Sharing Christmas!

Christmas time is past...

Tree ornaments and lights are coming off,

 Stockings are back in their storage boxes,

Manger scene is packed away

and Christmas Cookies and Treats are eaten.

Let me share some special Traditions

from our Christmas 2015!

Christmas Tree!

Our tradition is going to a Christmas Tree Lot!

The month of December for Portland area was one type of weather...

Rain, Rain and Rain!

Card for Ed - Tear Drop Beads remind me of the Rain!

We were waiting for the rain to stop and it did not.

So... Ed (my husband) and I got up early one Sunday morning

to the tree farms in our area.

Our tree must be quite tall, full and with one slight hole in the branches

for a favorite ornaments of mine.

After the third lot which was on top of Chehalem Mountain

the wind was blowing the rain horizontally!

The fog was so thick and it was cold!

We went back to a lot we had been to the week before

and found the perfect Christmas Tree!

Finding that tree was a gift from God...

he knew that I have never been so cold!

Ornaments!

They are my lifetime of memories!

I love collecting and receiving special ornaments!

Our daughter Brenda gave this ornament to us.
It represents our First Pumpkin patch!

Each year I get out the storage boxes and unpack them alone.

As I unpack the ornaments it reminds me of 

very special times in my life!

A few even bring tears to my life...

sad and happy tears.

This year we gave our family

Pickle Ornaments!

Which you place on the tree last.

Tradition says that the first person to find

the pickle ornament on the tree gets another gift from Santa.

I believe that the pickle brings you blessings during the Holidays!

Poinsettias!

Traditional Christmas Flower!

This was one of my favorite stamps to color this year!

You could choose any color as Poinsettias come in so many shades.

Simply... my tradition is Red!

Holiday Meals and Treats!

I am going to admit it I love 

The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond!

Her recipes are so simple and delicious!

I always thought it would be fun to live on a ranch.

Cowboy Boots are a necessary shoe to have!

One other Chef and retailer that I admired and met several times...

Chuck Williams

Founder of Williams-Sonoma

October 2, 1915 - December 5, 2015

The last 10 years of his life he was working on this cookbook.

On Christmas Day we had his Glazed Carrots to honor him.

One of my favorite quotes that he shared was

"Love what you do and always eat well!"

Many people on my Christmas List received this cookbook!

Also, Table Settings! 

 I enjoy matching the napkins, table cloth and flowers.

Candles are a must have item!

Music!

Each year I think it would be fun to start a new Tradition

A Caroling Party!

Even though my singing is not that good!

This is one of my favorite collections that I have!

Lights!

The Snow Village reminds me that having 

a light on in your home is a gift!

Your family and friends are always welcome 

when the lights are on in your home at night!

There are a few of the Traditions that are part

of our Holidays...I hope that they carry forward!

Happy New Year!

Elaine

Supplies: 

Cardstock: Kraft -Paper Source, Red and Gray - Bazzill

Printed Cardstock: Plaid - Paper Pizazz , Floral - Christmas Cottage - Teresa Collins

Ink: Adirondack -Espresso

Stamps: Auto - Pink Ink Stamp Co. - Wintertime Woody, Tree - Power Poppy - Botanical Tree,

Cowboy Boots - Cowboy Christmas - Flourishes

Coloring: Copic Sketch Makers - Many Colors!

Dry Embossing: Cuttlebug Paisley Border and Organic Flourish, Cuttlebug Machine

Embellishments: Gold Satin Ribbon - Morex Corp., Twinkle Drop Beads - Queen & Co.

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Crop-a-dile Corner Chomper