Ornament Anecdote: Day 7

Well, you know there is going to be a few hand made ornaments on our tree!

This wreath is something I designed for a kids' craft at a church party many years ago.

A cardboard disk cut to the size of a bagel with puzzle pieces encrusting the surface.

The puzzle was of Christmas cookies, so the colors and images were perfect!

The computer generated photo is of Rebecca at 10 months old or so (the blop on her cheek is a water mark-- water soluble ink you know!)

And here is Rebecca, age 6, last Friday night visiting with Santa at the Corder Community Christmas Party. Soup, chili, Christmas cookies, an old fashioned sing-a-long, door prizes, lighting contest winners awarded and recognized and, last but certainly not least (!), Santa came by with his Misses (she in mob cap, long dress and shawl). She assisted handing out bags of candy to the kids. He patiently spent a few minutes with each child asking their name and what they wanted for Christmas. He is the REAL deal. Like he stepped off the set of "Miracle on 34th Street".

I believe!

How about you?

Ornament Anecdotes: Day 6

I am delighted and amazed when I find a rare treasure like this cottage at my local thrift store.

And for 25 cents!

It was in a plastic baggy with another, more contemporary, less fragile plastic ornament (a heart).

I don't know how someone could part with it.

Or how it survived being tossed into a box with other donated items.
I just found this little gem last week.

It is, as yet, living in my china cabinet.

There is no place like home.

And there is no thrill like rebuilding childhood memories,

one small thrift store purchase at a time!

(My mom had a couple cottages like this one hanging on our tree, when I was a kid.)

Ornament Anecdotes: Day 5

I love European hand blown ornaments.

They covered our tree when I was growing up.

When I got my own place and started decorating my own tree, I naturally seeked out the fragile, glittery, sparkly hand blown baubles.

I bought this church from a friend's shop. It has somehow survived 18 or so Christmases.

This is a miracle since my kids have helped trim the tree for the past 10 or so.

There is nothing more disheartening than the CLINK-crash of a glass ornament hitting the hardwood floor.

I try not to over react.

That's why I rarely pass on buying almost any glass ornaments at the thrift store or garage sales.

I can always use the replacements!

Ornament Anecdotes: Day 4

I have several of these, although a couple are broken-- I just hang the bad side to "the back".

I got this vintage treasure several years ago when I helped a friend clean out a foreclosed property.

All of the Christmas decorations were left behind in the basement.

Made me sad for the former home owners.

But it also made me think about not holding on to "stuff" too tightly.

You can't take it all with you if food, clothing and shelter are the greatest needs.

Hold onto the things that matter.

The stuff that floods, fires or earthquakes can't destroy.

Or bank foreclosures can't rob from you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Ornament Anecdotes: Day 3

I worked as an artist at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City for over 12 years (in another lifetime). I enjoyed a nice discount at the Halls department store across the street.

Even on sale items.

Like after-Christmas-marked-down ornaments.

I'd buy several of each kind of design I liked, because they were so cheap with my discount (95% off!)

I had 5 or 6 of these teddy bears.

At least 2 were given away as gifts.

I collected teddy bears at one time.

Ornament Anecdotes: Day 2

This precious ornament is not even hanging on my tree.

It sits in an egg cup, in my china cabinet.

Behind glass.

Two years ago I bought a whole plastic box of Styrofoam apple ornaments at a summer garage sale, because I saw this tarnished treasure nestled in the mess.

25 cents well spent!

The apples eventually went into the trash (even I couldn't think of a creative use for them!)

This beauty went into the china cabinet for safe keeping until Christmas.

But has ended up living there permanently.

I can enjoy it all year 'round,

long after the other ornaments have been put away in boxes

and hauled down to the basement.

Counting the Days: Day 1

I decided that this year's "advent calendar" on my blog would be a daily ornament post.

I am very sentimental about the baubles and chatchkes that hang on our tree.

And each has a story.

Some are more exciting or interesting than others, but you can be the judge.

So welcome to my Ornament Anecdotes.

Day 1

My great aunt had hand painted, blown glass, ornaments like this one.

I remember them from visiting her house once as a kid (1960s, if you must know!)

Mine came from the thrift store, I think.

And I don't know if I have but the one.