A WONDERFUL BLOG TO CHECK OUT WITH GIVEAWAYS.

I was thrilled to be featured recently on the Rose Haven blog. She has Stroll the Shops on her blog showcasing many of her favorite shops and mine was among them. Go and check out her site and enter for the free giveaways. All you have to do is comment and your name is entered. Click on the picture and it will take you there.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING

I have this beautiful Victorian patchwork Christmas Stocking for sale in my Etsy Shop. Just click on the picture and it will take you there.

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The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

From "Santa and His Works", illustrated by Thomas Nast

By Rebecca Roberts

Like all good legends, the story of the Christmas stocking has many versions. The original story has evolved to allow for differences in culture, time period, and good old fashioned story-telling. So it's hard to pin down exactly how the Christmas stocking tradition started, but too much exactness isn't any fun, anyway. And certainly not in the spirit of Christmas. So here's our favorite version of the story:

Once there was a father with three beautiful daughters. Although the daughters were kind and strong, the father despaired of them ever making good marriages, because he didn't have enough money to pay their dowries.

One day, St. Nicholas of Myra was passing through their village and heard the locals discussing the plight of these poor girls. St Nicholas knew the father would be too proud to accept an outright gift. So he waited till dark, snuck to the man's house, and dropped three bags of gold coins down the chimney.

The daughters had spent the evening washing clothes, and had hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry. The gold coins dropped into the stockings, one bag for each daughter. In the morning, they awoke to find enough money to make them each a generous dowry, and all married well and happily.

As word of St. Nicholas' generosity spread, others began to hang their stockings by the fireplace, hoping for a similar gift.

There is plenty of debate about when American kids started hanging their stockings by the fire on Christmas Eve. Some give credit for the idea to Thomas Nast, who drew stockings on the mantelpiece in his 1886 illustrations for a George Webster story called "Santa Claus and His Works." But while Nast did create the popular modern image of Santa Claus as a white-bearded, red-suited, boot-wearing jolly man, he cannot be responsible for the stocking tradition. That's because Clement Clark Moore's famous poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" was written 64 years earlier. And as every Christmas buff knows, that poem includes the following immortal lines:

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Like most American customs, the Christmas stocking probably came across the ocean with generations of immigrants. Perhaps some Catholics knew the legend of St. Nicholas. Perhaps some Dutch transformed their tradition of putting out clogs full of straw for Santa's reindeer. Italian children brought the idea of putting out their shoes for La Bufana, the good witch. And in classic American tradition, all these legends and customs mixed together (along with a few home-grown ideas) and before long the Christmas Stocking became an essential part of how w

ALEXANDRA'S HAIR - LABOR OF LOVE FOR LOCKS OF LOVE

I thought I would share this story with you today as I am very proud of my granddaughter and her desire to share with others. She has decided to grow her hair really long in order to donate it to Locks of Love. They are a non profit organization who make wigs for children and adults who have either lost their hair through cancer treatment or alopecia.

WHAT IS LOCKS OF LOVE?

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

Alex has the most beautiful hair with natural highlights. The hair has to be in it's natural state, not having used any chemicals on it. It has to be at least 10" long so Alex is growing it fairly long as she doesn't want a short hairstyle when she is done cutting it. People often stop Alex when she is out and about and simply comment on what beautiful hair she has. I agree and am so proud that she has decided to give somebody a chance at a gorgeous wig. If you would like to comment and give Alex encouragement - I am sure she would appreciate it.

VICTORIAN ERA - I JUST KNOW I LIVED IT IN ANOTHER LIFE.

