CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST ---

Our home is to be on a local charity house tour the first weekend in December.  I know that in November I will be busy with deep cleaning and decorating for Christmas.  So, I'm trying to think ahead now and accomplish some other details.

I've been thinking about how I might want to set the dining room table for the tour.  I know that I don't want to cover the table with a cloth as the top of our table is interesting and has a local history.  Bob made the table about ten years ago from a gym floor he salvaged from an old prison-guard building.

  The table is narrow and long to fit the space -- really just a hallway from the bedrooms to the kitchen.  We love the table as it fits our immediate family of seven perfectly even accommodating the left-handers.  But for the tour, I thought I would just set the table for four, so more of the wood shows.  My solution was to make two red plaid table runners and place them cross-wise on the table.

I pulled out some dishes to get a feel for the look, and will think about a centerpiece later when I get the Christmas stuff out in November.  It will probably involve vintage ornaments and candles.

 

 Found these forgotten lovely monogrammed napkins, a gift from a friend several years ago!

 I made the runners reversible from the red and black plaid -- thought the red and white plaid would be nice to have for the patriotic holidays.

 Found George and a flag -----

 and some red, white, and blue dishes!

Just sewing and playing with dishes this week!!

I'm joining the following:
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS!!

Some random thoughts about the state of affairs at the Salmagundi House the day after Christmas.

1. Christmas Day is over; my house is a mess!

2. The refrigerator is filled to the brim with leftovers. For some reason, this makes my normally-organized self uneasy! Leftovers are probably a good thing today, however. After spending a ton of money at the grocery store and enduring a 12-hour cooking marathon, I'm not too anxious to return to the kitchen. Let the masses feed themselves!

3. The ornaments on the tree are starting to look dusty! Time to take everything down, pack away until next year, and reclaim the house.

4. Our house revolves on a school-dominated schedule even though we are retired, empty nesters. For the remaining 10 days of vacation, Bob will not be arising at 6:00 am to be ready for a call to go substitute teach. Our single son, the high school science teacher, is visiting for a few days until he's had enough of togetherness and decides to go back to his home and school. And, of course, the grand children are out of school for the next 10 days. When things get boring at home, they will call regularly to see if they can come hang out here with Uncle Mike! I cherish my solitude, so Jan. 5th will be welcomed!!

5. There's talk about a quick day trip out of town to do something fun. Where and when hasn't been decided. I, of course, would love some retail therapy - don't think the men are too thrilled with that. The Colorado weather may be the determining factor.

6. My blog-brain is dead! After all of the wonderful posts by everyone during the month of December, what do we post about in January? Even my camera needs recharged - I took over 500 pictures the month of December!

7. Optimism prevails! We are thankful for our joyous Christmas celebration; but now look forward to the New Year. A new beginning, new experiences; and as usual, drawers and closets to clean and organize. We love this time of the year!

Everything will be back to normal in a few days, I am sure. I'll return then. Hope your Christmas was as great as ours!

Sally

CHRISTMAS 2008

MAY THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS BE HEARD ALL YEAR LONG.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst." First Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS - SANTA CLAUS

Continuing from my previous post on vintage postcards, today let's have a look at Santa Claus cards nestled among fresh greenery in an old tool tote.



Santa looks scared to death to go down that chimney!!


Love the outfit on this little boy. Santa is pretty spiffy, also!

This is a rare black Santa card. Postcards were often issued in series - I have another one from this series and would love to find out if there are any others.

Here's wishing you "A Blissful Christmas" !

Sally

CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS - THE HOLY FAMILY

One of my favorite Christmas collectibles for years has been vintage post cards. The golden age of post cards in America was from late 1800s to about 1915. The public wanted an easier way to send a quick note; and this included Christmas greetings. I wanted to share a few today of the Madonna and Child from our collection. I've also included this Hummel Madonna and Child figurine that belonged to my Mother.

To me the artwork on these postcards is glorious! They have such an ethereal quality to them.

I've displayed some of them this year in a huge red transferware wash bowl with fresh greenery.


In the next day or so, I'll show you some of the Santa Claus postcards we have collected.




Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

VINTAGE VIGNETTE #6 DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS

For a vintage vignette this week, I would like to share this shelf above my kitchen cupboards.

The yellow plaid cookbook was one of my Mother's shown along with two vintage souvenir transferware plates from the Royal Gorge bridge in Colorado. The bridge was constructed across the canyon 1100 feet above the Arkansas River in 1929. My Mother at age 10 with her grandparents went to the opening day of the bridge. It scared her so much driving over the bridge that day that we could never convince her to go back! The cast iron deer is not vintage, but I purchased it at the famous Nell Hill's store in Atchison, Kansas.

I have so enjoyed the Christmas spirit on every one's blogs the last couple of weeks. Thanks to all of you for sharing the way you celebrate the season.

Sally

TRIM THE TREE THURSDAY

Please check out Brett at The Hostess with the Mostess for a list of the participants of Trim the Tree Thursday. You will find all kinds of glorious Christmas decor!

For my final Trim the Tree Thursday, I would like to show you our Hummel Nativity Set. We cherish this set as a reminder of the ultimate reason for the celebration of Christmas!

Forty years ago this December, Bob went on a business trip to Butte, Montana where he found a wonderful jewelry store with the Hummel Nativity Set displayed. He knew I would love it, and purchased Mary and Baby Jesus for my Christmas present.

Over the years, he has added to it as finances and availability allowed. The first addition was Joseph and then the donkey.

From that point on, I don't remember the order that I received them; but they were all a surprise on Christmas morning. Sometimes, several years would go by before receiving another piece.

A little angel!

A standing shepherd with two attached sheep.

There is also a freestanding lamb.

A kneeling shepherd and a cow.


Three different Christmases I received a King!


And the last piece I received was the camel.

One year, Bob made the stable for me out of willow sticks.

"--- she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 (NIV)

TABLESCAPE TUESDAY

It is Tablescape Tuesday again hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Please check out her blog for a list of participants in this wonderful event!!

For Christmas I am setting my table using my Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles transferware with the addition of the Johnson Brothers Christmas Tree plates.

The glassware is a couple of patterns of depression era pink that belonged to my Grandmother.



For a centerpiece, I'm using my cheese domes to hold some antique ornaments on a bed of gold tinsel. Also, I've set about some of the pieces from our Fontanini Nativity Set.

The silverware is my Great Grandmother's monogrammed sterling.

This vintage gold tree topper is standing in an antique bud vase coupled with hand-me-down crystal candle holders

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

A GIFT IDEA AND MORE GLIMPSES OF CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE

For a quick gift, how about some Hot Chocolate Mix?

This is what you need:

1 (8 qt. size) dry instant milk

1 (8 oz. size) non-dairy creamer

18 oz. hot cocoa mix

1 lb. powdered sugar

6 oz. instant chocolate pudding mix

Mix everything together. Package up in a jar and decorate with instructions to use 1/4 cup mixture per 8 oz. cup of hot water.

I like to give the mix with 2 mugs made by a local potter. These great mugs were made by Dan Masimer. They have nice large hand-warming handles!





Here are some glimpses of more Christmas decorating around our house!

May your preparations for Christmas be a joyful experience! In all of the scurrying around, take a few moments to reflect on the reason we celebrate.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally