Taking a Break

I've posted this pretty bowl of Forget-Me-Nots in hope that you'll not forget me during my break from blogging! I hope that the break will be a short one.




On the Friday after Thanksgiving, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I will be having a complete hysterectomy on January 6th. The cancer cells are grade 1, which is a good thing. It "appears" to be early stage, another good thing. I am counting on the surgery to be the end of it!

I will be visiting you all as often as I can, but I can't seem to get my mind focused enough to write. (You can bet I'll have some stuff to write about when it's all over though! *Ü*)

I'd would truly appreciate your prayers and good thoughts! My daughter will post an update after the surgery, and I'll be back as soon as possible.

Love you all! Chris
©

Remembering the CHRIST in Christmas

I wish all of you, the very merriest Christmas! As you gather with family & friends today, remember the reason for the season!



1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

7 and 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.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 1-20 NIV

Love, Chris

Santa Transportation - Part V

Here is the last group of vintage Santa images. Quite the hodge-podge!!

Here is Santa arriving on a train.

The next two show Santa traveling by mule. The second mule has made it to the rooftops, so I'm sure it's part reindeer!

Love these three-wheelers!

Then Santa takes to the skies again in a couple of blimps & a hot air ballon.

Not sure what to make of this last one...how far can he get on a rocking horse? Oops! How silly of me. Santa is magic, isn't he? *Ü*

I hope you enjoyed looking at these vintage images of Santa as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you!

Chris

©

Santa Transportation - Part IV

When all else fails...Santa Walks!

In this case, he has harnessed himself to the sleigh!



I love this one with the sled! It looks like he is arriving before they family has decorated the tree!



Here he is wearing his snowshoes in case he encounters really deep snow.



A little cross country skiing for sport while making deliveries?





The next 3 are favorites because of the beautiful suits that keep him warm as he treks from house to house.







This one is so sweet. All the forest animals are watching Santa as he journeys into the night.



Tomorrow, we'll have one last collection of vintage Santa Transportation cards. They are a very different mix. Be sure to stop by to see them!


Enjoy! Chris
©

Santa's Transportation - Part III

Today, we're going to see Santa flying 'round the world to keep is hectic delivery schedule! I love these!

First, Santa's elves need to load all the toys and goodies on The Spirit of St. Nicholas.



Next, Santa takes off in his ultra-light glider with skis! Handy for snowy rooftops and beach landings in Florida! I hope Santa never forgets YOU!




These next two show how efficient delivery by plane can be...Santa just tosses the gifts down the chimney or into the hands/apron of the children. No need to leave a plate of cookies! Would I like finding my gifts in the fireplace on Christmas morning?






Last one. Santa seems to be enjoying his flight over field and farm in his prop biplane. I am certainly glad the price of fuel had declined!

Come on back tomorrow to see more of Santa's Christmas Eve transportation!

Enjoy! Chris

©

Santa's Transportation - Part II

Here are some more of my vintage Santa images! This time, he is traveling on four wheels. Some of them are pretty snazzy too!

In this first one, he appears to be exceeding the speed limit! It is titled "Gangway for Santa"!




I love this double-deck bus! He's even got the kids with him.



The next two feature angels. Is that Baby Jesus on the back? I just read Luke 2 and saw no mention of Santa or a car...I think there was a bit of creative license taken here, don't you?




And in the second, it looks to me like the angels are throwing snowballs at one another. Oh my!





In this last one, Santa appears to be enjoying a safer and more sane drive through the snow, although he still appears to have a bit of a lead foot!





Personally, it doesn't look like nearly as much fun as a sleigh and reindeer!

Check back in a day or so for more amazing Santa transportation!

Enjoy! Chris
©

Santa's Transportation - Part I

I'm certain that because a grew up with Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas") I have always imagined that Santa Claus' mode of transportation was a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. Imagine my surprise, when as I was viewing a collection of vintage Christmas images, I found Santa and his fully loaded sack of toys pictured on any manner of conveyances!

Am I the only person who never considered anything other than a sleigh? I hope not, because if so, I'll be boring you for a few days with some really cool vintage images.

I must say, the "jolly old elf" is very resourceful!

First, I'll share a few images of my previous very limited idea of proper Santa transportation. The first one is my favorite. The rest are variations on a theme...

