Sharing Christmas With a Jolly Man!

For many years, I have loved the jolly round gentlemen full of cheer and giving. The one who works all year in his work shop to bring joy to boys and girls, young and old. For more info about the history of Santa Claus, click HERE for interesting details.

For me, I like to think of Santa and his helpers working to bring love and comfort to so many. Basically we are all Santa's at Christmastime. In many ways whatever we do for another with God's direction and faithfulness reflects a bit of how Santa has worked for so many years. Oh yes, it has changed through the years to a commercialized time starting earlier each year, but I still hold on to the way it was and remember~~~

As far back as I can remember my father and I would take a trip to visit Santa Claus just before the 25th of December. We would ride on a bob sled through a wintry tunnel as if we were at the north pole. This was constructed in a popular department store in our town called Murheads, which was a clothing department shoppe. It was a special time when wonder and wide eyed imagination drew us to the man dressed in red. I remember he looked so kind with his glasses and long beard. His voice raised loud as he gave out a big HO HO HO! I was fascinated to say the least. You can see from the pic how my dad played along and was so enjoying watching me with my eyes big like two saucers.

When my father passed away, I found this picture in his wallet. He carried it for 40 years. I never knew he carried it with him always. He was a very special man.


Through the years I have collected Santa's in an old world style, traditional, shabby, and yes, painted many a Santa Claus too. My collecting is basically complete as I have no room left for any more Roly Poly guys to sleep in the attic from Christmas to Christmas ~ year to year. Well, maybe a few more~~~~~I can make room!

For about one month every year, these guys wake from their slumber in the attic to visit and bring Christmas cheer and help us greet the new year. They are always ready to give thanks as we remember the reason for the season.

Starting with a couple painted guys, they all wish you a very Merry Christmas~~





















Merry Christmas!

Decking and Decorating the Halls with Joy!

After Thanksgiving my Best Guy and I began our decorating for Christmas. What fun we always have with the process. We put away all the Fall decor and after many trips back and forth to the attic with the Christmas tree and holiday decorations, our home is all aglow in Christmas romance. Inside and out says we are ready to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

Taking center stage is our new 7 1/2' Colorado Spruce Tree. This year a new faux tree was in order since our past tree had seen it's days. Before Halloween we found our new tree and we were so excited to put her up and decorate the boughs. Dressed in sage, copper, red cottage roses, snowflakes and vintage ornaments it is a beautiful sight in the dining room window. You can see it in the distance with the first pic. I'll share a closer pic soon when the light is better.

I have many pics to share and will do so a little at a time building up to Christmas. This season finds our cottage spruced up in a vintage traditional style. I must say it is warm, cozy and very Christmas especially in the evening with the warm glow of the lights. Not overdone, but a less is more approach this year. Just too busy for more, so our Christmas village is not part of the decorations this season. First time in 25 years I have not brought it all out, but with huge painting and home decorating plans after Christmas, I just needed to scale down just a bit. Really, just a bit.~~ My hubby would say not really, but for me it truly is less!! With the last of my custom orders to fill, I really look forward to enjoying the season with my huge studio work load complete.

What are the new plans for the first of the year you might ask? Well, starting with the dining room, I have plans for a new fresh wall color, repurpose the furniture and redecorate. More about that later, but for now, here are a few first pics to celebrate the season.











I'll be back with more and some ideas for decorating with what you already have by adding a touch of Christmas and a Holiday Giveaway.
Till then, enjoy the beginning of December, stay warm and Merry Christmas!