Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Christmas Dreams

 


Hello, Dear Friends, I have been thinking of you 

and hope that you are finding some peace and comfort

during this busy Christmas season. 

I know that this time of year is difficult for some, 

myself included, as we miss our loved ones

who leave those empty chairs at the table and hearth. 

But sweet memories warm the heart, 

as we create new memories, that may one day 

be cherished, too. 

xx


We woke up to this pretty scene a couple of weeks ago!


It was incredibly beautiful. 


There's a lovely hush when it snows. 
A magical peace that descends on the forest. 
Gradually the birds and woodland creatures come 
out of hiding, searching for food. 
I save seed for times like these and hope my offerings 
provide a little grace for the long-suffering wildlings.
xx

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,
that it kisses them so gently? 
And then it covers them up so snug, 
you know, with a white quilt;
and perhaps it says, 'Go to sleep,
darlings, till the summer comes again.'

- Lewis Carroll -

xx 

We took a drive through the countryside, before the snow melted, 
to a local tree farm for some family photos. 
We actually went twice - first with one daughter and her family, 
and then the other. We were originally scheduled  
 all together but the original date was rained out 
and had to be rescheduled on separate days. 
We had a lovely time enjoying the scenery
 and being part of making memories. 

While there I took a few photos of the gorgeous scenery. 






I was particularly enchanted by this scene of peaceful cows 
grazing beneath this beautiful tree. 
Can you see the swings? 


A long view. 


The barn. 


My grandsons with their Dad, searching for the perfect tree. 
(Our tree is artificial.) 


This is the view from the same tree farm with my other daughter's photo shoot.
Normally you would see Mt. Rainier and the cascade mountains, 
but the skies were very gray. 



My youngest grandson with his two pups in between photo shoots. 

They were relieved to be able to run around
 after having to stand still so long for photos! 


Ramblin' Man and me enjoying our time with family. 
xx



My daughter-in-law, Jen, hosted a wreath-making party
a couple of weeks ago,
and this is the one I made! 
The party was so much fun. 
Everyone brought a treat and we had a girl's gab-fest 
while making our creations.
I supplied the greens.  



Jen made these. 
She's such a good hostess. 





Her beautiful Christmas decor. 
She and my son, Dustin, love Christmas. 
Two stockings are for their cat-babies, Lucky and Cleo. 


My daughter, Heather made mints. 



We also went to a Christmas flea market together 
earlier in the season. 
She collects little houses and bells.
 
I found some fun things, too. 



Come inside, Dear Friends, and I'll show you around. 


Our tree is red and gold this year. 


It's a beautiful day and the mountain is out! 
Mt. Rainier has been hidden by clouds 
for weeks. 


"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." 
xx
A line from my favorite Christmas movie, 
'It's a Wonderful Life'

Can you see the bell?
(Top left, under the red ball) 


My paperwhites are blooming and filling 
the room with their intoxicating scent. 


Afternoon sunshine warms the room. 



Jen and Dustin gifted me with the stag and golden trees 
for my birthday in October. 
The wooden dough bowl was a gift from daughter Heather 
a couple of years ago. 
The mirror is vintage.



I'm still loving plaid and thought it would be so cozy 
for the holidays this year.
We all need an extra dose of cozy this year, I think. 
xx 



The plaid daybed, pillow covers, and drapes were 
sewn from flannel sheets a few years ago. 



Favorite winter artwork. 



The children's tree. 
xx


Early morning sunbeams. 
Kai loves these quiet mornings
while I putter around the kitchen
with my coffee.
The promise of a new day. 





I found these faux trees in the garden section 
of my Kroger store. 
Three to a package. 


My flea-market finds.
Mad for plaid!
xx
My Scotts heritage.  




I found another Scotty dog at a vintage store this season. 


Scotty dogs were very popular in the 1940's 
because of President Roosevelt's Scotty, Fala. 









A teeny-tiny painting. 

xx



You can see the lighted garland on the fence. 
There's one on the deck railings, too. 
At night, it is so pretty from the windows.
We are so far off the beaten path that 
only we, and the occasional small plane, can see our outside lights. 

xx 


My flea-market vintage coffee and spice tins. 
The snowman in the jar was a gift from my sweet Sis-in-law years ago. 


The tins hold hot chocolate mix, mini marshmallows and sprinkles. 




Yum! 
I like mine with whipped cream. 



I baked dozens of sugar cookies to give away as gifts.
I saved some for eating, too. 
The recipe was my grandmother Beatrice's 
and I've been baking them for Ramblin' Man 
since we were dating. 
They are his favorite. 
xx



I made some peppermint bark candy and put it in 
tin-can pails that I decorated with winter scenes from Christmas cards. 
Ramblin' Man put wire handles on the cans 
and spraypainted them gold, then I used hot glue to apply
the card images on the front with tinsel trim. 


