Away In A Manger

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

 

 

 

 

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

 

 

 

 

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

 

 

 

 

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

 

 

 

 

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

 

 

 

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

 

 

 

Praying these lovely Nativity scenes remind you of the real reason we celebrate Christmas!  Praying everyone is filled with His spirit these Holidays.  

Blessings, Paula <3

Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas is fast approaching.  I figured I would share our Christmas trees with you.  The first one is in our living room, it's in front of the window that faces the street.

This tree is my Mother's tree.  We had a kind of fiasco with the tree, involving unwinding hundreds of strands of lights from a pre-lit tree.  Let the record show....I did NOT encourage her to buy it!  LOL

Needless to say....it is no longer PRE-LIT!  Anyway.....

It looks lovely at night!

 

Here are some close-ups of a few of my favorite ornaments.

I LOVE this Scottish Piper!!  My Mother was born in Scotland, and a few years back my Sister in Law's Mother bought this as a gift for MY Mother!!  I love having a part of our heritage on the tree!

My Mother started collecting these Barbie ornaments for me when I was about 12.  I just love this one.  She is from Swan Lake!  Avon used to put out new ones each year, they are porcelain, and I think they are divine!

Isn't this angel just lovely?

This nativity ornament has been around since I was little.  I light plugs into the bottom to light up the whole scene.  I just love it....always seems magical to me!

An AIDS awareness ornament from a lovely friend of my Mom's.  It's by Christopher Radko. There are many more meaningful and wonderful ornaments on my Mother's tree...but I can't post them ALL. :(

Below is our family room tree.  This tree is My tree.  The kids decorated both trees all by themselves again this year.  They do a fabulous job!!  My OCD has rubbed off on all three of them!  :)

 

 This is our more laid back tree.  I have pics of the kids, and their baby ornaments on this tree. I have a thing for snowflakes.  Can you tell?  I enjoy the traditions of Christmas, and displaying all these ornaments that have been collected over the years.  Looking back at them and thinking of the wonderful times they represent, and some of the wonderful people who gave them as gifts.  Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on what is important.  Our Savior's birth, family near, far, and waiting for us in our true home!  Praying you all have a lovely Christ filled Christmas!! 

Blessings!!!

 Paula

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2:11



Links
Type A: Anything Goes party
Debbiedoos Newbie Party  
DIY by Design: Fall Into Fall Party 
Boogieboard Cottage 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.....

There is still tons of shopping, baking, wrapping, mailing, and running to do before 
Christmas gets here!!!

But the house is decorated and the table is set!!  I will be joining a bunch of Christmas link up parties...be sure to hop over and check out all the wonderful table settings and Christmas decorations!!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.....

These candlesticks were my Paternal Grandmother's...I inherited a TON of crystal that I cherish dearly.

You might remember this sleigh from one of my Salvation Army posts you can find it here

Better Homes and Gardens table cloth purchased last year.

I love that you can see the Nativity I grew up with in the background.  I used to play with it all the time as a child and then I lost Joseph.  My poor Mother hunted high and low to find a new Holy family that looked like they belonged.  I am so glad she humors me.  She at one point bought a very modern nativity that was all white.....I never really liked it!  So glad we went back to the vintage one.  Oh the things she does to make me happy :P

Again one of the Salvation Army sleighs I found.  I added a ton of pics and of course a cardinal...since it's the Illinois State bird!  I know I am in Texas now....but I have to "represent"  LOL

Everyone made these candles last year...including me!  I still love them.  They look so pretty when they are lit.

Of everything you've seen...the Cardinal and the birds nest pick in the small sleigh are the only things I purchased.  This year, I just used things I had.  I added ribbon to candles, crystal I inherited, Goodwill and Salvation Army finds from last year, the china my Mother purchased close to 20yrs ago now for family gatherings...ect... and a ton of inspiration from all of you ladies!  

I often look at table settings I admire and try to figure out what it is I like about them so much.  Maybe it's the different layers, or the varying heights of the center piece, maybe it's the monochromatic or vibrant color scheme.

Next I do my best to look around the house at the things I have collected and borrow items from other room and do my best to create the feel I was going for. It's fun to see how many different looks you can get using the same items or re purposing them somehow! 

May all your Christmases be white....

Blessings!!

Paula  


List of Link Ups
A Stroll Through Life :Table Top Tuesday
Between Naps On The Porch  
No Minimalist Here 

My Beautiful and Talented Sister-in-Law

Yes, it's true....my lovely SIL, Erin created these one of a kind pieces of jewelry.  She uses Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, and sterling silver!  

She also created these pieces.

She gives them all fabulous names, most of which are inspired from women by women in her life. If you see something you like, you should stop by her website Erin Rose Custom Jewelry 

With Christmas right around the corner, I couldn't think of a better gift than a custom piece of jewelry! 

She is a Stay at home Mom, and is really hoping to build her business! I'm hoping she can build her business too, so She and my Brother can move to Texas sooner!!! ;)

She guarantees all her work, and includes care instructions with each of her pieces! Hope you will stop on by.

If any of my bloggy friends would like to feature her, let me know!  She would be delighted.  

P.S.  You can find her on Facebook Here   

Links.