Good Morning! (I started writing this this morning, but had a busy day, and it is now afternoon)
and Welcome to:
I know you've seen this story before, about the history of my Grandparents' cabin in the Cook's Forest of Pennsylvania. If not, then click HERE for that story, but please come back and enjoy today's story too.
This year our little family from Pamela's Victorian Cottage have come to the Cabin for a wonderful Christmas vacation:
They are having a great time exploring everything around the cabin. It looks really cold and wintry there. Too bad our little children don't have any winter clothes...
But they don't seem to mind. They are loving the fresh beauty of the new fallen snow as they dance around the cabin...
They've been busy making snowmen and talking to the old Santa sitting on the front porch, whispering all their special dreams and hopes for Christmas into his ear.
And they have enjoyed exploring the old tree house and swinging on the tire swing left there just for them to enjoy.
They enjoyed watching some of the neighborhood children sledding on the hillsides
Some even got to take a sleigh ride and see some beautiful deer!
All in all, a grand time was had by all at their "Christmas at the Cabin" vacation:
Back to my little old world...I've been enjoying my own little "Christmas at the Cabin"
If you recall a couple of weeks ago I told you I was trying to get a more "cabin feel" for Christmas by covering our flowered couch with sheets and blankets. Well I did finally order a real slip cover for the couch, and it came and it is now under the blankets, but it looks so much better than it did before. I am really happy with it.
It's been a bit chilly here lately, and we've been wearing a lot of flannel shirts. I love the feel and look of flannel, don't you? Especially at this time of year.
I know this isn't real cabin-ish, but I wanted to bring out a few of my dolls in their Christmas outfits for the season...This is my "Margie Doll", so named for my Aunt Margie who gave her to me for my 7th birthday. My mother made her this beautiful dress many years ago, and I love to let her wear her winter finery for Christmas.
And then I brought out my other little Christmas doll, and I've probably shared her story before too.
My mother made her pretty little taffeta dress to match the dresses she made for my sister and me many years ago.
This is the card my mother wrote with the picture of my sister and me in our pretty little taffeta Christmas dresses.
And the "Martin Sisters" have come for a tea party and are gathering around the piano to sing some Christmas carols.
And Valerie is having a tea party with Santa in the kitchen. Looks like he brought her a special doll for Christmas!!
And we are having some cinnamon rolls for breakfast...
That always makes me smile, even if they are just poppin' fresh. It's just fun to do something different
once in a while!
Yes, I think we need to "Let there be joy in this place!"
That's the title of our church Christmas cantata that we are working on. The theme song is:
"Let There Be Joy in This Place"
Chorus:
"Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy, exceeding great joy be in this place...
Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy in the place,
Let there be joy, exceeding great joy be in this place.
"After Mary heard the angel's news
She rejoiced in God her Savior,
She began to praise and magnify His name.
Mary sang to God Almighty,
"Lord, You've done to me great things,"
Now let us feel the joy that Mary felt on that day.
Chorus
There were shepherds on the hillside
Who were startled by a bright light.
The angel bro't good tidings of great joy.
And the wise men and the shepherds,
And all the host of heaven
with thankful hearts they praised the Christ Child Baby Boy!
Chorus
"Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy, exceeding great joy be in this place...
Let there be joy in this place,
Let there be joy in the place,
Let there be joy, exceeding great joy be in this place."
(Written by Otis Skillings)
Are those Madame Alexander dolls? OH my ... so many memories. I would ask for one each Christmas... and often I would save my allowance money for months to buy another one during the year. They are all somewhere in my attic :( Thank you for the wonderful walk down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteOh my, Molly...You might want to get them out of the attic before they are damaged by the heat...just saying...the little dolls at the cabin are Madame Alexander Hallmark Tree ornaments. They come out with a new one almost every year I think. My sister buys them for me, and I put the little stands on their feet so they can stand. They are designed to hang in the tree. The bigger dolls are not Madame Alexander. I do have some of the storybook size and one larger one, "Anne of Green Gables". My mother collected them, but when we settle their estate the dolls went all different directions, but I got the one I wanted. they are very special dolls! I am glad you enjoyed seeing them!! Merry Christmas!
