's lap)...


and Dexter!


The Christmas tree at church decorated with the ornaments we made from recycled materials turned out looking quite pretty, I think.


I made only one Christmas gift this year...a doll quilt size (19" x 19") wall hanging for second daughter. The colors in the quilt will go well in any room in her apartment so I'm anxious to see where she hangs it.


I made twelve artist trading cards for a Christmas themed ATC swap, which was a lot of fun.



The best part of Christmas has been spending time with all of our kids, my sister, my brother, my niece and nephews. And the food--oh my gosh--the food has been delicious! Rick's birthday is the day after Christmas, so in addition to all of the holiday goodness, we went out for birthday-barbeque and came home for birthday-pie:)

This week, it's the New Year's holiday (which explains why I'm still confused about what day of the week it is) and an excuse for another delicious meal with friends on New Year's Eve--an early meal...our big party days are behind us.

And next week? I guess my treadmill avoidance time will be over. But that's next week.

Marilyn

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas...

may your holiday be filled with peace, love and joy!


Marilyn
xoxo

EXCITING NEWS for my 100th Post!

Our first grandchild is due in May and we are absolutely thrilled!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate my 100th post!

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My 1-year-blogoversary is also coming up soon and that calls for celebrating too.

How about a GIVEAWAY?

I like that idea. I'll try to think up something good in the next couple of weeks.


For now, I've got BABY on my mind:)

Marilyn

A Pretty Little Christmas...Blog Party

Heather (Pretty Petals) is hosting "A Pretty Little Christmas" Blog Party today. She has invited everyone, that wants to participate, to blog about your own Pretty Little Christmas...anything you like...whatever makes your heart sing. Sounds like fun!

So, here goes...WELCOME!

First, I want to show you the Holiday Book that I started making on craft day last week, and have now completed. It was a fun project!


Now, let me show you what makes my heart sing...the Christmas decorations and ornaments that hold extra special meaning...


From my very first Christmas, this angel bell--a gift from Santa Claus. I love her heart shaped lips and chubby little cheeks:)


When Rick was two years old, his father was away at Christmas, in Korea, serving in the army. In the gifts that his father sent back to the family that year, was this Santa and reindeer for Rick. It's great fun...each Christmas, at least once, we sit on the kitchen floor, wind it up and watch Santa travel in a big circle. There is a bell on the back that rings and sounds like an old bicycle bell:)


Giving Santa a little help, perhaps, are these elves...



My mother loved Christmas and always decorated BIG for the holidays! I think it was about 25 years ago that she was running out of room for all of her decorations and asked me to go through some of the older things and keep what I wanted. The elves came home with me and I love them as much today as I did years ago. They kind of remind me of Snow White's seven dwarfs, if only there was one more--maybe it's Dopey that's missing. (hmmm, it suddenly occurred to me how politically incorrect the Snow White story is.)

This angel also came from my mother--she gave it to me because she knew how much I loved it. I photographed her surrounded by the glass ball ornaments because Mom used those a lot in her decorating. She had glass ornaments tucked here...there...everywhere! It was beautiful.


The box that the angel came in is great too. Adler's was one of the big department stores in downtown Kansas City, and downtown was a hopping place when I was growing up. Department store windows were filled with magic--decorated trees, motorized dolls and woodland animals...there were holiday lights everywhere...and huge crowns hung across the streets.


Rick and I have inherited several ornaments, some from his parents and some from mine. I really love them all...


but this little church that came from Rick's family is one of my favorites.


The ballerina ornament was my mother's. I thinks she looks like she could be a dancer in the Nutcracker ballet.


I love the winter ivory clothing this young couple is wearing. Mom loved dolls so it was natural for her to be attracted to, and buy, porcelain doll ornaments.


A tiny bear that was Mom's when she was a little girl. So sweet.


And I just had to share these vintage greeting cards with you!




Lastly, a peace dove that I made two Christmases ago...


May your holidays be filled with peace and joy.

Thank you for taking the time during this busy season to come for a visit!

For more pretty little blog parties, click the button below...Heather has a wonderful list of participants for you to visit.




