Vintage Christmas

While the celebration of the birth of a Savoir is THE reason for Christmas, there are still other elements that add to the special time of year. I just posted a comment on a friend's blog about my favorite things of Christmas. While there is much I enjoy about the season, one that tops my list would be using things handed down to me from my grandparents.  These are just a few...

Hanging the ornaments given to me by my grandparents each year until I turned 18. That little blonde girl praying...dated 1982...I was with her at a craft show when it was purchased. The icicle on the right...I inherited what was left of the set after Grandaddy died and Grandmommie moved from the ranch into town.

The Swedish candle carousel that rings when the candles are lit. My children are just as delighted as I once was. I still have the original box it came in too.

 

Santa and Mrs. Claus decorate red tapers at my house just like they did when I was child.

I also enjoy using old and/or thrifted but new-to me items. My mom picked up this cross-stitch piece - it just needed a coat of black and matching easel to showcase it. I am pleased with how the thrifted milk glass and  sprigs of red and green perk up the corner of my mantel.

 

My most favorite thing to use this Christmas season though? The hands down winner would be the 12 sets of Indian glass in a snowflake pattern. Each box bears Grandmommie's name, in her handwriting. My mom remembers these from her childhood and rescued them from my Grandmommie's garage sale probably almost 10 years ago. I am using them tomorrow when some special friends come to my home for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. Speaking of those friends...they will be here in 24 hours....better get to work! Thankfully, Miss M is healthy and back in school today.

"Happy Monday" Cake

A few weeks ago, Mr C wanted to make a cake. No particular reason, but just because he wanted one. Since I was too lazy to make a full batch of these time consuming cupcakes, I used half the batter for a single 9 inch round. (Thanks for the suggestion Cupcake Nana!) Not wanting to heat up the oven for Mr. C's cake, we pulled it out of the freezer to defrost.

A few hours later, the children decorated it. Miss M said it needed writing and suggested "Happy Monday". Husband thought we were nuts when we pulled it out after dinner, but cake for no good reason is pretty tasty. Maybe you should try it sometime! (I know it looks like she is licking it, but not really!!)

Mr C's 3rd Birthday - Cars Theme

From this scary beginning... To this boisterous and lovable boy just three short years later...Mr C LOVES anything related to Lightening McQueen (as do his little buddies), which made his party theme this year a no-brainer. It was made even better when I found some cake toppers, paper goods, favors and more at a super low clearance price back in the summer.
Since his birthday is January 3, you will notice I still have Christmas stuff up in some of the pics. And yes, my kitchen is STILL not finished from the wallpaper removal/skimcoating/painting job we started back in the fall. Just ignore it; apparently, I am getting pretty good at doing that myself!I found these stickers are the Dollar Tree and the cold pack at Goodwill for 59 cents....marked down from the Target price of $2.99. We used an extra pack of stickers to make the invitations and thank you notes. (I HATE those little plastic, trinket items some people give as favors. If you are going to give favors, make it something useful and/or consumable please!)
The party was on New Year's Day and we invited two other families. A meal of hotdogs and chili came before the fun cupcakes. It was a houseful, but a great day of celebrating Mr. C with some special friends.

Best buddy Nathan...always a ham!
These guys are moving when school is out...we will miss the entire family.

Decorating the cupcakes turned into a family affair...
At three years old, Mr C:

• loves anything that bounces or has wheels
• still needs his blankie at night and sometimes during the day
• loves his sister lots
• talks a ton and your comedic side is starting to emerge
• will only wear one pair of shoes - Lightening McQueen ones
• really likes blueberries, milk, most meats, and green beans + smarties, chocolate ice cream and M&M's
• enjoys hide and seek and making up games with Sissy
• likes to talk on the phone and/or Skype with Nana and Poppa everyday
• hates to miss story time at the library
• weighs 30 pounds FINALLY!!
• sings and dances a lot-especially Jesus Loves Me, ABC and various Go Fish songs.

Where In the World Is Cupcake Mama?

So it has been over 1 month since my last post. My computer was ill for a bit, plus I was busy making Christmas gifts, decorating, baking, traveling to see family, and above all else celebrating the birth of my Saviour. Plus Mr C turned 3 on January 3! Whew!! I do have some pics to post at some point...just a few ideas you might want to stash in your brain for next year. (Or you may just dump them in the trash!)
We returned home from Arkansas last Wednesday, after being there for one week. Then over the weekend we received word that the hubby's grandfather has passed away. So, back to Arkansas we drove....just one week after we left. He was 93 and had been in fragile health for a few years now so we were not surprised. His wife passed away about three years ago. A friend lost an aunt and uncle earlier this week in a freak accident that took the family by surprise. The friend has two preschool children and they made the decision not to tell their children. The friend's wife commented that even though they were special people and loved my many, their two young children won't miss them now that they are gone. Isn't that sad, but true? That is how it will be with my children and their great-grandfather. My last grandparent died 2 years ago and even though Miss M was 5, she rarely speaks of my grandmother. So my words to you....make each day count for something and live IN the moment - not by the clock.
Now, I am off to live in the moment with Mr C...or at least see what he is yelling about!

Cozy Thoughts....

Miss M was finally well enough to go back to school today, but thunder, lightening, and heavy rain made her want to stay in bed today! (Honestly, it didn't sound too bad to me either!) After taking her to school and running some errands, Mr C and I headed home. After lunch and doing a a few things around the house, I settled in with a cup of specialty coffee and a good book for a brief re-charge before Miss M got off the bus. I found this cup...

on a top shelf in my cabinets - long forgotten. Nothing fancy, but it was my sweet Grandmommie's. I don't know for sure who gave it to her, but I just remember her using it often. When she moved from her apartment into a nursing facility several years ago, I took it and stored it away. She passed away 4 years ago this coming December 7. I also took her big Pyrex mixing bowl...wasn't that a silly thing to want? But my Grandmommie was an excellent cook and it is something I use at least once a week. Each time I pull it out of the cabinet, I recall special times and meals she lovingly prepared. How about you....do you have something simple or seemingly insignificant that means a great deal to you?

All of my grandparents are now deceased and I miss each of them. If you are blessed enough to have grandparents who are still living, (of this I am HUGELY jealous!!) then why don't you give them a call, send a note....acknowledge their influence in your life in some way?

PS I have not forgotten about the promise of a "leave it out until Thanksgiving" decoration....I am still digging around in the basement for it. I am sure I have walked past it a dozen times already!