Childhood Christmas Books

Shall we grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate? Let's wrap up in a cozy blanket and then we'll read some of my vintage Christmas books. How about a peppermint stick for the tea (or hot chocolate):

 mmmm. Ok, you ready?

Let's begin. We'll start with these two:

 We'll read about the littlest Christmas tree and how sad he was to be left behind

 Then see how he was finally chosen and placed on a boat and how happy he was:

Then we'll read about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his nose that glowed and how the other reindeer made fun of him

 And how finally on a very foggy night, Santa asked him to guide his sleigh.

Then we'll read about a mouse (because what is a Christmas story without a mouse?)

 How this mouse without a name was lonely but on Christmas Eve decided to leave Santa a gift.

 And how Santa woke him up to thank him and give him, not only a name, but a mouse-sized Santa suit and the job of being Santa's helper:

Then we'll read this classic:

 About no creatures stirring,

 Eight tiny reindeer and sleigh and Santa Claus,

 And wish everyone a "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night".

And then finally read the story about the greatest present ever given:

These stories are brought to you curtesy of my childhood. "The Night Before Christmas" was a family tradition on Christmas Eve when I was growing up.

Can you see the price on it? 29 cents!

How I loved reading my Christmas books each year. Did you have a special book?

This will be my last post of the year. I hope you each have a blessed and wonderful Christmas and New Year! I'll see you next year!

Linking up here:
My Thrift Store Addiction Vintage Charm 10
Lilacs And Longhorns Share It One More Time Link Party 10
Create-share-inspire-link-party-10

Last of the Christmas Projects

I've been busy as a bee and have several Christmas projects I've wrapped up.

First up are our new stockings. The burlap ones are at the farm where they belong so I needed some for the city house. I had some slightly sparkly material in off white and apple green - just enough for two stockings of each color. After sewing them up, I decided they needed something more. hm...

After much searching, I found some dinner napkins with a red embroidered snowflake. Perfect. They got cut to size and sewn on. Lastly, I added a glittered initial.

Love them!

At the same sale, I found some kitchen towels with the sweetest bicycle design. I grabbed two along with two plaid dinner napkins and tada! New pillow covers!

Paired with a red velvet pillow, they are so cute.

I'm also finishing up some wood ornaments:
One for my MIL (I make her one every year)

One for an ornament exchange - the theme this year was stars

One for a friend who recently lost her dad. He collected owls so I made her this one

One for Vicky over at Life on Willie Mae Lane as a thank you for hosting her Annual Ornament Exchange (read about it here). I'm late sending it to her - it's on its way, Vicky!

And one for a sweet friend from church who's moving away:

I also painted this cute painting. "Making Friends" acrylic 8x10"

I still have a couple of things to finish

Need to paint this - got it in Canton

I was very excited to find this online...I've already spray-painted it silver
and need to add snow to the branches plus lights

not to mention a sign to paint and wrapping the other reindeer, etc. but I need to make cookies and other baking so for now I'm done.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mess to clean up!

New Life for Yard Reindeer

The air is crisp (most of the time) and I can finally wear my Fall clothes. (Yay!)

These reindeer were gifted to me by my middle sister about 2 years ago. They've been waiting for inspiration to strike.

and waiting...
Finally, I had an idea! But first, I needed to prime all the rusty spots,

wire the pieces securely together, then I could start sprucing them up.
Out came my glue gun and sisal rope and I started wrapping and gluing, wrapping and gluing, and wrapping...

What do you think? I love the way this one turned out.

Hello? Where's Santa?

I still have the other one to go but I'm out of sisal and steam. Good thing they can be used past Christmas.  I can see them gracing the fireplace hearth or keeping guard by the entryway table. They will be perfect accents for the farm.

Come back Thursday for my final Christmas projects reveal. See ya then!

Linking up at these parties:
Creative Muster Party

Vicky's 3rd Annual Ornament Exchange

Vicky over at Life on Willie Mae Lane, hosted her 3rd Annual Ornament Exchange. I have had the pleasure of participating each year. It's always fun to meet new friends and see what everyone receives.

My package came super early! I was so excited to find it in the mailbox. It was from Jeanna over at Slammin' the Screen Door.  I've been just dying to share all the wonderful goodies packed in my box so let's get started:
Inside was this pretty card - isn't it cute?

Candy spoons! I can't wait for the perfect cold day to use one of these in my hot chocolate.

These beautiful mercury glass pinecones....how I love mercury glass!

Here they are laid out in a bowl:

And last but not least, a cute snowman stamp, chalkboard tags and chalk, and a very pretty monogramed bag Jeanna made me! Isn't it so sweet?

I love everything Jeanna sent me!

My exchange partner is a new friend to me - Kelly-Anne over at Beautiful Girlhood. She is over in  South Africa. Oh how I hope she gets her package in time! If you haven't met her, hop over to visit. She is the sweetest ever and you will be so blessed by her gentle spirit.

Thank you, dear Vicky, for hosting this exchange again. I look forward to it every year.

Be sure to hop over to Vicky's blog to see all the other ornaments everyone received.

Christmas Dreaming at the Farm

I'm dreaming of  Christmas at the farm...

Because Christmas is better on the farm...

A tractor filled with fresh cut trees,

The Christmas tree with a rustic, woodland  theme,

vintage look postcards

burlap snowflake topper

The stockings hung from the vintage hay fork,

The fireplace with a rustic, simple look,

metal trees from Canton

theater seat wreath

Horse shoe wreath in red frame I bought in Canton

The bedrooms with festive touches,

Master bedroom with Canton snowmen

Guest room with deer pull toy and plate from my visit with Cecilia at My Thrift Store Addiction 

hand towel tied onto pillow

3rd metal tree from Canton - the blue is a perfect match for the guest room

The kitchen wreath with cookie cutters,

and nutcracker,

And the bathroom with Scrabble letters wishing a Merry Christmas and

the red truck carrying its Christmas tree ,

All leave me dreaming of my farmhouse Christmas!