We’ve been decking the halls, girlfriends, in the Most wonderful time of year!
You know I love my bird trees . . . this is the white feather tree I did for the guest room. (We have the larger 24″ tree in our store now, in case you’re looking for one! Ignore the photo of it in the web store, that was the 12″ one — double it in your mind! So darling!)
And, in case you missed it, here’s Jack helping me decorate the bird tree for the kitchen table. Without knowing it, slowly, over the years, I bought little paper and feather birds whenever I saw them, and they ended up being a collection that was perfect for a small table tree. My absolutely favorite holiday decoration! I put it out usually before Thanksgiving, because it represents my favorite thing no matter what time of year, nature. ♥
And speaking of trees, we brought in the big one last night! Had turkey soup for dinner, turned on the Christmas music and brought in the tree. When we first saw our house, we knew this corner of the living room was the spot for the tree, in front of those windows! Figuring out where the Christmas tree will go is just a natural part of home buying! Out to the barn goes the dining table and chairs that are usually in this space — in comes the little box Joe made to stand the tree on.
Beautiful Christmasy night — under a cold moon shining through thin clouds we went past the barn to where the tree has been soaking and drying . . . don’t have photos of the next part, couldn’t handle the camera while carrying my end of the tree (the top) in the dark, singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful down the driveway, out to the front of the house, following Joe up the steps, through the front door, squishing past the piano in the front hall, into the living room, lifting it over the sofa, “fit it in the hole, back, back, no, too far, lift higher, there!” and viola! Like buttah.
She’s in! The first thing we did is tie her to the wall! Taking no chances with you-know-who.
Then Joe unleashes the ropes and Pop goes the Magnificence! O Christmas Tree! We turned it to get the best side, “Is it straight? How about now?” . . . Girl Kitty came in to help.
The tree was cold from being outside, you could feel little clouds of coldness when you were close to it . . . and it filled the room with that wonderful woodsy piney smell. Heaven. This morning I came downstairs and now the whole house smells of it.
And then Nightmare on Elm Street, all wrapped up in fuzzy cute ball of adorableness, shows up. Asks Joe “Could you please explain this to me? Please? What is it what is it what is it. Can I have it? Please? can i can i can i?”
We had to pull him out of it twice, although the tree was still standing this morning, so I think we’re doing pretty good. Today we’ll put the lights on, drape it with garlands, and make a true kitty toy out of it. ♥
Before I wrote any books, I used to have a list I kept in my recipe box. My mom wrote it for me; it was a list of all the traditional foods we made for holiday dinners. I didn’t 
want to forget anything. Which gave me the idea when I wrote my Christmas Book, to put together a list of every single thing I could think of about decorating for Christmas so that all I had to do is read it every year. I still just pull out that book, run my eyes down the list for inspiration! Lots of ideas for decking the halls! Another handy perk of book writing . . . permanent lists! For the most wonderful time of the year! ♥ In case you don’t have a list of your own, here’s mine:
I hope you found that helpful!! My girlfriend Sarah wrote last night and gave me a link to a website that has lots of ideas for decorating I thought you’d like to look at. I also love decorating with books. Old books bring old Christmases into the house. This year our house will celebrate its 162nd Christmas! Since back before these books were brand new.
See the little one on the top of the stack above? ← Here it is close up. Published in 1938, a charming story of Christmas-gone-by, complete with line-drawings by Lois Lenski.
In case you like to decorate with books too, I thought this would be a wonderful one to add to your collection, or maybe you’d like to start a collection! They’re darling on guest-room dresser tops; look wonderful in guest bathrooms; nice on the coffee table, and sweet to read to children. ♥
If you’d like to have this book, just leave a comment, share your Christmas doings with the Girlfriends or just say Hello, and you’ll be entered in our drawing! In a few days, I’ll ask the magic random chooser to do its thing and draw one of your names and this little book will zip off, in fairy manner, with love from me to you. Here’s one of the darling little line drawings in the book . . .
And I haven’t forgotten, not all the girlfriends celebrate Christmas! We are lucky enough to welcome friends here from all over the country, all over the world — there will be more drawings this month, that don’t have Christmas written all over them — but this little book called my name . . . if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you may know someone who does, this would be a wonderful little gift! Happy Holidays to everyone! ♥ I wob you.
Magic! I love “fluffy” trees, wish one would fit in our front window!
We’ve been anchoring our tree (tied with fishing line to a heavy-duty cup hook on the ceiling) since we got our kitty, “Gypsy”, but this year we’ll be starting a new tradition. Tomorrow we’re going shopping for a live, table-top-sized, potted tree so that after Christmas, we can plant her in our backyard to enjoy for years to come. I’m already looking forward to decorating our future mini-forest with decorations for the birds!
I adore vintage books, too. Last month I “scored” a very old (turn of the century) copy of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at our local Friends of the Library book sale…it’s the first Christmas “decoration” to be put out this year!
Thank you for ALL you do Susan ~ you truly are the Queen of Inspiration!
You are too dear, thank you for saying that!! I’m just as inspired from everyone’s comments, so it’s a mutual admiration society!!
Susan I LOVE those “bird trees”! I have some old birds that are from my much earlier years during my 20’s, I always include them on my tree. I’d love to have some nests too.
My favorite book to put out for Christmas, which I have been doing for as long as I can remember, is a 1966 rather dog-eared copy of “Take Joy” Tasha Tudor’s Christmas book. That book fasinated me as a child & was very much a part of getting into the Christmas spirit, as it still is for me today 45 years later.
Wonderful to see everyone loving Tasha Tudor!!!
I bought a copy of Take Joy by Tasha Tudor in 1979, the year my son was born; he gave me a copy of Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury several years ago, when it first came out. Other Christmas favorites are Tasha Tudor’s The Dolls’ Christmas; the Tall Book of Christmas (my mother used to read to my sisters and me from that book!); and of course, Christmas—-by Susan Branch! 🙂
I was given a copy of “Take Joy” by Tasha Tudor by my boss for a Christmas present 39 years ago! I sat here and figured out that and it is hard to believe, as it seems like yesterday! I get it out every year and go through it page by page. Susan, I have done the same with your “Christmas from the Heart of the Home” since my BF Sandy Richmond-in-Boston gave it to me when it first came out years ago. Over the years I have collected other Christmas books, too, and I love to get them out in December and look through them. They bring back memories of people and places from the past…
That’s so nice to hear Pat!! xoxo Thank you!
I have collected Christmas books for almost 50 years, but somehow missed this one. My favourite is an original printing of Tasha Tudor’s “Becky’s Christmas” that was always a must read aloud for my two daughters. Fun to see the New England side of Christmas, while we here on the central coast think it’s cold this morning at 40 degrees!
