{ Vintage Paper Angels }

Hidden in a box, wrapped in tissue paper I found these little beauties. They in my Mother in Law Ruth's Christmas boxes after she passed away. She must have loved them because they were carefully stored. She loved angels~

I love these little angels. So pretty, tiny and delicate.
Made out of bits of paper, foil, lace and a bit of mache.
I have no idea when they were made. 1940s maybe?

There is a set of five different angels, each one a bit different.
They all have a tiny instrument in their hands.
They must play in the heavenly choir. They are as light as an angel feather =)

I will cherish these on my tree and think of my Mother in Law Ruth.
I was blessed to have her in my life.

I love vintage ornaments on the tree. I love the ties with the past.

If anyone knows anything about them, I would love to hear it.
xo,
MaryAnn

{ Tea and Memories }

I was blessed with a best friend~

When I was a little girl I met someone that would change my life forever~

A Best Friend

I met her on the very first day of school, I was 4 yrs old and she was 5. I was scared that first day, never being away from my Mom. I was upset that my Mom had to leave. Her Mom said to her "go be that little girl's friend". I'm very very thankfull that she listened to her mother. =)

We were friends, always together. We did fight at times but we always "made up" because we couldn't be apart for long. We were friends through all of our school years. Were in each others weddings. Had our children at the same time. Became Christians...(which I am forever thankful)

We knew each other so well. Always there to support the other through the good times and bad times. The first snow was a special day to call each other. Going back to school days when we would hope for snow and a day off from school.

I could never imagine my life without her. Until my world changed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2004. She drowned in a boating accident. My whole world changed. I go on because I must, she would want it that way~ But the sun isn't a bright, the world not as much fun without her here with me.

When we were young, she went on a summer vacation with her family. She brought me back a gift. A pretty tea cup and saucer with Lily of the Vally. Her Mom knew I loved tea and suggested a tea cup. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I've cherished the tea cup my whole life.

I wish I could talk with her again, laugh with her. Hear her voice. I know one day I will see her again and what a glorious day that will be. She will always and forever be in my heart~

Today on the anniversary of her passing, I'm having a cup of tea and remembering always, my Best Friend Terri~

I was blesses to know the true meaning of friendship~
Love you "T"
Marf~

{ Family surrounds us at Christmastime }

At Christmastime, we can't help but think of Christmases past. Both sets of our parents are gone. To have them as part of our Christmas celebration now, we decided to make photo ornaments of them to hang on the tree.

I found the two matching frame ornaments at Michaels. I knew they would be prefect. So simple, my Honey just printed out small wallet size photos. Cut them to fit the frames, insert and they were done. The hardest part was picking out the photos!

Now they hang on our tree~

My Parents- taken on their 25th wedding anniversary

My husbands Parents- my favorite photo taken when they were dating

At Christmastime, my heart longs to have those I love all around me~

Christmas Blessings,
MaryAnn

{ First Snow }

Our first snow came very early this year for our area of Pennsylvania. Too early, at the end of October. We haven't even done our fall clean up yet. Six inches of heavy wet snow with the leaves still on the trees. The first Nor'easter of the year as we call them.

The photo abovie is taken from my front door. Looks different with some of the leaves still on the ground.
Below:Three miles from my home is a beautiful grist mill. My Honey and I decided to jump in our truck and go for a walk.

Grist Mill pond, desolate and beautiful.

Little smoke house

Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown PA

Snow covered field. We were the only people there. So quiet and beautiful

Saucon creek, the dark water against the white snow was beautiful. Saucon is an Indian name, from local Indians who used to live here.

Walking along the Rails to Trails, this beautiful farm is one of my favorites to photograph. I love the little smoke house.

I don't remember having snow this early ever... We lost power for over 24 hrs. I enjoyed the quiet time with my Honey. But, I did really appreciate having electricity and my computer back... =)

MaryAnn

{ The Wedding Ring }

The Wedding Ring
(Preserving family stories)

I can remember it just as if it were yesterday. My father had found a lump on his side and they were going to do surgery on him to see if it was cancer or not. It was such a hard day. I wasn`t to good at handling things back then. I was only 22 years old. On top of my father having surgery it snowed, eleven inches. Normally I love the snow but that day I didn't enjoy anything. I was to worried about my dad. After sitting around for hours at my mothers house. Waiting for a phone call. I couldn't take it any more so Gary and I decided to go for a ride. Having a Jeep made it easy to go for rides in the snow. It was one of our favorite things to do.

We ended up at lake Towhee. Its a beautiful state park. Gary was taking pictures and I was mostly wandering around thinking about my father. I don`t remember how long we were there maybe an hour or more. It was beautiful. It took my mind off the surgery for a little while. The lake was very pretty. We were all by our selves.

When we trekked our way back to the Jeep Gary had a cigarette before going home. We were standing there in the empty parking lot when Gary realized that his wedding ring was missing! We were both really upset. We looked around to see if we could see a circle shaped hole in the snow. We couldn`t see anything. I was really upset about the whole thing. Gary felt really bad. There wasn`t much that we could do.

We decided that we better head back to my mothers house to see if there was any news. We had been gone fairly long. When we got back to her house my mother still had not heard anything from the hospital. It wasn`t to long after that when the surgeon called and told us that the tumor in my fathers side was a big as a grapefruit not the size of a walnut like we had thought and that it probably was cancerous. That was devastating news to all of us. It really didn`t sink in right away.

The next week went by in kind of a blur. I don`t really remember much about it at all. When the next weekend came the snow here was almost gone. So I suggested to Gary that we take another ride down to lake Towhee and see if we could find his ring in the parking lot.

