Just for the sake of randomness, I thought I’d share some of my favorite holiday things with you today.
Let me start with actual things in my home that make me smile or warm my heart.
This homely and somewhat bedraggled little pinecone elf was one of the decorations my parents bought when they celebrated their first Christmas together way back in 1950. He has seen a lot of Christmases come and go. Apparently there used to be three of them and this one is all that survived the childhood of my brother’s and sister.
This is Chet and Leroy. My uncle made them for us way back in our days of early marriage poverty when we didn’t have much in the way of holiday decorations. I love them simply because someone who loves us made them.
I realize there are more than a few things in this cupboard, but nearly every single item in there was purchased for me as a gift at some point by Captain Cavedweller and I love it all.
Particularly this poinsettia teapot. It reminds me of my Grandma and if I stare at it too long, it causes me to get a bit nostalgic.
This blanket is another of my favorite things. My Captain bought it for me a few years ago – it is a Pendleton blanket, but it has a definite vintage look and feel.
Meet Billy and Nana. We found these cute reindeer at a cheese factory where one of us had insisted on stopping for ice cream and refused to go any further down the road until a cone was purchased. Shame on that husband of mine! Anyway, as we were checking out, I spied these and had to have them. I needed them even more than the ice cream. They are made of real goat fur and are just so sweet. Especially Billy. I love his little face so.
The Lost Lamb makes my heart hurt and smile at the same time. It brings to mind the verses in Luke 15 about the lost lamb and reminds me that no matter how lost one might be, Our Shepherd is always ready to welcome us with open arms.
Tartan plaid ribbon speaks to me of holiday tradition. Just seeing it takes me back to holidays of my childhood. I wish I had purchased 15 rolls of this ribbon instead of just one when I found it.
My sister, who passed away six years ago, painted these for Captain Cavedweller and me the last Christmas she was able to make gifts. Looking at them makes me weepy and wistful. She wasn’t able to do a lot of things, but she was really good at art.
This little birdie is my newest decoration. Don’t ask why I had to have it, but I love the way she seems to be saying “Come here, I’ve got something to tell you!”
Here are links to a few of my favorite things to eat that I know I shouldn’t during the holiday season:
Nut Goodie Bars
Sugar Cookies
Gingerbread Bars – I have literally become addicted to these in the last few weeks. They are so, so yummy!
My favorite Christmas music tends to dance on the side of traditional. I love White Christmas, but only if sung by Bing Crosby. Johnny Mathis must sing It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and of course Nat King Cole must sing The Christmas Song, although John Michael Montgomery’s rendition is one I will definitely stop and listen to as well.
Other favorites not in any particular order:
Mary Did You Know – Kathy Mattea
No Room – Rhett Akins
One Bright Star – Vince Gill
Ding, Dong Merrily on High – Julie Andrews
Home for the Holidays – Garth Brooks
It doesn’t matter who sings it, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and I’ll Be Home for Christmas always makes my eyes water. Can’t tell you why. That’s just the way it is.
I love getting Christmas cards in the mail – especially ones that have a little note attached that said the person took a minute to at least pay attention to whom the card was being addressed and send a genuine greeting. That really means so much. I know it is easy to turn the cards into another assembly line project, but even a word or two that is personal makes all the difference.
Okay, to wrap up this crazy list are my favorite scents of the season – the smell of fresh cut pine, the crisp scent in the air right after a soft snowfall, the spicy tang of mulled cider and Silver Bells candles which no one makes any more – so I’m rationing the last few that I have. Most of all I love the scent that clings to the contents of a box of old decorations in my parent’s basement. The ancient bayberry and pine smell brings back every lovely and pleasant memory I have of my childhood holidays. I wish someone could find a way to put that in a bottle. I’d buy 100.
She Who Is Way Too Nostalgic These Days
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