Erin in Morro Bay
Actually, I agree, freeeeezing at 40 degrees — can you tell I’m from California!!? xoxo
I love old books. My favorite “old” book is called “Aunt Jane of Kentucky” by Eliza Calvert Hall. It was written in 1898 as serialized stories in Cosmopolitan Magazine..then put into a book. She made enough money from the book to purchase a home for her family. Quite an accomplishment and still finding time to be active in the women’s suffrage movement. A quote from the book is on the wall in Williamsburg in the Abby Aldridge Folk Art Museum. The book can be easy to find on line. If you want to read it and can’t find it , I have more than several copies.
Aunt Jane was a quilter and since I am a quilter the book is very special to me…I lend it out regularly.
Love your blog! Merry Christmas and blessings in the 2012.
Same to you Lee! Thank you! I’ll have to google and learn!
Susan,
That little Christmas book is absolutely magical! I too collect old books. They are the first thing I look for at estate sales and antique stores. I am a former elementary school librarian, so I have an affinity for small treasures like that. I appreciate and love that you so graciously invite us all in to your life by way of blogging. It truly is something to look forward to.
Today to kick of the holiday season, my husband and I are volunteering as docents in the Santa Clara Historic Home Tour right here in our old fashioned neighborhood. It is so wonderful to learn about the history of our own surroundings and be able to share that knowledge with others.
Big Holiday Blessings to you and yours-
Lisa Rogers
What a fun thing to do! xoxo
Oh, Susan! I’ve been wanting to let you know for so long now how much I treasure my copy of your Christmas From the Heart of the Home. I received it as a Christmas gift from my mom in 1990 while I was expecting my first child, so this book is very cherished, indeed. I remember coming home that Christmas night after a day of visiting everybody, snuggling into bed and reading it from cover to cover, dreaming of all the new holiday traditions I wanted to start next Christmas for my own little family, using this book as my guide! Little did I know that over the years this would become the go-to book for recipes like the brie in puff pastry, sweet potato casserole – with walnuts! – and especially the honey ham. The red and green ribbons are always holding the page with the honey ham recipe for me every Christmas and Easter. I still read your book every Christmas season for inspiration and to admire all your wonderful illustrations, just like that first time that Christmas night. I also bring out all my Christmas-themed books at this time of the year, one or two from my childhood, some from my girls when they were little, others I’ve just pick up along the way. If I’m lucky enough to be picked for this give-away, this little book will become part of my collection. Thank you for offering it and thank you for being the inspiration for many of my family’s holiday traditions all these years! I truly didn’t mean this comment to sound so corny. Sending you the warmest of holiday wishes!
(p.s. Remember your barbeque sauce recipe from the August 1990 issue of Country Living? I cut out and saved that page from the magazine and make it every year! Yum!)
It may sound corny to some, but definitely not to me! 🙂 Thank you. . . feel honored to be a little part of your family! Love that you’re part of mine! xoxo
Oh my, I’d certainly love receiving that book as an early Christmas gift!!
I can already see me reading this book to the grand kids, all cozy with cups of hot chocolate! Thanks for thinking of us.
Dear Susan,
I have been remiss all these years to tell you that YOUR Christmas book is my favorite! I really mean it! I can still remember with glee getting your book for Christmas years ago from my husband (I told him I wanted it!). Typically I ask for books for Christmas. My favorite day of the year is the day after Christmas because all the holiday hub bub is over and I get to sit for the afternoon and read my new book. I still remember sitting in my parents house (we were living with them that year) and reading your lovely book cover to cover. It made me feel all cozy inside reading your family stories and memories. I will never forget it. Thank you for the joy you spread all year long!
So sweet Karen! Thank you! You do pretty good at spreading joy yourself! xoxo
Love the background music you provide for your blog readers! So fun! Great Christmas tips…I wob you, too!
xoxo! Hope to see you soon!
Hi Susan!
You know it is good luck to find a bird’s nest in your Christmas tree! It looks like you will have lots of luck with your beautiful bird tree…..you may need it with baby Jack this Christmas! I’m sure he will love the big tree and all the wrappings :0)
I have a birds nest for the tree, am waiting to see if Jack is going to tear it to shreds before I put it in, will test him on something rubber first! 🙂
A wonderful tree for a wonderful space but the absolute crowning glory was Jack and his “thoughts” for Joe! Loved your little painting of Jacque in his beret in the earlier post, too. Girl Kitty and Jack remind me of my Mittens kitties of years ago. Loved and lost three of the beautiful black and white sweethearts over the years.
Lois Lenski illustrations and her books figure in many of my earliest fond memories of trips up and down the staircase at the small-town library of my childhood. Books are ever present in my decor but today’s post led me to bring the Christmas books and movies (including Love Actually) down and stack them in the family room to begin the yearly perusal.
Yesterday I put out my linens. And today the books and movies led me to the teddy bears in their rocking chair and the Time for Christmas Tea book which have played a part in Christmas since my niece presented them many years ago as gifts. Thank you for inspiring me to take another small step in finding my Christmas spirit which has been eluding me this year for some reason.
dottie
P.S. Your jolly, roly-poly tree in the very beginning stage of it’s journey to Christmas with darling Jack’s nose in the air begs to be the first in the paintings of a children’s book about this Christmas — just thinking.
Let’s see if we survive it! 🙂
I was just reminded on another site of a truly outstanding Christmas we had with two cats. That year we had to trim about a foot off our two-story tall tree before it would fit beneath the ceiling beam and the cats climbed it fairly often (hardly ever knocked anything off and sometimes stepped off onto the window ledge between the two tiers of windows to take a nap). Lots of fun and everyone survived — even the deaf white cat who was the ring leader!
I can hear Miss Girl Kitty now…..”I’m just going to sit back here like a good little kitty and watch that Jack put on his first Christmas show! He’ll have Mommy & Daddy jumping up and down out of their chairs all night putting the ornaments back on the tree when he knocks them off. What a little stinker he is..SHOW OFF!” LOL! Made the Christmas Weaths out of your CHIRSTMAS JOY book today Susan….I had myself laughing trying not to let it stick to my fingers. I had to butter them up good but it worked. They are so cute! I’m going to put a few on each cookie plate I make up to give away this year! Have fun with the “Queen” and her side kick Jack! LOL! FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~
Those wreath cookies are sticky to make, I know, but they do work, and so cute, it makes them all worthwhile!
Hello Susan
Just came across your blog through another blogger. I can’t stop smiling at all your photos and your love for Christmas. Such a pretty blog you have and your ‘feline fancy’ is evident. I will enjoy following along over the holidays. Give those kitties a hug for me. Deb=^..^=x4 Ontario, Canada
Happy to do it Deb . . . girl after my own heart!
