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| This is a Sweet and Simple Winter Tea...WITH...Little Ellie Claus as a surprisingly Sweet and Magical story, worth an evening to savor ... It was written in 2000 and because I bought it when it was released I was also treated to the Radko Snowflake ornament that was made ONLY for the release of this book... The first editions came with a coupon to send to Radko to claim the snowflakes(while they lasted)... I am "Shocked" that this story has not been made into a movie... It has a perfect twist to the hardships of the depression era, but develops into a heartwarming traditional story that should be read... Thank you Mr Manos, you are a fine writer!!! |
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| This Polar Pair has graced my company since the 80s when I picked them up at an after Christmas sale for "peanuts"! I love their unique style as they adorn the table with illumination... They are quite big fellows too, so they watch over carefully as the kiddies dip in for a second round of cookies with an intimidating stare... |
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| "Hey, Didn't you ALREADY have a third helping of those"??? |
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| Growing up my Dad would always hang these ornaments on our tree...He was in charge of the "Glass Ones"... He did a good job of guarding their safety because "Here they are", two of my VERY FAVORITES! and they NEVER have been put on any of my trees, they always have a "Guest of Honor Seat at our Table"!!! The crystal bowl they are in was a thrift shop find last week, there were three different pieces, all from the same pattern "Imperial Crystal Candlewick". ALL are in mint condition "AND" they were all 50cents(Jackpot!!!) I am "ALMOST" feeling guilty... OK... I'm over the guilt AND now I'm feeling like I'm giving them a good loving home! I will always wonder who could have given these treasures away and I will keep that anonymous spirit alive in the love that will be shared with friends and family... Someday I will return the favor of my borrowed time by passing these Favorite Things onto Someone Special who will cherish them as I have... "Who Knows It May be You"!!! |
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| Do you see my little napkin holder??? He's a frosted little German crystal polar bear that just patiently rests on top of the napkins... He's quite hefty for his size so he does his job well! |
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| This is one of those things I love that "Almost Got Away"! It's an Italian Umbriaverde ceramiche dinnerplate in the most beautiful light creamy yellow(so pale it could pass for not being yellow at all)... By the time I made up my mind I "Had to Have a set of these", they were almost gone and I only got 4...NOW, the "Hunt is on" because I love every detail about them, their irregular shape, and OH THAT COLOR!!! |
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| You all know Johnson Brothers Friendly village! It needs no introduction... BUT... In my home the dinnerplate that came with the set, JUST was too small for supper... Hubby and all my 6'3plus,plus,plus Sons would NOT approve of the size...SO... I own all the buffet dishes(a much more generous size plate)... This is "MY DISH", it's my favorite of all the pictures(and there are LOTS of different ones)...This is Maple Time, do you see the buckets on the trees??? AH, come February, that's what it looks like here in Connecticut! |
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| I'm using a "Federal Glass amber depression glass Cake Plate" as my chargers... This pattern is Patricia and it was made between 1933 & 1937... I found these at GW for $2 each in MINT condition! I also bought other treasures that day which must have come from the same collector. I will use them another day... |
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| An English Cup, A Radko Little Ellie Claus Snowflake, and one of the most "Beautiful Scarves I have ever seen"... This scarf that ripples along my table today is a "Diana Tartan Memorial Scarf"...I have tried to photograph it's beauty but this MUST be seen in person to appreciate... I bought this scarf when it was first introduced, the proceeds go to Diana's charity... and if I were to say that's why I bought it, it would not be true... AT FIRST SIGHT, this color combination is "Captivating" and will NOT let you leave without having several items draped over your arm... I did not know of the charity when I placed my treasure on the sale counter, AND when the clerk told me, I quickly scooped up more of the Diana Tartan... The piece on my table is Mohair, It is my favorite... The sizes and styles have changed a little since I bought my goodies, BUT you can still buy them and read about Diana here @ http://www.dianatartan.co.uk/products/Ladies-Mohair-Scarf-and-Tam-Set.html# |
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| Can you see the wonderful Texture & Colors in Diana's Scarf??? |
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| This buck "Almost" got away! I spotted him at Home Goods the first year I discovered their store... Of Course (those of you that know me "KNOW" I love to sleep on it before making purchases)... The store ONLY HAD ONE, although I DID tuck it in behind some "Boring Large Items" in hopes of camouflage "JUST IN CASE"!!! OK, I didn't sleep that night, AND I was out the door before breakfast... hmmmm, the camouflage did not work, BECAUSE, he was gone... I asked a clerk if they would get more and "She Pointed"....I SWEAR I saw a beam of light "Spotlight my Trophy"!!! There he was, He had been MOVED to the "END Display", the one that "EVERYONE" looks at(even bored husbands have been seen gawking in front of the END Display)! I would have lost him for sure if I had grabbed even a coffee that morning!!! |
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| "Isn't he Handsome"??? |
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| "Aurora Borealis" |
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| This is the German handstitched tablecloth that was under my setting... It was hard to see so I folded it to let you have a closer glimpse of it and all it's splendor... The stitching is an Ice Blue on an off white cloth which matched the tablescape perfectly... |
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74 comments:
Beautiful post! I loved reading about the scarf and your trophy buck :)
Your polar bears are too cute! Very pretty vignette. Happy WW.
