last christmas

thinking about christmas today while weeding in the flower beds.  I have to think of happy thoughts to get through the dirt I am shoveling.

I want something that shows up more this year from the road

purchased this santa from a flower shop in the mountains for half the price after Christmas.  

 woolworth ornaments I found very reasonable at Hickory Creek Antiques in Ashland , Va.

My friend Jennifer sent me this papier mache ornament.  I like this very much .

a window in fredericksburg va
Back to spreading dirt and I have some ideas for this year.

Christmas cards with an artist's touch

When I was visiting Clarkesville Va.   and shopping at the Lakeside Cottage, I purchased these set of Christmas Cards.   Victorian old fashioned scene of a horse and carriage,  one of my favorites scenes for the Christmas Season.   It's of their cottage and painted by Mrs. Hall.

A beautiful Victorian all times of the year-especially Christmas

VA artist  

Some store window pics

Few pictures take of the windows in Rothenburg Germany - Kathe Wohlfahrt store.
2007

 No pictures allowed in shop

I like the combination of the red, pink and white

 

Doilies shaped and decoration placed, so pretty.

2nd of Fredericksburg Va. and home pix

Here are more pictures of Fredericksburg Va shops on New Years day. Then I guess that's it until next year or for a few months until I am maybe crafting something for Christmas 2013.
 I say every year I will start earlier getting my stuff together for Christmas.    My New Years resolution  is to stop saying it and Just Do It!
I miss it and looks so bare. Will have to put some silver balls in plates or in glass bowls to brighten up areas in my house

Well here's the last of Fredericksburg

 

Here is an historic house with a country candle in window

I think the old fashioned holder for the candle makes it glow brighter

pretty pink glow on the white trees in window -  Pinkadilly Tea

circa 1770

I like the white around the doors as it looks wintry

bottom of window has a pretty candle in glass hurricane holder with such pretty snowy garland

close up of wreath at top of window

was disappointed this one was closed, but I can go back

Everywhere I look there seems to be a box holding greenery or whatever else strikes one's fancy on a table or floor.   I like it.  

I want the cherubs pictured on the table

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Now for some ending shots of my Christmas decorations

My front door - My wreath was much livelier weeks ago

I picked the greens from my trees in yard

My bench on way to front door

The deer move their heads and every year I lose lights around their necks and legs.   I am cutting the lights off this summer and stuff them with twigs sprayed white then relight them

I notice I didn't plug in the candles in windows downstairs

Just inside is my poinsettia sitting in a wrought iron pot holder shaped like an old fashioned bike

A shot of my teacup Addalyn picked out for me.  A birds nest I have had about 15 years given to me by a co worker at the time from her tree .
The wooden bell on the right is a gift from Steven when he was in Dubai my husband said ,  I thought it was from Africa.  If Steven reads this he can get us straight on it.   I love it no matter where he got it.

My star,  butterfly and peacock feathers - the feathers kinda make it look like there is a mask on the tree, more like mardi gras

I have a gold and silver butterfly at the top with the star and peacock feathers

I like how the  afternoon light touches the tree this time  day

paper dolls and a paper house I made some years back


Thats all for my Christmas pictures this year - the decorated part anyway. They all came down today.
Now I want to start crafting for next year.

Fredericksburg Va

Steve and I took a ride to historic town of  Fredericksburg Va.,  to shop and look at all of the pretty store decorations.  Reminds me kind of when I was young traveling to Richmond to visit Santa at  Miller and Rhodes department store. I could stand in the cold in a dress ( we always wore dresses at that time, had to dress up  to see Santa and do some  shopping) to gaze at the beautiful store front displays of every thing Christmas. 

 Being the first day of the New Year,  most of the shops were closed.  Didn't matter to me, I am just glad to feel well enough to get out while I am getting over this cold bug.   Tired of being  in bed and feeling very tired. 
Steve and I walked the street and saw a horse drawn carriage telling  the history of the town to his occupants.   I would love to take a carriage ride at Christmas , especially in snow.

Passing by the old Apothecary shop I noticed the wreaths and especially the window sill swags with the dried hydrangea blossoms

the greenery on the stair rails  are simple and pretty.    I could do the same thing to my house and it wouldn't look as good, I tried the dried hydrangeas one time and they just didn't show up.  Next time I will spray some gold glitter on them to make'em shimmer.

Lot's of reflection , but the wreath can be seen with the angel over the Nativity.   The reason for the season is reflected through the town, love it.

 bakery shop window.

gotta have a blue Christmas Elvis scene

More dried hydrangeas and magnolia leaves,  they show very nicely I think

I like the window dressing here

their door swag had same materials

 

I like this scene with Santa next to a clock and toys around him

 

The framing of the windows with greenery is something I may try also next year

The gate was locked but you can see the lights on the ground on one side with St. Francis

You can see the old stone that makes up the building

 

Gives me an idea for my narrow side yard next year.

Well that's all for now

I have one or two more posts and then that will be it for my Christmas pix for 2012.

Betsy