FOR HEART AND HOME

YELLOW - THE COLOR FOR MAY - SUNNY AND BRIGHT

2011-05-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my French country yellow and blue pillow I have created. Ma Belle Maison. Hope you like it. It just says summer, happy, and bright. Here is the link for this pillow: http://www.etsy.com/listing/73454683/french-country-pillow-blue-and-yellow-ma

Mondays Alphabet W and X

2010-11-29T12:26:00.001-08:00

My entry into this Mondays Alphabet W is a vintage Whimsey with little mink tails. I am still looking for a vintage treasure with an X - if I come up with one I will add it.

MORE VINTAGE HATS - THE BIRDS NEST -

2010-11-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to share with you the Birds Nest Hats. They were basically round circles of various fabrics with an open crown. Most had veils attached. They were a type of whimsy as well because there really wasn't too much to them. Another example of fashion on a whim. Once again all of these hats are in my Etsy store if anyone is interested. The link is in the previous post.

WAS THE VINTAGE WHIMSEY EVER REALLY A HAT - WHIMSY

2010-11-19T08:29:00.000-08:00

I have recently been listing a bunch of vintage hats in my Etsy shop - I have some from my mother in law, my mother and an aunt who recently passed away. To be honest I actually do miss wearing a hat to church on Sunday. Easter Sunday in particular was a big deal - you matched up a special new outfit with hat and gloves - even a handbag sometimes. Growing up as kids every Easter we went to an aunt and uncles in Chicago for Easter - my mother sewed beautifully and would make my sister and I new outfits and then we would get a new hat. We felt so grown up.

Anyway - you will have to pardon me here as I digress. As I was taking pictures of all the hats I came across the whimsies or is it whimseys. It really doesn't matter as you know what I mean. In my growing up years it was a sign of respect and modesty to cover the head and wear a hat to church. Now how did the whimsy fit into this - most just had a veil with a few little doo dads - maybe a flower or two. Just for the fun of it I will show you some of the really neat whimsies I have for sale on my etsy site. I really feel that they got the name whimsey because it was fashion on a whim. Tomorrow I will show you the birds nest hats.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thingsandblings

FOR MOTHER'S DAY - NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

2010-03-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

If you are anything like me, I am always looking for the different and unusual to give as a gift - be it mother's day, birthdays or that just because gift. I think I have solved the problem with this wonderful vintage four tiered plant stand. I also refer to it as a novelty table because there are really many other uses for it, other than plants. So many of us are into collectibles now that it would be perfect for displaying your dolls, teddy bears or the like.

When I rescued this little table it was in very sad shape and after bringing it home, I really had to wonder about my choice of this purchase. After sanding and sanding some more - priming and painting it started to come alive. The rebirth really took place once the roses and greenery started to go on and with the gold leaf accents, something beautiful really began to emerge. I am thrilled with this little table and just know it would bring a smile to someone's face this Mother's Day. If you would like to know more about this little treasure please go here .

VINTAGE ALPHABET "B" GET TOGETHER

2010-02-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody! It's time for the Vintage Alphabet get-together. This month's letter is 'B'. Click on the banner above and you will see all of the participants in this fun get together. Hope you enjoy viewing my vintage "B" items.
This vintage Bedspread in soft butter yellow.
This Barkcloth tote made from vintage Grandma Moses Barkcloth - Springtime on the Farm.
This vintage Basket piece of silverplate which has been handpainted by me.
I have this vintage peach lusterware cereal bowl made by fireking.

ETSY COTTAGE STYLE PURPLE BLOG PARTY - YAY

2010-02-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the month of February - birthstone is Amethyst, we have been asked to share any vintage items we have with the color purple. That was a movie wasn't it. Hope you enjoy my treasures that I have decided to showcase today.

