Call me anti-Christmas and non-traditional, but I don’t have a manger scene up this year. This is because I was spoiled by my mother’s beautiful, ceramic manger scene she made 25 years ago. Nothing I have found or seen is as nice as hers; I refuse to put up a plastic set with moss glued…
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The Tree
My theme for our tree this year is ‘Fruits of the Spirit’. We have all shades of round, fruity colored ornaments, as well as those orange slices I dried last month.I want to add more ‘fruits’ each year. This year I am looking for a ‘Peace’ ornament. Anja gave me this ornament the year before…
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Here Comes Christmas!
On Saturday we went and got our tree! I was so excited – we’ve never gotten our tree this early – it’s still November!We enjoy the u-pick experience, usually going with family and friends and loading 4 or 5 trees on one of the business trucks to haul them home. We all packed onto the…
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What We Are Thankful For….
On this perfectly gray, chilly, November-ish day, we are grateful for our precious little son, our cozy little home, and the anticipation of a day spent feasting with our family and friends that we consider family. 🙂 And Jesse is thankful for pears. 🙂
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Preparing to Celebrate, Part One
It occured to me the other day, that I had not yet showed you a picture of my husband’s finished tile job, and the new stove! You got enough before and during pictures, so I owed you this one! A new, larger stove = more warmth this winter, and less frozen pipes (hopefully!) And the…
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Wreath Delivery Day
Yesterday was D-Day for us – after 4 days of making wreaths and garlands, it was time to deliver our orders. 12 wreaths, ranging from 25″ to 45″ across, and over 24 feet of garlands. Installation is part of the deal, so Jeremy loaded the pick-up with a step ladder, hammer and nails, and I…
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An Important Ceremony
In the Holden household, when you turn 7 you become a Paige – the first phase in becoming a knight.I was first introduced to this tradition 5 years ago when the Holden’s asked me to create a costume for Isaiah. On a medieval style tunic I embroidered the family crest – little knowing it would…
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Celebrating Fall – Making Cider!
On Saturday my in-laws cranked up their beautiful cider press and made a batch of cider with apples from the orchard I visited a few weeks ago.My smiling and diligent brother-in-laws, Isaiah and Nathanael Joanna sharing cider with the daughter of a coal customer (they set up the press in the coal bagging building) Anja,…
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Jesse’s birthday – part two
In the afternoon we went to my mom’s mom and dad’s house (Beppe and Gramps, I call them) and I took a nap while daddy frosted my cake…For dinner everybody had chicken wings – everybody but me! I had bananas. Yeah, I know – not fair! but I did get to have cake…. after dinner…
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