"Christmas in Connecticut"

Christmas in Connecticut is not always a Snowy Wonderland... Most years we hope for a Blanket of White to pad Santa's Footsteps on the Roof... 
Snow doesn't last long on our Steep Roof, within a day or two it slides off, BUT, when it does, it sounds and feels like an avalanche from inside the house! 

Our true Winter Months here in Southern New England are January and February SO I have brought pictures of previous years to present you my "Christmas in Connecticut"...

"This is Papillon Pass fast asleep"...

My Room with a View in the back of my home is where I sit to watch the wildlife play... It is also from where I photographed my Bear laying there outside these windows as we had breakfast... and where the turkey's in my pictures were peeking in at us as we ate our breakfast... I really LOVE this room and it's where I choose to put our Christmas Tree...

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum! Your boughs can teach a lesson... That constant faith and hope sublime... Lend strength and comfort through all time... O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum... Your boughs can teach a lesson...

This room has 18 windows All around (it is a bit of an atrium that is open into my kitchen), the Christmas tree reflects in Every window and gives the feel of a Christmas Tree Forest... The floor in here is ROCK HARD Porcelain 24" squares. These tiles are also flowing through my kitchen, AND beware of dropping anything(I bet a PAN would break) because it will explode into ash... I mean this literally because "I've done this TOO many times". I have the most incredible hand blown ornament collection for my tree BUT after loosing a dozen or so on the floor I chose to only put none breakable trinkets on this tree... I do have one acceptance, I have about 1000 crystal icicles adorning it AND those I will not give up. It takes "FOREVER" to place them AND I have lost many along the season, BUT I "Cry and move on", hehe... They are not sentimental like my ornaments

I have collected Dolls, Teddy Bears and Santas for years and have so many I've lost count... These are just a chosen few that sit next to our tree...

This is the side entry to my home... Notice it is in the shape of a Cuckoo clock... The door is a Dutch door, custom made by us AND I'm not finished with this charming little entry YET!!! I'm not quite satisfied YET, BUT I have my ideas for it... I'll keep you posted as I go... "HEY, shouldn't that little elf be REALLY busy about now UP at the North Pole"???

A Welcoming Winter glance at my front entry and my sleepy gardens...

There is "Nothing" quite like new fallen snow! The crunch of it as you venture out into the crisp clean air!!! Ah, can you smell the frost??? I LOVE it!
OH, This is our youngest son Sean... He is our groundskeeper and Wow does he do a good job... "LOVE you Sean"!!!
Our winters aren't long here in Connecticut and being the gardener that I am, I look forward to rejuvenating my sleepy soil with it's needed winter fluffy moisture... Oh and I must mention we DO NEED this Cold temps & moisture for our New England abundance of Maple Syrup that will begin to flow in February..."Yummy"! Have you EVER had Hot Maple Syrup on Fresh Fallen Snow??? OH MY!!!


I'm Linking to
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2011/01/masterpiece-monday-linky-guidelines-1.html 

http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html 

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-open-house-part-2.html 

http://likeabubblingbrook.blogspot.com/2010/12/simple-christmas-decor-and-parade-of.html 
"PARADE Of CHRISTMAS"

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2010/12/let-party-begin.html 

http://redcouchrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-your-wonderful-life-party-winner-of.html 

http://www.thenester.com/2010/12/christmas-tour-of-homes-2010.html 

 


http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/deck-halls-its-feathered-nest-holiday.html 

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/12/show-and-tell-friday_09.html 

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-inspiration-friday-15-cream-and.html 

http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/ 

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ 

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ 

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/ 

http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/12/01/hooked-on-holiday-house-tours-impromptu-linky-party/ 

 http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

 

"Exciting gifts"

As many of you know I was a winner of Terrell's "Frou Frou Giveaway"... AND... "Yesterday when I got home" THIS Little Treasure was waiting for me... I should have even shared the envelope it came in on my doorstep, "BUT The excitement Overruled the camera AND I had to run in the house and OPEN My goodies"... You see I had TWO waiting packages(the other is from Candy @ The Little Round Table AND That post will be "Coming")but here is a LITTLE SNEAK PEEK at THAT Treasure(Oh my! can you see me Happy Dancing???)

I "Savored the packages for as LONG as I could"... Remember I "LOVE" the anticipation of the Wait... OK I do know the GORGEOUS Tablecloth is in the bigger package, "BUT", what is in this "Extra Special Surprise Package", Hmmmm MORE fun from that Wonderful Candyhttp://happenstancestuffhappens.blogspot.com/2010/11/tablecloth-giveaway-we-have-winner.html(Hugs to you Sweetie, I can hardly wait to put my tablescape together with Your treasures)...

Look at this "Gorgeous Flower Brooch" that Terrell made me too(Oh My I feel SO Spoiled right now)... It is SO Beautiful and Much prettier in person... Do you see those tags, aren't they wonderful! I am going to use those for bookmarks in my "Favorite" books!

