Jingle Jars

JINGLE....JINGLE....JINGLE
for a quick and easy
decorative light....

MASON JAR

add Epsom Salts 

Add  a Voltive Candle

Wrap a little string, ribbon, bells, holly....

any

Holiday Cheer

around the top edge of jar.

Light!

Magic happens....the salts will turn to snow!  Oh, you can

use sand or nuts or rocks; but you won't get snow.

Caution:  Do not use a red candle...trust me.

I found this cute craft idea from

Melissa

at

The Inspired Room

via Epsom Salts Face Book Page!

Thanks Melissa....I'm crazy over Jingle Jars!

Mumzie

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

There is only one real deprivation . . .

and that is not be be able to give one's gifts to those one loves most.

                         - - May Sarton

Christmas lists....boxes....ribbons....tree...OH MY! 

Here we go again....it's twelve days till Christmas!  I've been sick for the last few days...some how caught a terrible bug this last week and it has really set me back.  Yes, I did get a flu shot this year, which reminds me that everytime I get a flu shot, I seem to get sick that year.  I 've been taking it easy for the last few days and will try to catch up this coming week.  Anyway, it's given me some time to read the new Weight Watchers Points Plus plan inside and out...and I'm really excited about Points Plus.  I love the new "Power Foods" and I think I'm off to a good start. 

Today I started thinking about the twelve days of Christmas, and looked up December 12th  in the book "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  The day is labeled "A Partridge in a Pear Tree" as in my title with the quote by Mary Sarton.  Sarah is one of my favorite authors because I relate to most all of her stories, plus she's an easy fun read.  If I could write....I would certainly write with like her.  I sometimes go to her books for a daily dose of inspiration and usually find something.   The book takes you on an organized walk through the year, day by day which I enjoy.  For today she suggests instead of giving your loved ones lavish gifts which will blow your budget, you instead give them the Right Stuff....which will be a one-size-fit for all gift: the gift of yourself...

On the first day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of my Undivided Attention

On the second day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Enthusiasm

On the third day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Creative Energy

On the fourth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

the gift of Simple Seasonal Pleasures

On the fifth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The Gift of Tenderness

On the sixth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves

The gift of Good Cheer

On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Beauty

On the eighth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of communication

On the ninth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Surprise

On the tenth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Wonder

On the eleventh day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Peaceful Surroundings

On the twelfth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Joy

"Be ready at all times for the gifts of God, and always for new ones," Meister Eckhart urges us in this season of giving.  Be ready at all times to give those you love the simply abundant gifts of Spirit.  If you do, they'll give you Christmas gifts you'll never forget: happy smiles and contented hearts.  And you won't want to exchange them.

December 12 - Simple Abundance - A Daybook of comfort and Joy  by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Mumzie

New Tomte Doll

Meet my new Tomte!
I wrote about my collection last year,
 and you can check
out my Tomte Family story here.

I picked this little guy up on one of our trips to Solvang earlier this year
at Solvang's Christmas House. 
Plus I added the little wooden Christmas tree which looked cute alongside him.
The Christmas House is a must see,  I only wish I'd taken my camera with me that day.  Perhaps next time!

Jule Hus, Inc.

Solvang's Christmas House

1530 Mission Drive

Solvang, CA

http://www.solvangschristmashouse.com/

Thanks Kelly for showing us this wonderful little shop!

Mumzie

Yule Logs & The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days

of Christmas

The twelve Days of Christmas, although now largely associated with Christian rituals, date back to the pagan Yuletide feast of northern Europe. This was held at the time of the winter solstice and lasted 12 days. The origins of Yuletide itself lay in prehistoric days when, to encourage the dying sun to new life, primitive peoples lit bonfires to give the sun light and warmth.

No one knows when Yule logs were first ceremoniously carried into Norsemen's dwellings, but from the Middle Ages the custom was well established in northern Europe. A huge log chosen, from a forest tree was dragged home and decorated with greenery and ribbons. After it was dried, it was burned over the 12 days of Yuletide: Nordic people believed that this had a magical effect in helping the sun to shine brightly. But some part of the log was always kept for the following year not only to kindle a new Yule log but also to keep away evil spirits.

From:

The Little Book of christmas

by

Jennifer Mulherin

Happy Wednesday....hope you have all your presents wrapped!

Mumzie

Pinecone Rosette Garland Project for Front Door

Pinecone Rosette

Tools and Materials:

Pinecones

3-inch Styrofoam ball (I used a 4-inch ball)

Saw (or large knife)

Craft glue

Brown tissue paper

Floral wire

Wire cutters

Evergreen garland or swag

Evergreens:

I used Coastal & Sierra Redwood greens

Eucalyptus stems

Tools and Materials

1/2-inch sisal rope

26-gauge floral wire

Floral shears

Floral wire

I could not find 1/2-inch sisal rope in our area (I searched at all local hardware stores, Lowes, & Home Depot) and finally settled on 3/8-in sisal rope)  What's 1/8 of an inch?  It worked just fine.

