Thursday, December 22, 2016

MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL!


Hi Everyone, this is a little early but I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, and to those of you who are of other Faiths, I wish you a very happy holiday season.  To all of us a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.  Those who are dealing with losses and such tragic events around the world are particularly in my heart.


I hope to be back in the New Year on a more regular basis.  


It took me longer than usual but here are part of the decorations I have put around our house.  I am also sharing some treasured collectibles, along with a few very treasured old photos which you may have seen before.  








We have a small artificial tree, one of the narrow ones that we can fit where people can pass by without tripping over it.  


 Here are a collection of wooden ornaments I made in my craft show days.  The first is the one that started it all, an idea from Gregg after me buying a wooden old-fashioned policeman from Germany that reminded me of my dad, and making one for the navy craft show at the local school I participated in, thanks to Gregg's good idea.  There's a story I shared on my old blog somewhere.  This is supposed to be Gregg by the way, complete with glasses.




If my fingers had allowed me to continue, I would never have quit painting.  It was such an enjoyable part of my life going to those craft shows and meeting all the people I met from everywhere.  Special memories of special people.  Three more of mine, many more in boxes in the basement.

A few ornaments bought or given that have great sentimental value.










Thank you to all my blogging friends who let me know how concerned they were during my spell away.  Your kindness means everything.

Wishing that we all receive the Dove of Peace in 2017.
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57 comments:

  1. GigaDecember 22, 2016 at 5:08 PM

    Beautiful decorations and beautifully you showed them the pictures. I wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful 2017 years.

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  2. RedDecember 22, 2016 at 5:45 PM

    Merry Christmas. I can see you've been very busy with all the christmas decorations.

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  3. ChristineDecember 22, 2016 at 7:13 PM

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, beautiful post!

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  4. Ginny HartzlerDecember 22, 2016 at 8:39 PM

    Your hearth is truly lovely, and the ornaments you made are wonderful and priceless! What is the little creature, a mouse? He is incredibly cute and I would love to make him; is that a pine cone? Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, filled with love and warmth. Welcome back!!!

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  5. Elephant's ChildDecember 22, 2016 at 9:55 PM

    A very happy Christmas, and year to come to you and Gregg.
    I love the snippets of your christmases you have shared.
    And I hope the dove of peace breeds prolifically.

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  6. KayDecember 23, 2016 at 1:16 AM

    It's so nice to hear from you again, Denise. It's wonderful to take a blog break every so often when there's so much to do or our health maintain. From our house to yours, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and healthy, fun New Year!!!

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  7. Sue (this n that)December 23, 2016 at 2:09 AM

    Thank you for sharing all those special and personal treasures Denise, and for your beautiful seasons greetings. The same to you and all the best to you and yours :D)x

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  8. Jutta.K.December 23, 2016 at 2:09 AM

    A impressive post.
    Christmas is all around :-)
    Your nice photos show a beautiful insight into your Christmas tradition.
    Impressive.
    My favorite photos are the simple, carved angel and the cute hedgehog,
    just so beautiful.
    Happy celebration and cozy days
    ♥ Greetings from Germany

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  9. ValerieDecember 23, 2016 at 3:55 AM

    I love this post and especially your own work. You are very talented. I feel ashamed that I haven't got any Christmas trimmings up but it doesn't seem worth it when there's no-one else to see them. I have made the effort to display all the cards though. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy!

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  10. MarleenDecember 23, 2016 at 4:23 AM

    Beautiful decorations, I love the angels. Merry Christmas Denise!

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  11. Titus John WhiteDecember 23, 2016 at 4:29 AM

    Hi Denise, hopefully you are feeling better and well on the way to getting out and about getting some more images. Lovely to see your Christmas decorations. Love the Hedgehog. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Regards John

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  12. Francisco Manuel Carrajola OliveiraDecember 23, 2016 at 4:59 AM

    Gostei de ver estas magnificas fotografias.
    Um Santo e Feliz Natal.
    Andarilhar

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  13. GosiaDecember 23, 2016 at 5:04 AM

    Great post merry Christmas please join to my good fences:

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  14. GosiaDecember 23, 2016 at 5:04 AM

    Great post merry Christmas please join to my good fences:

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  15. SeagullSuzieDecember 23, 2016 at 6:46 AM

    Thank you Denise. I wish you and Gregg a very happy festive period and a safe and healthy 2017.