Now for a teaser!

Did you know Santa sometimes has to resort to a canoe? And that he can negotiate waterfalls & rapids by the looks of this one!




Come back tomorrow for more fascinating information on how Santa gets where he needs to go...

Enjoy! Chris
©

Christmas Decor Inspiration!

I have had a bit of a challenge getting my Christmas Decorating done this year! So yesterday, I took a trip to my very favorite local Home & Garden Design store, Pottery World. It is always a feast for the eyes during the Holidays. They decorate with a style and "over the top" hand that I love. And, you can buy everything right there! It also doesn't hurt that by now, things are starting to go 50% off! *Ü*

When I got inside the store, I realized I should have brought my camera, then remembered my cell phone. I was able to take a few photos before the battery got too low. They aren't the greatest, but I hope you'll get a little inspiration...


As I first walked in the door, I spotted this beautiful flocked tree with simple red & green balls, floral picks and little lanterns. Isn't it beautiful?





Next on the tour is this winter wonderland! Obviously it is too big for the all but the grandest of homes, but I would certainly love a smaller version!




In the wall cubbies behind the display they had about 10 different types of animals & birds, all in snow white. Here are a couple of my very favorites.


Aren't these owls beautiful?





I thought these bears were so unique!




Then, I turned around & caught sight of more silver & white fantasy! That ceiling ornament, representing a chandelier I think, was gorgeous!




This is a closer shot of the front of the display. The white swan in the huge apothecary jar is so serene and fantasy-like!

I took a photo of this small tree for a friend who is decorating her new home, and for Christmas in these colors.

The store has several full room vignettes set up so I wandered over to see them. On the way, I spotted this niche with a Moroccan-style frame and a tree set in it! I think I want to copy that for next year!

Once I got to the rooms, they had the lighting set like it was evening and my cell camera got only one half-decent photo. I promise they were stunning! This room was decorated like an English Manor. There was a carved wooden reindeer(?) head on each side of the mantel all bedecked with pheasant feathers, mossy branches, pine cones & dried florals. It was my very favorite thing in the whole store!

Just a couple more. Again, the photos are poor, but look at the size of this Nativity Scene! And I thought this coppery ceiling display was pretty super!

I hope you enjoyed the tour! I am finally inspired to start decorating today!

Cheers! Chris

©

Obsessed with Reading Glasses?

Several months ago, one of my blogging friends, Theresa @ Take a Sentimental Journey , posted about her collection of reading glasses. I had just taken photos of my own, and am always amazed at how I find so many similarities between myself and other bloggers I visit regularly! BTW, if you've never visited Theresa's blog, you really should...it's great!

Not wanting to be a TOTAL COPYCAT, I've waited a few months before posting about my reading glasses obsession. Theresa, I know you'll enjoy this one! ;o)

Not exactly sure how this all started. Well, the 'ole eyes need help, for sure. One day I was looking for a good, serviceable pair of reading glasses in the drug store, and before I knew it, I was seeing them everywhere! Look at all the colors(!), the shapes(!) and the embellishments! I'm hooked!

I do wear all of these, but I have a couple of favorites! The animal print & the black & white floral pair get lots of use. The rimless pair with the black case are usually in my purse since they are titanium and almost weightless. The purple pair with crystals are reserved for when I am wearing one of my Red Hats.

Funny thing, I don't have a pair in every room, which would make sense. Except for the pair in my purse, I keep them all in my desk drawer. At least I always know where to look!

I'll bet Theresa & I aren't the only ones with a few pairs of reading glasses! C'mon, fess up!

Enjoy! Chris

©

Prayers Requested!

My Thanksgiving Day was very nice! My daughter & youngest sister did most of the cooking and let me supervise (I wasn't feeling too well). The food and company was wonderful!

As for the rest of the week...not so good!

I found out on Friday morning, that I will need a hysterectomy. So, I am facing a health challenge for a few weeks.

I would really appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts! I have lots of family, friend & church support, but more is better right?

When I feel like I have a better grip on what is happening, I'll write some more about this. Until then, I'll back to my random postings about things I find interesting. Just know that if I seem to go quiet once in a while, I may be doing the lab/doctor/hospital stuff that just wears me out!

Thanks so much! Chris