First Things First! 🎄
Beautiful December has arrived! I plan to fully embrace the spirit of the season by creating new memories while cherishing the old ones from Christmases past!
I’m a nostalgic soul, and my home is filled with treasures passed down from my family and their family and so on and so forth. I have at least 3 generations - not counting mine. Every box I open feels like I'm bringing back cherished memories and stories of those who once owned the items. These meaningful family connections mean so much more to me than anything I can find at Hobby Lobby. While I adore shopping there, it can be a sensory overload for me. Ultimately, my home has always been a tapestry of stories that reflect my family's story.
The outdoor nativity was arranged in the front yard yesterday, marking the beginning of a Christmas tradition! I fondly recall receiving my childhood nativity set from my mom, but, unfortunately, it ultimately fell apart over the years. Then, in the 1980s, I stumbled upon this nativity at Montgomery Ward, which was similar to what I had grown up with. I've showcased this set in every home I've lived in, as the tradition continues.
Years ago, we had a Maine Coon named Kitty Koo who loved basking in the warmth of the nativity lights and preferred the outdoors to the coziness inside. He would sleep indoors during the day, but at night, he wanted out. I always think of him. 💓
🎄🎄🎄🎄
My husband will put up the lights on the outside of the house. Our old lights, which I had before we married, were probably close to 30 years old, and they died last year.
Getting the nativities up inside the house.
My newest one.
I’m not finished yet - there will be candles, or fairy lights, with greenery tucked in. Once complete, they’ll add a nice focal point the living room creating a cozy atmosphere that I am looking forward to when I'm done.
🎄🎄🎄🎄
The tree will get put up this week -
No rush - we have what's most representative of the season.
I did place this metal stake among my dusty millers
with their unique pale greenish leaves.
I'm slowly but surely getting there.
There will be time for the stuffed Santa to come out for display - his worn fabric from countless holiday seasons, the rustic wooden trees, the charming white wooden church, and the simple wooden reindeer my dad made.
But for right now,
It's First Things First
May we all delight and fully embrace this first evening of December.
Debby
Your artwork is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Its an app that turns my photos into my favorite art medium which is watercolor!
DeleteHappy December Debby! I loved reading about your memories. You're right - many of our Christmas decorations bring out those memories.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the year, I often don't even think of them until Christmas.
DeleteOh, these watercolor pictures are nice. I was glad to see the manger outside with Mary and baby Jesus, it's beautiful. There's nothing like those porcelain figurines. The red plaid metal stake is cute. Can't wait to see more. I also love the old nostalgic things that we've had for years; they have so much meaning. And I knew you would say to keep that Santa music box. I will. ; )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I don't put out every single one - we rotate them every year, of course there are the mainstays - that are welcomed every year!
DeleteGood! I'm glad your keeping the music box. So special. Have a beautiful day, Sheri
I am nostalgic too, especially during Christmastime. Unfortunately, I don't have many decorations from my childhood and nothing from my grandparents. It would be nice. What a beautiful cat and he was definitely a good addition to your manger scene. I'm sure you miss him.
ReplyDeleteOh Kitty Koo was a cutie and such a character
DeleteWise men still seek Him . . . Oh, yes, they do, Debby! Since we are a blended family, we have ornaments that are precious to us. Some we have given to our children over the years and others we have kept to place on our tree every year. As my father's birthday was on Christmas Day, the season always has me missing him so very much. But life goes on and God is still at work in each and every one of us to spread His good news of great joy to the world. May we be worthy of doing just that. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteChristmas can be so hard. After my son passed, it just wasn't the same but now, it's been so long and we've all had to make some new ones. I never thought I would ever say this - It's all good. We miss him but look forward in seeing him again.
DeleteI hope you post all of your decorations, I would LOVE to see them!
ReplyDelete😍
DeleteEverything looks wonderful and yes this is the real reason for Christmas. Janice
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice
DeleteBeautiful graphics♥♥♥ Because of age and health we don't put up as much Christmas as days gone by. My bar is full and lights are still a plenty. Yep, I decorated early this year because Mr D and I love this time of year. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your place looks charming, Mary.
DeleteI love what you call a "tapestry of stories"! Unfortunately, most of the decorations that served as my own childhood backdrop have mysteriously disappeared; I fear they were left in the attic of my mother's home, but by that time her mind wasn't where it should be. That's all right; I still have a precious few ... and it's never too late to add one or two "previously loved" pieces if I happen see them at an estate sale. No expectations!
ReplyDeleteOh wow - I'm sure that happens a lot. People forget where they put stuff. I prefer the " previously loved" vintage ornaments.
DeleteI was so happy to read the comment that these paints were done with an app, that I totally forgot what I wanted to say. I was thinking at each one, how embarrassing that I have been posting my paintings/creations and you can paint like this.. I love each one.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was like you, she had decorations and Christmas lights that were very old and she never gave anything away, she kept every thing from the family, and since I don't collect anything, I let my brothers daughter, who is just like my mother take all of that. she is the family collector and family history collector.
I used to do watercolors but just don't have the time. That's what apps are for!
DeleteI'm the historian in our family. Even my husband. It's my number one hobby!
I am all in on nostalgia and tradition. I have shown pictures of the things that go up every year and I think that's what I am going to do again this year.
ReplyDeleteIts always fun to remember those "warm fuzzies".
Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Sue
Warm fuzzies - I love that, Sue.
DeleteI love the natvities and love how you've shared them with us, along with your special memories. Yes, I agree, first things first. I put out our outdoor wooden nativity silouette. I would love a more realistic one like you have, but haven't found one I could afford The rest of my nativities are still packed away with the other Christmas stuff, waiting for someone to carry in the boxes from the shed so I can start opening them up. I'm moving slower this year because I have walking pneumonia and am taking it easy, so one day at a time and one thing at a time. Like you, I agree, Jesus is the reason for the season, and I want to put Him first in all I do. Thank you for these reminders for us today.
ReplyDeleteRight now you need to get rest and take care of yourself. Pneumonia isn't anything you want to mess with.
DeleteGreat art and the cat is funny. The art is cool though.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the monster in my last post. He is from the movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas and his name is Oogie Boogie.
Cheers and Happy Christmas Month!!!!!
Thanks, Ivy. Cute name for the monster. Fun names for 2 little pups!
DeleteHe has a song that he sings about being Oogie Boogie. Danny Elfman did a great job with writing that music.
DeleteI love how you decorate for Christmas. The photos you put on this blog post are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby.
DeleteAll I want to say that I liked this
ReplyDeleteNice that you have so many happy memories and mementos to treasure.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice, but at one time, after my son died, they made me sad.
DeleteThat app is amazing. I love how things became paintings. I am still working on my tree, but hope to get my nativities out and the other decor very soon.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We're getting there!
DeleteYour watercolors are so good. Yes, getting out the decorations is a good way to remember things.
ReplyDelete