DeleteI love your snowy scene print! Is it a Thomas Kincaid?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi! So good to hear from you!! I've been wondering if you were okay as I haven't seen a recent post (unless there is one now I missed). The snowy scene is not a Kincaid. Would be nice if it was! But Cracker Barrel came out with these that light up a couple of years ago, and my sister in law gave me that one for Christmas. I haven't been there yet this year to see if they have any new ones. I love it. Thank you!!
DeleteSo many beautiful treasures and memories to go with them. Everything looks beautiful Pamela! Bundle up and stay warm there in your very own little cozy cabin :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. Yes, I am bundling up these days. God my flannels and my warm long pants, and I am drinking my hot tea right now as we speak...winter has come to Florida this week for sure!!
DeleteYour home has a warm and welcoming look to it. I am sure it is just that in reality. Yes, let there be joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. I hope our home is warm and welcoming...it's just too bad we really can't welcome too many people these days...but better days are coming I am sure. We just have to hang on! Yes, "let there be joy" in this place! No matter what!!
DeleteI loved this post!!! Your home is lovely-and that little cabin scene is just so sweet and makes me kind of nostalgic for my home in the mountains of PA (Bradford County). I hope you have a wonderful night. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Diana. My sister and my cousin saw my post and we started wondering if there was any way we could contact the new owners of our grandparents' old cabin and see if they would let us come stay there for a weekend. Of course, we would have to get there somehow...probably won't be in the winter! LOL. (Although I would love it if I could).
DeleteThe new couch cover looks great, Pam, and all of your decorations and dolls do add to the warm 'cabin' feel of your lovely home!! Those cinnamon rolls look delicious!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. It's been fun decorating this year, even with a stiff neck. LOL And yes, those poppin' fresh cinnamon rolls taste good on a chilly morning...and they smell so good when they are baking. That's half the fun of having them...smelling them bake! LOL. I hope you have a wonderful day.
DeleteYour dolls are so very precious! I love the cabin feel too and have put some plaid pillow covers on my pillows. My sofas are red so they work well on them. It's been nice to have the cooler temps and was downright cool when we hiked today! Enjoy your evening! Give your baby doll a hug for me. Holiday hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane. I would love to see your plaid pillow covers. I bet they are pretty with the red sofas. Oh, I haven't brought out my Baby Elva yet for Christmas...she is dressed and ready, but I guess I need to do a feature post on her soon...I think it is in the works. She's playing in her buggy in her room right now. LOL. I hope you can keep taking those wonderful hikes. This has been good, chilly, but good hiking weather. I've not been out as much this week with a stiff/sore neck, but I need to get out and walk more. Maybe it would help. I hope your headaches are getting better? Take care, and God bless you!
DeleteBeautiful! I adore your little tours. I imagine there is some wonderful little scene everywhere a person could look in your home. I especially love that each thing is a priceless memory for you and you share them with us. It's definitely feeling more like Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy. I wish you could come and "take a little tour" with me, and then I would love to come and take a little tour with you at your house. We each have our own special treasures and memories that make up our Christmas decorations/memories. But mostly, we need to make new memories for those that are still coming up...you are blessed to have those sweet little grandchildren to enjoy making memories with. That is the best Christmas joy of all!
DeletePretty dolls and treasures :) I had a madame alexander doll but it got ruined by the kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. Oh, I am sorry to hear about your Madame Alexander doll. Even though I have always been an advocate for allowing children to play with their dolls, it was always with the understanding that they had to take good care of them. But things happen, and life goes on, albeit a little more carefully or sadly. If I could, I would send you a new one for Christmas. (((hugs)))
DeleteI enjoyed your Christmas post and all your dolls and figurines. I especially enjoyed the Christmas at the Cabin story you told and your figurines to illustrate it. I'm glad you were able to find a slip cover you like. I know how we feel when we don't have things just right. I like the last photo. It is so nice and cosy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny. I am so glad you joined us for this special Christmas at the Cabin event. Yes, I am finding it very "joyful in this place", just preparing our hearts for Jesus' Birthday. I still have much to do...shopping/wrapping/baking...but one day at a time it is all coming together. I hope you have a very Merry and joyful Christmas as well!
DeleteLet there be joy in this place, indeed, Pamela! I love your enchanting photos and stories to go along with all your treasures. What a great way to prepare our hearts for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you, Martha. I guess I've been living in the imaginary world a lot lately here, but it keeps me from going "stir crazy" (or maybe I have already!) Anyway, I enjoy Christmas and all the fun that goes with it...which is a part of the joy of the story of Christmas! "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow"...and that gives me great joy!
