. . . Cabin & Cottage

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Present

"...The butler brought in a huge silver vessel of rare and curious workmanship, which he placed before the Squire. Its appearance was hailed with acclamation; being the Wassail Bowl, so renowned in Christmas festivity. The contents has been prepared by the Squire himself; for it was a beverage in the skilful mixture of which he particularly prided himself... being composed of the richest and raciest wines, highly spiced and sweetened, with roasted apples bobbing about the surface."

"The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of indwelling delight, as he stirred the mighty bowl. Having raised it to his lips, with a hearty wish of a merry Christmas to all present, he sent it brimming round the board, for everyone to follow his example, according to the primitive style; pronouncing it 'the ancient fountain of good feeling, where all hearts meet together.'"

The Christmas Dinner, from Old Christmas, by Washington Irving.

Wishing you a festive and

a Merry Christmas Day!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Manger

The simplicity of my Italian terracotta figures reflects the humble Christmas story.

I like using old and earthy elements for its setting as well.

Country figures and animals play a big part of the scene, even though I didn't include them all here.

I enjoy the traditional story read from the beauty of the King James version which many of us rehearsed as children.

Wishing you Christmas joy!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm joining Debra at Common Ground

for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Past

I don't know about you, but reminiscing about my childhood never happens more than at the holidays.

Not surprising. For children there is nothing more amazing than the spectacle of Christmas.

One of my best memories was listening to the Lionel Barrymore dramatization of A Christmas Carol on vinyl. Whatever happened to the record we had at home I couldn't begin to guess. But a few years ago in a fit of nostalgia I looked it up on ebay, and there it was.

It played much shorter than I remembered, but each familiar inflection of the voices was intact in the fuzzy recording.

It was odd experiencing that white noised joy again.

I almost had to lay on the floor, chin in hands in front of the player, to get the full effect. But no one quite gets what it means. No one, of course, but the kid who still lives in me at Christmas.

Happy holiday memories!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

All I Want ...

It's always the season for a little glam! I like to stick to the basics. Diamonds. Pearls.

A bit of Irish linen and lace to tuck in your beaded bag is nice once in a while.

And this might be just the little bag. It's heavy even empty, and makes you feel like you're going somewhere.

Our mothers kept a few secrets to themselves tucked away in drawers for decades.

What occasion calls for a feather fan these days? I want to go THERE!

Wishing you a little holiday excitement!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Time for White Wednesday at Kathleen's!

Monday, December 20, 2010

An Old Fashioned Christmas

When I was a kid our holiday celebration began on Christmas Eve and ended with New Years day. The 24th of December was when the visiting started.

It was pretty unheard of to have a tree set up more than a week before.

I guess I'm feeling old fashioned.... We just put our tree up today.

The ornaments are gathered at the base, with more lights and a banner to ground the tree since it's set up on a table. I chose not to rearrange furniture this year.

My antique Santo wears a dried vine crown and ivory necklace.

When a few gifts are wrapped they'll be placed at the base replacing the lights and ornaments.

I dressed up my antique garden urn with a few sea stars.

Also at the base of the tree is my 1984 facsimile edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, originally printed in Great Britain in 1929 by George G Harrap.