Here's a picture of Martha Stuart's garland I was trying to replicate:

Martha Stuart's Garland

Notice that these pinecones are long and thin.  Mine are shorter and wider pinecones.  However, next year I know exactly where to find these cones up past Strawberry. 

  Also, I'm not sure how they fit all these pinecones on a small 3 inch Styrofoam ball,

that's why I used the 4-inch.

Here's my finished rosette.

I adjusted greenery, so rope won't show after I took picture.

Finsihed Project.

&

Work in Progress:

Cutting the greenery and wiring together branches

Making the Rosettes

Martha's instructions for making the Rosettes:

Start by sawing a 3-inch Styrofoam ball in half. (I used 4-inch).  Paint it with craft glue, and smooth on a piece of brown tissue paper, covering the Styrofoam completely. Cut floral wire into pieces about 5 inches long. Wrap the center of one piece of wire around the base of one pinecone; twist the wire to secure, leaving the ends loose. Attach the pinecone to the Styrofoam by poking the wire ends through it and out the flat side; twist the wire and fold flat to secure it. Continue adding pinecones, working from the edge to the top of the dome, until entire dome is covered; leave the flat side bare.

Oh, since I didn't have brown tissue paper I used a brown plastic bag, which was not a good idea.  The glue did'nt dry under the plastic and is still wet.  So, make sure you do use tissue paper!   LOL 

Buddy supervising the attachment of branches to the rope. 

He's so funny.  

I think Connor was sleeping through the whole process.

My pinecone attachment was a little messy, but it worked. 

Attach to Garland

Add a wire loop using the same technique, and hang the pinecone cluster at the corner of an evergreen garland or swag.

Finished!

Have a great Monday!

Mumzie

A Tribute to Kato - April 18, 1990 - December 18, 2000

“A Tribute to Kato”

April 18, 1990 – December 18, 2000

Santa Clara County Sheriff K-9 - January 1994 – December 2000

Kato was no ordinary partner, buddy, or friend and certainly was no ordinary dog. He was a Rottweiler and a Santa Clara County Sheriffs K-9. He was a dedicated working dog and one of a kind. I would like to share with you his story, and why I feel he was a true hero.  I dedicated a redwood tree in the Soroptimist grove in the Santa Cruz mountains in Kato's memory a few years ago.  The Santa Cruz mountains were part of Kato's old beat area...I figured he'd like having his own tree. 

Kato was born on April 18, 1990. His AKC name was “Kato Von Dalur” and his bloodlines were straight from Germany. His color was black and mahogany and he was 110 pounds of lean muscle. He was Schutzhund trained in obedience, agility, tracking and protection. He had what was needed to be on the force and he was a dedicated member of his team with extradiary
“Heart and Drive”.

Throughout his career, he was involved in community. He worked several years at the Santa Clara County Fair with Mike. His favorite booth was the “Kettle Corn” kitchen. He did Boy Scout presentations, community demonstrations and school presentations. Once a semester he accompanied Mike during a class at the West Valley College’s Administration of Justice department. He loved the students, and they loved him.

In March 1997, my husband, Mike, was involved in a life and death struggle with a suspect wielding a knife. When “Kato” was released from his patrol car, he quickly came to Mike’s defense, thus saving Mike’s life.

On May 29, 1997 the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department awarded “Kato” a Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding performance in this life saving action and for being Mike’s most valuable partner. Kato was the first and only dog to receive this award from Santa Clara County. Kato was also the only Canine to receive the Exchange Club of San Jose Blue & Gold Award – for being injured in the line of duty.

In 1998, at the unheard age of 8 years, he was certified in Narcotics Detection and only one of two police Rottweilers in California at the time so certified.

Kato loved his work and he loved play. Excluding the bad guys, Kato loved everyone and was especially gentle with children. He not only was a dedicated member of the Sheriff’s department he was loved member of our family and will always be in our hearts. He served on the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Canine Unit from January 1994 to December 18, 2000 when he passed away from cancer which just two weeks shy of his official retirement.

Kato you will never be forgotten! 

Mumzie

Tomte Christmas Doll Collection...What Kato left anyway....

My Tomten Family

My very first Tomte was the little girl in the stripped skirt in the front. I love her sweet face and holly bouquet. She was given to me Christmas 1973 by Elizabeth Gunnear a dear friend and co-worker at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. I worked at Emanuel from 1971 to 1978, and have many found memories of those years, and especially the people. It was back in the days when nurses wore white caps and computers had punch cards... A long time ago.