I have these two vintage tablecloths that I received at my bridal shower in 1963. They are in like new condition as I hardly used them. I was not into purple and now I am glad because they are in beautiful condition and are wonderful keepsakes. The rose one has no label, but the violet one is a genuine Wilendur.
I handpainted this vintage tray with a beautiful nosegay of violets. It is for sale in my Etsy shop.

VALENTINE'S DAY - HANG A STOCKING - START A NEW TREND

2010-01-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

One morning as I was lying in bed my thoughts turned to "what can I create that would be different"? Well this particular morning I had this epiphany of hanging stockings for Valentine's Day. You could fill them with candies, roses (real or silk) place a gift inside and give it to someone. They could be hung on your door, mantle or wherever you would normally place a stocking. Wait - that was not the end of my light bulb moment - I then shot straight up in bed with this one. "Why not make them reversible with the other side being for Christmas?" You would be getting two stockings for the price of one - what a concept? Now there may be those of you who are rolling your eyes or have passed out on the floor laughing. Well I bet when Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone people thought he had lost his mind or when Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people were skeptical and were worried about what would happen to the poor candle makers. I only wish I had invented those two necessities of life. But alas, I only thought about reversible stockings. Not a necessity of life, but does everything absolutely have to make sense or be useful. No - I say to you. Reversible stockings are beautiful, make you smile, are functional and they were thought of by moi.

If you want to pick yourselves up off the floor, stop laughing long enough to let me know what you think that would be great. Well, it's not a better mouse trap, but it is a better stocking. Hmmmm - wonder if I am ready for this criticism. Maybe I should have someone edit the posts and only let me see the good ones. No, on second thought I just might invent the reversible e-mail. One side good - other side bad. We would only read the good ones. The following pictures are self explanatory. Or maybe I should have a reversible explanation. The right one and the wrong one. Sorry - I am done now.

Now for something serious. If you really would like more information here is the link to my Etsy shop where you will find my stockings. http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandisstuff

A WONDERFUL BLOG TO CHECK OUT WITH GIVEAWAYS.

2009-12-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-23T07:10:00.001-08:00

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.

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

2009-07-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-05-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-05-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-22T09:09:00.001-07:00

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.

2009-03-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-02-02T09:19:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 - HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TOO

2008-12-31T09:01:00.000-08:00

MY WISH FOR ALL MY FRIENDS FOR 2009 IS THAT THEIR LIVES BE FILLED WITH JOY, GOOD HEALTH COMES TO EACH OF YOU, HAPPY MEMORIES ARE MADE AND SHARED AND EACH OF YOU ENJOYS PEACE IN THE WORLD. HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FRIENDS.

THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER

2008-12-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

LEGEND OF DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE

2008-12-18T12:02:00.001-08:00

I will share with you today my decorated Christmas tree in my home. I have often wondered who started the decorating of the Christmas Tree and why. My tree is all done in pinks with bows and a lot of decorations I have made myself. I like to stand my Victorian Doll with her baby in front of the decorated tree. I will share with you some of the folklore or legends of how trees came to be decorated and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Celebrating Christmas without a richly decorated Christmas Tree would not seem right today. But why do we have a Christmas Tree, and how did it originate?

The first known decorated Christmas Tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. Martin Luther decorated a small Christmas Tree in 1535 with candles for his children, to show them how the stars twinkle through the night.

This has been recorded by a visitor to Strasbourg in 1601, which he stated: "...a tree decorated with wafers and golden sugar-twists (Barley Sugar) and paper flowers of all colors". Earlier trees were more biblically symbolized as the "Paradise Tree in the Garden of Eden" -- the many food items were symbols of Plenty, the flowers originally were only red (for Knowledge) and white (for Innocence).

Tinsel

Tinsel were invented in Germany around 1610. Only silver was used at that time and machines had been invented to pull the silver into the wafer strips for tinsel. Later they attempted to use a mixture of led and tin to eliminate the tarnishing of the silver, especially with candlelight. This attempt failed as the tinsel became to heavy and branches started to break under the weight. Therefore, silver was used for tinsels right up to the mid-20th century.

