The Spirit of Christmas Past

 Christmas came, Christmas went; here's the greeting I wish I had sent

~ I wish you all Love, Health, Wealth,

 Contentment, Joy, and Time ~

• Love in abundance
• Health to the end of your days
• Wealth sufficient to meet your needs
• Contentment with your lot  
• Joy in appropriate measure, and   
• Time to reflect on your life and enjoy it 

  Although it may seem unusual not to wish you unbounded Joy, I believe it  can best be appreciated by contrast, as the light shines more brightly where there has been dark.

I know a lot of  friends have had bad experiences this year due to illness and the downturn of the economy.  Family problems abound and effect us deeply.
   I hope that the entreaty to "soldier on" isn't inappropriate, and doesn't sound heartless. It's meant in the kindest,  most encouraging way.

  Many blessings to all for the season past, and the coming year. 

"God Bless us Every One"

                 ~ Charles Dickens~ "A Christmas Carol"

HUMBUG, I Say!!!

~~ Bah!!  Humbug!! ~~

“ Not only do we work all year in frigid temperatures, no vacation, no union, no retirement benefits, but we have to dress funny and the fat guy gets all the credit.  Bah!!  Humbug!! 

Visions of Sugarplums

This has always been one of my favourite pieces.  I love the old handmade leather shoe that the elf is sleeping in, and when I found it in an antique shop, I could have just about convinced myself that it was one of Santa's shoes.   It's more likely to have been a Shriner's shoe or...... ?????.

 I'm really not at all sure, but then a little belief in magic and certainly in the reality of Santa is a necessary ingredient at Christmas time, no?  I love to think of the elves having time to relax and catch a little shut-eye after all the hubbub is over, and this one looks like he is enjoying pleasant dreams. 

Do you see what I see?

The Best-est Surprise

On my regular trip up to the mailbox a couple of weeks ago, I was feeling a bit glum and thought that if I went for a walk after I picked up the mail it might do me some good.  I expected nothing but the regular stuff.....bills....advertising.....junk mail....donation requests and maybe a magazine.  That would have been the highlight of a boring, cold and rainy day.
I was surprised when I opened the door and found a parcel sitting on top of all the bills, advertising, junk mail etc.    I thought maybe my husband had ordered a part for his saw or a coin set; maybe even a Christmas present for me that I wasn't supposed to see. ( tee hee...I could leave it here and let him collect it later....play the innocent)......
Nope.  It was addressed to me.  To my familiar name.  Trish Stover.  Not Mrs. Patricia Stover.  I couldn't remember ordering anything that I hadn't already received, and when I turned it over, I thought the return address looked a bit familiar, but surely, it couldn't be from Robin.....whom I have never met except on Facebook, where we are friends.
I abandoned my plans for a walk.  Strangely,  I was feeling much better already.  I rushed home and tore into that package like a kid at Christmas.  It was the best-est surprise.  Suddenly the sun was shining, and the glums had dissipated.
Robin had sent me one of her beautiful little  primitive Christmas ornies.  How lucky am I?

....another Surprise!!!!

Believe it or not....it took me a few days to realize that the darling little box that forms the base of this ornament  actually contained something.  Because it has ribbon around the top of the box, I thought it was sealed and permanently closed.   Well, Duh!!!!   I picked it up to show someone....again.....and felt something rattle inside.  It's full of beautiful cinnamon stars.  The smell is fabulous.  What a treat.

Now who is the best-est person?  Must be Robin Armstrong Seeber.  Take a look at her blog and see more of her whimsical creations in her Etsy shop...... and go ahead.  Be jealous.  I don't care.   LOL

 http://outsidetheboxprimitives.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinseeber

Rudy and Earl....How to Train Your Reindeer

Earl has serious work to accomplish at this time of year, but Rudy tends to be a bit.....well, kinda flighty you might say.  Time for the old carrot and stick approach. What a team.