Emanuel was and is still owned by the Swedish Covenant Hospital of America. Rich in Swedish blood and history you could always find Swedish treasures in the hospital gift shop. Some of my favorite times were spent working with the hospital volunteer pink ladies at the hospital gift shop. The gift shop was always staffed by several volunteer pink ladies, most of whom were of Swedish decent. Christmas time was a very special time and they really knew how to celebrate the season!

It was wonderful.

After my first Tomte, I fell in love with the little dolls and started collecting Tomte every year. Even after we moved to Sacramento in 1979, I continued to add to my collection, but they were hard to find and expensive. I did find a little shop in Old Town Sacramento that carried Scandinavian items, but they were very expensive and I had to wait until the after Christmas sales and very rarely did I find a Tomte.  I think I only found a couple in Old Town...the tiniest one in the very front of the picture is one of them. Well, life when on and these little people where hard to find, so I sort of stopped collecting. But every year at Christmas they came out for the season.

Swedish Tomten....a little history

The Tomte or Nisse is found in Scandinavian folklore that children young and old have shared for generations. Once found on each farmstead, today Tomten live in each house, apartment as well. Leave your Tomte or Nisse a Christmas treat and you'll have good luck in 2010! Whether clustered on a table or spread along a mantle,  I must admit that they bring a touch of Nordic whimsy and many memories of Christmas past. 

The Tomten
A Poem by ....Claes Larson - Kyrkby


Hard is the cold of Midwinter's

night,

stars sparkle and gleam.

In the lonely town at this midnight hour, all are sleeping.

Moon wanders its silent way,

snow lights white on fir and spruce,

snow lights white on roofs.

Only tomten is awake

                                                         

I haven't collected Tomte for several years, but I think I'll start again soon.  I'm thinking the next time we go down to see Kelly in Buelton, we'll go in search of  "Tomte"  in Solvang.

I still love them, well what's left of them anyway....
You may have noticed that there are only five Tomte in my collection.....well there's a story behind these five survivors.  I'm not sure why, but when the Tomte came out this year I figured it out.  This story finally came to me this morning and it's about Kato....Yes, before Connor there was Kato....

Kato and the Tomte 

It was Christmas 1999 and we were still in the old house on Spring Drive.  We went out shopping for the evening and since it was cold that night we left  Kato inside the house.  Kato was the Hub's K-9 police dog and a very well behaved, gentle soul.  He was a wonderful dog and part of our family and had never distroyed anything in the house. Well, that night he was up to trouble and for whatever reason he had it in for my Tomte collection.  When we returned the Tomte people were all over the floor.  Wood, fur, and clothes everywhere, and Kato looking very guilty in the corner.    He was in big trouble and he knew it, but I forgave him and figured he had his reasons. 
To this date all survivors have large Kato teeth marks on their heads and bodies. 
We lost Kato that following December.   
Well, it's been nine years today since we lost Kato, and I never understood until this year how the Tomte village people and Kato go together, but now I know. 
When the Tomte Dolls come out at Christmas, it's time to remember Kato.

Mumzie

I will post Kato's story later.

A Tree...Two Farms...and Santa

Twain Harte Christmas Tree Farm

Cool Old Sleigh

A walk to the trees....the redwoods were on the right.

We wanted a redwood this year because they stay fresh and green until New Years. 

Plus, we needed a tall skinny one to boot!

Way too tall.

A little thin?

Someone's cut from last year with frost.

Not a redwood.

Too tall...too short.

Well, off to another ranch.....

Sierra Glenn Ranch - Sonora

I love this little ranch.  We've found very nice trees at this ranch a few years ago.

Way too large...the one next to it was just cut for a city in the bay area. 

Look....Santa is at the apple barn.  Sierra Glenn has the BEST apples and hot cider. 

They also have apple pies and turnovers great for those of us not watching their sugar levels.

We found some Santa Helpers.

This little guy was so precious...love the pup too! 

Done deal....now we have to get our cut down the hill....

We found a 12 foot tall skinny tree just to our liking.  It was so heavy we needed help getting it down the hill...redwoods are a little heavier. The rancher was having his lunch at the time, but was more than happy to help.  Since his little tractor wouldn't start, he brought out the big gun tractor.  Okay, this is the tallest tree yet for us, but the deal is that you must cut trees at least 6 foot tall.   Plus, the price was the same for a 6 foot tree or a 26 foot tree.  So, it's like going to an all you can eat buffet....let's get a big one!  

Cutie pie pupster and Santa.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Mumzie