This is one I had left over from last year. 
They remind me of something from Victorian times. 
xx




Did you know that I lived in a little log cabin when I was a child? 
It had four rooms - a kitchen with knotty pine cabinets, a living room 
with open rafters and a large fieldstone fireplace, 
and two bedrooms - one for my parents and one for my sisters and me. 
All the walls were knotty pine and at night the knots in the wood 
would turn into strange eyes and faces. 
There was also a long, narrow 'sun-porch' off the living room
lined with windows and furnished with beautiful wicker furniture. 
The fireplace was flanked by bookshelves (my Mother was an avid reader)
 and on the outside grew a huge Boston Ivy that would turn bright red in the fall. 
The cabin was built in a forest of 100 ft. pines where no grass 
would grow. The ground was covered in golden needles
that was beautifully sun-dappled on a summer day. 
We lived in a little village of similar log cabins that surrounded a large lake. 
The village had its own private beach and boat launch. 
Most of the cabins were 'summer cabins' for families 
that lived in the city, but we and a handful of others, 
lived there year-round. 
There were 3 or 4 year-round families that had little girls that I and my sisters played with.
We had a neighborhood softball team, built forts in the woods, put on plays 
and pretended to be horses or butterfly fairies.  
We had a miniature log cabin playhouse with log furniture inside
where we 'played house' with our dolls. 
In the summer we spent hours swimming or fishing in the lake.
We had a babysitter named 'Midge' who lived next door who made home-made candy
and hosted story-time sessions at the lake on warm summer evenings. 
We would bring snacks and blankets
and flashlights to get home. She charged 10 cents to attend, and
her story-times were always full of happy, wide-eyed children.
In the winter we would build snow igloos, go sledding and skating, 
and sing carols door to door at Christmas. 
I have so many wonderful memories of that little cabin in the woods.
xx  










The road home. 
xx

Christmas dreams and memories on a cold winter night. 
We put aside our sorrows and cares to 
celebrate this special time of year together. 
To count our blessings, honor the past and make plans for the coming new year. 
We remind ourselves of the reasons why we 
commemorate this day - the gift of the birth 
of the Master - who gave mankind the blueprint 
for peace and salvation. 
We have a long way to go, but we must remember that 
we are all in this together. 
xx

Merry Christmas, Dear Friends, and best wishes 
for a Happy New Year. 
xx

17 comments:

  1. Karen, there are just so many things I love about this post that you so thoughtfully put together. The snow is beautiful around your area, and you're right, it's like a "lovely hush" when the snow falls. That is a good way to describe it. It looks very similar to our snow days here. Your grandson in his red plaid with his 2 dogs is cute as ever, and also the photo of YOU in red flannel! The wreath making party sounds fun. Nel actually made that wreath that is shown on my post. Jen's house is decorated so wonderful for the season. I love those little houses in her cabinet. I also loved the greenery around the mirror. Heather's mints look delightful. Your mantel with the gold trees is so pretty. I love the idea of the big gold beads draping. It is so good to see that someone else loves plaid, and your home looks cozy with plaid touches here and there. The Winter artwork looks vintage and so sweet. One of my favorite things was the red flowers in the plaid thermos. Oh, how I want to get a plaid thermos like that. I like those red lanterns, they are so cool. And I love the red coffee tin. I've been looking around for Hills Bros. coffee to enjoy, but can't find it anywhere. I'm wondering if they sell it anymore. Your tin can pails made from Christmas cards is such a creative idea and perfect to put goodies in for a gift. Karen, I have to mention to you that your cabin in the woods when you were a child sounds exactly like the little house in the woods that I live in now. Everything you said about it sounds very similar to this house. It's small and charming and suits me.

    Merry Christmas to you, dear friend. And I will have to come back and see your wonderful post again before Christmas. There are so many unique and special things to see. Thank you for bringing a little peace and joy and goodness to your blog each and every time.

    ~Sheri

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  2. Always a joy to see and read through your posts.

    December seems to have flown by and hard to believe that Christmas is now so close!
    I did wrap a few more presents earlier today :)

    Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas.
    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  3. Magical photos full of Christmas atmosphere. Once more I would say this is one of your most beautiful posts ever. It was lovely to read about your childhood too.
    Dear Karen, I wish you and yours a happy and blessed Christmas. xx

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  4. Karen, I enjoyed reading your post and looking at the beautiful snow scenes. It's so nice that you and the family did some fun things for the holidays. Wishing you you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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  5. So wonderful to have those special memories with the kids and grandkids, glad you didn't have to miss out and were able to go with both of them. Your house does look so cozy with all the plaid. Beautiful pictures of the mountain and the sunshine through the windows!
    Merry Christmas!