Your tree is beautiful! I can’t wait to see it all decorated, and what a perfect spot for it. We used to get real trees, but now that it’s all on me, I just have a fake 4 foot tree that I plunk on a end table! I brought it up, and now I need to decorate it. A good day for it, since it’s pouring rain! I’ll play some Christmas carols, light a candle, and have some chili simmering on the stove for our dinner while I put on the ornaments. I’ll be watching my grandkids on St. Nick’s and I’m planning that St. Nick will bring us breakfast! I got them some Santa plates and cups, powdered mini donuts and strawberry milk. I better get moving on the rest of meal. But we’ll top it off by decorating gingerbread men! I think they’ll be surprised! Now get that tree decorated and share the pictures with us. I’ll be waiting!
That sounds just wonderful Francine!
Thank you for the photos of Jack, Girl Kitty and the tree … I can smell the Christmas scent from here (Las Vegas)! Kittens and Christmas trees are such fun. Jack will keep things stirred up for certain. We are having wind and rain today from the Santa Anas windstorm in California so is a perfect morning for baking and listening to Christmas songs by “the boys”. Thanks for such inspiration! Hope you and all the girlfriends have a wonderful day and weekend.
Last year, I started putting old Christmas books under the tree. But I had too include one new-ish one, too: http://www.amazon.com/CatChristmas-B-Kliban/dp/0764921088
I had to order “Aunt Jane of Kentucky” and then come back to this. Thank you for the suggestion Lee. Now, Susan, I love your tree and the perfect place you have for it. Of course there’s nothing like a kitten at Christmas – so much fun. We’re putting up our tree today to get in the spirit. All of the gifts are bought so once the tree goes up I can wrap them and then sit back and enjoy! I’m looking forward to more of you holiday ramblings, they make my computer Christmasey too!
The last of the Vietnam war we were stationed on Guam. He was a ‘Typhoon Chaser’. I was SO homesick for Oregon that our tree stayed up till JULY!! (much to the despair of my husband..) It finally came down when our new little son crawled over and pulled the whole thing over. (it wasn’t that big.) Down went our little piece of Oregon. ahh well.
Homesickness makes us crazy!!! 🙂
What a great entry. I love Christmas! : )
Brings back *fond* memories of our kitties getting into the tree! LOL We always had to put 2 fishing lines from the tree to the window frames & secured them with a thumb tack, just to make sure the tree didn’t topple when they *investigated* it. So fun! I can close my eyes & almost feel the cold & smell that beautiful fragrance.
You job so many wonderful memories for me, every time I visit you, Susan.
Thank you,
Rettabug
You’re so welcome!
Thanks for the chuckles, watching Jack investigate the tree. I think he is going to make Christmas interesting for you this year! After 33years of real trees, last year, we bought our first artificial tree with lights already on it! I have to say it is easier, but miss the smell of the evergreen- I may have to go buy a wreath or some boughs and bring the smell in…
I would love that Christmas book! I too, put out Christmas books at Christmas time..
Looking forward to the next chapter of Jack’s adventures.
Such a gorgeous tree! I have to settle for a “fake” one due to allergies, but really how beautiful! That Lois Lenski illustration reminds me of my childhood, and all of her wonderful books!
Susan, can you tell me the history of a bird in the first photo in this entry? I’m talking about the one center of the photo, right hand side, looks like he’s wearing a black collar and maybe has a fan tail? I got very excited when I saw it, because I have two very old, painted, blown glass birds that were my father’s when he was a little boy. He was born in 1914 and his parents came from Germany. When I was growing up in the 50’s – 60’s, we had about six of these birds. They were very delicate glass, and two of them still survive. They had the grayish fan tails that stuck out the back. One of them is still there inside the bird, but I can’t coax it back out. I was wondering if your bird was one of those very old, blown-glass German birds.
Thanks for a wonderful entry, as usual! Sincerely, Cathy Dunn
I would love to say yes! But I don’t think so. The one you are talking about is glass, but he has one of those little clips on the bottom, that can’t be old. Your birds sound just wonderful!!!
Don’t know if you’ll see this comment now Susan, but my birds have those spring clips on them too. Little wirey legs, and then spring clips. Sure yours aren’t really old too? Thanks for your reply! I don’t know how you keep up with the volume of messages!
Hmmm, maybe. I’ve had him a long time. I just looked again, mine doesn’t have legs, 🙁 he has a sort of spring that goes directly into his body at one end, and has the clip on the other. He’s still pretty, but probably not quite as pretty as yours!
I’m beginning to wonder how to keep up too. . . I will always read them, but someday will have to stop answering…it’s so hard though, I want to talk to everyone!
Well, you don’t have to answer THIS one (haha), but thank you for investigating Mr. Birdie.
Like just about everyone these days, I’m thinking of beginning a blog myself, but I’m certain I won’t garner upwards of 700 comments per entry, like you do!
Have a lovely day, Cathy
I would love to have an old book and I love Lois Lenski’s drawings. I also love Tasha Tudor. I haven’t started decorating yet, but plan to this week. I love decorating my entry way. I have a garland in my entry that is also a host to birds! I have some cute green silvery ones with feather tails that I got at Nell’s Hill (one of the advantages of living in the Midwest is being close to her store!)
I loved looking at your tree being decorated. I love your blog completely. It is definitely the season for getting out the special things. Mine is a special manger scene that my mother got me. Each year it goes on my dining room table…and will remain far beyond the season. Wishing you the very best Christmas ever.
Nicki
I love the old books with the line drawings! Your tree looks beautiful. Ours is up and has lights on but no ornaments as yet, that’s a job for this weekend while “watching” White Christmas and Polar Express. Found a new peppermint hot cocoa recipe that I will try at the same time. Thanks for a wonderful, inspirational blog.
Love reading all about your decorating and your special kitties…. this will be our first Christmas with our adopted kitty – already she has jumped and torn off some decorations on my stair garland…. somewhere in this house there is a fluffy Santa with jingle bells flying around – that she has confiscated!! LOL
I love it all. The tree, the decorations, the food, and the cat. We are celebrating our first Christmas with a new kitty. So far the “toddler proof” tree is holding up. I did catch Miss Pip taking a nap under it yesterday. She was rolled up so sweetly in a little ball asleep on the checkered tree skirt.
Linda L. in Tx.
Hi Susan
Love your beautiful tree. Its so fluffy looking. I love the bird one too and the white one. I was going to try and find a white tree this year to add to what I have. I have 5 trees set up. Not all big though. Only one really big one.
I hope Jack does well with the tree. I am sure he will 🙂
happy day, loved the whole post
deezie
I got up early today and created a kitchen counter top corner “fireplace” with a black file box, wood, pine cones, and battery powered votive candle. After breakfast we went to a tree farm and walked around in the sunshine for an hour in search of just the right tree. It now graces our living room – an altogether satisfying day!
