A Visit with Santa...

All families have their traditions....ours is no different. I thought I would share a precious photo with you all that I bring out every year for Christmas. I took 3 of my 4 children this year, to see the dept store Santa...they all know he's just a worker bee for the Big man....but important, just the same. I had to laugh...looking at my freshly printed pictures today. There is my son Josh, he's 9, proudly standing with one leg on each side of Santa's knee......looking closer, there is his FLY open! ::::sigh:::: Moving on, gee~ theres not one, but 3 poses of my sweet Emma, she's 6 ~ guess the photographer could tell she loves to have her picture taken. And lastly, my precious Pippin. 2 years old in Sept, her first trip to sit on Santa's lap. hmmmmmm.........yes, just as I expected~ I have to laugh out loud, as I look at her picture~ SWEET picture.....there she is, sliding off Santa's lap, he's got one arm around her trying to hold her up there, while he catches his glasses in the other hand, her big pouffy pink coat is all pulled up and bunched under her chin, her face is red as a cherry, eyes are clamped shut, her mouth is wide open and you can almost hear her window shattering screeching thru the image..............how precious is THAT! I'm still giggling, when I look up on my mantle, and see this picture of my Mother~ Barbara Ioerger. I think this was around 1949 or so...it just may have been her first meeting with the Big Man, by the look on her face. Wonder what she asked him for???

A Special Christmas Queen Anne Dolly, Mifs Penelope Pringle,

Wishes you all a most Merry Christmas! I think I will name her in charge of the decorations on Olde English.....she has already re~arranged the tin candle tree's tapers~ none of them fit right and she gets so befuddled when one starts to tilt. She has convinced me to change them out with some wonderfully aged hand dipped ones in a dreamy Christmas red color, so we have some on order, soon to arrive in the post. Isn't it funny the things a person can look forward to!

Just how far behind can one get I wonder????????????

Ohhhh such a busy time of year! It seems there are never enough hours in the day.....and its getting dark so early now~ I find myself just sitting in the quite gazing upon the Christmas Tree. Sometimes I remember the happenstance of each little ornament....sometimes remember trips as a little girl to go cut the Christmas Tree 2 weeks before the big day................sometimes I don't think of anything at all.......I just sit and stare at all the beautiful twinkles of light dancing ever so gracefully thru the branches. I will be updating the blog soon~ am starting to get back into my old routine since my parents left last week. They drove down from Wa state as a wonderful surprise for Thanksgiving.........I can honestly say the very best holiday I have ever had~ EVER!

Dolly is coming along~ she is so proud of her new panniers...she thinks she will be the first in her city to wear a set......I just didn't have the heart to tell her everyone is wearing them nowadays. A proper girl just doesn't ever mention such things.

A Blessed Christmas I Wish for Thee~

Outside the house the air was cold
And quiet all about,
Till far across the snowy roofs
The Christmas Bells rang out.......................

From my Heart to yours~ I wish all my faithful friends a most Blessed Christmas. May all your wishes come true, and your hearts overflow with Happiness and Joy. Thankyou for visiting the Museum & blog, and for the most generous support that has been shown to us this year. Words just cannot express my appreciation adequately

Ever history's humble servant~
Rachael

Tis The Season.............
For making much happiness and merriment! Above is a little peek at a very special Christmas Queen coming to eBay soon..............I am also happy to announce I will be starting the TDIPT Mercantile Nov 15th~ Ill have a link on the sidebar~ hope you' ll stop by both the Mercantile, and The Primitive Gathering on the 15th to see whats new. As Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, early this year, I wish you all a Happy & Safe holiday!

Give Ye Thanks.......
I hope thee wilst stop by my eBay auctions tomorrow next~ 2 new dollys I wish thou to meet, both one of a kinde, and so very sweet. You'll see a wee peek at one below, a Harvest time Pilgrim. Me thinks her quite sweet in nature, she has just gathered the oaks for the Harvest feast table ~

'Tis Autumn time! The summer flowers

Have faded 'neath it's golden feet;

The birds have left heir shady bowers,

and winds chime mournfully and sweet;

The maple boughs, whose faded leaves

Have whispered thru the summer days

Like bright-winged birds, around the eaves

Are flitting in the sun's pale rays;

I hear their rustling low and sweet,

As if an angel floated o'er;

They seem to me like friends I meet,

And love, then part forever more.

---Lottie Linwood, 1855

May Ye a Bountiful Harvest Have~
Tis the season of harvest~ I hope all of my readers find themselves knee deep in pumpkin, corn, squash and potatoes! Alas, the one super human zucchini plant has ceased its over production and gone to sleep for the winter. YAY! I have spent the last few days cleaning up the garden tidbits out into the compost....all except the corn stalks. We froze more corn on the cob this year than any before~ and I love decorating with the stalks. Just tied up with twine on the fence posts makes for a most festive Fall welcome to my visitors.
One of my goode friends Edyth O'Neill sent one of her precious antique China dolls to come play with me~ she is holding her above. You can see her blog here http://edythoneill.blogspot.com 'Rachael' is by far the largest doll I have ever had pleasure of dressing~ nearly 30" tall.
I had in mind another c1850 print for her dress....but Rachael liked this one best...how could I say no to this sweet face? She wears a strand of Peruvian blue opals around her neck.
I wasn't the only one to get attached to Dear Rachael! Thank you Edyth for letting her come to visit us at the Inn