I don't know about you, but I absolutely, love, adore, cherish and view with awe anything Victorian. To some it may appear cluttered and over the top, but I just see beauty in absolutely everything Victorian. Even the bright reds and golds are indicative of the Victorian era where most things were over done and opulence was a way of life. I often think that I lived in the Victorian era perhaps in another life because everything seems familiar to me, while at the same time I feel at home among anything Victorian. I absolutely love creating Victorian items and will sit by the hour making ribbon roses and flowers to adorn the items I make. The other night I sat watching television and used up a whole spool of green ribbon making leaves. When creating an item, I go through my laces over and over again, matching laces with linings, ribbons with laces and beads with roses. I totally get zoned into what I am doing and loving every minute. Here are a few of my latest Victorian creations for you to enjoy. These items are all for sale in my Etsy shop. Just click on the picture and it will take you there.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

~BEING A MOTHER~

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after having a baby.
That somebody doesn't know that once your a mother "normal" is history.

Somebody said that being a mother is boring.
That somebody never drove in a car with a teenager with a driver permit.

Somebody said that if your a good mother your child will turn out good.
That somebody thinks that children come with an instruction manual and a guarantee.

Somebody said good mothers never raise their voices.
That somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through her neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a good mother.
That somebody never tried to help a fourth grader with her Math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
That somebody never had five children.

Somebody said you can find all the answers to all her child-rearing questions in a book.
That somebody never had a child stuff beans up her nose or ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
That somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Or get on a plane headed for military boot camp.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand behind her back.
That somebody never organized four giggling brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a son-in-law or daughter-in-law to your heartstrings.

Somebody said a mothers job is done after her last child leaves home.
That somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her so you don't have to tell her.
That somebody isn't a mother.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ALL YOU WONDERFUL MOTHERS

This Sunday is Mother's Day and I want to take this opportunity to wish all the mothers of the world a very Happy Mother's Day.

All year you have planned and served meals, washed and ironed clothes, cut grass, planted flowers, watered flowers, washed floors, dusted furniture, vacuumed carpets, paid bills, mended clothes, sewed on buttons, washed windows, bought groceries, baked cookies, washed little faces, dried tears, read stories, colored in coloring books, took out the garbage, raked leaves, pulled weeds, made beds, gave advice, took advice, car pooled the kids to soccer, baseball, hockey and music lessons, helped with homework, volunteered at your child's school, visited a sick relative, provided a shoulder to cry on and a good listening ear, and in your spare time you went to work to help keep your household afloat, and on Sunday worshiped with your family in your church of choice. You are stronger than you think and smarter than you believe yourself to be. Mothers love unconditionally, live for their families, and provide the glue that keeps the family together.

On this your special day - rejoice in all that you are and take credit for all that you do. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers of the World. You are all special people.

OLD FASHIONED RAG RUGS - JEWELRY FOR YOUR FLOORS

Making beautiful rag rugs has become a passion of mine. You are never quite sure how they are going to turn out until they are finished. You can visualize the different fabrics and the design, but until the sewing is finished you are never quite sure if the end result will meet your expectations. Rag rugs are from days past where going to Walmart for a nice mat or rug wasn't an option and you made do with whatever you had in the house when you needed a rug. Many people do the braiding process or the crocheted method, but I like to do the raggedy method as that is what I believe really is a rag rug. I call these little rugs jewelry for your floors as they will brighten up any room and immediately be the focal point when someone enters a room.

I have many sets in my Etsy shop with matching guest towels and some with matching hanging pillow sachets. I have done a whole series of rag rugs and matching guest towels in different pastels just ready for Spring decorating in your home. The more you wash these little gems the nicer they become. These sets are perfect for a bed and breakfast decor - your country cottage bedroom, bathroom or in your kitchen if the colors match the decor. Don't be afraid to experiment with this old fashioned tradition. Once people see them, it will become a new tradition. Just click on any one of the pictures and it will take you to the site. Remember to check out the matching items for these little rugs.

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD

I AM SO THRILLED TO HAVE RECEIVED THIS KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD FROM ETSY COTTAGE STYLE BLOGSPOT. In order to be worthy of this award you must list 7 things that you enjoy or love.