Excellent!
All I can say to this post is WOW ! AWESOME,! WONDERFUL,! FANTASTIC and THANKS ! for sharing such wonderful ideas writings and decore !
Thanks for the Christmassy ideas… sharings… and I love this little book! I have lots of Joan Walsh Anguland, surely a precursor to all things charming…
Thanks for sharing Christmas on the Vineyard with us down-staters…
Deb
Hi, I soooo enjoy your blogs and reading about your home and travels. I just started reading these homemaking blogs in the past year. It is a joy to learn from them, and to see that other women enjoy hunting for treasures to decorate their homes with, and to make their homes warm, cozy, inviting, and a safe haven for their loved ones. I LOVE Lois Lenski’s books – Strawberry Girl is my favorite! I would love to be able to place this precious little book on a small table in my living room! Thanks for sharing your home with us!
Hellooooo,
I always put a teeny-tiny Christmas wreath on the door of my cuckoo clock. So cute! Of course I collect old, old cookbooks and some childhood favorites…but I absolutely love any old teen romance books by Rosamund Du Jardin. They are the best: funny, wholesome, “Father Knows Best” type of family life, times of the good ol’ days; proms, formals, parties, going steady, meeting at the malt shop, being annoyed by your little sister, etc. You would love them Susan, as I feel you are a kindred spirit. Everything you do delights me- I love your home and art and recipes! Reading your blog is the best part of my day….Thank you for sharing your heart and happy caring ways. I love you!
Those teeny tiny things get me too!! Silly but fun. Thank you Randi!!
Hi sUSAN,
Pretty sure I need that book. What a nice give away.!! I have lots of books, I agree they they should be everyhwere, they add so much to any area. We put our tree up today too. I didn’t have any kitties to help but it was fun anyway, well maybe not as much fun. Nice post as usual. Get so excited when I see I new one.
Nancy Jo
Good afternoon Susan and all
I’m taking a break from Christmas decorating and enjoying your blog! (I’ll catch up on the comments when I am finished decorating for the day).
I too am a collector of books, especially old ones. Estate sales are a great place to find them. A few years ago I found a 1st edition (no jacket) of ” Of Mice and Men”!
Like a lot of the girlfriends I too have Tasha Tudor’s “Take Joy”. What a beutifylly simple book! Two years ago I found another favorite book, 1st edition ( all mine are favorites) called the Christmas Keeping Germans by Neita Oviatt Friend at Half Price Books. I really love this book because of the traditions…stories and the recipes ….and the author was from right here in Wisconsin AND it was printed here too!
Back to my fun work !
Good luck with the kitties! I have grandkids ” my kiddies” ages 5, 18 months and 1 year. My tree will be secured to the wall as it has been for 32 years!
Thank you for another great give~a~ way~Think Snow!
~Lynn~
That should be “beautifully” darn spell check!
i love Christmas too. i enjoy your blog and photos.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year, everyone seems to enjoy each other more. I love when children have a birthday cake for Jesus’s birthday.
My favorite e-mail is to relax a minute with your darling conversation.Thanks for doing this talk for us.
Merry Christmas to you and your love ones.
Love,
Jeanne Ellen
Such a wonderful post! Loved the shot of Jack at Joe’s feet, too cute!
Your tree is just gorgeous, I can almost smell it from here!
Such an adorable little book! My favorite old book of all time is “Belles on Their Toes” by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey (authors of “Cheaper by the Dozen”). My copy was my mom’s, she got it from a sale at the Dallas library, and it’s dated 1950. I grew up reading it (over and over again) and she finally let me have it a few years ago, ha! I really do treasure it so much, probably the first thing I’d grab in case of emergency 😉
Happy Christmas season to you sweet Sue!
xoxo
I’ve read that book too, it’s darling!!
This would be a delightful little book to have out for Christmas. We have about 30 friends and family for Christmas Brunch and Christams Dinner. It’s a wonderful time to cherish family and friends, celebrating joy, happiness, and love. I was born in 1938, so that book would fit right in with my collection of Christmas books, right on top. I see the guests reading and looking at the books placed hither and thither in the house. So, they are well used through the holidays. Thanks for your wonderful work or should I say play?
Play, yes!
Oh Susan what a treat to see your tree and your kitty’s.
Thanks for the Christmas inspiration too.. Just the kick I needed to to get myself going for the holiday. One thing though, please don’t let Jack or Girl Kitty eat any of the tree needles. Not that they will but it wouldn’t be a good thing if they did.
xoxo….Dorothy
Love, Love, Love this blog post (I say that every time…) 🙂 I’m so excited to share your Christmas joy through your blog.
I think for this year Jack may need a baby-gate on the entry-way to this room. It’s sad and cruel to see him woefully looking through the gate to the tree, but it’s just too tempting for a kitten I think!
I LOVE Christmas books. I have your “Christmas Joy” book on my mantle, and your big red Christmas book for reading on the bedside. Your ginger-orange carrots and creamed spinach from that book are now a permanent part of our Christmas dinner each year! Your “Christmas Joy” book is my go-to (listen up girlfriends!) hostess gift for Christmas parties – they love getting that book instead of more bad wine!
I have to have my Christmas books – I re-read “Gift of the Magi”, the christmas excerpt from “Little Women”, the whole “yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause” letter, and some Little House on the Prairie Christmas excerpts – those are my go-to readings. Then of course there are so many Christmas novels floating around – it’s fun!
Your tree is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us!
PS. Almost forgot….I always pull out all the December issues of my favorite magazines (MS Living, ME Home Companion, Country Living, etc) and pile them up on the coffee table at the start of the season, and the end tables are piled high with holiday books, yours, Mary Engelbreit, etc. And they never get old, there is always some new treasure to be found in one of them 🙂
my comments are still waiting for moderation? but there are lots of comments after mine…oh no!!! hope they show up eventually
Pure inspiration!!
The tree is up and last night our first snow – with more to follow – Christmas is coming quickly – hooray! In New Mexico we don’t always have snow for Christmas – what a treat!
I love each year when I get out my little stash of Christmas books – to leave out and read as time permits – such fun!
Have a great Christmas!
That precious book reminds me of my fave Joan Walsh Anglund Christmas book so much! As I write, I can hear footsteps overhead…”Santa” on the rooftop with a pack full of twinkle lights on his back..hohoho!! xo I think little Jack-ster will find a nice limb for a nap in the tree, like our little one used to…fingers crossed…
pass the eggnog please! xo
Oh Merry
We’re having our first snow today. It’s so pretty coming down ~ slow and thick. I regret not enjoying Christmas very much in my younger years. But now I love decorating everything! Buying gifts, cooking, baking,all of it. Most of all, celebrating Jesus. My cup runneth over! I wob you!