When we got to the lake, the snow had not melted there as much as I thought it would have and I was very disappointed. There was still about three inches of snow on the ground. We decided to go for a walk down by the lake. All the while that we were walking I was praying about Gary`s ring. That ring meant so much to me. I was sure now that he had lost it we would surely get a divorce. I wasn`t thinking very clearly especially with all that was going wrong with my father.

It`s funny the thoughts that go through your mind. I`d never really gone through hardship, a sickness in the family. We had been very fortunate in that respect. I just didn`t know what to do with the whole situation. I really couldn`t handle it very well so I guess thats why I was so focused on Gary loosing his ring.

It was a very beautiful day at the lake. Gary was taking more pictures. We stopped on the path that turned back towards the parking lot. I was standing there waiting until Gary finished taking his picture. I was looking around as the sun shinning through the trees. I just happened to look down at the ground. I saw the sun sparkle on something...about three inches from my foot I saw a round circle in the snow. I grabbed it and Joy of Joys it was Gary`s wedding ring!!!!!!

I couldn`t believe it. I was so excited. Just the thought of finding that ring on 50 acres of land, and being so close to my foot I could have stepped right on it! I was screaming and Gary didn`t know what happened until I opened my hand and he saw the ring.

My faith just soared. That God had answered my prayers about something that was important to me as small as it may seem. It was a lesson that I learned that day, that God did care about me and that he was in control of things. I knew that with what may lie ahead with my father some how everything would be all right. God would take care of us.

This happened a long while ago..... but I remember it as if it was yesterday. I've had many triles and tribulations since then. But, I still know that God is faithfull and can help me through all of them.

{ Wedding Charm }

I made this bouquet charm for a neighbor of mine. They got married today. My friend was sad that her parents who are no longer here, would not be at her wedding. I made this bouquet charm for her. It has their wedding date on the front, and on the back (not shown for privacy reasons) a photo of her parents.

I used a graphic, mouse drawn by me of a blue ribbon. I included their names and wedding date. Added a silver filagree heart charm. Then a silk blue ribbon was added, so the charm can hang from the bouquet. You have to have the "something blue" for a wedding. =)

The photo of the parents on the back can be changed out to a wedding photo if they wish~

Later this charm can be kept for a wedding keepsake or used as a Christmas ornament for their tree. In memory of the year they got married.

Watch for charms like this in my future Etsy shoppe~

Sophia's Hankie

Sophia's hankie- this was my Mother's hankie. It was handmade for her in the 1940's by a special friend named Elsie. The delicate embroidery work on batiste fabric was done under a magnifying glass in the palest shade of blue. The open work is amazing for how tiny it is. The little medallion has layers and layers of embroidery.

My Mother gave this to me on my wedding day. I had it attached to my bouquet. I hope someday, I have a grand-daughter and maybe she will carry it on her wedding day.


My post for White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Little shot glass~

Today while I was cleaning out my hutch I came across a small shot glass that used to belong to my parents. It brought back memories from when I was a child. Saying a shot glass brings back memories sounds funny when talking about your childhood, but what I remember about the shot glass is…..

In the spring and summer when I was a small child, when the little wild purple violets started to bloom I would pick them for my Mom. I would search high and low for enough violets to make a bouquet for her. Some of the other kids would join in and pick flowers for their mom’s also. When I was real little I mostly picked the flower heads but not enough stem. Mom explained to me about needing a longer stem for them to drink water, so I tried as best as I could to pick the whole stem of the flower. I would put them all together in my hand, matching up all the flower heads to make a nice round bouquet. It took a lot of Violets to make a nice bunch so it took me quite a long time to pick them. I just loved the beautiful purple color that they were. So tiny and delicate, the stems so fragile in my hand.

When I thought I had enough I would hurry home to give them to Mom. I remember skipping all the way up the street. I loved to skip, it made me feel so happy. I could feel my hair swinging from left to right as I skipped along. Then I would run up the front steps, and go around to the back door of the house that went into the kitchen. Quickly I would put the flowers behind my back before I went through the door. For some reason Mom always seemed to be in the kitchen. I would say “Mom I have something for you.” Then when she would turn to look I would quickly stick out my fist full of violets. Of course she loved them and exclaimed over them as Moms always do. Then she would go to the china cabinet and get out the little shot glass, fill it with water and in would go the little bouquet of violets. Then she would put the little “vase” on the buffet. I would go happily back to playing with a smile on my face. I wish I could still picks some Violets for you Mom, I hope there are Violets in Heaven for you….

First Snow~

There is something magical about the first snow of winter. We had ours early this year, on Thanksgiving morning. Hubby and I went for a long walk in the snow, it was beautiful. Seeing the first snow brings back so many childhood memories. My best friend and I always called each other on the first snow fall for as long as I can remember. We would see who would be the "first" to call. I treasure those bitter sweet memories because my friend Terri is no longer here with me. But she is always in my heart, especially for the first snow~ Thinking of you T♥

Like Mom used to do~

,

Like Mom used to do~ pulling out the old family recipes for Thanksgiving tomorrow. There is such comfort in making them. I love seeing a recipe in my mothers hand writing. I miss her so. The traditional fare, with a new thing or two added from my husbands side of the family. The two sided blended together. No kiddie table yet, will have to wait for future grand children =) I'll be busy busy cooking tomorrow. I'm sure my furbabies will enjoy the smell of turkey coming from the oven. I think I'll need bigger plates for all the goodies =)