It takes lots of time and energy to decorate for Christmas, but once I'm finished and the boxes are put away, it is nice to sit back and enjoy the house. Frosty, the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul! These snowmen have been around as long as I can remember. If I have the story right, my mother made these
Papier-
mâché fellows for my brother when he was little. I am guessing she made them in the 1950s. I think they maybe had hats at one point, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I love them and have them sitting at the top of the stairs. We'll see how long that lasts, but Louie hasn't discovered them yet, or he has and isn't interested.
This nativity set was a gift to me from John and Mary the first year we were married. They brought it back from a trip to the Holy Land. Last year, Bridger arranged and rearranged the people, carefully naming each one and telling me his version of the Christmas story. Then we would have to go to the next room and see the next nativity set and do it all over again. I cannot wait until he is here for Christmas this year. I don't think Taplin will be interested in them yet this year, but he will love the lights on the tree.
And it is a tall tree! We have had this one for six years, and when Allen moans about putting it up, I remind him that for many years, he went with the girls and cut down a tree this big, hauled it a long mile or two, got it into the truck, heaved it into the house, wrestled with a heavy trunk, and finally got it up. The big fresh trees would drink water like crazy, and then they would start to shed. One day, we probably won't have a twelve foot tree, but it is fun for now. I remember that when I was little, we had a real tree in the snowy mountain tree stand that my mom and dad made. There was a stable in front for the nativity. Now that set is in our dining room.
We have lots of Santas that I love, but these three are my quilt Santas. The one in the middle is from John and Mary two years ago. The tall one on the left is by the same artist, Jim Shore, and we got him in Nashville on our weekend trip to the flea market with Shannon and Nathan in October. That same day, Allen surprised me with the Santa on the right. I saw him at the street festival of wood carvers in Franklin, and when I walked on with Shannon, he went back and got him for me. He is a special fellow. When it is time to put the Santas away, he may stay in my quilt room to maintain the Christmas spirit through the year.
We have had a wonderful stretch of excellent weekends. We've especially had fun with our Crimson Tide football parties with Shannon, Nathan, and their friends. Yesterday, we enjoyed the day even though the Florida Gators won. The elephant cookies were a big hit. I don't think Allen even got to eat one before they were gone. I got the cookie cutter at the Country Living Fair back in September, and I followed their recipe. It is definitely a keeper recipe. I haven't made cookies in a long time, but I had fun in the kitchen yesterday making wings and party food and sugar cookies. I guess we can have one more football party for the Sugar Bowl.
It takes lots of time and energy to decorate for Christmas, but once I'm finished and the boxes are put away, it is nice to sit back and enjoy the house. Frosty, the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul! These snowmen have been around as long as I can remember. If I have the story right, my mother made these Papier-mâché fellows for my brother when he was little. I am guessing she made them in the 1950s. I think they maybe had hats at one point, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I love them and have them sitting at the top of the stairs. We'll see how long that lasts, but Louie hasn't discovered them yet, or he has and isn't interested.
This nativity set was a gift to me from John and Mary the first year we were married. They brought it back from a trip to the Holy Land. Last year, Bridger arranged and rearranged the people, carefully naming each one and telling me his version of the Christmas story. Then we would have to go to the next room and see the next nativity set and do it all over again. I cannot wait until he is here for Christmas this year. I don't think Taplin will be interested in them yet this year, but he will love the lights on the tree.
And it is a tall tree! We have had this one for six years, and when Allen moans about putting it up, I remind him that for many years, he went with the girls and cut down a tree this big, hauled it a long mile or two, got it into the truck, heaved it into the house, wrestled with a heavy trunk, and finally got it up. The big fresh trees would drink water like crazy, and then they would start to shed. One day, we probably won't have a twelve foot tree, but it is fun for now. I remember that when I was little, we had a real tree in the snowy mountain tree stand that my mom and dad made. There was a stable in front for the nativity. Now that set is in our dining room.
We have lots of Santas that I love, but these three are my quilt Santas. The one in the middle is from John and Mary two years ago. The tall one on the left is by the same artist, Jim Shore, and we got him in Nashville on our weekend trip to the flea market with Shannon and Nathan in October. That same day, Allen surprised me with the Santa on the right. I saw him at the street festival of wood carvers in Franklin, and when I walked on with Shannon, he went back and got him for me. He is a special fellow. When it is time to put the Santas away, he may stay in my quilt room to maintain the Christmas spirit through the year.
We have had a wonderful stretch of excellent weekends. We've especially had fun with our Crimson Tide football parties with Shannon, Nathan, and their friends. Yesterday, we enjoyed the day even though the Florida Gators won. The elephant cookies were a big hit. I don't think Allen even got to eat one before they were gone. I got the cookie cutter at the Country Living Fair back in September, and I followed their recipe. It is definitely a keeper recipe. I haven't made cookies in a long time, but I had fun in the kitchen yesterday making wings and party food and sugar cookies. I guess we can have one more football party for the Sugar Bowl.
No comments:
Post a Comment