Merry Thursday my friends!
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
1 John 5:11
You are invited to a Sunshine Cottage Christmas! We hope you have a very merry visit!
Christmas gives me the opportunity to bring out my collections. Long-time readers have seen the ceramic Santas made by my beloved Mother. I am excited to use them in the cottage this year.
Nutcrackers escaped from the dining table and are feeling more at home in the cottage. The old Underwood typewriter is a perfect spot to place our son’s family Christmas card!
So many sweet memories each year as I unwrap and place the Santas. Do you get misty eyed unboxing Christmas decorations? It is like visiting with old friends once again.
Our girls love these pretty Madame Alexander dolls! My mother had a display cabinet filled with them. Daddy has left them untouched, except for an occasional dusting by the sweet lady that keeps his house. I brought a few home for the girls to enjoy!
I had determined I would not purchase any new Christmas dishes. But that was before I saw these at TJ Maxx. They could not jump in my cart fast enough! I just couldn’t pass up the Christmas Sleigh dinner plates by Royal Stafford.
The reason we celebrate Christmas – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
I have way too many collections, but I haven’t been able to part with them because of the memories attached. My Mother started the Byers’ Choice Carolers collection and one of my dear friends added many more! They have sung from the mantel, the foyer, and now they are singing in the Sunshine Cottage!
The nutcrackers were featured recently on a tablescape. In case you missed it, you can see it here.
This will be the only year that the cottage will have a doll tree. By next year WL will be old enough to enjoy Christmas and I will come up with a different idea for the tree. Most of these Madame Alexander dolls are from the storybook collection. I kept the tree simple to allow the dolls to be featured.
Fresh Leyland Cypress softens the hard scape and adds texture to the shelves Green majolica plates are paired with the Santa sleigh plates and bottlebrush trees!
I love the colorful whimsy the nutcrackers and plates provide on this side of the room.
The comfy chair where I read and occasionally nap with EK! The best naps are while holding a sleeping grandchild!
Over the years the choir has grown to twenty-eight members.
Five year old Ella Mae arranged the carolers and said, “Don’t move them, PJ!” I haven’t.
Snuggles the bear rarely leaves the cottage. He was first loved by our son and now our grandchildren! He has been repaired once and will probably need more!
This is the second Christmas season for the cottage. It has been a fun place for the grands to play and I have to admit it is a fun adult play house for me!
Thank you so much for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Merry Thursday Pam! So much Christmas cheer in your Sunshine Cottage with all your collections of nutcrackers, carolers, dolls, dishes and greenery! I know your girls love visiting what must seem like it’s a life size doll house. I love your new Christmas Sleigh plates too. ♥
Thanks so much, Mary. Enjoy your day ♥️
Good Morning Pam. Merry Thursday to you!
I enjoyed our sweet visit to the Sunshine Cottage all decorated so beautifully for Christmas.
I too would have purchased those Christmas Sleigh Plates. They are perfect next to your Momma’s Santa’s.
Enjoy the Season my friend.
Merry Thursday to you!
Thanks so much, Nancy. Enjoy your day ♥️
Merry Christmas, Pam! Beautiful cottage and I agree about those naps holding grands!
Thank you, Cathy!
Oh sweet Pam, Sunshine Cottage has never glowed more brightly! It is beautiful!! What makes it so very special is that each piece tells your story. I always get misty eyed also as I unpack my pieces. How sweet that EK arranged your carolers, and what a fine job she did. My newest addition has been a 1960s ceramic tree that belonged to John’s mother and was made by his late sister-in-law…a true family treasure. This week was bittersweet because Mumsy’s beloved kitty came to live with us in September and passed on Tuesday. He was 20 and she was 96, they both knew the secret to living long and well.
Thank you dear one! I am so sorry to hear of Mumsy’s kitty. They both enjoyed a long life. The ceramic tree is a treasure, my Mother made so many and gave away. Have a beautiful day ♥️
As commented above your cottage is truly a life size doll house! Love all your collections. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Maureen. I admit it is lots of fun!
