Good Tidings of Great Joy

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.   Luke 2:11-14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.  John 1:14a

Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  Revelation 22:20b

Reposted from Christmas 2010

Annual St. Nicholas Tea Party

Once again Elizabeth and I hosted a little tea party for some of her friends.  We have been hosting this tea for at least 4 years I think.  This year's party was my easiest yet.  

Elizabeth invited 5 little girl friends, her little cousin Amelia,  and her Grandma H.  One little friend couldn't make it so my table was set for 8.

Of course the boys were welcome too, but Cooper had a basketball game, and Ben decided he and Jackson would rather eat at the counter rather than with the girls.

It is not a fancy tablescape, I didn't even use silverware except for little spoons for stirring the "tea" and sugar cubes.

I love white tulips.

We had little cakes and fruit and cookies.  I told you it was simple.

Over the years we have thrown away a lot of food.  I have learned that they really don't eat that much.

Yummy peppermint pretzels that will make another appearance at the peppermint party on Friday.

A bad picture of some good strawberries.

Elizabeth and 2 friends in their party finery.  They were so cute and so excited.

All the girls are here.

After our tea, we always play the same 2 games.  Christmas bingo with marshmallow markers and "hot" Rudolph.  I have a Rudolph that is in Elizabeth's lap below that plays music that gets progressively faster and then buzzes.  Oh how they love to play with this.  All my pictures are blurry because there is a lot of very fast Rudolph passing.

And that's it for the pictures.  After the games the girls went out to the cleaned playhouse and had a ball.  We were blessed with a beautiful day and they had so much fun outside.

After the horrific events of Friday, this party was even more important to me.

I love celebrating Elizabeth.  The little girl who made me a grandma:-)

Sharing with Richella at Imparting Grace.

No Words, Just Prayers

With the tragic events in Connecticut weighing heavily on my mind, I spent my weekend as so many did, holding tight to my grandchildren and enjoying every minute we spent together.

So many bloggers, with a gift for words, have said what I wish I could say.  My blog friend Debbie's is here, and Amanda's here, and Ann Voskamp's here.

God has not gifted me with the gift of writing, but I can pray, and I do, for Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Benjamin, Allison, and the 6 adults, Rachel, Dawn, Anne, Lauren, Mary, and Victoria. 
And I pray for their moms and dads, and grandmas and grandpas, who will somehow have to pick up the pieces and go on living.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Little House Love

Now, don't you Northerners with your 12" snowfall laugh, but look at the cute little dusting we got when the temperatures finally dropped from the 70's.  The day before this picture I had been scrubbing the playhouse in capris and a sleeveless top if that gives you any idea of our weather lately. 

I finally gave the poor little house some TLC.  It was in desperate need.

Cute little jingle bell wreath.

And, I finally took the Easter eggs out and put the Christmas decor in the window boxes.  I have been pretty bad about keeping up with both of my houses this year.

All better now.

The little vintage elf and mistletoe is up and the table is set for cookie baking.

Sweet vintage tole tray.

And another one.

And I actually made these little snow globes.  Since I made mine, I have seen much cuter ones on blogs.

This tree was a snap to decorate!

The table is ready with Christmas cookies to bake.

gingerbread

or sugar cookies

Take your pick!

The little kitchen area with the cupboard my dad made for me when I was little.  You know that's got to be vintage!

I like wooden and fabric food.

Thanks for stopping by our little house.  It got its makeover just in time, I am expecting 8 little girls on Saturday for our annual St. Nicholas tea party.

A Little More Christmas Cheer

I am ready for Part 2, there are not a lot of changes, just a little rearranging to accommodate a new purchase or 2.

Our dining room is to your right as you enter and the living room to your left. 

This room is so great at Christmas.  Green rug and red sofa, all of the accessories are red and green year round in here.  All I do is add a few Christmas pillows, and bring out some of my German Christmas collection.

My aunt did the cross stitch about 30 years ago, she is gone now, so I treasure it all the more.  The little angel pyramid was my first purchase of German decorations.

I only light it for a little while when the grandchildren are over.

My new addition this year is the large pyramid I purchased this summer.  My sister lives near the Kathe Wohlfahrt shop in Minnesota.  This is the only US location of this German Christmas store.  I have been to their flagship store in Rothenburg on der Tauber and all I can say is WOW.

This little music box plays O Christmas Tree.

This little nativity is Italian.  I finally found the 3rd wiseman on Ebay last year.

The mantel is simply decorated and I haven't changed it in the 5 years we've been here.

These windows are in hall across from the library.

The library tree is our family tree.  The one with the collection of ornaments going back 35 years.  The first Christmas we were married, we bought a real tree and did not have one ornament.  I bought 12 candy canes and a box of balls that first year.  I have been collecting ornaments ever since.

That little Santa and the children on the rocking horse were bought that first year I believe.  They are still 2 of my very favorites.

The bottom of the tree holds the ornaments my girls made.  

This is a newer collection.  The classic FP toy ornaments.  I was so sad to hear that they are not going to have these anymore.

This little section is devoted to sports.  Does anyone else group their ornaments in a certain general area?  I have always done that on this tree.

My Santa carolers are in the bookcase here.

And favorite children sitting on Santa's lap.

It's a very cozy {small} room, but I do love to sit in here at night and read.

And here is our family room tree.  But this will just be a teaser, because this post is getting to be a book!  So I will try and show a bit of this room and the kitchen tomorrow.

I love this old sleigh I bought up at the cabin.  A trio of Santas fit nicely into it.

Have a wonderful evening ~ 

Joining in the Better Late Than Never Party.

And Richella for her Grace at Home Party.

Sherry's Open House Party.

And the Holiday Housewalk Party with Jennifer.

and the Inspired Room and Cottage Magpie.