Marilyn

Holiday Craft Day

Yesterday, I went to craft day at Karla's. It was nice to take a break from the busy pace at this time of year and do some crafting. Karla showed us how to make books like the one she was working on. It was a lot of fun. I have a few more touches to add to mine and will post a picture of it in the next day or two.

We all brought Christmas goodies and put them in the pretty treat cabinet in the studio to share during the afternoon.

Karla gave us one of her packaged vintage ornaments to take home...

And Shawn crocheted a darling pin cushion for each of us. I've seen them on her blog before and am tickled to have one of my very own:)

I think both gifts were wrapped up so cute, too. Thank you, ladies, for your thoughtfulness! And for a FUN day of crafting!

Wishing all of you a great weekend...

Marilyn

Irresistible Holiday Shopping, Part 2

This is for Michelle who concluded her comment to this post with, "thanks for sharing ... but wait ... what did you get?!?".

Well, of course, I would have wondered the same thing!

Thanks for asking, Michelle...I'd love to show you what I bought. It's all too beautiful not to share!

From Karla, vintage bird ornaments and a bottle brush tree that Karla foofed up (a term I learned from her) to be even better. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see how they really sparkle!


From Beth, a nice length of crocheted trim and a darling pair of some little girl's shoes. Karla observed how much dancing that little one must have done in these shoes!


At Carol's booth I found an embellished box of matches that I just had to have for lighting holiday candles!


And from Gwen and Teri (French by Design), old French post cards and cancelled checks...and lovely French ribbon. Perfect for my paper arts stash!


I'm so glad you asked, Michelle...it was fun to play with my goodies again!

Marilyn

Paris Flea Markets

After my trip to the holiday market on Saturday, I found myself remembering my visit to France 15 years ago. I was there for two weeks and stayed with friends who lived there. There is a real advantage to visiting anyplace with locals as your guide. They know where to go and how to get there and, as was my case, can be a real help with the language--my French was pretty basic.

After Saturday, I recalled my visit to one of the Paris flea markets in Saint Ouen. I pulled out my box of photos and memorabilia to see what I had from my flea market experience. I found a brochure and a couple of photos that I've scanned here.





It was fun to remember that I had really been there, kind of surreal, actually. Globe-hopping travel is not something I do (although I think Rick and I would have a wonderful time giving it a try) so this trip really was once in a lifetime.

I was thinking that it's unfortunate that I only have two photos, but 15 years ago was pre-digital camera and I wasn't in the habit of taking as many different shots back then. I also think that we went to the flea market a day or two before I was to leave and I had already taken hundreds of pictures during my stay. I don't recall buying anything either, also because it was late in my visit and my luggage was already going to be full with earlier purchases. But I have my memories and I feel lucky to have made the trip.

Thanks for letting me share a small walk down memory lane...and, by the way, there was a woman in my photos that looked a lot like me, except she was 15 years younger and 15 years thinner...time does fly!

Marilyn

Irresistible Holiday Shopping

On Saturday, I went with Shawn and her daughter, Bethany, to Miss Frenchie's Holiday Brocante. The lovely display at the entrance told me that this was going to be good!


Indeed, it was! This is just some of what could be seen looking up towards the balcony. Enchanting!



Karla's and Beth's spaces were set up next to each other and filled with lots of beautiful things...irresistible actually, so purchases were a must! Karla painted this magnificent mural and used it to display her vintage ornaments--soooo pretty.


I also got to meet Carol, Raised in Cotton when we were there. Her displays and items were gorgeous...another fine purchasing opportunity:)


Karla, Beth and Carol have beautiful photos and descriptions of Miss Frenchie's Holiday Market on their blogs. I highly recommend a visit to each one!

Gwen (French by Design at Mission Road Antique Mall) had a booth with antique and flea market finds from France. Gwen and her sister, Teri, travel to France twice a year on buying trips--just look at these treasures!





(Yes, more purchases.)

I am thrilled that this group of incredible women got together and created such an event. I'm especially thrilled that it was held in my very own city--what a FUN day!


It's beginning to feel a little more like December to me, too.


Thanks to all of the talented Miss Frenchie vendors!

Marilyn