Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, December 14, 2020

Remembrances of Christmas

This sweet little  Angel is singing JUST for you!!!! 

Dear Blog Friends,  In trying to bring more JOY into my life this month (during the craziness of 2020),  I have had fun going back through old photos and blog posts... I came up with a theme:  "Remembrances of Christmas".   Then as I searched,   I found  over 100 photos which made me smile (and there were probably several hundred more) ... How do I choose 10 of those????   What a task!!!!! AND the simple answer,  I couldn't!!!!!  I ended up with 12 today --but only hit the highlights..

AND---except for the first two pictures,  all of today's photos are from about 2001 - 2019.   If I have time,  I'd love to find Christmas pictures from my childhood, and my sons' childhoods,  and  do a post about that.... BUT--even in retirement,  time seems hard to find!!!!

There's a neat story about the first two pictures... I've shared this before so many of you may have heard this story.... ANYHOW---when I was a young gal in the 1940's,  my parents gave me the 'perfect' Christmas present!!!!    Look at that precious little angel ---singing "O Holy Night"... Isn't she adorable? 

Well--now look at the 2nd picture....  This precious little angel is NO ANGEL for sure!!!!   See what is in her back pocket?  She has a Sling Shot!!!!!!!   ha ha ha....   My question:  Do you think my parents were telling me that I wasn't just a sweet little angel???????  (Don't answer that!!!   Those who know me well know that I'm not an angel at all!!!!! ha ha ha)

This little Christmas Angel is something I will cherish FOREVER....  I miss my parents so very much --and since this angel came from them---I hold it near to my heart.

Hope you enjoy seeing the rest of the "Memories" today... I wrote an explanation for each of them.


BUT----That sweet little angel (above) wasn't such a Sweet One after all.....Look what is in her back pocket!!!!   A SLING-SHOT!!!!!!! ha ha ha



George's and My FIRST ornament;  Our First Christmas together --2001



I gave George this little Santa's List ornament for Christmas in 2003...  I just had to give him this one --since George knows that my Christmas list is very LONG!!! ha



I gave this cute little 'fishie' ornament to George  in 2002.  I loved this little "Kissie Fishie" -since I would run through the house saying "KISSIE KISSIE" --begging for a kiss from my Sweetheart!!!



"The Stockings are Hung by the Chimney with Care."  Even the BIRDS are begging for some Christmas Treats!!!!  ha ha



Eastern Bluebirds are probably my all-time favorites when thinking about my Backyard Birds.  A lady on Etsy (about 10 years ago) made this gorgeous ornament.   I think this type of embroidery  is called CREWELING.



For several years,  we have visited a fabulous shop in December in Calabash, North Carolina, named Callahan's. (We had to cancel our trip this year though.  SAD!) BUT--every year when we are there, one of these little cuties would just JUMP into my shopping cart begging to come home with us...  This  little "Fireplace Baby" is named Snowflake... She came to our home in 2018.



Meet HOOTY....  This little Sweetie came to live with us last year (2019)...  Hooty joined the other Fireplace Babies --and immediately took charge!!!!!!


 


Here's one more Fireplace Baby for you.   I love Mr. Skinny Legs...  He came to live with us in 2017.



I'm not sure when I started collecting Willow Tree Angels/Figurines ---but I now have 26 of them.  I've had a bunch of collections through the years,  but this collection has to be an all-time favorite. This particular Willow is named HAPPINESS....  I love love love it --and it's SO ME!  Seeing our Backyard Birds certainly does bring me HAPPINESS.
   




 
 
This is a wonderful gift given to me from George.  The words are SO true!

Hope you enjoyed some of our memories during this holiday season.  When I was a child,  we did not decorate at all until about Dec. 15....  One of my best childhood friends told me that they didn't do any decorating until Christmas Eve.   We all have our special TRADITIONS... 

I miss my parents and my two brothers (and families) SO much during this time of year --but I do have some fabulous memories... Then when I got married and had 3 sons,  we made new memories...  After my divorce and after my sons all grew up and started making their own memories,  I  made more new memories.  Then my life changed when I met and married George Adams...  Most of what I shared today is from these past 20 years with George....  BUT---all of my memories are special ---and I thank God for my long life --and for my terrific family.

