Christmastide 2021/2022 - 10th Day of Christmas: Mom's Manger Scene

 Monday, January 3, 2022

Mom texted me this picture of her manger scene under her tree. She just bought a shepherd recently to add to it. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 6th Day of Christmas: Nesting Santas

 Thursday, December 30, 2021

Don't think I've displayed my nesting Santas for a couple of years and it's been even longer since I've opened them up. 

This one I have a hard time recalling where I got it although I think it may have been at the old Bibelot Shop. 

The nesting dolls upon which these are based are Russian in origin and are called Matryoshka. The following is from Wikipedia: "A set of matryoshkas consists of a wooden figure, which separates at the middle, top from bottom, to reveal a smaller figure of the same sort inside, which has, in turn, another figure inside of it, and so on."

Also from Wikipedia: "The first Russian nested doll set was made in 1890 by wood turning craftsman and wood carver Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter at Abramtsevo. Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan, a long and shapeless traditional Russian peasant jumper dress. The figures inside may be of any gender; the smallest, innermost doll is typically a baby turned from a single piece of wood. Much of the artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be very elaborate. The dolls often follow a theme; the themes may vary, from fairy tale characters to Soviet leaders. In the west, matryoshka dolls are often referred to as babushka dolls, babushka meaning "grandmother" or "old woman"." [Note: The above two photos are from Wikipedia.]

Recently I heard that the Unicode Consortium approved a Russian doll emoji in 2020. I typed in "nesting doll" in a text message to Dale and what you see in the above screenshot is what I got. 

Type in Matryoshka and you'll get the same thing. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 4th Day of Christmas

 Tuesday, December 28, 2021

I put some finishing touches on the tree. Now I just need the star and to figure out where I stored the tree skirt last year. Maybe I'll have it all ready by New Year's Eve. 

Also got the angel display set up. According to something I found in House Beautiful magazine it's common to find an abundance of angels in German homes at Christmas. Sometimes they're on the tree but they're also displayed on sideboards. When I started this collection a number of years ago I didn't even know I was giving a nod to my German heritage. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 2nd Day of Christmas: A Quiet Walk to See Dad

 Sunday, December 26, 2021

I took a walk to St. Mary's to see Dad early this afternoon. 

It was rather glum out. Despite this there was a beautiful peacefulness and calm which hung over the cemetery. The quiet was quite comforting.

Wishing and hoping that Dad is somehow feeling that same peacefulness and calm. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 2nd Day of Christmas: Quiet Morning

Sunday, December 26, 2021

I've really enjoyed the quiet mornings I've experienced this Christmas break. Today was no exception. 

Along with my morning coffee I had some of the chocolate chip cookies Mom brought over last night and some krumkake I got at Kowalski's. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - Loving Pets

 Friday, December 24, 2021

Athena has been on my mind a lot the past few days. I'm missing her presence especially so due to the holiday. Alongside the sadness of missing Athena I'm feeling so much joy at the presence of Sylvester. This little one has really worked his way into my heart since he's been with us. Glad you're here, Sylvester. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - The Curious Christmas Cat on Christmas Eve Day

Friday, December 4, 2021

No

No!

NO!

Okay fine. Just don't knock anything over.