"Do you see it"??? My "Absolutely, Indescribably, Delicious Fleur de lis Necklace"... AHHHH, isn't it gorgeous!!! My camera is NOT picking up it's beauty or it's sparkle BUT I'm sure that it will "Reappear in a few future post"...

"Thank you SO much Terrell" for my "Smiles and Happy Dancing Today"!!! You are a Treasure in our Land of Blog!

"This is Terrell"! The Pretty and Sweet Lady that gave me these wonderful treasures... "I'm smiling back at you"!!!

 
(Terrell has a ETSY shop AND I "Know" I'm going to be visiting there Often. She is SO talented) 
If you have NOT visited Frou Frou Decor "YOU MUST"!!!http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/

"Wishlist"

"Isn't this darling"??? I want you to take note that it has it's own tea strainer...  There is a set of four "On My Wishlist"!!!

I am sharing today my "Philosophy of the Wishlist" ... I have always taught my children that there is more joy in the anticipation and excitement of "Something to Come"... We savor every blissful moment of the "WAIT"... You do not jump up and down with "Excitement" on the day AFTER Christmas, "It's ALL about Christmas Eve" with the sparkle not only on the tree and it's tinsel BUT in everyone's eyes as they light up looking at the "Unopened Packages Under the Tree"... It really doesn't matter what they contain, it's the sheer joy of The Wait!!! 

"The Charming Antique White Pumpkin Tureen"  and the toile Brown Bird Dinnerware is by J. Willfred. The tureen is 7"H 11"L... Can you see the Ladle sticking up in the back???  "Wouldn't that Pumpkin make the most Enchanting Coach for Cinderella"??? "Where is Our Fairy Godmother when we need her"???
I found this vignette on this sitehttp://www.sadek.com/Product_Line.aspx?catname=j+willfred+Ceramics#_top

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" THIS is the matching TEAPOT(also on my wishlist)"...  Although I "DO" buy "NEW" china and pottery, etc, and occasionally one or two items ACTUALLY "On My Wishlist"... I somehow prefer "The Ones from Yesteryear"... "The Ones that will Sing to me of all the adventures they have had"..."The Ones that have developed Laugh Lines along their paths"... "The Ones that make my Teatime the pleasure of an Old Friend's Company"...As I sip my coffee or tea I listen for their stories and they always make me smile...
"This POST is NOT about My Treasures, It's about my Wishes and Dreams"... I am not always granted my wishes and that is fine. Sometimes they grow old and I just move on to something else... That is perfectly fine with me for what would life be without Dreaming... I think this is also an important part of our imagination and without it we would not have creativity... SO My Dears, Dream about all the things that will make you smile and acquire a "Few" along the path... "BUT"... I DO have my "WISHLIST" and today I am sharing a few of MY Little Gems with you... I just "Fell in Love" with this Little Brown Sparrow set... AND I'm going to share a very nice online Tea Shop with you... They seem to have it all and I'm sure the "Queen Mum" herself has Peeked into this website now and then... So my Dear, Dear Friends here is their link, and before you adventure on, BE SURE to have made yourself a BIG pot of your favorite coffee or tea, you WILL be busy for a while..."Have Fun and DO add a few things to YOUR Wishlist or Start One"!!!http://www.theteapotshoppe.com/brspandfrte.html 
"Our Blogging Friends are Such Incredible People"... "I LOVE you all"... "The Tablescaper", just notified me this morning of another "FANTASIC" site that has my wishlist teapot for a better price, AND guess what "They have MORE PIECES too", SO I'm not only more excited about it, I NEED to share it all with you too... THANK YOU Tablescaper!!! You are a Sweetheart!

Look at all those pieces to this Little Brown Bird Set, AND look at those Little birdies( they are salt&pepper on a little darling tray that can be useful or have no function other than to make us smile)... The link is herehttp://www.barronscatalog.com/product/tabletop/casual+dinnerware/andrea+by+sadek+brown+bird+toile+dinnerware+teapot.do?search=basic&keyword=brown+teapot&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

"THANK YOU again to Our Sweet Friend at THE TABLESCAPERhttp://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2010/12/reindeers-and-red.html"..."GIANT HUGS to you"... 

"LOOK, they even have BUNNIES" and in Brown OR Green"... I'm swaying to the BROWN BUNNIES, OK they've entered my WISHLIST"

"Isn't this the Sweetest little set EVER"???

"Can't you picture yourself having a Garden Luncheon on these"... "Priceless"!!!

"This Couple have been moved to the TOP OF MY LIST"... I'm calling them a "MUST HAVE"... They will be centered as Guests of Honor ON the table and they will be serving little goodies as well to the other guests!!! LOVE,LOVE,LOVE them... 

 "Red Fawn&Deer"

"Red Winterberry"

 "Woodland Red Quail"... this is SO Different, note there are "ROSES" framing this beautiful platter!!! "AH, if this isn't the most Heavenly Dream"!!!