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  6. Oh, Karen, this post is like a beautiful Christmas card. Your scenery in your area is so beautiful and the setting for your beautiful home must be enchanted. I love all your decorating and the way you mix small bits of Christmas in with your everyday items. It is so special and beautiful. I love the story of your growing up. We have some very similar memories. I feel so lucky to have them and often think of those that don't. I was thinking of that while watching the news last night when the President of Ukraine was telling how some of his people will use candles this Christmas but the reasons that they have to is almost too unbearable to think about. I hope you and your lovely family have a wonderful Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year, my good friend..xxoJudy

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  7. Karen it's all so pretty! I loved the story of your loggy neighborhood as a child. The party food pics are worthy of being in a Home magazine. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your life today. The fave pic was of you and ramblin' man such a beautiful couple. Love to you, LeeAnna

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  8. Stunning post with beautiful Christmas vignettes and sweet remembrances. Always a pleasure stopping by... Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing such beauty and inspiration. Blessings.

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  9. You are looking wonderfully festive with all your pretty decorations, it's always lovely to see them again here as we get the Christmas box out again. Each year it feels as if we had only just put them away from the previous year! Look at all your deep snow! So beautiful. I hope you will be OK as I hear there is a very cold snowstorm heading your way. Do keep warm and take care. Have a fantastic family Christmas and all the very best for the New Year. x 🎄🎄🎄

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  10. Lovely pictures, lovely memories and I wish you the best for a merry and very happy Christmas!
    Love, Titti

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  11. Hi Karen, What a beautiful post! So many cool photos … I enjoyed them all … I smiled at many of your captions. Very nice design! As a retired teacher, I like to say, High marks for you! 😊 Thanks for recently stopping by my blog and leaving me a kind comment. Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Christmas! John

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  12. So much loveliness. Hope you're enjoying the holiday season and staying nice and warm, dear Karen. All the best for the new year!
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. Precious friend Karen your blog posts are therapeutic and really comforting to my soul!
    Your house looks driven from most fascinating fantasy world where a fairy has created an exceptionally beautiful home full of grace wisdom and love!
    Happy birthday to you my dear friend, May you see many many more with loved ones who are truly fortunate to have you!
    Gifts from family members look specially pretty
    Sorry that rain spoiled you complete family trip. Photos revealed beauty of how snow transformed the world quietly.
    I showed photo of you and your husband to hubby who was sitting next to me. He loved it either particularly when I told him that how much your husband like to be busy in small house works that are helpful for you and how beautifully he designed and built a small hut for you: )
    I specially loved story of the old log cabin where you spent some good years as little girl!
    Few things from the story resemble to mine as well.
    I can relate that how such treasured memories can surpass rest others about better times.and this is because we experience our purest and most innocent time meanwhile.
    Hope you had great Christmas with loved ones my lovely and gorgeous sweet friend!

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  14. I am terribly late to this lovely party Karen, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I hope the blessings of your beautiful Christmas stay with you stay with you all year. (And of course I mean the family activities and the memories and the love that shines through every word and picture. Not the decorations because I expect you have re-decorated since you made this lovely post. I however would be happy to look at those all year -- or at least until spring! Everything about your home is wonderful, and the view of THE mountain from your family room window is absolutely wonderful. Beautiful Pacific Northwest -- you have the best of it.

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  15. Oh what a delightful post this was to read, dear Karen... even though I am reading it after Christmas, the joy and delight you've shared touched my heart! I loved the Christmas tour of your beautiful cottage, and the sweet picture of you and your husband at the Christmas tree farm! Oh how I love the views of Mt. Rainier, it is such a spectacular mountain! Such a blessing you can have it in your view when the clouds lift! The tin pails are adorable! I love this repurposing idea! I hate to throw beautiful Christmas cards away, and what a perfect way to pass on their love, and for the card to be enjoyed forever in a new way! I hope you had a wonderful and very special Christmas dear friend, and pray for sweet blessings for you and your family in this new year! Much love to you!

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  16. Hi Karen! Sorry I'm late to catch up. I took time away during the holiday time and been having some back issues. Getting back to it a bit now and had to come visit and see if you had a Christmas post.Yay! I lap posts like this up like a kitten. Lol I love seeing the decorations of your home and your son and DIL. And sharing your festivities. Your home looks so beautiful and inviting as always. I LOVED the tree farm pics. You and the Mr are so adorable. I hope that was your Christmas card. 😉 And I love when you share your memories. I felt so cozy reading all about your cabin through the seasons. I sure hope you write this stuff down for the grandkids. Memories like that are an absolute treasure.
    I hope you're having and wonderful and joy filled start to the new year. Happy 2023 dear Friend! May it be filled with good health, peace and a lot of happiness! 🌟 xoxo

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  17. I hope you got the long comment I posted on here just a few days ago. Maybe you check them now before publishing? I shared how much I loved all of the holiday cheer in this post...especially your memories of the log cabin through the seasons. You really need to write a book! I hope you can pop by my blog and join the blogaversary giveway I just posted! So grateful for our friendship here in blogland. Have a wonderful weekend Karen. xoxo

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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