12.07.07
Posted in Christmas at 8:15 pm by Administrator
Everyone loves a Christmas stocking! Isn’t it fun to discover all the hidden treasures? We think of stockings for children, but adults enjoy them, too! Tradition has it that an orange is to be placed in the toe of the stocking. When I was growing up, there was always a shiny apple, something chocolate, a small hand-held game, and a new toothbrush.
Stockings are getting larger all the time, as are Halloween collection bags! So, there is plenty of room to add a paperback book, a small stuffed animal, a new watch, or a pair of earrings, and a box of crayons, or colored pencils for drawing.
At a time when entertainment prices are skyrocketing, think about giving gift certificates to the movies, or a bookstore, or purchase tickets to a concert. Provide a gift membership to a museum. Add a music CD, a bobblehead doll, or a pair of woolen socks. A gift subscription to a newspaper, or to a magazine that addresses the interests of the receiver, is always welcome.
Red and green foil-wrapped Hershey kisses seem to be a “hit,” as are the gold-foil wrapped chocolate “coins.” Of course, for those who want a dramatic presentation of an engagement ring, that could be tucked into a stocking, too!
Fruit for health, chocolate for happiness, music of some kind to give us joy - these are the main things that come to mind when I think of Christmas stockings. A membership to a fitness club or to a local hotel swimming pool could be a very welcome gift for those who want to tone up in the new year.
Oh, another idea is to make up a little needlework kit for a child to embroider, perhaps a bookmark or some other small project that is readily finished.
Children who would like to give a gift but don’t have a lot of money of their own can make a little booklet and write down chores that they will gladly do, such as taking out the trash or doing the dishes. Alternatively, the child could promise to do his/her homework without being nagged, or to just pick up his or her own “stuff” around the house, on a regular basis.
If you use your creativity intuition, you are bound to please the loved ones on your Christmas stocking list.
While you are at it, don’t forget to bake some yummy sugar cookies for Santa! My mom always found that while he liked her cookies, he preferred her delectable coconut layer cake with buttercream frosting and apricot preserves in the middle! Have fun!
Merry Christmas!
Patricia Cummings
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Posted in Christmas at 3:34 am by Administrator
This photo shows a partial view of the extensive (yearly) light display at the LaSalette Shrine in Enfield, NH. Bus loads of people come from as far away as Canada to enjoy the testimony of faith.
Every Christmas season, we make our way to “Our Lady of LaSalette” shrine in Enfield, New Hampshire, across from Enfield Shaker Village on Lake Mascoma. The side of a very tall hill is always decorated with many colored lights in the shapes that form trees, hearts, poinsettias, candles, bells, a wreath, musical notes, an anchor, angels and words, including “Joy,” “Faith,” “Love,” “Peace,” “The Wise Still Seek Him,” and “Come Rejoice.” With a carpet of snow that glistens like little diamonds, the area is a sight to behold.
Additional features of the place, run by the LaSalette Brothers, are a dining room where one can purchase loaves of homemade bread, hot dogs, hot mulled cider, and homemade cookies. A gift shop sells many religious items from rosary beads to crucifixes to music, books, jewelry, manger scenes, and more. Outside there are some creches of Nativity scenes set up - one for the Magi including a magnificent camel, and another for the traditional Christmas scene of the Holy Family.
The Three Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child.
We are drawn to the place partly due to our own early religious training, but especially because it is uplifting and inspiring to see the light display that is such a strong expression of faith. I am pleased to know that my late brother, Jack, was chosen to serve as one of the altar boys for the first Mass ever said in the LaSalette chapel. At the time, he was an altar boy in the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire. I may have know what year that was, at one time, but if so, I’ve since forgotten.
Many of the “pilgrims,” like us, show up at the shrine toting cameras to try to capture the moment. A number of businesses throughout the state underwrite the LaSalette light display. If you are in the area, it is well worth the trip.
All of the photos shared here are the work of James Cummings. This Nativity scene reminds us that “Christ” is at the center of the holiday’s celebration.
Patricia Cummings
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09.06.07
Posted in Christmas, Quilts at 12:00 pm by Administrator
Last year, I decided to display a miniature Christmas tree skirt, as well as a miniature fireplace quilt, as the focal points of a small room setting for the purpose of decoration. What looks to be bricks and flames are actually parts of a small quilt that was attached, with Velcro, to a wooden frame/mantel piece that Jim built. Those items are shown in the following photo.
Quilts made by Pat join with antique decorations to create this Christmas setting. photo by James Cummings, taken in 2006.
Directions for making the tree skirt were published in the last holiday issue of The Quilter magazine in 2006. The mini quilt under the tree is pieced, crazy quilt fashion, and includes some pieces of faux Redwork, print fabric. The Christmas ornaments are Crazy Quilt ones, and the top of the mini-tree is adorned by a pieced and stuffed star.
Some of the scene’s accessories are antique: the framed, cross-stitch silhouette of a woman spinning; the green vase that holds small pink, green and white silk flowers; some of the thimbles on the mantel; and the set of wax candle choir children.
Of course, the picture was taken in our 1821 home so the honey-color, wide floor boards, are also very old. In my opinion, they exude warmth and a quintessential essence of “home and hearth” that is not to be found in more modern dwellings.
Jim and I certainly had fun working together to create the Christmas scene above. We hope that you have enjoyed catching a glimpse of our collective world of creativity.
Patricia and James Cummings
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
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