December 4th

Happy Monday! Just some of the soldiers and wooden figures on display at the Colantino home!
Getting ready for my trip to New England!

First Sunday of Lent

The Season of Advent is here today! The first purple candle is lit today and is the candle of HOPE. It is also called the candle of Prophesy. It was the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.
I love the custom of the Advent wreath and the readings during each week. As a Christian. this helps me to keep my focus during the Christmas season.

A New Outfit for My China Head...Dolly Thursday

It's Dolly Thursday with my Tasha Tudor group and I am still enjoying all the Christmas decorations and even music. It's not over for me! I love Christmas and it's fun to enjoy it all for awhile longer.
Isn't this just the sweetest graphics?

For my birthday, Jimmy gave me some money to spend on Etsy. He knows I love to shop there and told me if I didn't spend it, I had to return it. My pretty China head doll has been wearing an outfit that is too large for her for way too long. I found this lovely velvet green dress for her and it fits perfectly.

She was my very first China head and I do love her. She started me on my doll collecting. She always sits in this little chair in the tea room. I love the color and the fit. She is most happy now.

Doesn't she just have the sweetest face?
Now I have to find an outfit for a smaller little China head who need to be dressed better too. I will have fun shopping tonight.

The death of Carrie Fisher and now her mom Debbie Reynolds has been so sad this week. Jim took me to see Rogue One, the newest Star Wars movie this afternoon. I really enjoyed it...lots of action and suspense.

Tea Time Tuesday

How is everyone doing after the big day? I have been taking it pretty easy for the last two days. I did manage to get my Etsy orders out and the wash caught up today. Gina has been with us for over a week and it has been just delightful having her home.

I did have a cup of tea this afternoon. It was a rainy day and I had a few minutes to myself. I have to confess, I did tea that mushroom gingerbread cookie!

Jim gave me this sweet little cup and saucer for Christmas. It has a sweet little holly pattern decorating the cup and saucer, however, there is no mark on it. I just love the look.

It somewhat matches the little plate that I have had for years. I love anything with a holly pattern.

This was the second little cup. It's a bit smaller but just as charming.

I had to use my favorite tea pot this afternoon as the season will soon be gone. I was reading about the 12 Days of Christmas today. I love to leave my decorations up until Jan 6th.

This is the vintage book you can see in the background. My friend LaVonne gave it to me a few years back.

I will be babysitting my Otto tomorrow. I hope to post some pix from our Christmas fun the next few days. It's been such a busy but fun Christmas season. 

Tea Time Tuesday....a little late!

Good morning! I just got the fire started in the wood stove and thought I would get this posted before I have to leave to babysit Otto today. Snow is in the forecast, so we will see what the day brings.
Yesterday, I got my crafting cottage all decorated for Christmas. I didn't think it would happen, as we had misplaced the tub of decorations. Hubby helped me find it! I wrap presents there and with Gina being home (she's coming in day or two), I wanted it to be all Christmasy.

I had a cup of tea late in the afternoon in my Christmas teacup by Mary Engelbreit. I love it.

Since this is the 3rd week of Advent and the JOY candle was lit, I thought this cup of COMFORT and JOY was perfect. Doesn't it just make you happy?

A few more tea things to enjoy. The dolly is actually a tea cozy. Pretty fun, heh?

The stocking was hung...no chimney down in my cottage, but lots of JOY! I made this one a few years back.

A newer dolly has joined the fun this year! She's not quite sure!

I love fun pillows!

This one is so cute...with buttons!

I got a surprise package yesterday from my sister...flowers for my birthday. So pretty and such a total surprise. She is a sweetheart.

Full moon tonight! It's the cold moon and what a perfect name. I caught this last night, but not sure I will get to see it tonight  with our weather.

Have a great day.

Monday....El Nacimiento

A year ago, my SIL told me about the large nativity scenes in Spain and Mexico calledEl Nacimiento. He wanted to build one for this Christmas season, so he started looking for items and added to the collection all year long. It is filled with rich traditions and customs and a lot of symbolism. It's all quite fascinating. It covers their entire dining room table.

The nativity is in the very center. You start working you eye from the right side (old would Eruope) to the the left side (Egypt). I loved the tents on the Egypt side with little lights glowing inside.

Of course, there are lots of animals and even a shepherd's field.  Ava and her daddy put it all together in about 3 hours. It is just amazing. She planned a game where Jimmy and I had to find items in the scene. It was hard!

This is Angie's photo so you can see the whole thing a bit better.

Yep, this is the family that is ALWAYS introducing us to something new each holiday! They were having a lot of fun.

Ava planned this littel tea for us. She sure is growing up so quickly now.

The new teapot with a cute knitted cozy. It's their first teapot. I have been giving them lots of trouble about not having a TEAPOT!

It was really fun to  be grandparents and to have new things to celebrate and join in with their family.
We may get more snow this week! WOW!

My dad's Christmas concert is tonight at his retirement home. My two high school buddies are joining me to have dinner with him and see the show. Fun time of the year. 

Decorating Papa's Apartment

Last Saturday, some of our family went over to my dad's to decorate his apartment for Christmas. Angie and Otto brought Papa a box of candy and Otto couldn't wait to give it to Papa!

Oh yes, look at that smile and the candy in his little hand! He wanted Papa to have one too and picked one out for him.

Papa and his great grandson having a chocolate treat. I am not sure which one was enjoying it more!

My sister Alisa and her son Markie took the tree out into the hall and put it together. Such a big help to me.

Gina was enjoying the fun and was taking a walk down memory lane. Lots of memories for the kids.

Otto found some little cars from the village to play with for awhile. He LOVES cars.

Angie is always so good at displaying the village scene on top of his TV. That's her job.

Sisters decorating the tree.

Markie and Papa were remembering some of the old ornaments before they went onto the tree.

Otto really got into the decorating. He told us..."I like decorating!" It's interesting how much little ones grow up and change in one year.

My girls....so much joy in my life. Now I have a sweet grandson to throw in the mix. JOY JOY JOY!

Yep, he was having fun. He was pretty proud of his accomplishments.

Then he discovered he could hang them on the garland around the bottom of the tree! So funny.

So the next generation has taken it's place in the circle of life. It's a special time and I love all those smiles. 

The Lost Quilt

A couple years ago, I decided to make a flannel lap quilt for my dad for Christmas. I worked on it at a quilt retreat. I couldn't get it long armed before Christmas, so I gave it to my dad and then took it back. I didn't get the binding on right away. One day Jim took it over to the store room, not knowing that I was working on it. Well, I am embarrassed to say, but it got lost. This spring, Jim was cleaning out the storage unit and he found my quilt! I started to work on it and want to give it to dad by Father's Day.

I found my photos from the retreat, so you can see the work in progress!

I finished sewing on the binding last night. I still need to make a label.

This shows the machine quilting up close. It's so soft and it's the colors that my dad loves and has in his living room.

The finished quilt all folded up. I know he will like it and be happy to see it again! It will feel nice and warm this fall.