-Danielle
Beautiful - I love all of your decor especially the trophy buck :) Great find.
What a gorgeous cloth!!! Thank you for showing it off at the end. I loved your stories today. What a great find and luck with the buck. The story of the scarves is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Donn...I just love the old world feel this table has. The cloth is gorgeous and that scarf...well I can see why you loved it at first site. The polar bears add a great sense of whimsey. I'll look for this book...I like a good read :)
CHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail
Donna, your table is exquisite, so many minute details...the scarf...beautiful. I think the polar twins are adorable and so unusual.
Such beautiful things! I love the ornaments at the table, lovely sentimental pieces!
Beautiful goodies, Donna~ I love those polar bears! We used Friendly Village for our Christmas dishes...
Your tablescape is absolutely stunning and so different. Well done!
Judy
Donna, you are a master and staging these vignettes. Each detail is perfection. You should link this to FFT on Saturday.
I don't know what my favorite piece is. Love the bears, but each detail is exquisite.
that was stunning*, all my favorite things, books, snowflakes*, deer, polar bears, topped* of with* your stunning photography skills. simply charming*
Dear Donna,
again such a delightful post. You are the Queen of pretty table vignettes. Love the polar bears, the china and the tablecloth and every detail. All looks so pretty winterly like a forest in snow and at the same time so cozy. Very very nice. Thank you so much for this beauty.
Season Greetings, Johanna
Lovin' those polar bears!
Happy WW and Merry Christmas!
Warmest wishes- Tete
Perfection, perfection, perfectoin,each phota one fairytale
Anett
I like the "woman's" trophy buck much better than the male version! lol. A beautiful table Donna, you know I'm lovin' the ornaments and the beautiful J-Bro plate! Have a great day:@)
Donna, I don't know where to start. Everything is so lovely! I love the way you take interesting, eclectic items and (seemingly) effortlessly put them together for a gorgeous, cohesive vignette.
I also want to thank you for posting about the book. I have a thirteen year old daughter who loves reading about the depression era. My grandmother has told her so many stories about being a teenager then. She also likes to cook a popular Southern depression era dessert, Chocolate Biscuits. I am going to find Little Ellie Claus for her!
Well, I guess if I have to see it in person....I am on my way!!!! ha ha, Donna, you need to watch what you say around me....ha ha, just teasing, but you know that I would be there just share a cup of tea with you and look at all the beautiful collections you have!!!! Love the polar bears!!!!
Gorgeous, gorgeous snowflake!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
The polar bears are fun-something unexpected!
Gorgeous!
Donna...I ordered this book on Amazon this morning. Thanks again for the recommendation.
CHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail
Oh, Donna, someday I will get out my Radko collection and we can enjoy it--I must say that I missed that piece!! That was the year we were moving and I was not on top of things. I would love to read that book and am going to find it. Too bad I didn't find that buck before you did! Maybe it was even before I found Home Goods. How about a trip to the Christmas Barn (rt. 7) after Christmas for their sale? Oh, we will do great damage! Love the falling snow on your pictures. Linda
Everything... really special. Like waling through a Christmas land of delight!
Blessings!
Ann
PS Thanks for entering my GIVEAWAY!! (I'm not sure your profile came though on the follow button - did you follow with google Friends? It doesn't matter really - you're still registered!)
Beautiful post once again Donna. What I wouldn't give to have your bear candlesticks...oh I am soooo green with envy!
