Vintage Christmas Memories

Each year...

When I rummage through my Christmas tubs...

And come across the things that have been in my family for as long as I can remember...

And some things that I've picked up along the way, that were in someone else's family...

Things that someone else didn't want to remember, or forgot about years ago...

I think of those who are no longer with me during the holidays...

And for a moment I am sad...

But then I remember, especially as I hold an ornament from my childhood in my hand, that those we love are always with us, celebrating right alongside us.  So even though we aren't together in the physical sense, we are forever connected, and for me, that's what makes Christmastime so special.

Merry Christmas to all the family and friends who are no longer here on earth with me, but are always by my side and forever in my heart!

The Header That Ate New York

I decided to change the header photo on my blog over the weekend.  So I ran around my house in my pj's and snapped a few shots of the things I had already put out for the holidays.  I think I do some of my best photographic work before I'm dressed actually! ;-)

Some of the items will stay right where I shot them, others will be moved when I actually drag all of the big bins out of the garage this week and begin the task of decorating my house for the holidays.

I also added a whole bunch of Christmas music to my play list on my sidebar.  I've included some time worn favorites from my own childhood.  But I tried to include a few new versions of the classics to try and spice it up a little, I hope you enjoy the tunes!

I love cotton ribbon, well any ribbon actually.  I found all of these at Michaels.

This snowflake glass ornament came from a local shop and it looks so pretty when the light hits it.  It's a little bit heavy but I still think I'll try and hang it on my tree, I think it will be beautiful with Christmas lights dancing all around it!

I did a story for a holiday magazine last year and the homeowner had decorated several trees in their home all in various themes.  One of the trees was dripping in glass icicles, and I vowed I would buy some if I ever came across any.  I found these at Studio Three in La Plata and I bought every one they still had left after their open house...I wish I could have gotten a few more!

I have spreaders for nearly every holiday.  I've collected the ones pictured above over the years, and after Christmas I will switch these out for my snowman spreaders.  I keep them in a vintage glass container that belonged to my mother, and they sit on top of the hutch in my kitchen, ready to spread a little lemon curd on a scone!

I found this little marabou topped bootie ornament while out shopping with Connie of Hartwood Roses a couple of weeks ago.  It will go perfectly with some marabou mitten ornaments I have!

So there you have it, a few bits of Christmas Cheer that I used to create my new ginormous banner picture!  Is it too big?!  I couldn't get it to be smaller for some weird reason, so if it's screaming at you each time you visit my blog let me know, and I'll try and figure it out.

I have a busy few weeks ahead of me, like many of you so I'll leave you with a little puppy goodness in addition to the Christmas pictures to tide you over!

Little Misty Belle turned 10 weeks old on Saturday, and our daughter couldn't get quite enough of her over the holiday weekend, she held her ever chance she got!

Little Misty didn't seem to mind one bit and would go bounding down the hall whenever she heard our daughter's door open each morning.

Does that look like the face of a pampered pooch?  She's not getting one little bit spoiled....nah not at all!

I hope you have a wonderful week, and I'll be checking in and quietly visiting your blogs to see all of the festive transformations going on in each of your homes!