DeleteI love your dolls and their stories. We are getting a little north Florida winter this month. I too am getting to wear a little flannel and some scarves while outside.I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy! It is such fun to play a little these days and enjoy the holidays as much as we can, since we can't have all the parties and gatherings that we might normally do. Yes, it has been a bit chilly here, and the flannels have felt quite nice! It has warmed up a bit today, which is nice too. I need to get out a little more and especially need to get out and finish my shopping. Been waiting for my stiff neck to stop hurting before I do that...probably next week will see me "shop til I drop" and then I'll be done! Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteOh the dolls, the flannel, the cinnamon buns! It's so warm and cozy here this morning! I'm so grateful to meet you this week, Pamela ...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! I'm so glad you popped in for some cinnamon buns and a cup of tea with me! It's such fun to make new friends (and "keep the old...one is silver and the other is gold") Please do come back and visit again so we can get better acquainted!
DeleteI love how you decorate...your dolls are wonderful. Brought back a lot of memories. I never thought to do cinnamon rolls in the cast iron. Got to try that in the morning!
ReplyDeleteI saw someone else do the cinnamon rolls in an iron skillet...theirs were most likely the real deal, not the poppin' fresh kind, which I would love to do sometime, but in a pinch it's fun to just do the easy ones and smell them baking! Thank you for visiting. If I knew you were coming I'd try to make the real ones! LOL.
DeleteWhat a priceless treasure, the handwritten note from your mother and the doll dresses she fashioned. The soft lights and fireplace make your home seem so inviting! Yes, I love flannel but resist wearing myself for fear of being mistaken for an NFL middle linebacker. (*grin*).
ReplyDeletePS - Do the wee residents of Pamela's Victorian Cottage have names?
You know, I never thought to name my "wee residents" of Pamela's Victorian Cottage. I don't know why, because I usually name all my dolls, but these are all little mini "Wendy" Madame Alexander dolls, but they can't ALL be named Wendy...However the one I got last year, with the long hair and the big pink bow, holding a nutcracker, was named "Clara" from the Nutcracker, so that is her name. I will have to check on the others to see if they came with a special name....and if not, I will have to think on it...You've given me a new assignment for this Christmas season! LOL.
DeleteOh, Thank YOU Sandra, for visiting back with me! I love to make new friends here, and Christmas is a wonderful time to do just that. Especially this year when so many of us really can't have people in our homes for tea parties and Christmas gatherings like we'd like to! The virtual kind is fun and very pleasant!! I hope you will come again for a nice long visit!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photos and I especially love your nativity.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. Just getting in the "Spirit" of Christmas more and more everyday!
DeleteOh my! Adorable dolls and gorgeous nativity!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Thank you for visiting today!!
DeleteGirlfriend, your house looks BEAUTIFUL and so festive!--love it. Your couch cover does look real nice. I liked the old print....but I agree this looks great too especially w/th your Christmas colors/decor. Love all your sweet dolls! And the cute cabin. They sure had a fun time there didn't they? LOL OH gosh, we have something else in common...I wear the flannel shirts nearly every day, to me they are so warm and the older they are....THE SOFTER, so cozy! I really love plaid flannel big shirts--I wear them with EVERYTHING---pants, jeans, skirts, over dresses, even with SEQUINS if I'm in a sparkly mood, ha ha! Your porcelain dolls are pretty too, love that tiny tea set with them. OH!!--WHERE did y'all get your lil fireplace?? I'm hoping to find one like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbi. I love that you love so much! You are a person of great enthusiasm for life, and I love that! I'm sitting here now in my favorite flannel shirt, sipping my morning cup of tea and warming up for the day. In regards to the fireplace, we ordered that several years ago through a company called "Plow and Hearth". I just checked them online, and I don't think they carry this same one anymore, but if you check around you may be able to find a good deal on one. We love ours. You can just enjoy the flames without the heat if you don't need the heat, but the heat has two settings and it can warm up a very large room in no time. We love it. Perfect ambiance.
DeleteYour home is cozy and welcoming with all the special Christmas decor. I especially love the dolls, and those lovely outfits your Mom made. The lyrics to the hymn are beautiful. Have a nice upcoming weekend,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, creative post, Pam. It's good to get away from the noise of the world and to think on simpler things.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!