Brookside Cottage

Well, here we are........ the absolute end of the year........and, yes, I am still here........ Christmas was not as I had imagined it would be................ however........ it was a delightful one........ filled with what I can only describe as Christmas Miracles........... beginning to end.......... And, instead of beating myself up about being late for everything, including the Virtual Holiday Home Tour, I thought, well, why not still do it? Perhaps I could still share a little with my friends........ perhaps, just perhaps, there is someone out there who is not absolutely sick of seeing Christmas decorating...... better late than never, and all of that you know.......... So, lest you think my poor tree is still in-a-box, (I will not tell you, however, WHEN it came out of the box~ some of you may not believe it, and some may even faint if I did!)...here is my Christmas tree........... ta-da!

It is, brand new ..... bought the day after Christmas last year..... 7 1/2 feet tall! I decided to decorate it very, very simply this year....... All of the decorations, except for the birds and snowflakes, were purchased from the Cancer Thrift Store, or Goodwill.......... some appear to me to be vintage..... I'm so glad I was able to give them a new home........... I hope you enjoy looking at them with me..........

A very pretty pink one with frosty swirls~

This one is gold with white frosting..........

very light purple-lilac with chickenwire-looking netting........

some pretty white snowflakes........... perfect on a white tree.........believe it or not....

Remember the Street-Faire I went to at my son's house? I bought these sweet little ceramic birds in a shop there, for just $1.85 each..........can you believe it? They are so adorable I shall have to find a spot for them all year round...... I couldn't possibly shove them into a box......

A sweet golden Angel ornie..............

And a pink frosted teardrop ornament........ just so pretty............

And, here is one of our Velveteen Rabbit Stockings........... I had purchased one for each child one year when they were small..... it was a year when the movie was very popular.......... and on Christmas morning there was one of these hanging up for each child....... they were thrilled!

And, for one of my newest and sweetest friends and a fellow-snowman-lover, Colleen, of Main Street Memories, I simply must include a picture of a Snowman Angel I made a few years back:

And, as a reminder to us all............ a special wreath, which was my Mom's........ with a very special message............. something we should all remember every day:

HA! You didn't know it snowed in California, did you? Ahhh..........well.......... you just have to BELIEVE............

On this New Year's Eve, I hope you are all well, and happy, and with someone you love..........I love you all............and I thank you for visiting me, and allowing me to get to know you this year...........And, tonight as the clock chimes twelve, and one year turns into the next......... I am beginning a new tradition........... and I shall remember you all as I light my candle of prayer.....

I wish you health................

I wish you peace..............

I wish you happiness.............

and I wish you LOVE..............