Merry Christmas Sue. And yes, please, I ‘d love to have the book to add to my small collection that I put out (especially yours). And I would love to have your ornament this year. You appear to be out. Please please get some more. I don’t even care if it’s on time. I can’t have a year missing! Does anyone have an extra they would sell me? Hello, girlfriends, help a gal out!
Still decorating in my house, we put up 2 live trees and 7 fake ones, all ranging in various sizes. I start with the little fake ones and go up form there. Just the 2 live trees left to do! It’s my thing and it’s lovely!
PLEASE…make sure you get a picture of the new cat way up high in your decorated tree..I did mine and it is a treasure! LOL ;D
I’m torn between wanting him to do it, and NOT! I guess I really don’t have a choice, will let nature take its course!!!
I adore your home and I’m gleaning ideas of what I want my forever home to be like…especially at Christmas.
Thank you for the wonderful post..loved the pictures of your very loved collection of Christmas books. Lois Lenski is wonderful. Have you ever read any of Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy books? Lois Lenski did many of the wonderful illustrations for her books, as well. Looking forward to many more of your web posts. Happy Holidays.
I haven’t collected old books about Christmas, but I have collected children’s books related to Christmas including some fantastic pop-up ones. Now that my best little neighbor is five, it’s fun to get them out.
Love the decorating tips Your best decorations are Jack and Girl Kitty. How is it going with the tree? My best friend has a new addition kitty named Little Man cat and he is having a blast with their tree.
Debbie
So far so good, he’s really being fairly good about it… scares us every so often by pacing around under it, but no climbing except for the first night.
12-3-11 –
I have a basket of children’s Christmas books always. All through the year I decorate with S. Branch books to reflect the changing of the seasons.
We hauled out all the Christmas ‘stuff’ last weekend, two trees again – the “regular” table top one in the front window, and the “good luck” 24 inch red tinsel one in the great room. Our diluted torti Shadow has ALMOST outgrown playing with them. Donated 5 or 6 boxes of no-longer-wanted to Goodwill.
I am especially pleased with our newly painted and redecorated bathroom. It is lakehouse cabin style, white walls and ceiling, white painted beadboard wainscoting, mismatched drawer pulls, floor freshened with gray porch paint, jute rug. Spare and weathered. Holiday decorations include evergreen branches with red berries and one little clip on bird.
Susan I think you would approve!
M
I think I do!!!
Holiday Greetings, Susan! I have put away the Autumn decorations! The Christmas boxes full of memories and traditions await their opening debut for 2011! 🙂 I am looking forward to having my family home for Christmas…my elder son, home from doctoral studies @ Univ.of Washington/Seattle and my younger son and daughter-in-love, and their 16 month old twin sons. I am completing tasks everyday so that when they arrive, I can just dote on them! 🙂 My husband is out in the garage building a teeter totter for the twins. Our household will be one big Christmas playground! The Lois Lenski-illustrated Christmas book by D. Thompson would be the icing on the cake!
Thank you for these fun treasure “drawings”. It is wonderful to read each entry and have a lil’ peek into warm family celebrations around our country…and beyond! <3
Sounds heavenly!
I too love old books! Every year on Christmas Eve, my husband reads The Night Before Christmas from a book that I’ve had since I was a little girl. Last year our oldest daughter got married. She and her husband were here on Christmas Eve and she still wanted to hear my husband read that story before they left for their own place. Traditions are a wonderful thing! Susan, I have to tell you that I really love your blog. I’ve been a big fan since Vineyard Seasons was first published and have collected all of your books and many other items over the years. Thank you so much for making so many people happy!
xoxo look at your name!!!
Your bringing in the tree takes me way back in memory, to Christmases with my parents and family. My parents would go looking and find the perfect tree, usually a tall Nobel Fir or Blue Spruce (I didn’t know what kind they were until after I’d grown up). Often, my Dad would have to cut branches from the bottom and part of the bottom off, so it would fit. My mother made swags or wreaths from the extra branches. It would sit outside in the usually cold Ohio winter for a day or two, and then be brought in, just as you and Joe brought in your tree. However, there was no singing. My father would have prepared the spot where the tree would go, and then he and my brother would anchor the tree to the wall. And then, for several days, that tree would magically sit in its corner of the living room. I would come downstairs in the morning, soon to be off to school, and smell the wonderful fragrance, and in the chilly dark mornings the magic of Christmas began weaving its spell. Trimming the tree was, for my mother (very artistic crafsperson) her chance at conducting, and my father, brother and sisters were the orchestra. An entire night was spent with my mother directing my father and brother in the changing of the light bulbs, so that colors were all evenly distributed. I can still hear my father’s, “Oh, for cryin’ out loud!” — one of his favorite expressions and muttered moreso than usual during Mother’s orchestration of the trimming of the tree. After the ornaments, another night was devoted to tinsel — that wonderful, old, heavy tinsel that made the tree seem regal. Only adults could add tinsel, a few strands at a time, just so. When I watch The Bishop’s Wife, the tree after angel Cary Grant does his magic ‘enhancement’ reminds me very much of my mother’s Christmas tree. Once again, your sharing is a delight and much appreciated, and today — thanks for the memories!
Beautiful memory. I loved the old tinsel too, nothing they’ve come up with so far touches it!!
Hey Susan! I am so thankful for your blog today (and everyday) but especially today! I’ve been home with my 2 little boys who are icky-sicky! Snotty, coughy, cranky little munchkins. Getting to “escape” for a few minutes was just what I needed! Thank you for that! Love all the pictures, ideas and inpiration.
xoxox donna marie
p.s. Our Thanksgiving Camping Adventure turned out to be a major success!! Hide-n-go Seek by flashlight, Turkey on the grill, Late night games of Monopoly and Dominos, Nature walks, Campfires, S’mores!!!!
Fabulous memory! Get well wishes!!
I love your bird trees! My husband is a “birder” and as such received lots of bird ornaments as gifts, and we shop for them ourselves as well. Several years ago we added a bird tree to our mini-forest (we usually have somewhere between 9-11 trees of all sizes, depending on how much time we have). His bird tree stays up year-round in his office, but during the holidays moves to our central foyer so it can be seen better, and to make room for his Snoopy tree in his office! We had to upgrade the tree this year and it’s probably my favorite now! Our other trees include a Winne-the-Pooh tree for my love of all things Pooh, a Mickey Mouse tree since we’re big Disney fans, a “normal” family tree, trees in both kids’ bedrooms full of their special ornaments, a Nutcracker tree full of Nutcrackers and characters from the ballet, and my other favorite, a delightfully tacky 8-foot-lit palm tree that plays host to my “Tacky Florida” ornament collection….manatees, sand pails, cocktails, seashells, crabs, flip flops, and Santas in tropical shirts! This year we may add a kitchen tree that gets filled some of my 100’s of cookie cutters! Can you tell….we love Christmas!