Back in the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, traveled to Germany to spread the Word of God. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to the German people. The German people started to revere the Fir Tree as "God's Tree". In the next 5 centuries, the tree became a symbol of Christianity, and was being hung upside-down from the ceiling as a sign of Christianity.

The First English Trees

The first Christmas Tree came to England with the Georgian Kings who came from Germany. At the same time, German Merchants living in England decorated their homes with Christmas Trees. The British people were not found of the German Monarchy, did not copy the fashions at Court, which is why the Christmas Tree did not establish in Britain at this time. Although, a few British families did have Christmas Trees, probably more from influence of their German neighbours than from the Royal Court.

I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history about the Decorated Christmas Tree.

FIND YOUR JOY

2008-11-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Joy is a light that fills you with Hope, Faith and Love.

Enjoy the little things because one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.
Robert Brault

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
Mother Teresa

Change your Thoughts and change your World.
Norman Vincent Peale

Burn Brightly without burning out.
Richard Biggs

Sometimes in the Winds of Change we find our true Direction.

Laughter is an instant vacation.
Milton Berle

Sermons are better lived, not preached.

WOMEN WEARING SLACKS - NOT IN MY MOTHER'S DAY

2008-11-24T08:14:00.000-08:00

As far back as I can remember when I was growing up, my mother always wore skirts and dresses. I don't recall ever seeing her in a pair of slacks until probably in the late 70's. My mother was a beautiful seamstress and made most of her own clothes. I vividly remember her in pretty floral skirts with a coordinating blouse that she had made and quite often with a dainty brooch at the neck. I can even remember her washing the floor with her skirt kind of pinned up out of her way. I have posted one picture of my mom and I when I was probably around 6 and even I am in a cute little suit that she made for me. The other pictures are her and my dad on a trip to Florida in front of a large fish - no slacks there either. The one picture I just love is of my mom, my grandfather and a lady friend from Chicago at a family picnic and both ladies are in skirts, and playing croquet no less. That is how I remember my mom - always impeccably dressed even when she was doing house work. I don't know how she did it. When I am doing housework or washing the floor - you don't want to see me as it is not a pretty picture.

"Pants for women started in the 1930-1940s. Dress pants or slacks were popularized by Katherine Hepburn who shocked people by wearing wide legged pants, and Marlene Dietrich who wore men's tuxedos tailored to fit her. Jeans for women started in the 1950's, but solely for recreation like camping, hiking, etc. It wasn't until the late 60s to early 70s that jeans became acceptable to wear in public or school. Big designer labels came mostly in the early 80s with Calvin Klein."

As stated above even tho a few of the stars wore the wide legged pants in the 40's - most women didn't wear them until the late 60's or early 70's.

I remember pants or slacks for women were not allowed in the office or schools until probably in the 70's. When I worked for a legal office in the 60's there were no women wearing what we refer to today as the power suit or business suit. That came later.

What is ironic is that in my mother's later years when she was in her late 60's, 70's and 80's - she would only wear slacks because she complained that her legs were too thin to wear skirts. How times have changed. I do know one thing tho - my mother would not have liked the hipsters the kids wear now with their stomachs hanging over the top. She would have been appalled.

REMEMBRANCE DAY - WHY THE POPPY?

2008-11-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

Today, November 11th, we give honor to our fallen soldiers by wearing a red poppy. Here is a bit of the history of the poppy.

Why the Poppy?

Today, fields of brilliant poppies still grow in France.

A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended.

During the tremendous bombardments of the First World War the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing 'popaver rhoeas' to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.

After John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields was published in 1915 the poppy became a popular symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield.

During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November, 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada.

Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian's memories for 116,031 of their countrymen who died in battle.