Andrea by Sadek is a leader in the gift, tableware and home furnishings industries. Known for our exceptional taste level and unique products Andrea by Sadek is a trusted resource for tens of thousands of independent retailers throughout the country who have come to rely on the exceptional quality and value of our products.

Also known as the Charles Sadek Import Company or j. willfred, Andrea by Sadek is a product line with over 3,000 products in 20 categories: Birds and Flowers, Blue & White Accessories, Casual Tableware, Decorative Accessories, Figurative Accent Lamps, Garden Handcrafted Accessories, Home Decor, j willfred Ceramics, Porcelain Lamps, Metal Home Furnishings, Silver Plate, Plate Stands and Bases, Tabletop, Tea & Gifts, Shore products, Vera Bradley Tableware, Gifts & Lighting and Whimsical Figurines.

I'm LINKING to 
"WHITE WEDNESDAY"













http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2010/11/white-wednesday-76.html

 

A Perfect Red

Red is such a subtle way of Ringing in the Holidays...  "Red was my Grandmothers favorite color" and that should be enough reason to dedicate this post to Her... BUT... Today I am going to lead you to a book I discovered that "WELL, it's a MUST READ"!!! It is, "A PERFECT RED"!!!

My guest of honor today is "Ms Amy Butler Greenfield"... She has penned the most intriguing work here in "A Perfect Red"... as the cover states, It's a book of Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire... From the VERY first page you will NOT be able to put it down... Be prepared with a full pot of tea and something ready to snack on as you start your journey. You will be "whisked away to the sixteenth century on a desperate quest to find sources of the elusive dye for the PERFECT Crimson Red"!

It was LOVE at first sight for these Black&White checked Royal Stafford dishes I am using as chargers(they are made in England and "I" found them on clearance THIS WEEK for $3 at TJ Maxx(Love those stores). I think it pulls the setting together and made it "POP"! 
The pewter dish is an antique from International Silver, made in my home town. The plate and the FULL service I own is SO OLD that even the International Silver archives can NOT tell me about it! 
The little bowl and plate are a GW 50cent FIND, they are "Melody" Myott fine Ironstone from England, dated 1982...

My little Tea Set is a German antique "Villeroy&Boch" "Burgenland"... I have pieced together a wonderful large service of these that I LOVE to use throughout the Christmas season, and on till Valentines Day!!! 
Some of these "Wunderbar Pieces are gifts from my Special German Friend Ginny"... 
"LOVE you Ginny"!!! 
Aren't they Gorgeous?

The large antique square platter is one of my "Very Favorite Things", it was a gift from Ginny and is "Royal Crownford Ironstone" from England in the "Charlotte" pattern. 
The little "Victorian Lady" sitting in the chair is "Margaret"(I named her after my Grandmother), She is reading her little edition of Amy's book about her FAVORITE color... She is so taken by her read that she didn't even notice I just baked some of her favorite cookies for our guest of honor AND of course her... 
Little Margaret was made in occupied Japan and is marked "Maruyama". She is a particularly fine example of an OJ Figurine, and is made in the style of MEISSEN PORCELAIN. The Maruyana Mark often appears on only the Best quality porcelain pieces... 
Lurking in the back is my antique "International Silver" pewter soup tureen that matches my set... Each one of the antique pieces was never used and most still have their original stickers on them...

"OK, I know it's NOT red"... BUT... How could I NOT use this opportunity to Show off this Little Rose Purse(Brighton) and Look at that wonderful Paris Scarf... Oh La La!!! ALL the ladies of the scarf have been intrigued by the color red for OH SO LONG and now they are sipping tea and "Listening intensively as Amy starts to read us her book"! Thank you SO much Ms Greenfield, you have made a wonderful addition to my library!




I'm LINKING TO 
http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2010/12/friday-vignette-friday.html 

"Food For Thought"
http://foodforthoughtediblebooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/food-for-thought-dec-4.html

"Feathered Nest Friday"
 


"Show and Tell Friday"
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/12/show-and-tell-friday.html

 


"Fabulous Friday"
http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/2010/12/fabulous-friday-finds-party-time.html

"VINTAGE INSPIRATION FRIDAY"
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-inspiration-friday-14-join.html 

"TABLESCAPE THURSDAY"
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tablescape-with-churches-of.html 

"VINTAGE THINGIE THURSDAY"
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-thingie-thursday-vintage-disney.html

"REDNESDAY"
http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2010/11/rednesday_30.html

"TEA CUP TUESDAY"@  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

" MARTHAS FAVORITES" http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

"TABLE TOP TUESDAY"     http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/11/41st-table-top-tuesday.html

 

"Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor"   http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-tablescape-and-tea-table.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20LadyKatherineTeaParlor%20%28Lady%20Katherine%20Tea%20Parlor%29

"Bargain Hunting"   http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/

"Seasonal Sundays" 
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/ 

"RUBY TUESDAY" 
http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/11/ruby-tuesday_29.html