We also love books and decorate with them frequently so that little tome would find a happy home here! Thanks for your website and blog….they are both very inspiring!
Thank you Katie, love all your trees!
Hi Susan! We’ve been busy decorating our tree here too! One of my favorite things is to turn my baker’s rack into a Christmas village. There are 3 shelves, the first 2 set the scene for the village, and the bottom shelf is where our Nativity scene is placed, lest we forget the real meaning of Christmas…
I don’t see how anyone really could . . . I love the sound of your village!!
Lois Lenski books are the best, whether she wrote them or illustrated. Thanks for offering this adorable little book! BTW, it’s 20 degrees here, 5 inches of fresh snow, and sunshine.
Perfect weather!! 🙂
Susan I love the bird tree! I have a small collection of bird ornaments, now I want more! We are in a rental house at the moment, in the process of buying a new home and most of our stuff, including all of our Christmas decorations, is in storage. I didn’t want to go out and buy new stuff but also didn’t want to go without a tree. So I borrowed a small artificial tree from my sister and decorated it with white lights, seashells, starfish and other finds from our walks by the bay. I think it is my favorite tree ever! Small, simple and perfect. The little book reminds me of the old books my Swedish grandmother read to me as a child that were from her childhood. I love the illustrations!
Your tree sounds wonderful!
Nadolig Llawen! We had a lovely day today, thankfully very little wind, and only a few spits and spots of rain that could not dampen the community spirit. The last day of the Annual Festival of Christmas Trees (which I brought to the village from my time spent in America via Iceland eight years ago) culminated with a large gathering of villagers on the Cross Square at dusk for the annual tree lighting ceremony along with Santa’s visit with lovely selection boxes full of goodies for the parish children. Christmas really does seem to bring everyone together.
I am pleased you are ‘kitty-proofing’ the tree! Remember when my GF Lisa’s lovely kitty Ziggy caused much distress when she couldn’t be found, despite hours of frantic searching and calling. Distraught, we plonked ourselves on the sofa wondering how to tell her children that Ziggy had disappeared, when the tree gave one violent shudder and toppled over as the nonchelant Ziggy jumped down from the branch where she’d been curled up chasing sugar mice in her dreams . . .
My Susan Branch Christmas Joy is by my comfy armchair now for easy and pleasurable reading. Looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful decorations as the month progresses, and I thank you for sharing them with us.
Ziggy!!
Oh, I’d love to be entered in the drawing. I’ve read Lois Lenski book to my children. The illustrations are adorable.
Even though we have our home for sale, I’ve had much fun putting snowmen on the mantle, decorating the tree with my children, filling the cookie jar, etc.
I love birds and one day hope to have a “bird tree” like yours, Susan. Just recently, I purchased a sweet print of some quail in the snow by some trees and it now sits on the mantle surrounded by the dear snowmen that I’ve collected over the years.
Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Hi Susan,
Loved the picture of Jack looking up at Joe – so adorable! Make sure to really secure your ornaments to the tree – I know from past experience with each of our cats that they can easily become toys to chase all over the house- still looking for some that mysteriously disappeared:) I always put out my collection of Christmas books (in a red basket in the living room) with your Christmas Joy book right on top! I would love to have another to old book to add to my collection.
I Love the shape of your Christmas Tree!!! Can’t wait to see it decorated!!
Tina 🙂
I love the illustrations in that book…she also illustrates the Betsy-Tacy series, which I loved as a kid and started collecting as an adult. So sweet! I’m thoroughly enjoying all the kitty comments and thoughts! I’m pet deprived as we do not have a pet, so I live vicariously through others. 🙂 Thanks for the Christmas spirit today!
What a wonderful way to celebrate, putting Christmas books all over! The little one you are giving away is so charming. I adored the the tree ceremony! 🙂 Little Jack standing by Joe’s feet was soooooo cute!! You interpreted for him perfectly!! It put a big smile on my face!! I am looking forward to putting out tree up, maybe this evening. I already do many of your suggestions for decorating, but the salt in a candle holder to represent snow is something I will be trying! What a wonderful idea! Merry Christmas Susan, Joe, Girl Kitty, and sweet little Jack!!
Running to put on my “Christmas with the Rat Pack” CD now…and to find my Christmas Book to reread! Your list just gave me a new Christmas decorating idea! Being the mother of a 9, 6, and 3 year-old, I’m planning to dig out all of my kids’ photos with Santa to frame and display. We can add to our collection each year! Thank you for the inspiration!!
It’ll be darling, they’ll love it too!
I have loved Lois Lenski since I was a kid, Strawberry Girl, Prairie School, Blue Ridge Billy, etc. but I never knew this little book! I have a collection of children’s Christmas books including over 100 versions of “T’was the Night Before Christmas. Love Tasha Tudor’s versions and her Becky’s Christmas as someone else mentioned. Yesterday my adorable little neighbors (ages 2-6) came over to borrow some of the Christmas books. Love being the neighborhood librarian!
That’s ’cause you’ve got the good stuff!
I wob u too! Thanks for the inspiration. I have a naked tree staring at me as I write this, time to get busy!
Getting out the “Christmas Books” was a favorite part of the holiday season for my brother and I! We had Twas the Night Before Christmas (an old version from when my mum was a child, maybe 1950s or so), Little Benjamin and the First Christmas (from 1964), a Little Golden Book of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and a few others that were given as gifts to us through the years. They smelled just like the cedar chest where we kept all the Christmas decorations. Now that I have a baby on the way, I’m excited to start a Christmas book collection for him too, both with old classics and new additions. This book would be a good place to start! 🙂
I wob you, too! I love your blogs … it’s like taking a 10 minute heart-vacation … and what a pleasure to live vicariously through you, Susan! I particularly loved how you spoke of your having tea as you trained across the country with your daughter.
Also – from this blog, I’ve (finally) got an idea of what I’d like to collect! Paper and feathered birds!! I think they are exquisitely painted by the Creator and love the idea of having a cornucopia of them (either in a tree, on a shelf, whatever!).
Wishing you the bestest of Christmases and I’m looking forward to sharing Christmas with you and yours through your blogs. Pam from Franklin, MA
Thank you so much — My “daughter” was really my girlfriend Elizabeth, but she loves when people call her that!! 🙂
Your tree is just beautiful. I can hardly wait to see what it will look like all decked out in it’s Christmas finery. Just like many other “girlfriends”, your Christmas book is my very favorite, and I read it over and over this time of the year, and it’s always one of the holiday decorations on my coffee table. Another favorite of mine is not a book, but a movie that not many people I know have seen. It’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”. Yes, the poem, but put into a very charming film. Have you seen it? My daughter surprised me with it several years ago. I think you’d love it.
