December 23 ~

Christmas falls on the same date each and every year.  You would think by now I would not be surprised when it arrives.  I am more ready this year than ever, but still gobsmacked by the thought it is almost here.  I even got the silver polished while watching A Christmas Story last night.  (There was one year I was polishing it on Christmas Day but it was important to me that we use it!)

Here are more of my decorations.  Pretty much the same as I have posted in years past, but if you are anything like me, you won't remember 😁

Isn't this the cutest snowman light?  I bought him at the same antique shop where I got my carpenter box.  He was a real deal for only $8 and it included the light cord.  Heck, the last time I bought a light cord I think I paid $7!

More snowpeeps (as Robin called them).

Salt glaze Santas.

Salt glaze Santas and my multiplying collection of hard plastic choir boys.

My two favorite blowmold Santas.

He really is not pink!

I got these cards in the mail on the same day.  One from Florida and one from Alabama.  What fun.

For quite a few years I have thought about getting a new Christmas tree.  Every year when it came down from the attic  I held my breath until I saw all the lights come on.  This year was no exception ~ until last Saturday when the top of the tree went dark during the Christmas party.  Then yesterday the mid-section went dark.  I'm sure I said a bad word or two.  I think the tree is telling me something.

Molly went to have her stitches removed today.  The incision on the side had healed.  The one on her back not so much.  The vet said that there is more "pull" in that area.  She removed two of the three stitches then added three staples to keep it closed.  Darn!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Nine More Days ~

Happy Sunday!  The good news ~ only nine more days until the winter solstice. Nine more days until the days start getting longer.  To me that is actually GREAT news.

I do have a finish to share.  It was hooked last winter, but never "finished".  I just wasn't sure how to do the binding on such a piece, so I just winged it.  

My first thought was to cover the entire back in wool but here is what I ended up doing.  Probably not the right way, but I have found on a round piece it is easier to make little pleats rather than trying to gather the binding (in this case wool). 

And more great news!  The decorating is finally done.  It only took close to two weeks . . . I know that's insane . . . but as I've said in the past, I am my own worst enemy.

My dining room is not a huge room, but I have lots packed in to it.  Atop the pie safe.  

This tree is to the left.  It was hard to get a picture.  I had to crawl under the dining table (not a pretty sight!) 😁

To the left of the window is another cupboard . . . or part of one.  The decorations on the shelves are hard plastic Santas from the 1950's.

The cubby is filled with part of my collection of treenware.  The reindeer are a few more of the hand-me-downs from friend Chris.

Two more hand-me-downs 😉

Little 1 1/4" Santa from my "almost sister-in-law" Lyn, marked Germany.

Tree with vintage chenille Santas and little glass bells.

On the opposite wall is the jelly cupboard.  The Santa tree I shared in a previous post is to the left.

The large stepback cupboard is on the third dining room wall.

Of course there is still lots of piddly stuff to do . . . wrapping, a few more cards, etc.

Please think good thoughts.  Molly's surgery for the mast cell tumor and a dental are tomorrow. Poor baby.  I am having both done at the same time so she is only under anesthesia once.  Anesthesia is more of a risk for brachycephalic (flat faced) animals.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Antique Sterling Silver ~

When I got married  in 1976, my mom asked me if I'd like to have sterling silver flatware.  My sister had sterling flatware that my mom would add pieces to on a regular basis.  It really was kind of ironic since my mom didn't even have matching flatware.  My answer was an emphatic "NO!".  A number of years later, probably in the late 80's, I decided that I indeed would like it, but my choice was to purchase mismatched pieces at antique shows and shops.  Most of my pieces are antique.  I'm sure some are just vintage.  My favorite pieces are ones with initials, names and/or dates.  

The pieces are so ornate.

The backs are as pretty as the fronts.

Though one of the plainer forks, this one is special.  It says Anna and is dated March 17, 1901.  My favorite aunt's name was Anne and she was born March 19, 1901.  So close.

Teaspoons are just as pretty.

Dated '07 on the front.

And Xmas on the back.

Though only silverplate, I had to buy this spoon.  My father, brother and son are all William.

A few more random pictures from around the house.

No matter the light, any pictures I take of these two blow mold Santas turn out pinkish.

This hard plastic Santa light is only 7" tall.

Thanks so much for stopping by
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

An Early Christmas Gift ~

Family is the best gift of all :)  (Well, to be honest, not all family is the best . . . sigh.)  I got a text late last night from my Las Vegas son.  His first words were "Don't worry I'm fine".  He knows a late night text or phone call sends me in to a panic.  He asks me to call if I am still up.  Of course by then I am wide awake.  Turns out his boss decided not to work the week between Christmas and the New Year so he is coming home for Christmas.  He will arrive Christmas eve day and be home for almost a week.  I am so excited and he sounded pretty happy, too.

 

I'm still decorating like a fool.  I've gotten lots done and it's not even December yet.  I still haven't started my Christmas gift rug yet.  Hopefully soon.

 

Do you remember the hard plastic Christmas items from the 50's?  I didn't know I had collected so many.  Most of them were purchases but a few were gifts.

 

Thank you for all the sweet comments on my last post.  I still haven't figured out how to have the comments emailed to me, so it makes it difficult to respond.  One of these days . . . in my spare time . . . I hope I can figure it out.  My first try was unsuccessful.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren