Christmas Afterglow

Hello Friends!  I hope your Christmas was wonderful. We made it through December, and today finds me in a quiet place as all the Christmas decor has been put away for another year. It is a rainy foggy and cold day, a day meant for reflecting and counting my blessings for it has been quite a year that none of us could have ever predicted. 

Our family truly embraced the season and held tight the meaning as we attended Christmas Eve church service ...in our cars holding candles out the window singing Silent Night.  

No question the holiday season of 2020 was by far

very different from all our past celebrations. 

I truly missed those family members 

who could not be with us this year. 

 We all needed a little joy in our lives and

 so grateful for those we love whether physically near

 or in our hearts this year.       

Come on in our home...the door is open and our hearts are full.

Tradition at our house is cutting a real tree 

and decorating it with family ornaments...

including  a few Shiny Brites from my childhood.

 The antique engraving over the fireplace is quite special as my husband 

surprised me with "Meeting the Carriage" one Christmas.

My needlepointed tree skirt has seen many Christmas's!

Water is kept nearby for the tree drinks several pans of water a day!
Each ornament holds a memory of a special person or a place. 

Some of the ornaments I made before I was even married!

The handmade sled underneath the tree holds 
the Christmas books that love to be read year after year.

A roaring fire in the fireplace and 

the aroma of a real tree...smells of the season!

A place of honor for the nativity scene

Music plays an important role in our family as both

of our sons play the violin. 

This violin was their great grandfathers.

In the kitchen of our 102 year old home is the light fixture

adorned with fresh greens, berries and white doves. 

A bit of greenery and red velvet ribbon dress the kitchen clock .

Our kitchen is tiny by todays standards, but I love it.

Salt and Pepper shakers from a friend makes the red truck!

Vintage glasses and my grandmothers butter dish

The green lamp was a wedding gift to my mother and dad 

who had very little to begin housekeeping.

Nothing says warm and cozy more than 

a warm glowing lantern in the corner of the kitchen. 

Even my laundry room has a Christmas mouse or two.

And the Christmas cactus went crazy this year.

On a low kitchen shelf is a row of lighted treasures

 for our little ones to admire. Just perfect height 

for a two year old to "twiddle".

A Christmas plate my mother gave me 
the year we were married is a treasure I bring out every year.

Needlepoint pillows are my favorite.

I have such amazing memories as a child, especially of my grandmother. 

This book on a side table was a Christmas gift from her teacher in 1905 ! 

My mother used to read it to me before bedtime.

Christmas dinner was just different this year. 

Not all our family was together, 

and it just seemed so strange. 

No added leaves in the table, No tablecloth this year, 

but a gold table runner just seemed right. 

A favorite little boy helped me clove the oranges.

Though I could never forgo a candlelit Christmas meal 

on my Christmas plates, 

it is who sits around my table

 that really matters. 

 

 So today finds me in a quiet place, as we end this crazy year...

grateful for all my loved ones and blessings granted. 

However your holidays unfold, whether shared with an extended family

 or a small circle of loved ones, I wish you joy in the coming year and

may God hold us all in the palm of His hand.

I love when you leave a comment.

I read every one of them! 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Vintage Easter Bunny Hop

Since this year we are all sheltering in place 

I am sad there will not be any little people 

coming through my back door on Easter 

with a loud "Hi Happy!"

  (that is what I am called by the two

 most important little people in my life... ages 2 and 5!) 

Bunnies came out of storage 

and they are all around the house.

 Thank goodness, right after Valentines day 

I started pulling out the bunnies for an Easter Party.

And Little velvet chicks....

 Easter candies and marshmallow bunnies 

appeared on the table and quickly disappeared

 when the little boys were able to come

 before the crisis. 

 They loved the cutest bunny teapot 

 The Easter basket was mine that my mother 

had saved and perfect for felt bunnies 

and marshmallow suckers.

 A velvet bunny in the kitchen...

Staying so close to home, and sheltering in place, 

I can still hop down the bunny trail 

as bunnies carry their baskets full of roses 

and share some Easter inspiration. 

Have you every read the book,

 The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings ?  
You know how some books that your mother read to you

as a little child just touch you and stay with you forever?

I loved the message that there is only one of "You" .

I thought you might enjoy 

a bit of a "Bunny Hop" 

as they have hopped all over the house.

 Easter Sunday will mark one month 

since we've been sheltered here. 

I know some of you have been confined

 to your homes even longer than that.  

And yet there still seems to be signs of hope

 all around--in the faces of the heroic first responders

 and health professionals working extra-hard.

Some of my most favorite bunnies and eggs 

are in the dining room and help to make your home 

 places of grace even while you're stuck in them. 

 Beaded eggs by Katherine's Collection 

 fill a crystal bowl. 

 A favorite velvet bunny

 and his little chocolate friend. 

 A framed vintage postcard 

from my postcard collection circa 1906

 displayed with white velvet bunnies.

 The teapot lamp brightens 

a corner of the dining room. 

 Of course not real chocolate bunnies, 

but they sure do tempt little boys!

We will just have to wait until next year 

for the big egg hunt, 

but I hope you can celebrate Easter or Passover 

with those you love 

even from afar...or by Zoom, 

or Facetime...or simply the phone. 

I hope you are all okay, I hope those you love

are safe and well, and I hope you’re 

weathering this storm with your family. 

What an unprecedented time.   

Wishing you a joy-filled weekend ...hugs! 

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