I have seen it . . . it’s wonderful! You just reminded me, I have to get it for this year! Thank you!
Dear wonderful, loving, joy-filled Susan,
I have been wanting to write to you for so long. You are pure joy! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and hope and beauty of life, the coziness, the bits, you so warmly share with all of us. When the nights get long and sad, I just open one of your books or read your blog, and suddenly, it is like I no longer see the darkness, but the bright star of hope in the sky. You remind me so much of my other favorite author, Gladys Taber. And just like when I would read her books, I cannot stop smiling as I read yours. Like the nearly invisible fishing line that holds your magnificent tree safe and secure from inquisitive little paws, that is what you are to me. A nearly invisible line keeping me sweetly tethered to all the joys and hopes of home and family.
Thank you, thank you Susan. Wishing you and your family the sweetest, gentlest, merriest Christmas.
What can I say to that Carol, except thank you so much. I love my job! And you, and all our wonderful connectors, the girlfriends that come to this blog. Merry Christmas to you too, I’m very touched!! xoxo
I think I’ve found my twin – Carol K has expressed my exact thoughts and feelings. I’ve been happily reading your blogs and Willards, Susan, for quite some time. That invisible line has become sweetly valuable, providing frequent smiles and warm thoughts. I look forward to each and every one of your posts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing with us. May you have the warmest and most blessed of Christmases.
Hi Susan,
You have such great suggestions and ideas. Last year you posted a “Top Ten” list of your must see holiday movies. One of the movies you recommended was The Bishop’s Wife. I watched it last year on TCM channel. It was the first time I’d ever seen it and I only watched it because of your list. This year I decided to share the movie with my girlfriends when the Hershey Theater (http://www.hersheytheatre.com/) in (where else) Hershey, PA played this classic film for one night only on Nov. 25th. I made invitations with a picture of the movie poster from The Bishop’s Wife and mailed them to several of my girlfriends. I made reservations for 8 at the Forebay restaurant at the Hershey Lodge (http://www.hersheylodge.com/dining/forebay.php)
and on movie night we all piled into my minivan and I drove all of us to Hershey. I was so nervous hoping everyone would enjoy their night and like the movie (no one had seen it except for me) as much as I did. I’m happy to tell you that all of us had a great time at dinner and everyone loved the movie and the old theater (opened in 1933). Thank you for being the inspiration for such a wonderful, festive night out. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season.
PS Love the pictures of Jack and Girl Kitty!
Heavenly. To see that movie again for the first time. Tears eeked out of the corners of my eyes simply for the charm of the ice skating scene. Fairies were at work in the making of that wonderful movie!!!
I can’t wait to see your tree all decorated! I have been decorating all day. My kitchen decorations are my favorite. I decorate it with a Swedish theme. Lots of red! So many memories come flooding back when I unpack all my boxes. I saved every note from my Aunt Helen who loved supporting my Swedish collection. She has since passed away, so they are even more special. Your give away book reminds me of one I read to my daughters called Strawberry Girl -the drawings were by Lois Lenski. I used to collect old Bobbsey Twin books when I was younger. It was the only thing that got me through antiquing trips with Mom. Now I love to go!! Hope your tree is still standing 😉
I do lots of red too, but when I go to some of the decorating blogs I’m surprised to see how little red is used — silver, white, turquoise and pink are the colors, and gray. Our tree is still up…and this year it has both colored lights and white lights on it!
can’t wait to see pictures!!
Your tree looks so full and beautiful, Susan! I can’t wait to see it all decorated. It is so nice how you allow us to view your life so up close and personal this way. It really does make us feel like we are one of your best friends. 🙂
I’ve had cats my entire life and they have all been very behaved around my Christmas trees. They like to lie under it and bat at low hanging ornaments, but none ever tried to climb the tree or do damage. I hope you are as lucky with your Jack!
I love your vintage book stacks. I have saved so many books from my children’s childhoods that I display at Christmas and I’d love to add another one if I am lucky enough to win your give away!
Enjoy your decorating!
Hugs, Pat
We love you, that goes without saying, as we return post after post to be inspired or cheered or laugh or cry. I remember being a newlywed twenty years ago this year and that wonderful first Christmas (and the permanent mark the huge tree left on the white ceiling). There’s nothing like firsts but at Christmas we somehow connect like at no other time throughout the year with all that we are, our families, friends, our traditions. Love your Christmas book and thought of its inspiration as I decked my own small halls!
Love it Paula, thank you!
Susan, you are so inspiring. Today I woke up feeling a little low, and the prospect of pulling out all the decorations seemed like too much work. Thanks to you, I’ve bounced back, and I’m plotting where to put everything. I’m a firm believer that you can never have enough decorations, but my husband doesn’t get that. It’s a woman thing! I was a “surprise” baby for my parents. While I napped every day, my mother made a collection of beautiful, bejeweled kissing balls from kits out of the old Lee Wards catalog. It just isn’t officially Christmas until she pulls them out. Keep us posted on your decorating and Jack’s “assistance”.
I will, thank you Kelley!
Your tree is beautiful. Kitties and Christmas trees make me smile, especially new baby kittens who’ve never seen a tree! I love the old books, too; we have our own collection of vintage books (particularly children’s books, with a special fondness for those with good illustrations!). I have LOVED Lois Lenski’s artwork since childhood, and remembering trying to copy some of her amazing pen-and-ink illustrations with my black Flair fine-tip.. ha ha. : ) I do not have her Christmas book, and would be wild with joy were I to receive it. Please please please please please!
I’ll do my best! 🙂
Christmas doings just now starting…the mighty Santa Ana Winds temporarily threw our ‘step into Christmas’ mode off center. Not to worry…the Magic Kingdom next Saturday….the tree, next Sunday. Music and movies, however, are already bringing the season in! Sue, I love your house, your traditions and your magical way to make things warm and welcoming. You inspire me every day….even when I don’t get a chance to be here on the blog…your books are just a arm’s reach away! Looking forward to the new Willard and the infamous Cookie Jar. Happy decorating! xoxoxox peg
I went to FOSB and saw your windchimes!!!! That is truly unbelievable. I have never experienced Santa Anas like that!!! Glad you’re all OK!
hi susan, thanks for sharing some of your christmas decorating with us. we have quite a collection of christmas decorations…i can’t resist getting more each year..this year i saw a small silver tree with white lights…it reminded me of a christmas tree we had when i was small…one of those silver trees that rotated and a color wheel too…our tree was decorated in blue bulbs and gramas was decorated in gold bulbs….i don’t have a color wheel but i do have some mini blue bulbs so i will take a stroll down memory lane when i put this little tree up. can’t wait to see your tree all decorated.
