SAVORING the QUIET...TOGETHER...TIME...

I Savor the Quiet Together Time…

Yes, it’s true…since Christmas…I have sadly neglected blogland. Why? Not because I haven't been thinking good thoughts of you…but because I have spent much of these past weeks down at my father’s house…relaxing…treasure hunting…reading…eating…and just savoring the quiet, together time.

We get up late and drink cups and cups of cocoa, tea and coffee...
and stay dressed in our most comfortable clothes... and bathrobes...for far too long.

(Ahhh…but Papa’s Kitty Patrol never rests.)

See the cup on the table above? Rosie and I went treasure hunting at a thrift shop on New-Year’s-Eve-day while we were in San Diego and found it for a mere 99cents...in perfect condition. We hunted for mates but, sadly, it was a One-And-Lonely.

My Dad likes drinking from well made, thin china cups...preferably English. That being said…he does seem to break them after only a few months. After seeing some lovely cups lose their handles…one after the other…I decided to add... “ENGLISH TEA CUPS FOR PAPA” ...as a permanent item... onto my tag sale/thrift shopping “I Want” list (please see “Frugal Luxuries” for more on this subject…or... stay tuned and I will excerpt that portion in an upcoming post ☺)

Jan Karon is one of my favorite authors.

We also found a hard bound, Jan Karon book (I had not read this one) for two dollars…in perfect condition...with dust jacket...which I am currently reading.
Oh...my dad is really enjoying the new cup and (after I washed it with my usual bleach and water concoction) he used it the very next morning…and every morning hence. (Is that the right word?? “Hence”?).

Sending A Belated HAPPY & BLESSED NEW YEAR to all Kindred Souls...

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I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A DOUBLE HONOR...

Cali Girl from LOVELY, CHARMING & EVEN A BIT WHIMSICAL and sweet Charmaine from BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO SHARE have BOTH graciously presented me with the same award...one which I consider to be a TRUE compliment and honor. Thank you so much for the many kind thoughts you both send my way...and for thinking of me.

The award states "This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

In the interest of brevity, I chose only 4:

Amazing Marie at OF BOOKS AND WRITING
Jules at IT’S JUST JULES
Barb at GRITS & GLAMOUR
Dana at A CAT IN MY LAP
(So sorry Dana...I knew you were Dana and not Cynthia...mea culpa...my mistake! Say hi to Daisy for me ;).

Family Pictures....

Katie's Plaid Christmas Party! (Above)...
She told me everyone thought she looked like the American Girl doll...Samantha.
I thought that was so funny because she had (still has :) Samantha when she was little!

Daddy, Rosie and Momma (me)!
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NOTE TO CLANCY: SEND PICTURES!!
LOVE, YOUR MOMMA WHO LOVES YOU XOX

More HOLIDAY REUSABLES photos!!

I especially love this little tin...these smaller sizes are holding tee-shirts for Rosie (rolled up, then wrapped with tissue paper)...the vintage, mother of pearl pin at the top is from our collection of vintage jewelry....

...a closer view of the tin...such pretty colors...

This is another view of one of our oldest tins...

This octagonal tin is one of Rosie's favorites...

...as is this one..with another vintage brooch pinned to the top of the bow! Have you noticed my love of tulle ?? Years ago, I bought rolls and rolls of it for a song, and I have been using it ever since. It is so easy to recycle, as it's quite sturdy and holds up well from year to year...and the shape bounces back beautifully. As well...it adds an ethereal quality to everything! In Victorian times they called it "Illusion"!! What a great name for it...and so it is.

Holiday Reusables Article!

CREATIVE RECYCLING of MEMORIES...

Leanne Italie of the Associated Press (AP) wrote a great article regarding
holiday re-usables.
http://www.ajc.com/holiday/content/atlanta-holiday-guide/entertaining/stories/2008/12/24/after_holiday_keepsakes.html
and...
http://www.thestar.com/article/557850
Of, course, we were very happy (and honored) to be included in this very useful collection of ideas on how to reuse ribbons and other holiday packaging from year to year. They sent a photographer to our house to illustrate how we implement re-usables in our own holiday packaging!
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PHOTOS:
The smallest gift is a vintage English biscuit tin (from our collection)...the box is a gift tucked inside a vintage pillow case that's been in our family for as long as I can remember (I always thought it was pretty, so I kept it from childhood)...the hat boxes in the back are a dozen years old...when I bought them to present gifts to Rosie and Katie when they were very young...all of these (plus many more) are used from year to year as unique gift boxes.
Much more to come on this subject! I have a ton of detailed pictures...I loaded them onto a post last night. Sadly, it was somehow lost. If time permits today...I 'll try to reload and post them. Otherwise they may be dribbled out through the week in smaller posts (due to the holiday).

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We send our wishes for...
A happy Christmas and blessed Holiday to all.
Love and good thoughts from...
Tracey and Family.

Simple Tree of Earthly Delights and Good Tidings...

TREE of SIMPLE DELIGHTS
and
GOOD THOUGHTS

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"Choose wisely then, each ornament.... for branches that have worn jewels of gleaming mountain rain."
--Elizabeth Ellan-Long


A Tree of Earthly Delights...

I am feeling very muted this season...
thinking in tune with nature...the sea...northern lights...stars & angels...ancient myths and mists. Thus...starfish...gilded pomegranates...tiny herbal wreaths...white berries...
garden vials... Heavenly Hosts announcing... old things made new.

...woody garlands with muted berries...gilded tiny pitchers (vintage gold luster-ware)...ivory colored cherubs from one of our earliest Christmas's....

...pressed tin tea pots mingle with a second, tiny gold pitcher...pearly garlands...silver-plated miniature baskets garnered from a wedding-favor supplier (at a mere $1 each)... nothing here is new...all collected over time.

...gold Cherubim are quite comfy alongside the white bisque angels...gilded pears...more berries...and tiny colored lights...

...Angel gift...encased in a cellophane gift bag (with gold stars) --tied at the top with an ethereal tulle bow-- set among the branches... awaiting giving time...

...another Angel gift hidden among the branches...

...if you look closely...you may find a half-dozen or more white and gold porcelain cups
tucked among the boughs..."my cup runneth over with joy..."

...look closely...see the dragonfly resting atop the branches...

...our home-spun gold spoons nestled inside the branches...
Rumpelstiltskin's Delight ...