"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now."
...written by Hugh Martin


My favorite Christmas song....I share it with all of you. I hope the Spirit is flowing strong in your heart. I love this time of year! Like a child, I still wish for a 'white Christmas'....smile when I see a 'Santa'....gaze in awe at the wonderful lights as I drive through neighborhoods...and hope for Peace with every thought of what Christmas is truly about.

The season has found me busy this year, so many orders, so much to do, but then again, so much to be thankful for. I am blessed with so many great friends who are such a strong part of my life and heart. My family is wonderful, a true blessing. My mother is now physically absent at our gatherings, but still felt so strongly. She always found a way of making Christmas the absolute best...memories that will never be forgotten, lessons still being passed along. Each memory is a building block to creating our individual character, our soul.

I hope this Christmas brings each child a happy memory. We all sometimes forget what the slightest gift, the smallest gesture, the most innocent touch of kindness can do to a child's heart. I remember one year at Christmas, all of my countless cousins were gathered by my Grandparents' tree awaiting the "presents". Sitting in the front was an unwrapped, child's blender that with batteries actually worked! All of my girl cousins just knew it was "hers", and the excitement was wild. I sat quietly, knowing it was not mine, I usually got slippers. As the gifts were passed out, paper tossed wildly, my Aunt Eva stepped over to me handing me the 'Blender'. She looked me sternly in the eye and said this was for me, so I could start helping my mom in the kitchen and learn to cook as good as she did. My cousins were so jealous, but I was thrilled more than anyone would ever know. Today, I love cooking. Thank you Aunt Eva!

We receive gifts to the soul daily, but Christmas is so special. I send everyone a thank you for all you have given me and the hope for each child, old and young to have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

"The merry family gatherings - the old, the very young; the strangely lovely way they harmonize in carols sung. For Christmas is tradition time - traditions that recall the precious memories down the years, the sameness of them all."
- Helen Lowrie Marshall

Christmas is upon us....trees are glistening, front doors are adorned in beautiful wreaths, floors show the remnants of wrapping paper and families and friends are rushing, laughing, smiling and preparing! Christmas is here!

We all have our ways of celebrating Christmas, our "traditions". A few weeks ago, my oldest was home and I was amazed at her recollection of our holidays past. She recalled how we began our season, Thanksgiving weekend and followed it through to the end. I was jolted into a glimpse of past, but also realized how some of our "traditions" have changed. What once had been a solid performance, new Christmas pajamas the day after Thanksgiving, sugar cookie making the first Saturday in December, St. Nick's Day abundant with goodies, the "mouse" moving each day to that one BIG day....oh so many "traditions", have been changed, tweaked, or simply set aside.

I have been thinking about traditions, and the celebration of the Holidays. Where did our traditions go? Growing up, the first Saturday always found my mom and me at my Grandmother's house making the infamous "Springerle" cookie. The process was endless, the result a hard, powdery, anise flavored delicacy that many would say, "yuck"! Yet every year, the same routine, the same schedule. This time of year the slightest sniff of anise and I am engulfed in those memories, the tradition.

I look around my home and see various old decorations still surviving, new additions sprinkled amongst, past Christmas photos of smiles, cards of greetings finding my mailbox and a warmth finds my soul. Our Christmas Traditions are not the actual "act", but the result, the bond, the meaning. I would have to have the Springerele recipe in front of me to make them, but I remember Grandma's laugh like yesterday, my mother covered in flour and Perry Como belting out some Christmas cheer.

Today I find my own kitchen counter filled with tins of cookies and fudge galore. Families and friends are busy making plans to celebrate. My days are spent searching for the special gift or perfect way to say "Merry Christmas". True, some of my "traditions" have changed, at least it would appear, but looking deeper, seeing my girls snicker as they shove that cookie quickly into their mouth, slowly pass by the tree to see the name on that gift, hang onto that old ornament one more year, or share one of their memories, I know my holiday traditions are still living strong. Christmas Traditions....remembering old memories, making new memories, and being with family.

I have been making so many new pieces for the season, but wanted to share my newest idea...note cards. I have transferred the paintings I do on silk to card stock...a great little way to send a unique message to all or perhaps a good place to write down those old memories, to preserve them, to share forgotten ways of yesterday...

Enjoy this beautiful Christmas Season!