New Year's Eve 1945

 New Years Eve as a holiday holds no appeal for me.  I've never liked it even when I was much younger. To help it pass by without me I'm normally in bed sleeping by 10 PM,  and can't  remember the last time I rang in the new year with a group of friends. I find it very sad actually, for several reasons. One, it's the end of a year, passing of time, our children being that much older, days gone by. Since my Mother passed away a few years ago, I find it doubly sad, since New Year's Eve marks the wedding anniversary of my parents, as they were married on this date in 1945.  I keep this photo out all year round.  It has in it 3 people I love very much. My Mother,  my Father, and my Grandfather who I adored as a child.   Since we purchased our cabin a few year ago, I now have a retreat to go to every year for New Year's Eve. No pressure to find something exciting to do with friends, no parties, no sadness while others around me are celebrating. I can quietly ring in the New Year and reflect on happy times.  They would have been married for 64 years this New Year's Eve.  I think that is what I will celebrate.

~~Welcome 2010~~

Happy New Year to all.  Now that the holidays are coming to an end, I have many plans in store for my art, my home and my blog.  I am looking forward to experimenting with PaperClay sculptures, perhaps some polymer clay, mixed media projects and some altered jewelry.   I already have 3 workshops scheduled and an art show in store over the next couple of months. Although I hate to see a year end, and the holidays over,  it is a nice relief for the pace of life to slow down, and settle in for the long winter.  Happy New Year!

**Warm Drinks and Sweet Cookies**

One of our biggest family traditions is making sugar cookies, to leave out for Santa and the reindeer, of course, but it's hard to resist one or two, especially paired with a warm drink. Hot chocolate, spiced cider, Herbal tea..... they all taste especially good this time of year. Recently my friend Eva of Vanesseva Designs of Etsy surprised me by sending my 9 year old Mya this adorable mug cozy that she makes.  It's a Christmas theme, and who wouldn't love to savor their hot chocolate in this soft, warm, hand knit sleeve that slips right over your mug? My daughter loves getting mail, and even moreso, little presents in the mail.  Needless to say it made her day, and mine as well, to have someone so thoughtful to do this.  I guess it its a perfect example of the generosity and warmth that some people bring to others this time of year. Merry Christmas Eva, Merry Christmas everyone!!

**Who Doesn't Love Silver?**

I love anything silver.  Better yet,  tarnished, aged, vintage looking silver.  It has a much warmer sparkle to it than anything new and bright.  German glass glitter, tarnished garland, mercury glass, and vintage jingle bells all have a special place on a shelf at Christmastime here at home.  It especially looks warm and inviting when mixed with white lights on the tree, candles lit, and bits of Christmas-y colors here and there.  Here are a few of my favorite old silver goodies.                                                                    

~~~Angels Abound~~~

Angels descending, bring from above,


Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.


~Fanny J. Crosby

 

Angels have a home throughout the year around my house, but some come out only at Christmastime.  I see no reason why we can't decorate with the things we love, all the year long!  My Mother had a large collection of Angels, so perhaps I inherited my interest in angels from her.  I am lucky enough to have some of her angels.... and I think of her fondly whenever I lay eyes on them.  These angels are just a few of my collection, and a few of my favorite things.

 

A Family In Desperate Need

If this story does not make a person feel blessed, then nothing will. This story brought tears to my eyes, and right now the only thing I can do to offer help is to spread the word, so here it is...http://www.tctimes.com/articles/2009/10/31/news/local/doc4aeb474c4f07c071527417.prt

~~When Reindeer Fly~~

                                    
There is something so majestic and mysterious about reindeer.  Almost as if they are a mythical creature, but they are not.  I have alwayas loved reindeer, both real and pictures of them in old books or old figurines. About 5 years ago I stumbled upon the deal of a lifeteme ( do you ever have one of those deals that you continue to be shocked about even several years later?!?) at Ebay...... a lot of 17 vintage reindeer, some made of celluloid, some meant to be in a set complete with a harness, some to hang on the tree. Many were that soft aged white that I love so much, or the soft gleamy silver.  2 were rather large, around 10 inches and made of the richest color of gold.  17 reindeer in all, for just a little over $20.  Here are a few of that wonderful find..... which continues to be some of my favorite things!!

 

*~*~* SNOWFLAKES*~*~* One of My Favorite Things

Someone once said  "Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”  The very first snowflakes of the year excite me just as much now as they did when I was young. Seeing them gather on a cold window, sometimes you can  see exactly how intricate they really are.  Amazing things, snowflakes.  One of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas is with snowflakes...... glass, glitter, vintage or new, silver and white, large and small.  I have a collection of perhaps 30 snowflakes that I hang grouped against windows, on trees,  and in my kitchen in "dead space" under the cabinets.  It is a collection I continue to add to yearly.  This is just a small sample of what I have.... some of my favorite things.                                         
                                                                                     

                

~~More of My Favorite Things~~

Creamy whites, soft tarnished silvers, anything aged and timeless.  German glass glitter, tiny vignettes under a cloche, and elegant sparkle that catches the light.  Vintage reindeer and bottlebrush trees. These are more of my favorite things.

~~The Twelve Days of Christmas~~

Throughout the season, I am going to showcase some of my favorite things about Christmas..... one at a time. Every year we all look forward to bringing out treasures that are used for such a short time.  It sparks old memories of special people in our past, and special moments of days gone by.  Whether it is the sparkle of snowy white objects mixed with the tarnished vintage silver treasures, or the scent of fragrant evergreen mixed with rich deep red berries.  I think everyone has their favorites, and as a part of the "Twelve Days of Christmas"  these are a few of my favorite things!

A family Christmas tradition we have, is to scout the countryside for wild Rose Hips, Osage Oranges and  Thistle , since the rich golds, deep reds and earth browns blend perfectly with the fragrant mixed evergreens.  Filling various outdoor containers on all of our porches always gets comments from friends and neighbors.  This year we encorporated some angels to the mix.  It looks wonderful even after the holidays are over,  and since most of the items are  "found objects", the price is certainly right!