Photos to day are courtesy of my friend, Maryce. She drove to Indian Trails, Palm Harbor, Florida to see a popular Christmas decorations display. This is where local weatherman, Denis Phillips, lives. Annually he has such a fabulous display that at night cars clog all roads to the area. Slowly you stop and go to see displays. He more importantly raises LOTS of money for charity selling hot chocolate and cookies. Maryce went before dark to avoid the crowds but it’s sure to be worth a trip back when the lights are on.
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The Nativity Vignette
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6-7
Christmas, the day we remember the birth of Jesus, is almost here. A baby placed in a feeder holding food for animals because his parents did not have money. Now the word Nativity brings to mind pretty sets of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with animals. You had to be poor to sleep in the structure with the animals. Today I’m sharing a beautiful vintage nativity I discovered at a thrift store.
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Christmas Decorations Down The Street
I went down the street yesterday, Wednesday, 12/14/22. It was a beautiful central Florida winter day. The lows have been in the 50’s F most days for the last month with highs usually in the 70’s F. Occasionally the high may go to low 80s like Wednesday. A breeze feels good and the high thin clouds are beautiful.
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Adding Winter Wonderland With Vignettes
No matter the size of your home, a lot of Christmas decorating can be achieved with vignettes. I’ve lived in small apartments and condos as well as a larger home. Whether you have room for a big Christmas tree or just a small table top tree, much of your decorations can be achieved with small arrangements on tables, bookcases, and shelves. I love using small scenes to fill a room. This holiday season my living room is a blue and silver Winter Wonderland.
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Getting in the Christmas Spirit
My friend Jean decided to get into the spirit of the season. She put up her Christmas tree and started decorating her living room. It’s so pretty.
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Ideas for Simple Christmas Place Settings
Back at the beginning of November, I discussed simple Thanksgiving place settings. We’re now at the end of November, and our thoughts are filled with Christmas. Have you put your tree up yet? Many of us start decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there are many types of get togethers including a brunch with friends, an afternoon tea, a holiday party, Christmas dinner, and New Year’s Eve. If you are having guests for Christmas dinner or a party, you’re probably in the planning mode now. Deciding on the menu and dividing up the dishes among us is what happens in my family. Who brings what.
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Poinsettia & Angel Centerpiece
The poinsettia was brought to the United States from Mexico around 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. An avid gardener and amateur botanist, Poinsett was appointed as the first US Minister to Mexico in 1825. While in Mexico, Poinsett observed this species flowering and sent plants back to his greenhouse in Charleston. Until that time, this species was unknown outside of its native range of Mexico and Guatemala, where it was referred to as flor de nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower). Once introduced to the U.S., it quickly gained the common name poinsettia, but is also known by many other common names including Christmas flower, Christmas star, lobster plant, painted leaf, and Mexican flame leaf.
This species has a reputation for being extremely poisonous. While there is little doubt that the milky latex of poinsettias can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, mucus membranes, or when consumed, to the digestive system, poinsettia is apparently one of the less toxic species of Euphorbia. Of reported human exposure, there were no fatalities.
Source: The Neighborhood Gardner, University of Florida
Poinsettia is toxic to cats and dogs and causes gastric distress.
For the last few days, I’ve been adding vignettes to my home. Yesterday I arranged a poinsettia plant, a vintage light, and a cloth angel on the dining room table. It’s a farmhouse poinsettia & angel centerpiece.
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