Update on Mark and Robin:  They are both doing better and both back at work after their 10 day quarantine... Mark didn't have a severe case,  but Robin really struggled at times... Glad they are both better!!!

Covid-19 is worse here now ---so George and I are 'laying low' and trying to stay as healthy as possible. It will be sad not to spend time with family this month --but being healthy is more important this year.

Have an awesome week --and remember to find JOY and HAPPINESS from all of the little festive things around you!!!   AND--keep making memories (even in 2020)... ha

Hugs,

Betsy💝💛💚💕

19 comments:

Ann said...

I enjoyed seeing all your wonderful ornaments and hearing about the Christmas memories.
So glad to hear that Robin and Mark are better.
Wishing you and George a very happy a joyful Christmas season

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Betsy - lovely Christmas ornaments and memories. I love that Willow Tree. I don't have that one. I think I have about 20 or so Willow Trees and love every one! Yes, Covid is bad here too - thank goodness that vaccines will start this week for health care workers. Teachers have been told that we will get vaccines by the end of this month or early January. We are laying low too and taking it very easy. I worry about this stupid virus a lot. So glad that your family is doing better. Thanks for this post. Have a good day!

Fun60 said...

I love that your Christmas ornaments each have a special memory.

George said...

I really enjoyed these Christmas memories. I think the angel with the slingshot describes you perfectly!

Big Dude said...

You like to visit Biltmore? I would never have guessed :-) Always fun to go thru pics and reminisce. Enjoyed sharing them with you.

linda m said...

I love all your ornaments. Memories are so special at this time of year. Thanks for sharing some of yours with us.

Betsy said...

I so enjoyed seeing your special treasures Betsy. That little angel does somehow remind me of you...So cute!
Each and every ornament is a treasure isn't it? That we don't have a big tree is bothering me more than I thought it would. I miss putting our memory ornaments on the tree, but there is just no room in the RV.

I was so glad to read that Mark and Robin are both feeking better. We rarely go anywhere, except Dennis to work. That's okay with me though if it makes this nasty virus go away.
Blessings,
Betsy

David said...

Hi Betsy, This was a nice upbeat post that added a little cheer to a isolated Holiday Season... Maybe we'll see the grandkids by next summer. One of my favorite Christmas photos is of me with my new train set when I was in the first grade. Glad the family is doing well now. No issues in our family so far...knock on wood! Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Ginny Hartzler said...

Hi Betsy! I do remember some of these from years past, so they are memories for me, too! I think my favorite are the bluebird and owl. I hope you got my e-mail of thanks, and that you are both doing very well!

happyone said...

Nice to see all your Christmas ornaments and read about your memeories.

Robin said...

Love love this .. I love hearing about your memories !! Love you so much ❤️

Robin said...

Thank you for sharing your memories !! I LOVE a all of them so much ! I LOVE YOU! ❤️

Ruth Hiebert said...

I loved seeing your special ornaments. I do recall seeing some of them, but a short memory means we have more 'new' things in life. I have recently been reflecting on the time Gwen and I came to Nashville, just after Christmas. I loved the concerts, but my highlight was meeting you and George.

Chatty Crone said...

I enjoyed your Christmas memories very much.
I do have to say that your header is just drop dead gorgeous!!!

Linda said...

I'm relieved to hear that Mark and Robin are better. My older daughter is still sick but her sore throat is much improved.

I enjoyed your decorations, especially the funny fish.

Linda G. said...

I enjoyed looking at your Christmas memories and reading about each one.

Bob and I are lying low as well for the same reason—COVID is raging here as well.

Shug said...

Thankful that Mark and Robin are doing better. Hope you and George stay clear of any of this terrible virus. Your ornaments are adorable and I know how very special each one is to you. We all have so much to be thankful for and I am truly thankful for my friendship with you and George. Wishing you much happiness and joy this Christmas. It is difficult when we can't spend the Holidays with our Loved ones, however....we have much to look forward to this coming year. Big hugs Betsy...

Lady Di Tn said...

Love all the Christmas items and especially the little Angel. Merry Christmas and I WISH YOU ENOUGH. PEACE AND HOPE

diane b said...

A lovely collection of memories. Merry Christmas and stay safe.