That sounds fun!
Your blog has inspired me to go into the bedroom today and pull my grandma’s ceramic tree out of the box and set it out. My mom had it packed in a box in the basement for years and I finally talked her into letting me have it 🙂 Finally it sees the light of day! Thank you Susan. Merry Christmas
Hooray!
Today the snow is falling softly (but thickly) in Minnesota, a good day to curl up with my two kitties (one black, one Tuxedo) a warm fuzzy blanket, and a Betsy, Tacy, Tib book. I love the Lois Lenske illustrations in these books… I repurchased them last summer to relive my childbook book reading obsession…
Merry Holiday preparations dear Susan!
Debb
Thanks Debb!
One year we didn’t tie the tree to the wall and the kitties knocked the whole thing down, and we lost a few favorite vintage ornaments. Now we never forget!
Thanks for the Christmas decorating list. Your mentioning Lois Lenski brought back memories of some favorite read-aloud books of my boys.
How sweet of you…and I wob you, too! I love pretty Christmas books…especially the children’s books! I just posted pics of my old Christmas Carol Golden books. Wish we could all stand around the piano and sing…well, I would play and all of you could sing! Happy holidays!
I would love that too, singing makes everything better!
Hi Susan Love love love the bird trees!
And Susan, we wob you right back! Certainly remember me in the drawing for the wonderful Christmas book from you! Wouldn’t it go lovely with my other
well-loved books from Holly Hobbie, Tasha Tudor, Mary Engelbreit, anything with Santa and of course Susan Branch!!!!
I started a Christmas book collection back when the kids were little. I bought a new one every year and not all of them were “brand new” but some were old Christmas books like one of my favorites *My Favorite Christmas Story* by Roy Rogers (magnificent!) and *Take Joy* by Tasha Tudor. The little book you are giving away reminds me of my daughter who loved the Betsy-Tacy-Tib books, I think illustrated by LL.
Your tree is loverly!
Jody
I also love bird tree ornaments – especially the ones with sweeping feathers. And, I have some favorite Christmas books I always bring out. My most treasured is an old Miracle on 34th Street with the sweetest art work on the dust cover. You’re inspiring me to start dragging up all of the boxes of decorations from the basement, it will feel good to have the tree up and the familiar decorations around.
I would Love this book. The name Lois Lenski struck a faint memory. I’m old enough to think I remember a book or 2. I have to google her. Beautiful tree! even without dressing her.
Sometimes I have the urge to leave the tree bare, they are so beautiful, it’s almost gilding the lily. But then the lights go on, and I’m always glad!
So I’m not the only one who’s had that thought!
Wouldn’t it be fun to fill a room with those undecorated trees?
Susan,
Thanks so much for sharing the things you do to get ready for Christmas. Of course, I love my Heart of the Home Christmas book and have enjoyed it for so many years….I so enjoyed watching Jack with the tree, just thinking about how great your tree smells, and seeing where you are going to put it in your house. Perfect spot. It is going to be so fun to watch your blog and see all the things you do between now and Christmas. My beloved and I have been decorating our house too and it really is so fun when you do it in the right mood and with plenty of time. I lived in Germany for three years many years ago and am not sure how I missed the little white trees. Will have to give it some thought for getting one and, of course, I will need to start looking for some “little birds” now. 🙂 Love it! I usually have a few treasured books I put out at Christmas, but really enjoy all of your vintage books. I am excited to start looking for some vintage books to add to my collection. I just love how you make things so fun and with such love and kindness. Thank you. 🙂
Thank you Glenda! Love hearing from you.
Ohmygosh! I also love to put out all of our Christmas children’s books! I am all tingly just thinking about the book you are showing here—illustrated by Lois Lenski, one of my favorite illustrators, remember Betsy, Tacy and Tib? Thank you so much for the chance to win it. Love your blog!
I spend so much time reading your blog and the comments that my husband started to question what I was doing online! LOL. Spending time here is my own special type of therapy. I do love Christmas too and your tree is beautiful! I now have a new obsession; children’s Christmas books. I have a lot of the newer ones but will now start collecting the older ones too. I look forward to the new Willard next week and the cookie jar! Have fun decorating.
Thanks Jan!!
I love that you think that deciding where the Christmas tree will go is an important part of picking out a house. 🙂 I think that way, too. One thing I still dream of having is a “Christmas tree closet” that contains nothing but the Christmas tree stuff for the real tree, and the fake trees already decorated. Just open the door, pull it out, and DONE! 🙂 But I’m not sure I really want that because decorating everything is the best part. We live in an old house now, and I don’t know what people of that era had against spacious closets or bathrooms, 🙂 but I have to fit stuff in here and there where I can find room in these closets. But they are all cedar lined, so that is nice. Small but moth proof. 🙂 I love Jack’s new toy. He’s going to have a BALL this Christmas!
We have small closets and bathrooms too . . . I guess we should be happy, considering when the house was built, that we have any bathrooms at all! The attic and the barn are the lifesavers when it comes to storage!
I have a feeling Jack will keep you very busy with that tree! I love the space you have for the tree and it must look very nice from outside the windows…inside, too. Can’t wait to see it decorated. Hope it stays that way long enough for you to take a picture!
I use books in my Christmas decorating, too, along with old post cards. Your little “Christmas Joy” book is displayed on my Nutcracker table. That was the book which allowed me to “discover” you! A friend gave it to me for Christmas about 15 years ago and I fell in love with your style then and there! Now, I have just about every book you’ve written and continue to be inspired by your recipes and ideas! My copy of “Christmas From The Heart of the Home” is well worn b/c it is well loved. I use many of your recipes during the holidays, and all year. I guess I could say that YOU have become part of my holiday traditions!
One more thing which I think is interesting…I just love my new job, and all of my coworkers are so helpful and great to work with. My immediate supervisor’s name is Susan. The Site Manager’s name is Joe! I thought that was something! I will have no trouble with those names!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Sure hope your tree weathers that little storm called “Jack”…LOL! ~xoxo~
Glad you are loving your new job!!! Merry Christmas!
Hi Susan ~ We once had a cat who systematically ate all the pine needles off the lower branches of the Christmas tree. Our trees were nude from the knees down! She lasted 19 years, so I guess pine needles aren’t poisonous. Our children (and now grandchildren) have a collection of Lois Lenski’s books, but not this one with her illustrations. Tomorrow morning we’re having Scotch Eggs from your Christmas book. Can’t wait. Merry Christmas!
thank you for reminding us about the christmas of years gone by. I just love looking at old books, it like the old is new again.
Looking at Jack in the tree, and just said uh oh.
It a Wonderful Life is on tonight, what a wonderful movie, along with Bells of St Mary and White Christmas.