I enjoy waking up in the middle of the night with a great idea for creating something - then I can't wait to get up in the morning and make it.
I enjoy meeting new friends on line and finding that the world is not as big a place as I once thought. We are all people, brought together by creativity and friendship.
I enjoy being in my craft room creating, with my two fur babies curled up on the couch watching every move I make. Making the mistake of pulling out ribbon or the measuring tape - it means play time for them.
I enjoy having my grand daughter over and her helping me combine fabrics to create something. She is actually getting quite good at what goes well together.
I enjoy going into Vintage chat on Etsy and meeting up with my friends every evening.
I enjoy being a member of the Raspberry Rose Sellers Club and the friendships that has brought me.
I enjoy going to church on Sunday visiting God's house - makes the perfect start for me to begin my new week.

The other part of winning this blog is to award 7 other blogsites with this award. Be sure and visit them and leave a comment on their page. We all love company and who knows, you may even decide to follow one of these blogs. You can also enjoy their creativity.

http://lifeatcedarhill.blogspot.com
http://tammytutterow.com
http://myshabbyrosecottage.blogspot.com
http://meaghanmariepretties.blogspot.com
http://magpiescollectables.blogspot.com/
http://vintagetochic.blogspot.com
http://carriers-cozy-cottage.blogspot.com

Enjoy this award ladies.

VICTORIAN ORGANZA PILLOW - NOT JUST ANOTHER PILLOW.

I have always loved organza. In fact when my daughter was graduating I sewed her dress and made it out of organza. The organza was ivory in color and had a scalloped edge and embroidered pattern that went up from the bottom. I made her an underslip in jade green satin, with the overlay of ivory organza. I didn't have a pattern so I made it out of an old bed sheet first, then when I was happy with how it looked, I used the good fabric.
The neck had a scalloped edge, the end of the sleeves had scalloped edge and of course the bottom of the skirt. Not an easy task to get all of the scallops where I wanted them. The other day I pulled out this beautiful organza and decided to make a pillow. This organza is white with beautiful embroidered flowers and I lined it in a soft pink to bring out the embroidery. Even the ruffle is lined. I then used some of the ruffles to make circles in which to show case the cameo and tiny rosettes. I am really happy with how this turned out. The back is fashioned from a vintage table cloth. I have this pillow for sale in my Etsy shop. If interested, just click on thesandis Etsy stuff logo on the right hand side and it will take you there. Or click on http://sandistuff.etsy.com This pillow was a real labor of love as it took a lot of time to create. Hope you like it.

DECORATIONS FOR EASTER - XL HANDPAINTED EGG

I don't know about you, but in my house I like to have decorations for every season that I can use over again and again. I like something that can be lightly dusted, not break and last a lifetime. Now, I am not saying that I don't enjoy a fresh Lily or tulips, but I do seem to stick to a trend as to how I decorate. I like certain decorations put in certain places and hardly ever deviate each year. Obsessive compulsive you say - no - probably just a creature of habit. I decided to do these large Easter eggs last year and want to share them with you. They are gorgeous on a coffee table or a mantel. They come with their own little pink stand - each year they will be a focal point of your decorations - adding a live Lily beside it or a bouquet of tulips will finish off any area of your home just perfectly for Easter. They are made from wood and stand 11" high and 7 1/2" across. I cut these myself on my scroll saw - so they are all handmade. Hope you like them. Come and visit my shop and have a look. http://sandisstuff.etsy.com

BEAUTIFUL HANDMADES YOU WILL FIND IN MY ETSY SHOP

FOR THAT COUNTRY COTTAGE DECOR PLEASE CHECK OUT MY HANDCRAFTED ITEMS
www.sandisstuff.etsy.com

I SAY PEROGIE - YOU SAY PYROHY - NO MATTER HOW YOU SAY IT - THEY ARE GOOD.

I am of Polish, German and Lithuanian heritage and I am married to a Ukrainian so you could just call me United Nations. One of the staples in our home that the whole family loves are perogies. That is the English pronunciation and the ethic pronunciation is pyrohy. I will share with you today the recipes for these delicacies and who knows perhaps you will become a fan. In Ukrainian they are called Varenyky.