My mother started me on my Byers Choice carolers too. I also have way too many collections as well but…hard for someone who loves Christmas and collecting to put a halt to adding. xo
I agree, Ruthie! Wishing you a lovely day.
Your cottage is like a Christmas wonderland! I bet the grands really love it.
Thank you, Penny. We played in the cottage this afternoon!
Pam everything looks so pretty. You have such a wonderful collection. The Nutcrackers, the Santa’s and those carolers are just adorable. Glad you have such good memories tied to them too. Happy Thursday. xoxo
Thank you Kris. Merry weekend to you ♥️
The storybook cottage is enchantment personified! I love the nutcrackers, all the Santas, well, everything! The table is lovely (the plaid looks great!). Who knows? Maybe next year’s tree — if it has a toy theme — can use dolls AND boy things! They look wonderful tucked in there. I used to have a few of those and wish I still did! (I know what you mean about too many collections!) I believe our Christmas homes say so much about us — not just that we are decorating people, but in what we use and how we use it. The collections of the past and present, the toys, all the little touches. Yours is so warm and lovely! Happiness to you!
Jeanie, thanks so much for your sweet comments. I have never thought about our Christmas homes saying so much about us. I believe you are right.
Oh, so special in so many ways🥰
Thank you, Shirley!
Oh, what a happy and merry place to enjoy the season! Sunshine Cottage is beautiful in her Christmas finest. You have so many wonderful collections. When I was a little girl, I loved dolls! That doll tree is precious! Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
Thank you for your sweet comments. Merry Christmas, my friend!
Pam, The Sunshine Cottage is beautiful! I love the Santa Sleigh plates! A perfect addition! Your Mom’s Santas are always a delight to see and enjoy. She was so talented. The dolls are a wonderful addition as well and have great memories. Everything is just gorgeous. What a wonderful play house for the grands and you as well. The Christmas card is adorable! Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you dearest Clara. Your comments always warm my heart ♥️
Lovely memories with your decorations, Pam. Love those plates! I said no more dishes too, but then got a set of bowls to match my Christmas stoneware, LOL!! Sometimes you just cannot resist.
Oh Carole, it seems I can always find room for a few more dishes!
Merry Christmas ✝️ Thank you for the verses all year. Praying for all of you and yours. Have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you, Judy. I love sharing scripture. It is our prayer that God uses it for His glory. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Sunshine Cottage has never looked so festive and beautiful. Love the carolers so much. It is all perfection. It should be in Victoria as well as your home. God Bless.
You are so sweet Dianne. How is your brother? 🙏🏻
Your posts lift our hearts!! I just love them!! Thank you!
Sharon
Sharon, thank you so much!
Oh Pam, everything is wonderful. Snuggles in the chair touches my heart, and oh, the doll tree. What an idea. The family card from Seth setting on the old typewriter, the madame Alexander dolls. I still have mind laying in a cradle. I too would have grabbed the plates. Don’t have any where to store more but surely I’ll find someplace. Your moms santa. Everything to bring our hearts back home. To much to mention all of it. Precious!
Alice, your comments warm my sentimental heart. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts and your own precious memories♥️
Please tell our EM she did a wonderful job of displaying the carolers…I suspect she is demonstrating the DNA connection to
her talented Grandma….Every wall of the cottage is a visual gift of all things Christmas memory. You were blessed to have the
remarkable (in so many ways) Mother you had. The unpacking of traditional pieces makes my eyes misty and surprisingly catches my throat as well. You just don’t realize the impact some items will have on your heart for many years hence. Tell us
about that handsome tartan Santa above the beautiful plate collection. He would be the perfect match for our plaid corner
arrangement. The family photos are the perfect centerpiece of what your Sunshine Cottage is all about – devotion and caring. Thank you, Pam, for allowing us to open this beautifully wrapped Christmas gift a bit early.