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  16. AnonymousDecember 23, 2016 at 10:31 AM

    merry christmas and a happy new Year!
    love and peace 2017
    Greetings Elke

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  17. Linda PDecember 23, 2016 at 11:45 AM

    Dear Denise, I've missed you as you are a treasured member of the blogging community. Your decorations are beautiful, each one must hold wonderful memories of how you acquired them. Displaying some by the photos of loved ones is a lovely idea. Wishing you and your husband a peaceful Christmas season and new year, something we pray for all of us, especially in the coming days.

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  18. joanna ukDecember 23, 2016 at 1:46 PM

    You have no idea how happy I am to see you back here.
    Whatever was wrong - you now have the energy to put up decorations, so we can assume you are on the mend. Hurrah!
    Best wishes for a healing Xmas.

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  19. William KendallDecember 23, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    Your place is beautifully decorated! Merry Christmas to you!

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  20. MaschaDecember 24, 2016 at 2:30 AM

    Beautiful things, most I like the cute animal at the second photo from down.
    Merry Christmas from Germany

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  21. Nancy ChanDecember 24, 2016 at 4:57 AM

    Hello Denise. Great to have you back after your break. Beautiful decorations in your house. Your are very creative! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and love ones!

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  22. ValerieDecember 24, 2016 at 5:15 AM

    Lovely to see this post, Denise. I am sure I speak for all when I say you have been missed. Hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

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  23. Beatrice P. BoydDecember 24, 2016 at 5:43 AM

    Denise, We send our very best wishes to you and Gregg and your family for a Christmas 🎄 filled with happiness and love. Thanks for sharing images of the decorations that hold special meaning at this time and always. We hope you are feeling better every day and look forward to "seeing" you here in the New Year too.

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  24. eileeninmdDecember 24, 2016 at 6:54 AM

    Hello Denise, lovely post for Christmas ! Beautiful photos. Happy weekend! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  25. DonnaDecember 24, 2016 at 11:39 AM

    Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

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  26. Lowcarb team memberDecember 24, 2016 at 9:19 PM

    Hello Denise ... so lovely to see and read your post.
    I do like all the photo's you've shared.

    Sending good wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year to you, and yours.

    All the best Jan

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  27. photodougDecember 25, 2016 at 9:59 AM

    Denise, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and your family. Your home certainly is festive. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Marie December 25, 2016 at 11:51 PM

    your ornaments are lovely...Merry Christmas to you and yours!
    hugs,
    Marie

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  29. Roy NorrisDecember 26, 2016 at 5:52 AM

    Seasons greetings Denise.

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  30. Betty ManousosDecember 26, 2016 at 6:12 AM

    merry christmas! i wish you happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!

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  31. Tanya BreeseDecember 26, 2016 at 7:59 PM

    Oh it is so good to see you! You have been in my thoughts and I hope all is well! Love your decorations especially the ornaments you made! Sending you wishes for a happy new year!

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  32. diane bDecember 28, 2016 at 3:51 AM

    I have been slowing down with blogging. I have so many other projects on the go. I hope you are well and have a Happy New Year. Your decorations and collectables are wonderful.

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  33. Aritha V. December 28, 2016 at 8:47 AM

    Wishing you a Good New Year! Love your photos. So nice.

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  34. A Brit in TennesseeDecember 28, 2016 at 2:24 PM

    Hoping your Christmas was a Merry one, and wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year !
    I simply love all of your sweet ornaments, and decorations.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  35. VagabondeDecember 28, 2016 at 9:59 PM

    You have many lovely ornaments. I like your collection of angels. You are also talented – love those ornaments you made. I hope that your Christmas was merry and that New Year will find you happy, fit and ready for 2017.

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  36. Lux G.December 29, 2016 at 11:35 PM

    Amazing collection, dear. Have a fabulous and epic 2017!