Perogie Dough:

1 1/2 cup warm water 4 1/2 cups flour
3 tbsp. cooking oil 1 tsp salt
1 egg

Combine water, cooking oil, and egg, blend well. Then about 3 1/2 cups flour and the salt. Knead dough well as you would if making bread. Then add the last cup of flour, kneading until soft and smooth. Put in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover. Let dough rest for 20 minutes.

Roll out on a floured board, thinner than for pie crust, and cut out with a round cookie cutter. I use a glass. The size of your perogies will vary with the size of cutter you use. Put approximately one teaspoon of filling on the circle - fold circle over making a half circle and start pinching the edges well to seal in the filling. Place the finished perogies in lines on a clean towel until you are ready to boil them.

Potato and Cheese Filling

1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter 1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cups mashed potatoes 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or my favorite is
Velveeta as it melts quicker)
You can also use 1 cup of cottage cheese in place of the other cheese if you desire.

Saute onions in butter, add to mashed potatoes. Add salt, pepper and whatever cheese you have chosen. Mash well. Cool the mixture thoroughly before starting to make your perogies.


Sauerkraut Filling

1 qt sauerkraut 1/2 tsp. salt
1 medium onion 1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup oil

Cook sauerkraut, about 20 minutes or until done. Drain and press out water. Saute onion in oil until golden. Add sauerkraut, salt, and pepper. Fry for 10 minutes. Cool before using filling for your perogies.

Meat Perogies (Lithuanian Dish)

1 lb. of lean ground hamburger 1 large onion chopped
1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper
1 cup of instant rice 1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. parsley flakes 1 tsp. oil

Cook your rice as suggested on package. Let cool. Chop your onion and saute in oil until soft.
Cool onions as well. Mix the RAW hamburger, with the onion and rice and all of the seasonings.
Refrigerate to make sure everything is cold before you start making your perogies. Then start to use as your filling in perogies. The boiling of the perogies acts like a little pressure cooker and cooks the hamburger inside the dough.

BOILING YOUR PEROGIES
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently load your perogies into the water. I use a collander and gently kind of slide them into the water. You must gently stir the whole time. I use the back of a wooden spoon so the sharp edges don't cut into the dough. Gently keep stirring so that none of them stick to the bottom and break. You will keep stirring until they all start to rise to the top in the water by themselves. I keep boiling them for a while (especially the meat ones) until I feel they are cooked. Using your handled collander once again, gently pluck them out of the water and place into a large roaster. Pour a little oil over them (about 1/4 cup) and kind of flip them in the roaster to get them all a little oiled so they will not stick together. Now, you can either eat them boiled with sour cream and onions and butter or some people love them fried. The top picture is fried. Bottom picture is boiled. Saute your onions in butter for topping or you can add chopped up bacon fried with onions too. Either way - you will walk away from the table happy, but full. Sour Cream is a must for topping perogies.

Hope this will give somebody who has never eaten perogies the desire to try them.

OBAMA - YES PLEASE. ONE CANADIANS PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEW LEADER

Today is going to be such an exciting, historical day for all of my American friends, and I can't help but join in the excitement. I have watched the Obama campaign from day l and only wish that I could have voted for him.

I have never seen this kind of coming together of a nation before - everyone wants to make a change, and that is not just in the election of Obama - but you can see the pride the people have in their country once again. When I see the throngs of people who come out to support this man and the tears, smiles and absolute pride on their faces one can't help but get caught up in the magic of this man.

I am in Canada and it seems here we always have someone wanting to separate from the rest of Canada instead of pulling together as a nation. I am so envious of the vision that your President Elect has for your country. You are very lucky to have the opportunity to witness this historical event in your lifetime and to watch the winds of change make for a better country - once again with hope for the future.

Congratulations to all my US friends - savor every moment today - watch with a heart just bursting with happiness and know that this Canadian wishes the best for your new leader and I pray that God gives him the strength to take on the task at hand. I am going to watch the inauguration today so that I can be a part of this historical event in some small way.