A Christmas Story...

Once upon a time, November 20th to be exact, my dearest one and I went to Mequon, Wisconsin to see Josh and Brent, aka The Beekman Boys at Josh's parent's Church. I told you about it in a post here...but I left out one bit of information. Why, I'm not sure...but here is the full story. I brought with me a gift for Josh and Brent. A pillow I made with the graphic above. (From the Graphics Fairy) There was something about it that I thought they might enjoy, and might fit in their historic mansion...somewhere. Possibly... Well, they were so very sweet when they opened the gift, and went on about how much they liked it. Later when we stood in line to have them autograph our Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook, Josh leaned in and said again how much he liked the pillow and how he had the perfect spot for it at home. Josh said, "I'm not just saying that I like it, I REALLY DO LIKE IT! " Then HUGS all round!!! It made me very happy to do something nice for Josh and Brent, and I didn't want to make it blog fodder...it was just such a sweet and special experience...

Fast forward to last week...Our darling daughter was visiting her allergist at lunchtime. She gave me a call from the street, just to say hi and let me know she had this appointment and was almost there. We said goodbye...and then a few minutes later Kris called me again. She said, "Mom you won't believe who I just saw!" It was Brent! He was hailing a cab and Kristen saw him and said, Hey!? It that?... So she said..."Brent?" and he turned around and smiled. They had a sweet conversation, where Kris said how much she enjoyed their show... and that her Mom, Penny (me!) had just seen them in Mequon and gave them a pillow... Brent said, "We love that pillow, and it's on a chair in our home. Say hello to your Mom for me!" They hugged right there on the street in Manhattan. First of all, what are the chances of Kristen seeing Brent and recognizing him?... In a city of millions!... Then to have him be just as warm and friendly on the street to our dear girl. And then to have our cosmopolitan NY daughter be so excited to meet him. I just had to chronicle it here.

I love when life gives you little gifts, just like this experience with Josh and Brent. Makes me smile remembering it, and so happy that Kristen got to meet Brent. The world seems a little smaller, a lot warmer and a little magical to me... Just the way the world should feel at Christmas.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Reflections

Taking my time around the house, no choice really, can't shake this bug...

Putting up the old stuff...

Pretty stuff...

Stuff that isn't heavy stuff...

Making the guys do all the climbing and hanging...

The time to sit and reflect on the season.

Christmas comes, ready or not...

The most important preparation is done in the heart anyway...

Remembering why we make the fuss.

Why we deck the halls...

May your day be as bright

As the light in your eyes,

A joy for each snowflake

That falls from the skies!

May your faith be as deep

As the root of a pine,

Your home melt the shadows

Like candles that shine.

May love warm your heart

Like the depth of a flame.

The future hold promise,

The old dreams remain!

May your pathway be shared,

Each step of the way,

By the old friend who sends you

These wishes today!

from A Toast by Grace E. Easley

Enjoy this beautiful day my friends!

These are a few of my favorite things...

A little winter vignette built on a candle holder and paper plate...

This candle plate and shade and the scent of the peace candle...

This theater I made from computer printed papers...

A book about snowflakes, fascinating!  The jar I made in my "ceramics" period...

...and this sparkling bird sending you, Winter Wishes...

Making Popourri

Take your summer's harvest of rose petals, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, sage.  Dry in a large basket you will forget until December.  Remove all the stems, and save for a fragrant bundle to start your Christmas fire.

Let your whole home be filled with the fragrance of summer.

Capture the essence of Summer in a jar.

Make sachets, fill bowls and enjoy the sweet scent of summer...

Through the long cold winter.
What a great way to stop and take a quiet moment from my Christmas preparations.  Wishing you some  tranquil time my friends. 

When the Snow Falls...

It happened this week, our first accumulating snowfall.  To tell the truth I slept right through it.  It happened just after my Guild Sisters made $600 for our service projects!  There I was, sound asleep. 

I am feeling much better.  Heck if I know what I had, just a bad headache, severe body aches and a stuffed up head.  I hear it's going around.

To make up for lost time I inventoried my cookie making supplies.  Except for the butter, I am good to go.  Hoping to find a deal on some Land O Lakes...  Can you tell the difference between good old LOL and the bargain brand?  I can, and I want the best for my family and friends.

 On my first outing, after days at home, I hit the GW.  I found this julep looking cup, actually a florist vase,

...these two little tins, a .49 cent VHS of  A Charlie Brown Christmas, I can watch with the little bird...
... and this cool tray.  I've wanted one like this for a while.  There used to be one similar in the Southern Living at Home catalog.  They ran seasonal ribbon through the holes. Theirs was maybe $29.00,  mine was just $3.99!

On Saturday we headed north to Jeannie's of the
 Gilded Junqueyard.  She had a holiday sale at her lovely home.  The drive into her property set the tone for the sale.  We went in the day, but the previous night was her opening party. 

 The trees lining the drive each had a luminaria attached to it.  It must have been magical at night.

 So many vintage ornaments, so many pretty things...

What blew me away was her home, Wow, it is awesome.  Is it rude to gawk at the home when a sale is taking place?  I hope not. (Watch out Joy;-)

Look at this photo display...family, all of them from grandparents to baby pictures.  Get the hammer and nails honey...I got a little project for you;-)

The beautiful girl herself. (Forgive my bad indoor photography) Such a warm and generous friend. Thank you for your hospitality Jeannie.   Check her out at the Colonial Antique Mall in Woodstock, Illinois.  What a nice town too.

 I bought some ornaments.  The star at the bottom is a kind of ornament I remember from our tree when I was very young.  Those, along with paper stars that I learned to fold a few years ago.  So reminds me of Buscia, and Mom and Dad...sigh...

When we left Jeannie's, we headed to downtown Woodstock.  It was raining and there were no parking spots.  As we circled we saw a sign for a Christmas Bazaar and Cookie Walk.  I am so glad we went.
There were the usual vendors, but one dear lady had a booth chock full of vintage.  She had 2 Red Wing crocks and they were priced ridiculously low.  I snatched up this one. 

 Another vendor had Lang cards and Little Golden books.

This little silver tray came home with me too. Twenty days to pull it all together...no problem!
And that's all she wrote!  Have a great day my friends.