DINING AT CHRISTMAS

Welcome to Christmas dinner at the Cottage.  Of course, you know the drill.  It is only make-believe as we do not spend the actual holiday here at home but...nonetheless, nothing is as important as the spirit of Christmas and we are all about that!

The Captain and I will, however, sit down for a meal from time to time around the Christmas table.  Even though the meals could range from a bowl of cereal to prime rib, we enjoy them all.

The Christmas buffet is laden down with Santa's collected over the years.  Some home-made, some bought on fun little excursions during the holiday seasons.  I think this time of the year is my most favorite time to go shopping...I love to go to the little towns around our area and see how each one celebrates Christmas.

We always put this little tree in the dining room window.  I made the crock container years ago and each year a little more pretties are added.  I don't remove the ornaments after Christmas and put the tree away just as you see it.  I think the time is coming though, when it needs to rest and have it's baubles removed and updated so it can shine it's light another year.

I found this old branch that I had forgotten about.  I truly don't know why I ever bought it as it is very stiff and prickly, but a light bulb went off when I came across it and I thought it might be good for something that is always a particular problem for me this time of year...what to do with the cards we receive...I never know exactly how to display them.  So, when I found a small stash of clothespins I put them all to good use.

Meet Nosey. A Fisher-Price pull toy. When he is pulled his nose moves up and down, he makes a funny little squeaky sound and his back end wiggles from side to side.

As you may remember from the last chapter of our story, I am decorating with toys this year.  The next few pictures will be of various ones in my collection and I will explain if there is something special attached to them.

My favorite little wooden rocking horse, I've used as the main centerpiece of the table as the Christmas plates were bought with him in mind.

Mikasa

French Countryside

"Yule Glow"

Lithographed onto wood, metal wheels. When pulled a bell rings.

Made by the Gong Bell Mfg. Co., East Hampton, Conn. USA

Metal table and chairs. Mickey and friends enjoying tea.

Looky Fire Truck made by Fisher-Price

Created at East Aurora, N.Y. USA

Mallet strikes bell at front and rings when pulled.

An assortment of bottle brush trees.

Hallmark put these houses out in 1994 to commemorate the making of their TV show Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Left: The Prairie Home.  Jacob and his children, Caleb and Anna, lived in this house on the plains of Kansas when Sarah came as a mail-order bride to live with them.

Middle: The Maine Home. Before she came to Kansas, Sarah lived in this house on the coast of Maine with "the unclaimed treasures", her maiden aunts, Mattie, Harriet and Lou.

Right: The Country Church.  Sarah and Jacob danced together for the first time at the church picnic. Later they were married in this simple, white frame church.

Another Gong Bell Mfg. Co. pull toy. Mr. Frog moves up and down and rings when pulled.

Most of the toys you will see are not dated, but I believe them to be from around the 1960's.

"SAY CHEEEESE"

 

If I may digress a bit back to the kitchen...found these 4 cutest little trays while out 'antiquing' this past weekend. Had to show them off, they match the kitchen perfectly. Will make the sweetest little chargers under the white platters. Just the right fit.

I hope you enjoyed the latest installment of our story and after a bite of hearty Christmas stew, I hope you will come back for the next peek into our Christmas Cottage...Judy

When next you enter, please take the door on your right.

I am sharing with these lovely parties:

Make It Pretty Monday

A Return to Lovliness

Home