Friday, December 28, 2012

...a little bird told me...

...that I don't really have to hurry...
...to pack away all of my white sparkling...
...Christmas decor...

...this is a new little bird who now lives here...
...a gift from my dear friend Fran...

...I had just the place for this sweet little bird...

...you already know how much I adore birds nests...

...so a sweet glittered bird now sits...
...right on top of a nest...
...which is in a vintage, tarnished silver goblet...

...the real bird that made this nest...
...was a wonderful home builder...

...cute from all angles...
...oh, and...
...the eggs are not real...

...thinking about a mosaic...
...featuring the little bird...

...I snapped more shots...
...of ornaments on the closest tree...

...if you look closely...
...you might see me in the reflection...

...soon I will need to pack these little ornaments away...

...I'm still enjoying them...
...so...

...I'll keep everything up a bit longer...
...while I play...

...this nest is under a martini glass turned upside down...
...perfect little spot for a tiny nest...


...thanks to Big Huge Labs...
...this is the mosaic that I created...
...it is another of those 'magical' photos...
...run your cursor over the photo...
...and you'll see the original mosaic under it...

...this was fun...
...thanks Frannie...


"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
 ~William Shakespeare

Monday, December 24, 2012

...Let there be Peace on Earth...


...in our little white cottage...
...a sweet forest of tiny white bottle brush trees...
...sits in a vintage tarnished silver vessel...
...last year most of them were green...
...until they were bleached and decorated with little pearls...
...recently they became the subject of some photoplay...

...so Merry Christmas...
...from our Home to Yours...
...Wishing Peace to All...



"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment 
And live each moment 
With peace eternally.
Let ther be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me."

words to the song 
by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller 
written in 1955

Saturday, December 15, 2012

...an unexpected morning visitor...


...no, this is not the unexpected visitor...
...this is our little girl kitty...
...she is called 'Fluffy'...
...because we have another black kitty with short hair...
...and for a while when she first came in our yard...
...we didn't know if she was a girl or boy...

...Fluffy loves our holiday decor...
...she also loves to see her reflection...

...I'm going to let you in on a little secret...
...she is my husband's mistress...

...she adores him...
...doesn't like me one little bit...
...and has been known to hiss at me from time to time...
...she think's I'm moving out any day now...

...this is the scene in the family room just prior to our little visitor...
...you see...
...our other black kitty Panther...
...is a birder...
...this morning he brought us a little present...

...surprisingly, this little bird was very much alive...
...it was so frightened...
...flew from the back hall...
...through the kitchen...
...into the family room...
...I went into action...
...first, I grabbed my point & shoot...
...then called my neighbor who always knows what to do...
...she gathered it up in a towel...
...and gently and lovingly let it loose out the front door...


...the sweet little bird flew away...

...unharmed by the drama of the morning...
...move your mouse over this photo...
...to reveal my tribute to our unexpected morning visitor...


“We are all visitors to this time, this place. 
We are just passing through. 
Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love
... and then we return home.”
 Australian Aboriginal Proverb 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

...a really big lesson...

...for a long time I have wanted to learn how to do a mouseover...
...that means...
...if you move your mouse over my picture...
...another picture is revealed underneath...

...well, my daughter-in-law from California is visiting...
...she is the best teacher...
...guess what...
...I think I've learned...
...that really big lesson...
...be right back...
...I need to try it again!...
...it is going to be a fun day...


"It is a happy talent to know how to play."
Ralph Waldo Emerson




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

...a white cottage christmas...

...a little playing has been happening around here...

...with little bottle brush trees...
...this one was green last year until it hit the bleach...

...then a little Photoshop play...
...this one is titled 'a winter dream'...

...love the detail on this snow lady...
...she has attitude...
...she does bring me joy...

...sweet little tarnished miniature tea pot...
...makes a perfect holder for the vintage tree...

...ah, yes...
...I believe...

...a little egg is inside the bell...

...three ornaments like this sit in this cupboard...
...the other one says 'nest' on the banner...
...so perfect among the little white pitchers...
...and crystal sherbet dishes...

...there must be seven of these vintage style bottle brush wreaths around...
...all have been part of my holiday decor for several years...

..who could resist a silver nest with glittered eggs..
...so sparkly with all of the twinkle lights...

...such a detailed ornament...
...crocheted lace, silver beads and pearls...
...very elegant...

...this huge sugar cone is such a treasure...
...a gift from my very talented friend Renita...

...another wreath...
...especially pretty at night...

...this little cutie is all about expression...
...she sprinkles her magic all around...

...with her tiny glittered silver wand...

...family photos hang on one of my several white trees...
...my Mom must be about three...
...she was such a good big sister...
...I simply adore this photo of her...

...you might see me reflected in this ornament...
...I show up in the best of places!...

...thanks to Big Hugs Labs...
...this mosaic was quick to create...
...such fun play...

...after saving the image...
...I still felt the need to play longer using Photoshop...
...contented, that's me...

* * * * *

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas 
Just like the ones I used to know 
Where the treetops glisten, 
and children listen 
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

 I'm dreaming of a white Christmas 
With every Christmas card I write 
May your days be merry and bright 
And may all your Christmases be white 

written by Irving Berlin in 1942





Monday, December 3, 2012

...white and more white in our little cottage...

...three white birds sit at the top...
...of our little white flocked tree...
...gold glittered birds are hung on lower branches...

...presenting my newest white feather tree...
...purchased at my favorite store Bloom...
...no ornaments yet...
...so precious all on it's own...
...it won't always sit on a white chair...
...but you know...
...for the purpose of showing it off...


...a little snowman sits in a sleigh...
...so expressive, even though he doesn't have many facial details...

...here is the reindeer that pulls him...
...both are covered with glitter...

...old door...
...old ornamental iron garden piece...
...vintage-like bottle brush wreath...
...sigh...
...love...

...there are only a few little churches in my village...
...each one is so loved and appreciated...

...most decorations are the same from year to year...
...but often placed in a new location...

...sweet detail...
...a few more white trees seem to appear in the forest...

...some adorned with silver...
...some just have snow and glitter...

...add twinkle lights...
...it's simply magical...

...and, then...
...what a precious thing to have a friend who knows your taste...

...my friend Patti and her husband Andy...
...know me so well...
...they were on a romantic anniversary holiday...
...saw these adorable banners in a wonderful shop...

...and just knew that they would be perfect with my white holiday decor...
...urn, iron pyramid with fleur de lis at the top, white florals inside...
...tons of twinkle lights...
...what could be a more perfect addition...

...they know me...
...thank you my sweet friends...
...knowing I celebrate each and every season...
...as well as each and every day...
...how wonderful to have such dear friends...

      “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
 Norman Vincent Peale