A CONTINUATION OF CHRISTMAS...

You might want to put on your cap or your kerchief and settle down - there is a lot to see here.

We left Christmas last week 

to the Victorians and,

 now this week, 

we are back in real time 

and as we move from one room, and one era, 

to the next,

 it is funny how time

 seems to have no meaning at Christmas.

  There is no line that is crossed, 

no door is closed or another opened, 

it is just a continuation of

 the magic of Christmas 

and the spirit of the season,

each and everyone

of us celebrate.

Our celebration, today,

 starts with a bouquet of pretty flowers,

 accompanied by two small santas

 on the game table, 

in the sitting room,

 with the Christmas tree 

as backup.

The sitting room 

is probably the most used room

 in the Cottage.

  As its name implies, 

a lot of sitting goes on in here.

  It is where we watch TV, 

read the newspapers,

 eat more than a few meals 

and just,

 generally, relax.

It is why our tree

 is positioned where it is.  

It can still be seen from 

the parlor's bay window 

but also we can enjoy it 

while sitting 

in the sitting room.

This year 

the sitting room has the honor of 

hosting most of the santas 

we have collected and made

 over the years.

This year, 

we have a special guest

 joining us...

Remember when 

Gertie, our Halloween Witch, 

came to live at the Cottage? 

 She told us she had 

a twin brother 

who was also in 

the business of holiday magic 

and what to our wondering eyes did appear? 

Himself, in his one-horse open sleigh!

Can't you see the resemblance?

My dad 

made my sister and me 

sleighs as a surprise one Christmas.

My mom painstakingly sewed 

all the little red cushions,

 covering little boxes for each one.

  I made the horse many years ago. 

 They just seemed to go together.

Santa came from Cold Creek Primitives,

 as did Gertie.  

April is a wonderful, imaginative artist.  You can reach her through Etsy.

I ordered this cute rocking horse from Antique Farmhouse

 and I bought the tree last year 

and added the red and green braid

 for just a little color.

 It snugs nicely next to the pine cones,

 just like it was made for it. 

I thought the little horse 

(cute though he is)

 could benefit from a 

painted saddle and halter. Maybe?

Moving into the dining room 

there is a bright patriotic tree

 to greet you 

and a shelf full of crocks 

with celluloid vintage reindeer

 mixed in.

If you look up 

you will see a 

little yellow rocking horse and Goatzie 

all draped in

 Christmas finery.

We uncovered our old sled

and set it on the table 

with another ceramic rocking horse

 that I made years ago.

Have you ever seen a red snowman? 

 As you know from years past, 

I don't usually decorate with

 snowmen at Christmas.

  My collection awaits for January

 when they come out in force 

to celebrate Old Man Winter. 

 This year, however, 

I had some red velvet 

and while still being obsessed

 with velvet pumpkins, 

I couldn't help myself. 

 No, 

I know that pumpkins 

are not Christmas material usually 

but when you make two

 in the color of Christmas 

and stack them with 

a sweet little face on top - 

A red snowman is born!

I have a feeling 

I will be expecting a shipment 

of white velvet soon!

I added some faux greenery 

to the bittersweet left over from autumn 

along with some vintage gold snowflakes, 

and our dining room light

 joins in the festivities.

A small amount of sunlight, 

through the kitchen window, 

on a cold winter's morn...

...and holly and ribbons

 to brighten up the 

kitchen jars and cabinets.

The kitchen table is set 

with everyday white plates 

on a bed of faux greenery from Pier One, 

green dishes are Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe

 from Goodwill, 

and the holly plates and bowl are from Home Goods.

Cheerful candy striped napkins 

and cutlery, also from Home Goods, 

are caught up with a star napkin ring

 from a thrift find.

A pitcher of seeded eucalyptus 

from Trader Joe's

 and a spray of Heavenly Bamboo berries

 from the garden, 

along with the "gingerbread" house 

I painted last year 

and Season's Greetings glasses

 from a thrift store, 

make a festive setting 

for breakfast on 

Christmas morning.

I certainly enjoyed your visit

 to our Christmas Cottage. 

 Where has the time gone? 

 It is getting late and

 I know you all still have so much to do.

  Instead of dropping bread crumbs, 

I have lit the candles 

to show you the way out. 

 Please come back 

after the first of the new year and

...until then...

...I will be taking 

a couple of weeks off,

 sitting right here 

by the fire.

You may have noticed

 that there is a lot of "joy"

 in the Cottage

 this year and...

...some of the 

same old tricks

 are still at the top

 of the list...

...and not a creature 

was stirring...

...except

 the usual suspects!

As you go out

 through the entry...

...take a peek

 into the guest room...

...the room is 

always available 

for a little get-away.

"From home to home

And heart to heart

From one place to another

The warmth and joy of Christmas

Brings us closer

To each other."

Emily Matthews

While you sit around your tree 

with the lamps and

 the candles lit...

...Take Joy!

After Santa 

has come down the chimney 

and the home fires 

are burning once again 

and the frost is 

sparkling on the roof...

...Take Joy!

And as you are going out the door,

 look back on 2018 and

...Take Joy!

 in the wonderful, happy, healthy and peaceful

 New Year to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR

...Judy...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Downton Abbey 

will be in theaters 

in 2019.

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