Wall Decals

      My mother had the interior of her house painted recently and did not want to rehang the multiple framed portraits that had graced this wall for quite a few years. She could find no replacement that pleased her, so when I happened upon an idea during an on-line search, I hurried to the local arts and crafts store and perused their stock of art prints, posters and wall decals. Nearing the end of the display bins, I began to think my search was in vain and then, I found it - the perfect piece of art for that hallway. In a poster-sized package were a set of letter and illustrative decals that defined the core of Mom's life. In mid-January, after the holiday crush, I measured, marked horizontal and vertical guidelines (which took some thought and time) and then applied the decals (which was the simplest and most enjoyable part of the process!) The results were most pleasing, better than I had hoped, even considering the obstacle of an ill-placed thermostat.

The High Chair

     This high white child's chair used to gleam a lot whiter. And the tiny decoupaged Beatrix Potter motifs were once whole and intact. But years of use by grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors has taken its toll and despite a renovation with new enamel paint several years ago, all those little hands and fingers have left a legacy of loving attention. I found the chair nearly two decades ago in an antique shop and was smitten with it immediately because it reminded me of an illustration in James Whitcomb Riley's Child-Rhymes with Hoosier Pictures (a book that originally belonged to my mother as a child and that thoroughly intrigued me as a child). Anyway the chair was relegated to the basement laundry room last year because everyone had outgrown it. Rissy spied it during the holidays and begged to have it returned to the dining room, initially I suspect, for a nostalgic bit of use for herself, but finding her long legs now a very ill fit she decided to employ it for her doll.

     As soon as dinner was over and the chair pulled away from the table, little Miss Molly, never one to let a room configuration change, however slight, go uninvestigated, perched herself comfortably in the seat. Several times over the next few days, I would find the chair appropriated thus and I firmly believe that Miss Molly has claimed it for her own!

A Gift of Blackberries

     A neighbor gave me half of a pint of blackberries for getting her mail while she was out of town. Since I love berries, and because they are quite expensive at this time of year, the little basket was a welcome gift. A sweet coincidence also since it was baking day, in no time at all I had a yeast dough mixed up, kneaded and set to rise.

     The blackberries were luscious - big and beautiful but there were not enough for filling a coffeecake. After a pantry search, I came up with a can of peaches, which I drained and diced, and added to the berries. A quick stew with sugar and flour produced a thick filling, which was spread down the middle of the raised dough. After 'braiding' the side strips of dough over the top, and another raising, the cake was slipped into the oven to bake.

     A simple glaze iced the cake after cooling and because the holiday season was still upon us, I tossed some colored sprinkles over the top. The combination of fruits was interesting and pretty, and even the kids declared it a winner (kids who wouldn't have touched whole blackberries!)

Winter Blows In

     Yesterday was truly winter. For weeks the weather has been moderate, dry and warm enough for open windows in the afternoon, but a change in the jet stream reminded us that old man winter was just in repose. The morning brought a whiteout of snow, icy streets, brutal cold and a biting wind, all expected to be around for a while. It was, of course, the talk of the day, in conversations and in the news. It's always amusing to listen to the whining that ensues in these situations - schools should have been closed, streets weren't cleared fast enough (my personal favorite is, "There was snow on the street and I couldn't see the pavement!") and just the loathing of winter in general. How spoiled we are as a civilization! The people who complain the most have homes with central heating, workplaces that are over-heated and cars that may even have heated seats. How much time do they really spend in the elements?

     I am reminded of this book, The Long Winter, which I have reread every year since childhood. It has even become part of my Christmas decor. Blizzards for nearly seven months, a grease candle for light, haysticks for heat and potatoes and bread for sustenance? Methinks every modern-day malcontent should read this and instead be thankful.

The Christmas Table

     The dining room table is the heart of our home - it is here we eat, play, work and relax - sometimes in a group and sometimes alone. No matter what business is embraced during our active hours, in repose at the beginning and the end of each day, the table always reflects a season or a mood. In the weeks before Christmas, when secrets are rampant, the dark is filled with candlelight and twinkly tree lights, and it is necessary for the tabletop to be easily cleared for wrapping, crafting, gaming, etc., woven nutcracker placemats surround a holiday floral centerpiece that holds an apple-cinnamon scented red candle.

     However, for the last week in December, the mats are replaced with a crisp white lined tablecloth printed with vintage Christmas images. It brightens up the room and since it doesn't completely banish the festive feeling, helps prevent post-holiday blahs.

Rudolph Crossed

     A gift that brought tears to the recipient, this colorful framed cross-stitch was ten-year-old Rissy's first neeedlework project (the inspiration was described in a previous crafty post). She was able to work on it during weekly visits to my house, wanting to keep it a secret from her mother. As Christmas loomed she knew there wasn't time for her to finish the entire scene, so I volunteered to complete the last segment - the yellow moon (which left me blurry-eyed and headachey because my vision is not optimal anymore). Anyway three days before Christmas, we shopped for a frame. The odd size required a custom-cut mat but instead we opted for red plaid ribbon shot with a gold thread. Glued in place over the mounted project, it was a delightful sparkly complement to the holiday colors. Rissy and her mother were proud of her accomplishment and they now have a treasured keepsake;  I have a grand-daughter who, hopefully, will continue pursuing her new-found love of needlework

Lighting Up for the Holidays

     The dining room chandelier, of brushed brass with its glass chimneys and candle-flame bulbs, is simple and pretty. Adorned with pine boughs, small shiney ornaments and a red bow, the fixture becomes festive but not overdone.