Your sweet comments brought tears. The tartan Santa belonged to my Mother. I don’t know where it came from. I brought it from my Dad’s a few weeks ago to give it a new home in the cottage.♥️
Merry Thursday to you dear Pam. Everything looks so festive. I do hope that you have a most wonderful Christmas friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy. Merry Christmas my friend!
Merry Thursday to you, too! Your caroler choir is glorious!
Thank you, Michele!
I love it all, but especially those carolers so carefully arranged! And I like you even more knowing you didn’t move them! 🙂 Lots of Christmas love my friend!
Thank you, Barbara. No I couldn’t move a one. Merry Christmas, my friend!
What a Christmas delight Pam! Bless you sweet friend ❤️
Jennifer
Thank you, dear one ♥️
Oh those plates, that cozy chair, and your creative spirit, friend! I am so grateful that God has brought you into my life … you’ve added such a spark to how I look at my home and His creation. Your gentle spirit and tender smile have warmed many a chilly season.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, dear Pam.
Linda, thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend.
I so loved visiting today Pam. So beautiful. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you, Paula. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Love the caroling people!
Thank you, Laurie. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing Pam. It is all just so beautiful! I do get teary eyed unwrapping my Christmas decorations. Each one comes with a memory of years past. I get the same way when it’s time to take them down though! Merry Christmas to you and thanks for brightening my day!
Thank you so much, Denise. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
Good morning, dear Pam. Oh, how I enjoyed my visit to ‘Sunshine Cottage.’ It is such a happy place and decorated for Christmas puts it over the top. I can tell you for certain, those dishes would have jumped in my cart too. They are so pretty – I know you will enjoy them. Ella Mae seems to have a good eye for placement of things. She did an excellent job with the carolers.
Pam, know I wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas. Many thanks for the joy you share during the entire year. Blessings, dear friend.
Thank you Sandra. I enjoy decorating it for the girls. I hope to spend some time relaxing over the next couple of weeks in my chair. Merriest of Christmases to you and Michael! You are a sweet encourager and friend!
Dear friends, the Christmas atmosphere couldn’t be better displayed. All beautiful, cheerful, fun. Some have grown up during all this time as the choir of Christmas singers … how beautiful !!!! I love it … you really did a great job !!!!
Doing a count are all my favorite characters like the nutcrackers and especially the singers, I love them.
Happiness, love, good health and all the best for the whole family, With much love
Dolores
Thank You Pam for sharing this beautiful post. Wishing you and your family A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Wishing you, Joan, and Marilyn a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’
Always love your blog!!! I love the Scripture verses. I’m looking for the Christmas salad wreath recipe. Was this on your blog!!!???
Thank you, Bev. Mary at Home Is Where the Boat is might have shared the recipe.
Oh I love your choir collection! The Cottage looks wonderful and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks so much, Elizabeth. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
How pretty and festive the Sunshine Cottage is! I love all your collections and your sweet way of describing them.
I agree, you get very sentimental when you unwrap your ornaments remembering who gave them to you and the time associated with them.
You have the gift of arranging and display. Very pretty!
Wishing you a good week. I do hope you will take some time for yourself and rest. Merry Christmas, my friend.
Thank you, Bonnie. Rest begins tomorrow!
Such a festive and cozy place to “play” with all of your beautiful things! I loved Madam Alexander dolls when I was a child, how wonderful that your mother kept so many for you and your granddaughters to enjoy…the tree ia adorable! I love your carolers too, so much Christmas fun! The shelves are such a great way to enjoy so many pretty plates and nutcrackers. The Sunshine Cottage is like a Christmas fairyland!
Jenna
Sunshine Cottage is so festive and fun. I adore your Beautiful collections. The Carole’s are so special and I loved that Ella Mae arranged them. Love the greenery and those plates. A special cottage to embrace memories. Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Linda. The cottage is a place for memories. Merry Christmas!
Everything looks so festive and homey! Merry Christmas week to you and your family!
Wishing you and your sweet family a joyous Christmas!