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Ess D'Ess Bears and Bearly Sane Studio
How beautiful! I must look for that book! Donna, you put everything together in such a lovely way!
Thank you so much for joining in the White Christmas Party with such a stunning entry!
Donna everything is so beautiful! I love the tabelcloth the most. So lovely and classic.
xx, shell
Donna, thank you for treating us to such a fun table. I loved the polar bears as we used to call my son, a forever blond, a polar bear. Thanks for the tip on the book Little Ellie Claus as I have never heard of it before. Just loved all the little details. Joni
This is wonderful! I love the bears!
So soft and inviting. I love the polar bear candlesticks, very original. You have put it all together with lovely textures and beautiful pieces.
Donna, I can't believe your luck in finding that gorgeous amber "Patrician" depression glass plate at goodwill! Sometimes the pattern is called "Spoke", because it looks like the spoke of a wheel. I have the same pattern, but in green.
I love the scarf and your trophy buck! Thanks for letting us know about Little Ellie Claus. I received the information you emailed me about your lovely home and business and showed my husband ;o) Christmas Wishes and Happy New Year!
Absolutely magic, every vignette you do just amazes me. I am drawn in by what you write and there is so much to see. I love this and i love the special ornaments from your family. I was supposed to receive some from my Aunt but never got any. They are treasures. Oh, I also watched the video of Rhemy. Wow, such talent.
Oh I so love this...I'm not familiar with this book at all & to think there was a Radko ornament created for it! To say I am a fan of Radko would be an understatement! So many wonderful elements, your scarf, the buck, the bears & the transferware...Love it all!
I love it all! Your photos are a feast for the eyes. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your treasures. Merry Christmas!
The tablecloth is a beauty.
I am so glad I found your blog. Your table is gorgeous and your photos are spectacular. I am a new follower and will be stopping by often. Happy Holidays.
Carey
Your pictures are very nice love all the table decor. thanks for sharing
beautiful decorations but the best...those bears. love them.
Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it! Love the polar bears and the ornament. I will have to get that book, sounds wonderful. My fav however is that scarf. I may have to try to find one somewhat like it. Thanks for joining JFF!! hugs, Linda
Oh your tablescape makes me feel merry and bright!
Seasons greetings to you and yours.
Oh Donna, so many treasures on one table! I love it. My favorite part is the tablecloth. I'm glad you gave a close up.
Soo beautiful and festive. Love the bears, they are grrrrreat
Everything is beautiful!~Ames
I love the scarf!! Love the polar bears too!
Oh my gosh, I love those polar bears and those glass ornaments, the snowflake ornie is divine and I can see all of the texture in it. I remember my mom having a tablecloth similar to that. She spent some time in Germany before I was born. {Dad was in the Air Force} I believe I still have several of the napkins that matched it.
I'm visiting for White Wednesday...a bit late. I wish you a magical Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Stephanie ♥
Great stories. Your vignette is full of wonderful treasures. Love the polar bears and the buck. I also love the blue and white tablecloth. I have one very similar to it with matching napkins that I have had for a very long time and it is one of my favorites.
~ Tracy
Oh my gosh....this is ALL so MAGICAL!!!!
My Show n Tell Link - A Jim Shore Find
Do stop by and say 'hi' if you can find time. Have a great week ahead.
Love it all -- every little inch! The polar bears are great and the scarf is gorgeous!
What a pretty setting. You were so lucky to find the plates that you are using as chargers. What fun those polar bears are. Hugs, Kim
I'll look for that book. What a lot of beautiful things in your Christmas tablescape. The scarf is lovely and that blue and gold teacup is great.
Your cottage looks so pretty surrounded by snow.
What a wonderful table you've set -- now those polar bears are just the best! Merry Christmas!
Gorgeous Donna. Those depression glass chargers from GW were a splendid find!
If God looked kindly on coveting, I'd be coveting those polar bear candlesticks. They are outstanding! Enjoyed readign about the diana tartan. It's gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay
Donna you have collected some wonderful things to adorn your home, and how beautifully everything goes together.
Now all you need is some Q!
Thanks for leaving a comment on the QCI blog, we'd love you to join us soon.
Maggie
I LOVE everything about this tablescape! The polar bears are marvelous, the scarf divine. Enverything I adore. In fact, I'm going back for a second look. Just beautful. Thank you for sharing.
