Staying busy with needles and glitter. . . . . . . . .

Above are two new Christmas items. . . . . . . . the wonderful reindeer plate

 from Pier I (I also grabbed one with an Arctic fox - both on sale!), and my 

vintage version of the Christmas tree made from old music sheets - I'm

 making a second, slightly taller one, today. That will finish my

 decorations around the cottage other than putting the fresh greenery

 on the mantel tomorrow.

I did a little more knitting in the evenings - this sparkly red scarf for the golden reindeer. . . . . 

. . . . . and Fiona did get a new chunky red muffler which brightens her corner 

by the hearth.

When making a quick run to Jo-Ann's Fabric & Crafts to pick up the glitter for

 the paper tree, I found this fabulous reindeer pillow on the sale shelf. Marked

 down from $29.99 to just $8.99, I  couldn't resist, especially as it has the male

 red cardinal (North Carolina's state bird) on its back.

Notice the orange-red candle which is already half-way burned down.

This is Yankee Candle's Sicilian Orange from its World Journeys range and

 apparently is no longer available - discontinued according to our local store.

  I've searched everywhere, a few are available on e-Bay so I may purchase

 from there. It has the most amazing perfume and is the perfect color for 

my room. It brings back memories of my visit to Sicily this year where

street vendors offered blood oranges and lemons from their colorful

stands - the citrus fragrance was fabulous.

How are your Christmas preparations going?  

Yesterday I baked - today I'm cleaning house.

Our weather was wet and dreary yesterday, today the sun

 is shining brightly and the temperatures will hit the mid-50's.

No sign of a white Christmas around here.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas

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A dash of Christmas magic. . . . . . . .

Because we'll be so far away for the Christmas holidays, decorating

 is not happening around the cottage this year. It's somewhat sad for me

 as I do love that part of preparing for the festivities . . . . . . .but come

 next year I hope to be here dragging out all those boxes of ornaments from

 the attic, setting up my tree in the gazebo, along with lights, wreaths and

 fresh green garlands on the front porch.

At SuzAnna's Antiques open house last week,

 I did buy this beautiful golden reindeer (oops,
it's more likely a stag!) also the sheet music stenciled
 with a sweet bird sitting on a holly branch with the

French greeting,  Joyeux Noël.
I'm displaying them so at least I have a small touch
 of Christmas to look at this week. . . . . . 
. . . . . . and of course I'm enjoying looking at all the 
beautiful decor around your homes.

Christmas Eve 2015. . . . . . . . . . . .

Believe

Children sleeping, snow is softly falling

Dreams are calling like bells in the distance

We were dreamers not so long ago

But one by one we all had to grow up

When it seems the magic slipped away

We find it all again on Christmas Day

Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste

There's so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need

If you just believe

Trains move quickly to their journeys end

Destinations are where we begin again

Ships go sailing far across the sea

Trusting starlight to get where they need to be

When it seems that we have lost our way

We find ourselves again on Christmas Day

Believe in what in your heart is saying

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste

There's so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need

If you just believe
IF YOU JUST BELIEVE

The beautiful song from The Polar Express movie.