hallmark keepsake ornament

Simple Christmas

~ Teresa ~ Leave a comment

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love – Wrapped in swaddling clothes – a gift for all who will receive.  This is Christmas.  This is the focus.  No need for gaudy adornment, or lots of ribbons and bows.  Just a few simple reminders that we are in a special season of light.

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front of mantel

My fireplace is cast iron with a slate mantel.  The previous owners had painted it white and we thought it was wood, when we discovered that it was cast iron my brother refinished it to it’s original color.  It is beautiful, but due to the inadequacy of my camera and my photography skills, pictures don’t do it justice.

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my large hurricane candle holder full of silver Christmas balls.
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You will notice that there is a candle missing in this picture, the lighting was much better and it shows the fireplace better, so I included it anyway.

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Wreath I made for my front door a few years ago. I bought a simple green wreath at Michael's and embellished it with Dollar Store ornaments and bead garland. Used a hot glue gun and just started gluing. I thin it turned out ok.
Wreath I made for my front door a few years ago. I bought a simple green wreath at Michael’s and embellished it with Dollar Store ornaments and bead garland. Used a hot glue gun and just started gluing. I think it turned out ok.
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The window above my kitchen sink. i just added a string of colored lights.
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Back entry – found this at Hobby Lobby, one of my, if not the, favorite places to shop.
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A few or our “childlike ornaments” Mr Piano got me the Curious George last year, his mother got him the little red fire engine, because the real one like he used to have is way too expensive to buy these days, and we got the Schroeder and Lucy one this year – it is a vintage Hallmark keepsake ornament from 1996. That’s pretty much who we are – he plays I bask.
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please ignore that the window could use some windex. You can catch a glimpse of my neighbors house in the background. I love looking out this window – it feels like we’re in the country even though we aren’t.

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The little dining room off the kitchen. This room was supposed to me my mostly white little french dining room, but due to cramming two houses of stuff into one temporarily it has some elements that weren't meant to be in this room. The table cloth hides a multitude of boxes that are still unpacked. I just threw some ribbons and lights on the bookcase and a few ornaments on the table - and put out a crate of Christmas books.
The little dining room off the kitchen. This room was supposed to me my mostly white little french dining room, but due to cramming two houses of stuff into one, temporarily, it has some elements that weren’t meant to be in this room. The table cloth hides a multitude of boxes that are still unpacked. I just threw some ribbons and lights on the bookcase and a few ornaments on the table – and put out a crate of Christmas books.
I have several Children's Christmas stories - I love to put them out at Christmas. The usually keep the message of Christmas real and simple.
I have several Children’s Christmas stories – I love to put them out at Christmas. They usually keep the message of Christmas real and simple.

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Did you miss the tree?  Me neither.

Simplifying in Grace,

Sadie

Linking up over at the Nester’s Christmas Tour of Homes 2012.  Lots of beautiful Christmas decorating going on – go take a look.

A sweet Curious Moment

~ Teresa ~ 2 Comments

Sometimes Mr. Piano surprises me when I least expect it.  Oh, wait, I guess that’s why it’s a surprise – because I wasn’t expecting it!

He walked in earlier, all smiles, hands behind his back, waiting expectantly for me to give him my full attention.  He then proceeded to hand me a tissue wrapped bundle.  Me, being the curious one that I am, wanted to know who, what, where, when and how………He just smiled and told me to open the tissue.

Much to my delight this is what I found

Curious George upside down on a book, bouncing a ball on his foot.  Mr.  Piano said, “I saw this and knew it was perfect for you; you love to read”  He said,  “it perfectly describes your essence!”

He is so right.  I love to read, I am very curious (who, what, where, when, how) and if I could do so without breaking my neck, I would definitely be hanging upside down about now.  I do have an exercise ball and sometimes, it looks like I’m attempting to hang upside down.  I sometimes hang upside down metaphorically as well which has made for some interesting adventures.

As a child I loved to hang upside down from tree branches and I loved to “walk” up the door facing, put my feet one on each side of the doorknob, hold on for dear life and swing the door back and forth.  I also loved to balance on the support post of our picket fence and walk a few steps, then jump down.  I had no fear and my curiosity knew no bounds.  I read a book a day and had a vivid imagination (still do).

I look at his 2011 Hallmark keepsake ornament and I have to laugh, because  if you had to pick an object that tells you about me, then this would be the one.  There are so many possibilities and with every turn of the page you find out more.

Thank you Mr. Piano, for reminding me who I am and for showing me once again that you really do get the “essence” of me.  I’m glad I was curious enough to roam the halls of Baird Music Hall to find out more about you – Life with you has been one grand adventure.  I can’t wait for the next chapter in our book.  Love you.

Go in Grace,

Sadie