Wednesday, November 30, 2022

A NEW ADDITION TO MY COLLECTION

 I haven't begun my Christmas decorating yet, but thanks to three things that arrived today, they gave me a little push…starting with a Christmas Angel that I have temporarily put on the mantle with my other collection of dogs.  The dogs were a gift from son many years ago (you may remember this story as I have mentioned it before).  He bought them while away on school trips (two different ones) to England when in high school.  We both love dogs and these are dressed in costume.  I added the King Arthur dog on the right, and the Guardsman on the left, and that was the end of my collection, unless I see something that really jumps out at me when I am looking around.  Angel is in good company at the moment.  

She is holding a sign that says, "Peace on Earth", which is why I wanted to have her on the top of our tree.  I forgot to mention she is a tree topper.   We need her message for everyone's sake, and for our children and for our children's children.  Time to sow some love into the air and spread it wide.

Of course, I had a little playtime.  The country scene background is actually the village I lived in when I met Gregg (also mentioned before).  The church you see is the one where we were married.  I found a lady online who lived in that village.  She painted the most wonderful scenes from my area, and I contacted her and bought a print.  She sent it to me in one of those heavy-duty packaging rolls, I had it framed and it has been over our mantle ever since.
I used my ArtCard app next but not too much of a change.
I have a painting in another room, also showing the English countryside, and a small village, but have no idea where this particular one is located.  I also bought it many years ago, from a shop that sold British items in a nearby town, long since closed.  There's a bit of a story to it.  A couple of years after I had bought it, I was offered a job in a small British tearoom in yet another town several miles away, and a wonderful lady we all thought the world of, was the owner.  
One day she and I were talking art and I told her about the painting I had bought a couple of years previously.  She laughed when I described where the shop was located, as she and her brother were co-owners.  It was miles away from this place.  She also remembered my painting.  Talk about a small world story.  She passed on a few years ago but I remember her fondly and I think of her when I look at the painting in the front room.  My little Angel shows some of that particular painting in the photo below.
The next photos show two new Christmas Tree ornaments.  The first one portrays Clara holding the toy Nutcracker that comes to life in her dream.  I would dearly love to see that ballet live, but content myself with watching it online these days.
Next is a ballerina from The Nutcracker's Walz of the Flowers.
I haven't started a new collection in a long time, but I will be buying another couple of Nutcracker ornaments next year.   

I will be sure to take photos of these when the tree gets decorated properly.  Gregg will be bringing it up from the basement tomorrow.





36 comments:

  1. The dogs are so cute! And the angel makes a lovely tabletop decoration, as well as a tree topper. I would never have known she is a topper! What a coincidence about the tea room lady!

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    1. Thank you Ginny and she would look good on a table :) Yes, it was one of those times when you could have knocked me down with a feather.

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  2. Peace on Earth is something I think all of us long for.
    I love the story about your painting too - definitely a small, small world.

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    1. That we do Sue, that we do. Thank you I am happy you enjoyed :)

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  3. Well here is further proof that it is a tiny small world that we live in! The angel will be beautiful on your tree with those absolutely beautiful ballerinas. They might need to be left out year round instead of just on the tree they're so beautiful. I remember the dogs from years past and they are all adorable too

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    1. Our lives are full of small world stories. Yes, they would be good to leave out all year :) and I am happy you remembered the dogs.

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  4. Your angel and ornaments are pretty. I love the one of Clara with the nutcracker.

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    1. Hi Ann and thank you :) She is a real beauty little Clara :)

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  5. The angel looks like an aunt next-door! Very gentle and loving type

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    1. How lovely about your Aunt Roentare, she sounds a very special lady :)

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  6. She looks antique!!! Lovely, lovely!!!! And the painting of the English village and church...what a treasure. Who says you can never go home again?... you can...by immersing yourself in the work of art.

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    1. Thank you Anni, she does I agree, and very true with the help of our artwork :) I have several smaller paintings that I bought from most places we lived in. They bring many good memories.

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  7. I love the painting and ornaments. You lived in such an idyllic country scene. Just love it. Hawaii is very different from England.

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    1. Hello Gigi, it was a very pretty area, lots of lovely country roads to take walks :) Yes, Hawaii is very different but still very beautiful in so many ways. I was in awe of the Islands when I visited.

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  8. Denise, I love your painting and the story !! Life is amazing. The dogs all dressed are so cute and the Nutcracker figurines are beautiful. The sweet angel's message is timeless. Happy decorating!

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    1. So glad Martha Ellen and yes, life is amazing. Thank you, a timeless message indeed and I have made a start on my decorations :).

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  9. Lovely items! I enjoyed the story behind them.

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    1. Thank you Christine, precious is a good word for them :)

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  11. Lovely, just lovely, lovely, lovely...

    I haven't started either and want to, decorate a bit I mean.

    Beautiful illustration and how delightful that it means so much to you.

    🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

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    1. Thank you BB, much appreciate your sentiments. I shall look forward to seeing your decorations :)

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    1. Thank you William, my Mother was the same way, she loved her collectibles :)

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  13. I think your angel and ornaments look lovely and thank you for sharing the story behind them.

    Wishing you a happy month of December.

    All the best Jan

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    1. You are very welcome Jan and thank you. All the best to you too :)

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  14. I love that country scene print and how your story is part of the scenery. How special. Your nutcracker ornament collection will be fun to build on. Happy December to you and happy decorating!

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    1. Thank you Ellen, I love the reminders :) and I do look forward to adding to the nutcracker ornaments. Doing them in bits and dabs makes them even more special somehow.

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  15. Replies
    1. It makes me happy you enjoyed them Margaret, thank you so much :)

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  16. That is a very pretty Christmas Angel. I love all the gold on her. I also like that little ornament Clara holding the Nutcracker. Speaking of the Nutcracker, Jess got us tickets to the show when I travel to So Cal for Christmas. It should be delightful. I've seen the production many years ago, but only once. Have fun decorating your tree, Denise. There's so many cherished ornaments we keep throughout the years to make it magical.

    ~Sheri

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    1. I'm happy you liked them Sheri and how wonderful of Jess to get you tickets to see The Nutcracker :) I agree about the cherished ornaments throughout the years. I have special ones bought at special times, and also gifts from family and friends. All wonderful memories :)

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  17. I adore those dogs! You must have told the story before I "discovered" you because I don't know it -- but oh, they're fabulous. And your angel is almost luminous. She has the most wonderful expression! You are so far ahead of me in your decorating. I love seeing it all come together!

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    1. Hi Jeanie, so happy you enjoyed them :) I liked her expression too. I am plodding along as far as decorating is concerned, like the tortoise and the hare. A clue, I am not the hare, lol!

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