ANYBODY FOR A PINK CHRISTMAS

2008-11-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to share with you some of the pink Christmas ornaments I just finished making. I cut my own wood, paint them with roses and add German Glass Glitter. This is truly a labor of love because from start to finish to cleaning up the sawdust, it is very time consuming. But the good news is I absolutely love making them. I have some for sale in my e-bay shop and Etsy shop. Just in case someone would love to have them. I just did a large white angel for my secret Santa swap and I will show that to you as well.

SPEAKING OF ANGELS - HALLELUJAH

2008-11-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

People who are familiar with my work know that I sew and paint roses, however, today I am going to introduce you to some of the angels I make all out of fabric and wool. I use hodgepodge for stiffener, and use myself as a model in the mirror when I am posing their arms and heads. I know you are getting quite a visual with that one. My husband has walked in on me when I was trying to get the arms just right and I was in an awkward contortion of a post - he stood there for a few seconds and then asked me if I was alright. You gotta laugh. I make some of them holding choir books, others lifting up tiny birds to the sky and my favorite of course is the praying hands. The angels you are seeing today I had done for a fund raiser. A lady in our church is raising money to build an orphanage in Haiti and they were having a fund raising social with silent auction. These were made for that event. I always spray them gold and they have no facial expression really, just closed eyes. I hope you like them.

THE MARIE ANTOINETTE AWARD

2008-11-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have been awarded the Marie Antoinette Blog Award by Debbi of All in My Cottage. Thank you for the honor ! Please visit her blog at www.cgtreasures.blogspot.com.

Here are the rules:1. Please put the logo on your blog. 2. Link it to the person from whom you received the award. 3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs. 4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog. 5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them (I'm letting them know here too)And the winners are:~

http://www.foursistersinacottage.blogspot.com
http://www.country-charm.blogspot.com
http://www.mymothersdaughter-maryb.blogspot.com
http://www.owcl.blogspot.com.
http://www.oatmeal and whimsy.blogspot.com
http://www.thejoyof.blogspot.com
http://www.shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com

WHAT WILL TOMORROW BRING?

2008-11-03T20:21:00.000-08:00

It has been one of the most beautiful November days in memory today. Blue sky and very warm. I am sure we will pay for this wonderful weather in a week or two with below zero temperatures and swirling snow. Life in the Great White North - you gotta love it.

I am anxiously awaiting the US elections tomorrow as I have been following all of the debates and of course, have my opinion as to who I would choose. Darn - I don't get a vote. What a milestone this election will produce - either way it will change American history and my hope for my American friends is that it helps your economy and gives people hope for a better tomorrow.

Our Canadian elections came and went with hardly a whimper - no big hoop la and no big changes. Some times the more things change the more they stay the same, so maybe there was change and I missed it.

Well - I have got to get to bed as I will be up late tomorrow watching the election results. Should be interesting.

Sandi's Treasures

2008-10-31T20:05:00.001-07:00

DOROTHY FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ

2008-10-31T11:00:00.001-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY

2008-10-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it - Halloween 2008 - Wish I could put the brakes on the way these Seasons fly by. There will be lots of little ghosts and goblins out and about. My grand daughter is going as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. We took her to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota this past summer and she has taken such an interest in everything Dorothy since then. I will post a picture of her in costume later. Anyway - hope everyone stays safe and remember to check the little one's candies.

MY JOURNEY TO BLOGSVILLE

2008-10-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog - I am hoping you will find my journey down blog lane interesting. My banner is dear to my heart because the two little girls are my sister and I, probably when I was around 3 and my sister was around 6 and yes that is my childhood home. I lived there through the 40's and 50's so that will give you some insight as to my interests , my memories and my era. I hope to talk about many things that have been permanently etched in my being and I think many of you will see yourselves in my musings. I will also try and bring you interesting little anecdotes, some old tried and true recipes, and many topics that have caught my fancy or made me roar with laughter.

I will also bring you a selection of items I have handcrafted, items that I have found and wish to share and many vintage inspired items. My hope is that you will find my blog interesting enough to visit many times, tell your friends, and take a walk down memory lane.