Sparkles

My quick visit to SuzAnna's Antiques last Tuesday, was to meet with and wish "boa viagem" to sweet blog friend Vanessa of Vanilla Lavender who headed home to Brazil on Boxing Day. She and little daughter Luna will have a long anticipated visit with her family. I know it will be a great time for all. For me, it brings back memories of visits across the pond in the '60's, lugging suitcases loaded with kid's clothes and necessities for extended stays with grandparents, no easy feat, and even more complicated now with security issues and so many more people travelling.

Have a great time Vanessa ~ we'll be missing you ~ but she'll still post on her blog while in Sao Paulo ~ hooray!

While at SuzAnna's we had to look around, of course! Everything was sparkling on that cold but sunny day. Linda, shop employee/decorator extraordinaire had turned on Christmas music, and then sweet Jenny (Susie's delightful daughter) of The Red Bulletin Board arrived to liven things up even more. Susie and Anna were at home decorating their houses ~ missed you.

A dress form lamp decked out in sparkly neck wear - necklaces and dainty beaded scarf.

Beaded evening bag, great for the theatre, and sparkling napkin rings.

Pretty idea for Summer or the beach house - sparkly starfish in the palest ocean blue.

Great idea for a cut glass dish - turn it into a hanging candle holder by adding sparking beaded chains.

Love these miniature bottles with velvet wraps and sparking rhinestone embellished corks. Many uses including storage for craft items ~ which reminds me, I need to organize mine!

And................before leaving SuzAnna's, Jenny gave me this lovely gold sparkly candle for Christmas which is just perfect in my hurricane. Thanks so much Jenny, as you can see I've already been burning it.

Pink Saturday

aturday, pink Saturday, what does it matter day!!

If you stuffed yourself with Christmas goodies, drank often to the good health and happiness of absent friends, lost your cat in a mountain of wrapping paper, and slept the sleep of the exhausted - because you were............ it does matter! Yes, Pink Saturday matters. It means a normal day again. Sharing fluffy pink, silly pink, anything pink.................to get you through to the next big bash, New Year's Eve!

My pink stash is hitting rock bottom. Who would have ever known Pink Saturday would be so popular. Many new bloggers are joining in the fun every week.

Some pretty pink china pieces that were passed down from my mother are much-loved. Have you noticed how most roses painted on china are usually pink? These are sweet rambling roses. This Royal Albert oval dish is a favorite ~ the scrolled pale green edge touched with gold ~ especially when holding a few really good dark chocolates!

Please visit our great hostess Beverly at How Sweet The Sound today. I just know that even with all she had to do for Christmas she still made time to host PINK SATURDAY again. Just think, if you miss this week we won't see you again until next year!

Boxing Day

Today we celebrate BOXING DAY, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr)..................well we do in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I think we're missing out by not having it here in the USA, thus giving everyone a proper two-day Christmas holiday break from work!

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This celebration is traditional, dating back to the Middle Ages, and consisted of the practice of giving gifts to employees, the poor, or to people in a lower social class. In Victorian times it became a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing and money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to bonuses many employers give their employees today....if you're lucky! Also related to the origin of Boxing Day, is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in the churches over the Christmas season - the contents were then distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.

Today, Boxing Day is a time for family and friends to spend together with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports are popular on this day too.

You can build a little charity into your holiday season (while reducing your own clutter - and we all plan to do this, right?) by cleaning out and giving your discards to someone in need. If you don't have anything to clean out, you can always give of your time.

On Christmas Night

Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.

Angels With Trumpets ~ Phoebe Anna Troquair 1852-1936

(Oil & Gold Leaf on Panel c.1903)

On Christmas Day

Wishing you and your family all the joys

and blessings of Christmas.

The Sleep of the Child Jesus - Bernardo Luini

On Christmas Eve

Angels from the realms of glory..............

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth.

To touch their harps of gold.

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven's all gracious King",

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

A Gift of Thanks

little gift of thanks to all who have stopped by this year to read my words, view my images, and leave heart-warming comments. In turn, you have shared the moments of your lives and I too have been gifted by getting to know you. It's been wonderful meeting several of you in person and sharing time together here in North Carolina or across the pond in France in October. In Spring I'll be going home to England again ~ yes, more cottages and Devon cream teas ~ and meeting up with friends. I hope you will journey with me again.

Early in this coming New Year, I will be making my 500th post! At that time I will be gifting a dear reader with something special. Who wouldn't enjoy a little package to unwrap on a cold, blustery late Winter day as we long for green trees and warm breezes..........so keep on visiting please.

Many of you are now taking blog breaks, quite understandable as life is hectic as we ready for Christmas. If I haven't been able to stop by with a personal wish for the holidays, know that I have thought about you.

Stay safe if you are travelling to visit your loved ones.

Blessings of peace and joy to each of you and your families.

Thank you, yes I mean you, for being such a special friend.

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