My Sister's Christmas Tree

My Sister's Christmas Tree, originally uploaded by confections.

We spent Christmas at my sister's home this year. Her Yule trees (she has at least two, not counting all the miniature ones) are always exquisitely decorated and magical.

Here are just a few pictures to give you a sense of the depth of her Christmas spirit manifested throughout her home.

Holiday Glow

Holiday Glow, originally uploaded by confections.

Here is a photo from my archives from Christmas 1983 in San Diego, California. The tree was a floor-to-ceiling Noble Fir and was embellished with 1,000 mini-lights and at least 400 ornaments (we counted them that year!).

The old-fashioned icicles that adorned it are no longer being made. They came from D. Bluemchen, and the German company that made them for over 300 years went out of business five years ago. I love browsing their catalog and finding treasures to add to the Christmas decorations that I collect.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...., originally uploaded by confections.

I loved this type of holiday candle when I was a little girl. Last year at a special Christmas tea with my Mom and sisters, these were our vintage favors. My youngest sister had found them at a local antique mall.

They still have stickers on the bottom from the Coronet five-and-dime in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, a long-gone treasure in itself which I used to frequent, especially at Christmas time.

Vallona Starr Creamer

Vallona Starr Creamer, originally uploaded by confections.

Up to my old Warholizing tricks again.... I'm very fond of this vintage Vallona Starr creamer and sugar set. Its original color is lime green with gold accents; it will make a great contribution to the Christmas day tea table.

The Woodland Fairy

"The Woodland Fairy" is one of my favorite images that was reproduced by the Green Tiger Press back in the 1980's.

This black-and-white image by artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888 - 1960) is from "Bush Songs of Australia", published in 1910. A Melbourne, Victoria, Australia native, Outhwaite worked primarily in pen and ink and watercolor and one of her favorite subjects was fairies.

Here we have the barefoot Woodland Fairy, complete with butterfly wings and gossamer gown, seated on a vine swing and surrounded by blooms and a magnificent spider web.

Now available in very limited quantities in any one of my three online shops, Etsy, ArtFire, and LolliShops.

"The Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky

My sister and two of her friends and I took in a lovely production of "The Nutcracker" this past Saturday. It was beautifully executed by dancers from the San Diego Academy of Ballet along with guest artists from the American Ballet Theatre.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the "Waltz of the Flowers" performed by the Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Christmas Morning Circa 1955

Christmas Morning Circa 1955, originally uploaded by confections.

My two older brothers and I on Christmas morning circa 1955.... I'm holding my new Ginny bride doll. That same year, I believe, my brother on the left got a great Lionel train set, and my brother on the right got a Howdy-Doody marionette.

Following a German tradition from my Dad's family, we would put our shoes out on Saint Nicholas Eve (December 5th), and receive treats of chocolate and little trinkets. As we grew older, this tradition faded, but I remember that it was magical in my early childhood.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Belleek Thistle Demi-Tasse Cup

Belleek Thistle Demi-Tasse Cup, originally uploaded by confections.

One of my favorite Belleek tea cups, Warholized.... This one has tinges of pink on the handle and the rim of the cup and saucer. I'm going to treat myself to tea using this cup this afternoon.

A Delightful Doll Set by Marie Rose of KittyKatDance

Any little girl would be delighted to have this dollie under the Christmas tree.... All the clothing is handmade by my friend Marie Rose of Kitty Kat Dance.