A Vintage Advent Calendar

As you're aware, yesterday was the first day of Advent for 2020. Each year it begins four Sundays before Christmas and is a time for us to remember the true meaning of the season while we prepare our hearts. In addition to Advent candles which are lighted each Sunday and represent hope, love, peace and joy, Advent calendars are also used during this timeframe. Since the beginning date varies from year to year, Advent calendars are typically numbered 1-24 rather than dated so that they may be used from year to year. Did you know that the first calendars of this type originated in Germany in the early 1800s? When my sister and I were growing up, we had a large Advent calendar made of colored felt. It had a big Christmas tree shape at the top and along the bottom were little pockets which each contained a fabric ornament. Before leaving for school those December mornings, she and I would take turns pulling out the tiny fabric candles, bells, and nativity shapes to attach to the tree. 

Knowing my fondness for vintage pieces that depict their own history, my sisters-in-law gave us the Advent calendar that they and my husband used when all of them were young. Made of paper, the trifold design allows it to stand for display.

The little village hosts colorful numbered buildings. Each has a window or door which folds open to show a picture leading up to the 24th door when Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus are revealed. Look directly below at building #1 and you will find the children lighting a candle, as an example.

My in-laws stored it in its original, now yellowed,  envelope. In tiny print along the back, it states that it was made in Germany. Still in excellent condition, it is a pleasure to be able to display and use this treasure as we prepare our hearts for Christmas Day.

                   Happy Advent!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving! 

Cranberry Recipe for Thanksgiving

Where did this week go? 🤷Here is a wonderful cranberry recipe which may be of interest to you as we approach Thanksgiving. I have previously posted it, but it's definitely worth sharing again.

Cranberry Sour-Cream Salad

2 small boxes cherry jello

2 cup boiling water

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 cup diced celery

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. lemon juice

 

Combine jello and hot water. Chill until slightly thickened. Break up cranberry sauce in a bowl with a fork and then stir into jello, along with celery and pecans. Fold in sour cream. Add lemon juice. Pour into a 9 by 13 pan (I use two smaller pans instead)  and return to refrigerator. Cut into squares when ready to serve.

For a printable copy, click here.

                    Have a happy weekend!

Thanksgiving Touches

Back on November first when I tucked in some Thanksgiving touches around the house, the holiday seemed so far away. We already had autumn décor, so I kept it very simple by just adding some pieces to the existing mantel and other vignettes throughout the house.

Keeping the same fall grouping on the counter, I just added a pilgrim pair.

I plugged in a galvanized "harvest" sign to sit among the dried hydrangeas and fountain grass, also on the counter. Since it rather camouflages in the vase, I pulled it out for a close up.

Keeping the same display in the dining room, I traded October's owl salt and pepper shakers for November's turkeys.

The mirror on this antique buffet makes taking pictures tricky. 

This cute autumn leaf pillow is made of felt and intended to appear antique. My sister-in-law gave it to me a few years ago and I love it.

I added an autumn quilt to the hearth and the mantel remains the same as it has since September.

If you're like me, November seems to be zipping away. Soon the pilgrims, turkeys and pumpkins will be packed away for another year...and it will be time to pull out our Christmas decorations! Are you ready?

                                                Happy Veterans Day!

This special day has been a time to honor all military, both past and present.  I'm sure we all took time to remember, acknowledge and appreciate those who have given so much for our country. 

This sweet picture was taken about 10 years ago before heading to school for the annual Veterans Day affair. My dad served in the U.S. Army and proudly attended the event with his grandsons (my nephews)  at their elementary school each year. This is our first November without my dear dad, so the photo is an especially precious keepsake.

NOT ONLY TODAY, BUT EACH DAY WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR VETERANS. 

Tuesday Tablescape

Happy Tuesday! I decided to set our dining room for today's tablescape and will keep it in place just for looks for a few days since I love the blend of autumn colors. Wouldn't you know that just as I was snapping pictures, the sky opened and we encountered a torrential downpour so my photos are a little "blah" with the absence of sunshine. 

Today seemed a perfect day for pumpkins and plaid.

The pumpkin plates are by Better Homes and Gardens (through Walmart) several years ago and I believe the plates were on clearance at Michaels about three years back. The lines that you see on the above plate are actually shadows from the centerpiece!

Have a wonderful evening! 🍂

Tuesday Tablescape

It was a lovely day here today and would have been ideal for dining on the patio...if only we had not rolled back the clocks last weekend! I couldn't resist setting it up outside even though it was only for display. With darkness chasing away the sun so early these days, I moved everything inside post pictures. Our maple tree was my inspiration because I am struck by the gorgeous leaf colors against the beautiful autumn blue sky.

I think it's awesome to have yellow leaves on one side with orange and red-tinged on the other, all depending upon their sun exposure.

I snipped a few branches and set the table!

You know that one of my favorite combinations is blue and yellow.

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from an autumn tree.

                                           Emily Bronte

Chicken Bundles

Do you find yourself looking for new recipes this time of year? Chicken bundles go together easily, bake quickly and are satisfying with their flaky exteriors and warm, tasty contents. I obtained the recipe from a friend of mine a few years ago who served them to us at her annual Christmas party. I prepare them every once in a while and recently made them. Here they are ready to slide into the oven. 

Chicken Bundles

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 T butter, softened 

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cut into small cubes

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. dried dill weed 

dash onion powder

2 T milk

8 count tube of crescent rolls

Mix the cream cheese and butter. Add cooked chicken, salt, pepper, dill weed, onion powder and milk. Blend well and set aside. Open the rolls and separate and pinch together the perforations to form four rectangles. In the center of each, add about 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture. Pull up the corners toward the center, pinching together the edges and twisting together the corners where they come together on the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. 

* I shredded my chicken rather than cutting it into small cubes and lined my baking sheets with parchment.

For a printable copy, click here. Remember that if you go all the way to the bottom of the recipe page, you will see "print page" in small blue letters and if you click that, you will get the recipe to copy without the sidebar appearing.

On a cold autumn evening, chicken bundles would go well with soup, baked squash or even green beans. 

Happy Monday!

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