Sunday, December 16, 2012

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS...

Family and friends ~ HUG THEM TIGHT AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ~ and remember those precious lives lost, so senselessly, this past week.
 
A Christmas mug of cheer from my dear friend, Jackie - hot chocolate (or even "better" - I just saw the ad for the new maple flavored Crown Royal) will taste extraordinarily wonderful from this one - set amongst a fabulous tea set I bought about twelve years ago at a speciality store "Going Out of Business" sale, and have never taken out of the box until this week.  Did I need it?  Evidently not (BUT, in my defense, it was 90% off the original obscene price).  Is it FABULOUS?  Look ~ LOOK with your special eyes!
Friends in my Mom's childhood doll buggy, with her doll being the beauty with the bonnet.  I believe the blonde friend was my grandmother's...someone in the family loved her, I know that.  The Mohair bear in the front was made by me, years back - took a class with an "at the time friend" (friends come in so many guises, and serve many purposes in a lifetime) in the art of real fur/old fashioned ways bear making.
The white bear wears a baby sweater that was knitted for my firstborn, by a dear family friend.  Tiny, beautiful white bunnies knitted into the design - too special to pack away, it now keeps my furry friend warm.  I made the second, golden bear, also...actually, he was the first made - never start easy when you can jump right in with an open mouth (much like my own!).  Both are heavily weighted and have jointed arms, legs, and heads.
The past few weeks brought some special treats from Internet friends, both far away (Denmark), and one state over.  Dorthe, at DEN LILLE LADE, sent me another of her enchanting little angels, who has joined her driftwood friend on my tree.  Sherry, at CREATOLOGY, gifted me with a beautiful little Christmas bag, perfect for holding some special jewelry items (and with two secret pockets!), a handmade (actually, it's all handmade by Sherry) journal with clever pages inside, and some delightful little Christmas adornments for my ears and scissors.  Thank you to you both, dear friends. 
 
My old Christmas Cactus, in the corner, never lets me down come December, though buds this year are sparse.  Running (literally) through the grocery store, looking for tree lights, I ran straight into this new cactus, loaded with about 200 blooms (literally).  Lighter in color than my first, I WILL be posting photos of this as it takes off and opens up.
A bevy of fake, but yummy looking, gingers from my friend/sister, Joleen, sits on the antique plate I recently obtained from yet, another friend...another gift, from Z, sits under my tree and will make an appearance here after I know her other friends have seen theirs, so I don't spoil anything.
Yes, I DO get by with a little help from my friends, and count each one among my dearest assets in life!  I hope your Christmas is wonderful, friends...if I don't show up here on a regular basis for the next week or so, know that I am VERY happily making wonderful Christmas memories with my dear folks (including physical therapy for her while she's here), and my own little family.  Merry Christmas ~ XOXO ~ Tanya
 
"Many merry Christmases, friendships, great accumulation of cheerful recollections, affection on earth, and Heaven at last for all of us" ~ Charles Dickens

10 comments:

Createology said...

Tanya Dear your treasures...both old and new are wonderful. I adore your dolls, bears and little buggy. With all of your generous giving I am glad to see you are receiving also. Merry Christmas and make lots of wonderful memories my friend...

Anonymous said...

I love all of your antique collections and you have them displayed so nicely!

Have a fabulous Christmas, my Chica friend!!!!!

Colleen Myler

Jackie said...

Great looking tree and table! I wish I could decorate the table but charlie will come in and toss everything to the side to read his paper! Great tea set!!

Colleen Mcgraw said...

Looks like your house is bursting with Christmas joy.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and i will catch up with you after the holidays

oldgreymare said...

<3
much love my friend

Vicki Boster said...

Tanya- wonderful images of your beloved family treasures and your gifts from friends. I can't believe Christmas is almost here--- sending you holiday wishes and a great big hug.
Vicki

Cindy said...

LOVE your funky tea set! How wonderful to have such treasures from such treasured friends and family! Merry Christmas dear friend! xo Cindy

Jillayne said...

That Dickens quote is wonderful - it really sums up all of it.
I also like your funky tea set, and it's perfect for this time of year. Your gifts are wonderful and so reflective of the dear souls who sent them to you - wonderful friends and memories!

Mary said...

I LOVE the tea set! It's wonderful! And there is so much creativity in this post - boggles the mind! Happy Solstice!

Carole said...

SO late as usual but hope you had a wonderful Christmas Tanya. I have missed so much these last couple of months. I love the plate from Z and that christmas cactus. They are powerhouses and love my neglect.

hugs
Carole