Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Away In A Manger

Many years ago my mother studied painting and found her nitch with ceramics. Over the years she designed and custom painted many gorgeous treasures. My favorite is her nativity set hand painted to look antiqued and old right from the beginning. That was over 35 years ago and now that very same cherished set, is old and loved as much today as ever.

The manger was painted with the holy family, the wise men and camels, the Shepard's and animals. The manger itself had 3 parts, but after our move here to Texas, the two side stalls had broken. However the blessing was the center manger stall was still in tack and for that I was thankful.

Simply elegant, it looks aged just the way mom intended it to be. Over the years, mom was asked by her church to display it for all to enjoy, which she so graciously did. These days, since mother's passing, it shows proudly here in our home with the reminders why we celebrate Christmas at all. The birth of the Lord Jesus and why he came to this world.

Without anymore words, I will just share the pics of a treasured keepsake that means so much. Included is the mantel where we also hang a painting of that special event.


















May the true meaning of the season be your reason for celebration.
Merry Christmas

13 comments:

Edie Marie's Attic said...

So beautiful and so precious Celeste!

Christmas hugs, sherry

Brenda said...

Your many pieces are so BEAUTIFUL! What a wonderful treasure to still have after all these years. Your big, beautiful fireplace that holds the Nativity Scene is breath taking!
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Brenda
Down Memory La La Lane

Gone said...

Such a lovely story about your mom and the Nativity Set! I love the display too. As always, everything looks just beautiful!

~Blessings,
Jan

Unknown said...

Awww!I love this. I too have a nativity painted by my mother. It is small and sits on my book self year-round. Family treasures are the best.

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Just beautiful Celestina! I think things saved from Christmases past, made by our loved ones, is what Christmas is all about!
Tina xo

Anna said...

Buon Natale cara Celestina, con tutto il cuore! Anna

Mari said...

OMG!!!! Celeste, this is truly gorgeous, I love it :) thanks for sharing this very special nativity set with us all to enjoy :)
Your home looks gorgeous!! I can't tell you that enough...lol

I wish you the merriest of Christmas's :)

xo~Mari

Cindy Adkins said...

Such a beautiful treasure from your mother. Thank you for sharing it with us! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Celeste!
Hugs, Cindy

Susan said...

Celestina, your mother's nativity set is gorgeous!! What a precious memory. I love the rose painting in the background! Did your mother paint that??

Mariette's Back to Basics said...

Dearest Celestina Marie,

Aha, so you inherited your painting skills from your dear Mother! This is incredible for having (most) of this nativity scene with stall after so many years. Those individual pieces each 'speak' to one as they are so minituously painted with great thought. This is a Christmas miracle in itself that keeps on giving and deepening the bonds even more after time passes.
Thanks for sharing and you worded it so well.
Have a blessed and a Merry Christmas with all your loved ones.

Mariette

Gloria said...

Her talent is apparent in the details and the colors, very pretty set. Although she's not physically present, your Mom is with you in this lovely way.

Mary said...

Hello Celeste,Love your Mother's Nativity: I painted mine 30yrs ago for our first Christmas.some of my pieces are the same.
Hope you have a Marry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Love and Sweet Hugs, Mary:)
Miss Beazy,Love all your pictures, Hope you have a warm and cozy day.oxoxox

Kerri said...

I love this Nativity! The pieces look very elegant. I am back from mass and posted my Christmas scripture on my blog. I am getting sleepy and the family will be here soon!

Merry Christmas!

xoxo
Kerri

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..