Let Heaven and Nature Sing

"...we saw His star in the east

and have come to worship Him."

Matthew 2:2

This was our 2008 Christmas Card. When I found it in the store I burst out in tears, It spoke to me like nothing else.
All Heaven and Nature Sing... Even the animals adore Him and join together in peace and harmony to give Him Glory!

(click on the card to see all the variety of beasts,

I would have loved to see a lamb in there)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Have a Heavenly Christmas!

Debra

Back Door Christmas

I spend a lot of time looking out my kitchen window.
I guess that's even more true,

 with all the busy hustle and bustle in the kitchen

over the Christmas Holiday.

So I wanted to have a "Back Door Welcome"

for Christmas, too.

It had to be "snow and waterproof",

as we are expecting a "White Christmas".

My little "Goosey Gander" says...

Merry Christmas!

...and He's really glad we're having HoneyBaked Ham!

I'd like to invite you to stop by my

Bible Study Blog

 "...a day in the life".

 Also found on the side bar,

 for a little more spiritual thought about Christmas.

Christmas Blessings,

love,

Debra

White Wednesday Before Christmas

I'm posting a little early for White Wednesday. I have been saving these photos for this last Wednesday before Christmas. This is my sideboard that I moved into the entry hallway right before Thanksgiving. Ive had such a wonderful time decorating it for Christmas. So I didn't want to miss out on sharing it with you all.

Garden statuary with crown

White wood lantern

Feather tree I found last year at a flea market...

covered in chandelier prisms.

Lovey doves in a white sleigh.

Paperwhites and Angel Vine

Old birdcage and stand...

with a jingle bell wreath.

This is an old lithograph of the nativity

that we found this year at a flea market.
(sorry for the reflection)

Thank you, Kathleen, at Faded Charm.

Have a wonderful few days enjoying

the peace and blessings

that come with Christmas.

Debra

Vintage Christmas Monday

This is the last Vintage Christmas Monday for 2009.

Our Hostess Joan from Anything Goes Here

has given us a wonderful opportunity to share our

Vintage Christmas treasures.

Be sure to go over and see the rest of the

Vintage Christmas Monday participants.

These are my vintage Nativity sets.

I know many of you have these,

but I still enjoy seeing them all.

I found it at a flea market several years ago.

This one is in the sunroom and was my mother's-in-law.

This was the first year of Fontanini

probably around 1984.

This snow globe nativity isn't old,

but while I'm showing the others,

I thought I would share this one that

my husband bought me several years ago.

Little vintage white reindeer ornaments

in the sunroom...so darn cute!

And this is one of my husband's "ornaments". Before you get all upset, it was taken at his traditional yearly deer camp with his family. There are so many deer in Missouri that if they are not harvested many starve, or because of numbers are killed on highways or cause accidents. We donate the venison to food programs. I do not enjoy the idea, but it is part of the "male bonding time" of the family. It's wearing a vintage jingle bell wreath. New ones are made like this, but this one is old.

This is another one of my many

vintage Christmas candy tins.

Besides boxes of Shiny Brites and old Christmas lights

I've about exhausted my stash of vintage Christmas.

This has been so much fun!

I'll have to be collecting more for next year.

Have a great Christmas Week, Everyone!

Debra

The Magic of Paperwhites

A few years ago I discovered the beauty and magic of paperwhites. To me they epitomize the grace, tranquility, and delicacy, that says "Christmas".

Three years ago I started gathering vintage sugar bowls and creamers, pots and kitchen bowls, humble mismatched cups and vases; containers of every kind. I planted paperwhites and sold them at the store and gave them away to family and friends. I enjoyed it so much, they were great gifts, so this year I did the same.

These next two photos are of last year in my space at Leola's.

Milk glass and pottery and ironstone cups.

An old bread pan with checked ribbon, a little more primitive.

I think I had around thirty containers full.

This year I planted twelve bulbs in a green

transferware vegetable bowl for the Dining Room.

Christmas coffee mugs with a paperwhite bulb

I had four of these matching mugs,

 they went as small gifts.

I tied them with plaid ribbon

 and attached a "mitten" ornament and tag.

Old Staffordshire blue transferware soup tureen,

 missing it's lid, found for just a few dollars.

A little over a week ago...

And today.

Shabby china sugar bowl.

And old McCoy cream planter in the kitchen.

Paperwhite Narcissus are really easy to grow. Just find a container that doesn't drain, because they need to stay moist at all time. Place some pea gravel in the bottom, with about 2 inches of potting soil mix, then nestle the bulb, root down in the soil. Water and keep in a bright spot. You will be amazed at how fast they grow. Paperwhites bulbs don't keep well, so I just discard them after bloom time. Buy several bulbs and plant at alternating times. You can have them all winter long!

Are you finished with all your shopping?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Debra

The "Gift" of Giving

Christmas is known as a time of giving of gifts and receiving them.

 Today I was the recipient of two such precious gifts

from two equally precious ladies.

This fall, Jill from Gypsy Brocante hostess-"ed"

a weekly party, "Vintage Black Friday".

It was a dream party for me,

 because I have a lot of black in my world of decor.

And thanks to her darling son,

 I was the name he drew out of the hat!

She graciously awarded me a gift certificate

 to her wonderful site and etsy store

This is what I so happily chose!

I had to show the "after" photo first!

It came in a box with the sweetest

 pink floral fabric and ribboned bow.

Is it not just  "the best"?!!!
Can't wait to wear it!

And Donna of Brynwood Needleworks had the most fun game for us to play. She listed 10 facts that were to be about her life and we were supposed to pick the one that was false.
Well, let me tell you, this girl has lead one "crazy life". I loved hearing all about how she answered all the questions. And of course she was snickering because she made them just as wild and crazy as she could. Read about it here.

So you can guess that I picked

the one thing that wasn't "Donna".

This is a wonderful needle book or "cozy"that she made. And wow, do I need this! I'm challenged in the sewing department, so this is perfect to help me keep track of my little needles and pins. Look close at the darling acorn, her logo!

And today I want to share about the true

 spirit of Christmas giving.

Deb at "Faded Ladies" and her co-blogger Rose

 have a wonderful place to visit and be inspired.

Today, Deb shared a Christmas memory

from her past that you simply must read.

It will bless you more than you can imagine!

Find the link here.

1Week to Go!

Blessings,

Debra

Ring Ring... Hello?... Trash it's for you!

GOOD GRIEF, Charley Brown!!!

Am I the only one here with enough Hudzpuh

to show up in her REAL Jammies?

(I better get some extra points for this!)

Now I have cup full of HOT Dr. Pepper,
not luke warm, but steamin'!

I'm expecting some Fritos, Bean Dip
and some Pepperoni Pizza!


The Trash Queen is having one fabuloso
Slumber Party
and we're all invited!

So everyone get your furry slippers on and run over to

Debbie's place for her big blow-out of a PAR-TAY!

Check it all out right HERE!

She has 100,000 hits, and you know
at least 300 of them are mine!

She's everyone's favorite Trash Diva

so let's help her celebrate!

OK Everyone, quit hiding the toilet paper!!!