Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year

Thought I'd share with you a picture taken in 1967 of my cousin Jan and I at my grandma Buda's apartment on New Year's day. I'm the 'frowner' on the right. Lesson to be learned...don't be grumpy for pictures because they will come back to haunt you.

I'd like to wish all a healthy, safe and happy new year! I hope your heart will be light and your dreams will come true.

Happy Birthday to Mom and Kristi today. I love you. ~amy

Friday, December 25, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

All In Anticipation & Oplatek

I'm just getting home from mailing the last of the Christmas cards at the post office.


Won't you come in and


sit and have some holiday tea and gingersnap cookies?


Or maybe some delicious cake? It's the season when we should let down our guard and enjoy all things good.


I've decked the halls with boughs of pine and


pretty poinsettias.


I've brought out my favorite vintage ornaments to admire


and love!


The gifts are wrapped.


The tree is trimmed with the children's handmade ornaments and my other beloved ornaments. Each and every ornament stirs up a memory.


The snow has fallen.


The night is glowing.


The yearly picture has been taken.



The table for Christmas Eve is being set.



Around the table on Christmas Eve right before dinner is served...traditions are carried on. In a polish ritual...a wafer...a kind of cracker called oplatek is passed out and everyone gets to make a wish and wish something good for the person seated next to them for the next year.

Similar to a birthday wish. In honor of Christ's birthday.
Around the table we remember and miss those that are no longer with us and thankful for those that are.

In our home this has all been done in anticipation for our dear Saviors birth.


















Sunday, December 20, 2009

Boughs & Deck The Halls....


Oh...it's been bustling around here. I look forward to stuffing my Christmas vases to the brim with fresh greens each and every year and now it's official all of the decorations are up for the holiday. From our yard I clipped boughs of white pine and I used the left over fir branches from our Christmas tree for the arrangements. I wish I could bottle up the scent and send it to you! To me the scent of pine is just as pretty as the scent of a lilac in the spring or a lovely summer rose.

Like so many Christmas traditions, the custom of decorating with evergreens began long ago, before Christmas was even celebrated. In ancient times, trees were considered magical, and their branches were placed over doors and fireplaces to keep away witches, ghosts and evil spirits. Because trees like pine, fir, balsam, and spruce keep their lush green color and bright red berries even in the bitter cold, they were used in many winter festivals to brighten spirits and remind people that spring was on its way.
Many ancient people used evergreen boughs, holly and mistletoe to decorate their homes during the winter solstice. The Romans used greenery to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia which was a mid winter celebration in honor of the god Saturn. Over time, this 'good luck' greenery would end up as our present day Christmas trees, wreaths and garland.















Thursday, December 10, 2009

Kreiss Reindeer

Of all of my treasures that I have collected over the years...nothing can compare to my vintage ceramic reindeer produced by Kreiss in the 1950's. Each reindeer came with a bell and a name tag around its neck. Other than that I really don't know much more than that concerning my cute little friends but I'm always on the look out for them. Come along and let me show you my little dears..no pun intended and the home I've created for them. I hope you find them as lovable as I do! ~amy
Click on any picture to enlarge it.













































I'll be linking toanything goes here: Vintage Christmas Monday Blog Party and Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingie Thurdsay.


















Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Our First Snow Of The Season


It couldn't of been more beautiful Sunday morning seeing the newly fallen snow from the night before.

After just completing all of the trimmings in the house the fluffy white stuff was the icing on the cake. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here. Have a lovely day. ~amy



Friday, December 4, 2009

Hello

...it's been a little while since I've posted but I finally feel like I'm catching up with what all needs to be done for the holiday season. We had a lovely Thanksgiving. My daughter was home for a week from college and it was really nice being all together. The girls and I finally applied for our passports. It's been a long time in waiting. I'm embarrassed to tell you how long. Kurt has been after us for years (I guess that will give you a clue) to apply for them. We attempted a few times before but the girls and I didn't like our pictures. We were always told you couldn't smile for your passport pictures but last week we found out otherwise. We got to smile and we were all OK with the pictures this time. Quite honestly...no matter how those pictures came out we'd use them. So that's done!! Below is a picture of my mother, sister, her husband, the girls and Kurt on Thanksgiving. My nephew Jeff wanted me to post a picture of everyone at the table so Jeff this is for you!
Started my decorating this week. Last weekend went to the tree farm and cut down our tree. Since Aubrey was still home we decided we could use her muscles before she headed back to school. We put the tree in a bin outside with water and this weekend we'll put it up in the house. With all of the other decorations up already it just doesn't feel complete until the Christmas tree is up and decorated. Don't you agree? Next week I'll post some of my favorite decorations in the house.
I can share with you now a picture of our outside front entry. I enjoy decorating with fresh greens any where I can....so natural and nostalgic.
Well off to make a list. These days when I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with things to do and ideas...I make a list and that seems to calm me down. Enjoying the season entails keeping the stress level down. Right? lol. ~amy




Saturday, November 28, 2009

And The Winner Is.....

....Diane from Saturday Finds. I hope you enjoy the brooch Diane. Thank you all for entering. I hope you all had a special Thanksgiving day. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! ~amy





Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day is tomorrow and since you can't be here...I'd like to give you a little tour of my house decorated for turkey day. I keep my fall decorations up through Thanksgiving. So here we go.....


My centerpiece isn't fancy. I accumulate everything I can from the dried up flower beds in the yard and arrange leaves, twigs, grasses in a basket. Below is one of my pretty birch baskets that we got up from the Adirondacks. It reminds me of where my heart is.





I saw these stamps at the post office last month and I had to have them. Maybe you've seen them too? They're so nostaligic. I vowed not to use them as postage. Instead I'm going to frame them. Another decoration for next Thanksgiving. Do you think years from now we'll think $.44 was inexpensive postage?


My holiday dishes made by Johnson Brothers 'The Friendly Village'. I love that square plate.






My big ceramic turkey. He's lucky each Thanksgiving. He doesn't have to go into the oven!



Our mantle in the family room. One of my Wendy Addison decorations. I love the glitter.



One of my silver vintage pheasants from England.



I've had most of these gourdes and pumpkins since the end of September. They're getting a little ripe. What vibrant colors!



I've got to show off these guys.

That's my little tour. Have a lovely day with your family and friends and tomorrow I hope you create special memories. I think tomorrow is not only a day to give thanks but to remind myself that 'giving' is part of the word in 'Thanksgiving' also. What can I give back in honor of my blessings not just tomorrow but everyday? ~amy

Here is my faithful Christmas cactus. When it blooms each year I know the holiday season is upon us. I was given this cactus as a gift from one of my daughter's favorite piano teachers 5 years ago when we lived up in the Adirondacks. One of my favorite gifts.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Giveaway

Oh...I believe it's in the air. I see it in each and every store, it's in every magazine, newspaper and I'm hearing about it on the radio and TV. Yes... the holiday season is almost upon us and I'm already feeling the need to give. So GIVEAWAY I will!!! If you're interested in winning this pretty 3.5" round red velvet brooch with a vintage cluster adorning it.... just leave a comment on this post. On Black Friday I will draw a winner randomly. I hope you like this brooch and you'll have it to wear just in time for the Christmas Season. Pin it on to your favorite sweater, dress, coat or handbag. I had you in mind when I made it. Good luck!!! ~amy