Charlene
Oh Donna, I lingered over every photo in this post! What a gorgeous table! Each item is in itself a beauty, but all of them together just make such a fabulous vinette. Of course, my appreciation of this vignette extends to your commentary about how each piece was found and what bargains so many of them were. I love every inch of this tablescape, and therefore, I cannot even begin to say what my favorite thing on the table would be. As a matter of fact, I'm going back to look at all of the photos again. Thank you so much for linking this beautiful, enchanting setting to Favorite Things. Have a wonderful Christmas. laurie(P.S. The photo in your header of the cottage covered in snow is sooo pretty.)
Hi Donna, This is a lovely post. I'm like you in that if I cannot sleep then It's a sign that I must get the nagging item. If I go home a forget about it then, it's not for me. I adore your sweet trees.
Thanks for the tip about the book. I had not heard of it but now I'll be on the look out for it.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Hi,I'm visiting from Sandi's Tea Time Tuesday.
Your table is lovely with so many special things. I like the polar bears and love your Diana scarf. The book I'll have to look for, thanks for sharing it.
Merry Christmas.
Oh my, this is just stunning. I love your bear candlesticks, how unusual and gorgeous. You always do the most wonderful and stunning vignettes. I look forward to every one. Thanks so much for linking to TTT and I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed Christmas. Hugs, Marty
Hi Donna! Just beautiful ~ every bit of it! I also want to tell you that my Mom is crazy about that French Chateau you and your husband designed. If she lived in CT, you would have a buyer! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
This is such a gorgeous tablescape...a perfect representation of how pretty winter can be. I love your polar bears.
I love your glass ornaments. I too have antique ones from my childhood tree and collect Christopher Radkos. Your tablescape is beautiful. It speaks to me (maybe because I also use Friendly Village at Christmas.
Donna, I'm back for more of this magical post. Your polar bears are so dear! I'm going to get a copy of this book. ~ Sarah
Loved those cute Polar Bears! Beautiful tablescape. Your teacup is lovely.
Hi Donna,
Your post is a delight to me! Sweet little teacup! I truly enjoyed the telling of your special buck and the scarf. Love the glass ornies and polar bears. I adore tiny trees under glass too! A magical, Wintery post; thank you!
Christmas blessings to you & your family,
Sandi
Donna, I swear I fall in love with the romance and beauty you put into every single post. I have just spent the past 25 minutes going over and over your incredibly beautiful photos of your polar bears, your buck, the scarf, trees, snowflake ornament, gorgeous plates, and the gorgeous hand blown glass ornaments that your father would place on your tree every year... oh my goodness... all of it. Your humor, insight, depth of sharing and joy are beautifully knit through all your captions and little stories under each photo and within the photos themselves. Thank you so much for sharing your magical world with folks like me. It is always a deep pleasure to visit you here.
Blessings to you my friend,
Susan @ CluckleBees
Donna, your table is just breathtaking, I love the elegance along with the whimsy of the bears. Thank you sooooo much for sharing this weeks table with us. Merry Christmas.
Just popping in to wish the Connolly's and Millers a very blessed Christmas!
Kathleen
Donna,
It's always a treat to visit. I love this setting and the narrative you included. I always learn something new from you! Thanks so much for sharing!! I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Sharlotte
Everything is so beautiful. The photos are gorgeous and the accessories, oh my! Everything is just stunning!...Christine
Love the polar bears!
So beautiful and magical. Those bears are so unique and that ornament is amazing. Thank you so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
Hello there at long last!
..,(I am so tired.., I just wrote a longer comment and alas blogger 'bumped me out')..,Ooops!
(This is frustrating as I am not as well as I would like to be these days with my energy levels); yet there is so much beauty and so much to be thankful for.., Oh well!..,
So sorry I haven't visited earlier; this is beyond lovely however!
Much like a woodland hush after a freshly fallen snow; I do believe this post is truly one of my all time blogging favorites!
Please always feel most welcome to pop by and say 'hello' and enjoy a little cup of tea!
Happy New Year dear lady!
Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen
Thanks Donna for popping over to my blog ,it allowed me to find your lovley blog ,I am sitting here in 30 degree heat ,dreaming of some snow and a white Christmas,I look forward to reading more of your blog soon.
~Sharon~
Hello Donna,
What a wonderful, whimsical, wintry post! LOVE all your treasures and the stories behind them.
Happy New Year!
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
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