Monday, December 13, 2010

Reason for the Season Party

Hallelujah!  It's time for the Reason for the Season Party at Happier then a Pig in Mud.  Can you possibly think of a better party to attend this time of year?  I certainly can't and I 'm very happy to have the opportunity to share my beautiful manger scenes with you.  You see, I have several nativity sets.  None of them are expensive but each one is so special to me.  I truly love them all!

In my dining room I have two nativity sets displayed this year.  You have seen both of them already if you are following my blog but let's take a closer look again.

Over on my plant stand I have a simple inexpensive white china set.

 I actually may have even bought this from the dollar tree or dollar general years ago, I cannot remember.

Over on my sideboard I have what I consider to be my best set.

This was a gift to me a few years ago from my BFF.  It is from Kirklands.  She saw how much I just loved the colors on this set when we were shopping one day and so she surprised me by going back later to get it and give it to me for Christmas. 

This is the Virgin Mary.

And this is Joseph.  I love the little lantern that dangles from his hand.

Baby Jesus!

The shepherd boy.


And of course the three wise men.






I purchased this Christmas star ball from Christmas around the World many years ago.  I love having my star ball in this setting since it was a star that led the wise men.

I just added the gauzy burlap look alike material today.  I love how natural it looks.


Doesn't this just make you want to sing, "O Holy Night"!


Upstairs I have two more nativity sets displayed.

This set I bought for my sons when they were small, but not too small.  It is from Playmobile.  My sons have a huge box of playmobile knights and accessories packed up for their kids one day.  This set is mine.  I just love all the tiny little details.  It is fun, but not for very small hands because of the small parts.

Mary and Joseph and sweet baby Jesus are being watched over by the angel.



The animals are also watching over the Baby Jesus.

The shepherd boy.

And a warm fire glows to keep them warm.

The wise men have arrived bringing gifts


I just adore this fun little nativity set.

When my children were much smaller this was the first nativity set I bought them.  It was one they could easily play with.  It is from Avon, I used to sell Avon and was able to get this keepsake at a very good deal.  It had gotten very moldy over the years some time ago and I was able to wash it all clean just like new.  It's great quality.

The set is thick chunky rubbery plastic.  Just perfect for little hands.


Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus are surrounded by three wise men and a few animals.



I set this set up under their tree upstairs.

Well, I hope you enjoyed looking at my nativity sets.  I know I am going to enjoy looking at yours this evening.  I especially want to thank our host for such a wonderful party!  I think this is just the best idea!  

I truly hope each of you have a very blessed Christmas enjoying the Reason for the Season.
Thank you so much for visiting with me!
Merry Christmas!
Mary



Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Music Fills the Heart

I have put together a list of some of my most favorite Christmas tunes of the season.  While there are many more songs that have not yet made it to my playlist I have added all of these so far for your listening enjoyment.  I will continue to add songs to my playlist as I remember what I am missing.  If  your like me you really know.. music truly can fill your soul!

This post is created for all of my friends who may want to just log on to listen to a few of this seasons finest tunes.  I realized this year since I was not working I was not listening to Christmas music as often as I wanted to.  We always had music going in the store I worked at.  I have been missing my Christmas music this season.  So realizing I had a playlist right here at my fingertips, I've decided to create an ensemble of few of my very own favorite tunes.  Hey, it's my blog, I can do what I want to!

So if you reading other blogs, looking at facebook or catching up on emails, feel free to log on to my blog, turn up the volume on your computer nice and LOUD, then open a new tab to go wherever you need to go.  If you leave my blog open on the other tab it will continue to go through my music playlist and you will be listening to what I feel is some of best Christmas music ever, aside from those beautiful hymns we sing in church.

This list is for you and me to enjoy.  It is my Christmas gift to you! 
Crank it Up!
Merry Christmas!
Mary 

Our Holiday Dining Room

It's time for Metamorphosis Monday, so I'm showing you my dining room since it is now all dressed and ready for the holidays.  Feel free to come on in an take a look around.



On this side table I have my collection of Fitz and Floyd displayed.

I purchased these pieces many years ago.  I just love the ribbons on them.

Please help your self to a chocolate bon-bon.  Yum!


Does anyone remember when I got this little Fitz and Floyd box at our church rummage sale for .50cents?  Now you can understand why I was so thrilled don't you?

I went a little overboard and dressed the lamps up too, after I did the chandy.

This year I added greenery to the chandelier. 


I have added ribbons and these balls for years but this is the first time with the greenery.

I'm not sure if I like it, or if it's too much.

Or maybe it needs more contrasting greenery leaves too, but regardless, it's done for now.

My sconces by the mirror got a little greenery too.  I purchased these little wreaths from Crabtree and Evelyn years ago.  I bought several and use them on both my sconces in the dining room and the den.


Here's a sneak peek at another one of my nativity sets.  I'll be showing you more details tomorrow at the Reason for the Season party.


My mother bought me this large Christmas cactus for Thanksgiving.  I need to find a nice pot for this.

Here is my Gold Santa.

And my silver Santa, well he's more like silvery white. 

The china cabinet has undergone a few changes for the season too.

This year my gold star basket moved from the mantle in the den into the dining room.

I was so excited to find it fit in here perfectly.  I just love the weave on this basket box.

I unpacked my old Christmas china to display.

I have had this set since I first got married.  It is just an inexpensive set from Belks called Holiday Ribbon.  When my husband and I got married, I received a call from one of his aunts our first Christmas.  She was calling for my husbands grandmother who wanted to know what our Holiday china pattern was because that is what she wanted to give us for Christmas.  I had no pattern and they insisted I pick something out.  So I did, and this is what I ended up with.  I received quite a bit from his side of the family as well as my mother who also thought it was a great idea and added on quite a bit too.  We have used this every year since.  I'm hoping to upgrade this a bit soon.


It's a very simple pattern of holly, pine cones, pears and ribbon with a gold rim.

Not too bad paired with my newest Lenox.

And finally, here's more new goblets.  These are the Better Homes and Gardens glasses they had at Walmart this Fall.  A few days before Thanksgiving they went on clearance at our store to $1.50 each.  I just could not resist since they are a lighter green and match my Ivy dishes beautifully.  They don't go as well with these dishes but I do have the darker green goblets for these.   I've really got to get some more rearranging done soon.  Maybe after the holidays.

Well, there you have it, as you can see this room has changed quite a bit and beautifully I think.
Thanks for visiting today, it was so nice of you to drop by!
Have a great day!
Mary