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  37. Kristin AquariannDecember 30, 2016 at 8:12 AM

    I hope you had a fairy, merry Christmas! I look forward to you returning in the New Year. I miss your flowers!

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  38. Sara ChapmanDecember 30, 2016 at 2:38 PM

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas things and stories with us, Denise. Quite a lot of work to do it all. Here's hoping you have a better 2017 than this year, by far. Happy photographing!

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  39. Kenneth Cole SchneiderDecember 31, 2016 at 5:38 AM

    Hope you health continues to improve. Those are wonderful artifacts of days gone by, and your handicrafts are amazing! Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

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  40. AnonymousDecember 31, 2016 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks for sharing your lovely treasures. Glad to see you getting back.

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  41. photodougJanuary 1, 2017 at 11:39 AM

    Denise, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and your family. Your home certainly is festive. Thanks for sharing.

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  42. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2017 at 3:21 AM

    Happy you are feeling well enough to do a post - health is everything, so that is my wish to you for the New Year:):)

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  43. ElaJanuary 2, 2017 at 11:12 AM

    I hope you had a beautiful Christmas !!
    Happy New Year, dear Friend !!

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  44. LindaJanuary 3, 2017 at 9:51 PM

    Wow, awesome decorations! I didn't expect you back before the new year so I didn't check in earlier. Best wishes for a peaceful 2017 full of beauty!

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  45. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2017 at 10:45 PM

    Enjoyed seeing all your pretty decor items!

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  46. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2017 at 10:15 AM

    You have a lovely collection of ornaments. I like your photo, also. Happy New Year, Denise. Aloha from Hawaii.

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  47. orvokkiJanuary 5, 2017 at 4:44 AM

    Happy New Year.
    These photos are so lovely.

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  48. Kay G.January 5, 2017 at 6:30 PM

    What beautiful decorations! I love the hedgehog, is he made from a pinecone? Happy new year! Peace to you always. x

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  49. LindaJanuary 6, 2017 at 3:01 AM

    Gorgeous photos, dear Denise. And I have been thinking of you and praying for you. I hope that 2017 will be wonderful for you. Sending you much love and warm hugs.

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  50. Sara ChapmanJanuary 7, 2017 at 12:30 AM

    Beautiful decorations and wishes. My wish for you is health and happiness in 2017 and always, and more flower blogging! We all miss Today's Flowers.

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  51. Liz NeedleJanuary 7, 2017 at 6:37 AM

    What a beautiful variety of Christmas decorations you have on display. I love Christmas, but as I get older I find myself not bothering so much. Much more fun when we had small children around. happy New Year and I hope we see you back blogging again soon.

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  52. Hootin AnniJanuary 7, 2017 at 4:05 PM

    Hello Denise. I hope you've completely recovered from you illness late last year. I've been thinking of you. I want to say I really enjoyed your holiday post. That tea cup is priceless! I have to admit it's my favorite photo.

    Hope your new year is off to a happy start, and wishes for a continued healthy, happy 2017

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  53. Little Wandering WrenJanuary 8, 2017 at 5:41 AM

    Happy New Year Denise - hope you are feeling better and look forward to catching up with you more regularly once we have moved.
    Wren x

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  54. JimJanuary 14, 2017 at 4:20 AM

    Happy New Year

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  55. Vilt og vakkertJanuary 14, 2017 at 10:09 AM

    Heisann, I wish to same to you, a peaceful new year. It started tragically, but hopefully end more happy! Great to see how different we decorate our Christmas trees which in my house for long have been "harvested".... Hugs ;:OD) ... and get well soon ...

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  56. Sallie (FullTime-Life)January 17, 2017 at 9:29 PM

    Hi Denise. Hope you are getting better. I think of you often and worry about you - blogging is such a funny thing -- we can feel quite close to people we have never even met in our lives. You are missed!

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  57. OhmydearestsJanuary 25, 2017 at 4:17 AM

    dearest Denise, I hope you had a beautiful Christmas and that you will have a beautiful 2017!

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