Happy Thanksgiving!

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light. 

  

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,

For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.
  

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
  

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For each perfect gift of Thine,

To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

---Folliott S. Pierpont     1864

Decisions, Decisions

So after all the looking, debating, style questioning, color delving----

what did I choose to add to my vintage Christmas collection this year?

I went with the old Shiny Brite mercury glass ornaments.  And while I was leaning toward the blue/silver theme at one time, I finally went with red and gold.  I recalled lying on the sofa staring at the tree while watching "White Christmas" last year, and it was the gold and red balls against the lights that really stood out.  So that's what I decided to go with.

Last Christmas---as with most Christmases---I was a bit down due to my singlehood.  This Christmas feels different.  Not sure what brought on the change, but I hope it stays that way!

Make It 4 Monday

Today I'm linking up with Cottage Instinct's Make It 4 Monday.

One of my favorite finds occurred at a little shop called Country At Heart.  It was located on Magazine St., but sadly is now closed.  I LOVED this store.  The owner new me when I walked in and was so nice.  She always had fabulous and affordable things, many of which were also unique.  And this particular find was definitely unique, to the point where I cannot accurately state what it actually is.  If anyone can help me, please do!  This post definitely reveals that I'm a city girl.  I believe this is some kind of grain container or seed distributer, but I'm not entirely sure.  At any rate, it was definitely some kind of old architectural tool.  When I purchased it, it was a rusted mess.  I cleaned it up.  Then I spray painted it one of my favorite shades of green.  (Green is my favorite color.)  After it dried, I sealed it with a coat of poly.  I use it as a container for dried flowers or berries.  It can easily be hung and contain any number of things.  I love its vintage country cottage appeal.

(The part that is not spray painted is the label of the company that made it.)

Wish List

I'll never have a perfectly put together home.  Right now it's definitely a matter of money and space.  But even in the future, when I hope these issues are resolved, I have a feeling things might always be a mishmash for me.  I just like SO many different things, and not all of them go together thematically!  Here are some things I'm currently coveting:

Natural beeswax ornaments from The Lace Button

Any of the beautiful elements that help to create the vignettes on Funky Junky Art.

These pretties from Paper Eclectiques.

These country Christmas items from Shabby Chic Cottage.

And lots of old mercury glass ornaments with patina.

My absolute favorite colors are blue and green, and for this reason, I LOVE aqua.  I'm just not sure how this would work for me personally when it comes to Christmas.  I love the way red ornaments look on a tree.  Not sure I'm ready to incorporate blue yet.  We'll see.

Etsy Fun!

I love Etsy.  Affordable hand made objects and art in styles I love.  I am getting in the mood for Christmas, and I've been contemplating ditching my bright shiny ornaments for the patina and charm of hand made old-fashioned creations.

Here are some shops I'm browsing right now:

Petite Michelle Louise

Looking Glass House

The Lace Button

Funky Junky Art

Vintage Green Limited

Paper Eclectiques

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Fourth Wish

I don't know if I'll buy anything, but I LOVE looking.  My kind of window shopping, in my pajamas without having to leave my home!

Christmas. . .already?!?!?!

A few months ago at mass, Father said that every Catholic household should have a Bible, a crucifix, and a nativity scene.  I realized that I don't have one!  I used to love playing with the hard plastic nativity scene my parents had, arranging the different people and animals and recreating the Christmas story.  I also loved staring at (but not touching) my grandmother's beautiful Italian creche.  As a child, it seemed so fancy and exotic, with the moss draped around it and the delicate paper affixed to it, the face of Mary so ethereal.  The best nativity I have ever seen was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  A few years back, I was in NYC at New Year's and was able to view it.

I ordered my own pretty little vintage nativity scene through ebay.  While I adore the Met's creche, I think this version will be more my style---at least, more suitable to my 650 square foot condo and simple life.  When it comes in, I'll post a picture.  :)

Best Thanksgiving Story Ever!

Pick up a copy for your little one. . .or for yourself!  :)