Christmas Eve

It's finally Christmas Eve day. Time to enjoy, reflect and look forward to the evening and Christmas Day. There are so many traditions and things to enjoy and blessings in life to be thankful for. May you enjoy your day with loved ones and maybe enjoy a few treats! Remember tonight to go to bed early because Santa doesn't stop at homes where the lights are still turned on!!!

~Tanya

Dreaming of Christmas in Paris

I am dreaming of Christmas in Paris...

I made this Christmas quilt using soft edge applique technique. The pattern is 'French Roses' by Heather French. Fabric line is Holiday in Paris by Dena.

I love all of the florals, bows, colors and touch of whimsy with the line drawings. 

I added a small travel pillow with pink prairie points for a touch of color and a soft place to rest my head while dreaming of Christmas in Paris!

What a dream to spend the holiday in Paris. It's on my list of to-do's in my lifetime. 

I even added on my to-do list for the coming months to brush up on my French. I have my language cd's out and have time scheduled on my calendar for study and practice. It has been a while since college days but taking a first step to re-learn the language will bring me one step closer to my dream.

Joyeux Noel!

~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday
My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday

Snow Leaf

While taking a stroll along my driveway I noticed this little snow leaf nestled in the freshly fallen snow.

Have you ever heard of a Snow Leaf? Only nature knows of the mystery of how this little leaf nestled itself during a snowstorm. Maybe that is like life too. We nestle in during the storm only to find sunshine surrounding us. The Snow Leaf is a reminder of the recent season Fall with the promise of winter and sparkly snow.

Recently spent some time with my mom enjoying a family tradition of making Cornulete. These are a tradition passed from my father's side of the family that my mom continued and taught me. They are Romanian cookies made during the holidays and are delicious.

Filled with apricot! 

and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar... just like the little Snow Leaf.

This snow flake and cornulete definitely reminds me the holidays are upon us.

A delicious cornulete and a simple crochet place mat- please join me for a little Christmas treat.

~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,
I've been a very good girl this year. I've stitched and stitched. I've made pretty things for gifts. I've even finished a few UFO's this year!!! I didn't do much shopping this year just trying to use supplies and things I already had in my stash. You know how much I love yarn and fabric shopping. I hope it's been nice weather at the North Pole while you're getting ready to travel the world on Christmas Eve. Please say hi to Mrs. Claus for me. I know she likes to knit and crochet and make all kinds of things too so please share this letter with her. I think she'll understand!

~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Creating Christmas with Sugar & Spice
  (yes, good little girls are Sugar and Spice and every thing nice!!!)

Little Vintage Angels

These little vintage Christmas Angels would like to wish you a very merry holiday season.

They are so sweet and have earned their little angel wings. They have blessed many for many seasons and hope they bring a smile to your face this holiday season as they do mine. 

A sweet figurine. She has had many years of twinkling her holiday bells!

This little angel likes to keep her hands warm in her white fluffy muff. Precious angel keeping watch over us.

 Another vintage angel watching over.

I love vintage figurines. They have such character and bring smiles and joy to those who love them. Happy Sunday and enjoy a Vintage holiday season.

~Tanya

Sharing with:

Organized Clutter Queen ~ Creating a Vintage Style Christmas

Christmas Jam & Rose

One of my favorite things to mark the beginning of the holiday season is making Christmas Jam.

Cranberries, orange, strawberries, cloves, cinnamon... smells so divine while cooking on the stove. It makes wonderful gifts and is such a treat on a bagel or toast.  My vintage inspired Christmas Rose potholder reminds me of my summer roses. It will be a few months before I see roses again in my garden but the crochet petals flutter just like a rose does in the summer breeze.

I found a couple of beautiful vintage table linens at the thrift store this last summer and they are right at home alongside the Christmas Jam. My collection is small but slowly growing!

I truly enjoy forming the stitches of the crochet rose. Watching the rose take shape and begin to bloom right under my crochet hook makes for nice quiet winter evening stitching time.

 Happy December!!! It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas here! Enjoy each and every moment of your holiday preparations. It comes around but once a year and each year is a gift to us.

~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday
My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday
Organized Clutter Queen ~ Creating a Vintage Style Christmas

Thankful Birthday

I'm so blessed to have a family member with a 'Thanksgiving' birthday! Each year their birthday falls near or even on Thanksgiving. 

This white cake has homemade lemon curd filling and white butter cream frosting with coconut. It's layers are moist- definitely not perfectly frosted but oh my goodness it was melt in your mouth delicious!

 Lemon curd is one of my favorites.  It makes any thing taste gourmet and is so simple to make.

Today I'm thankful for birthdays. I do not take them for granted. Gravity, wrinkles, graying hair, life experiences... all those things are some what more noticeable when it's our own birthday but in the big scheme of things those things don't matter. They are age earned and awarded to us each and every year! Here's to wishing you could sit down and have a piece of cake with me too!  Celebrate, be thankful and most of all love.

~Tanya