Merry Tuesday sweet friends. Whether creating new ones, or stirring up old ones, the Sunshine Cottage is a great little place to experience Christmas memories.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,”
Galatians 4:4 ESV
Once again, the grandchildren’s tree is decorated with sweet treats ornaments. A few new ones were added this year. WL is not really impressed with the tree, he prefers tractors! At least his favorite among tractors seems to be green. Very seasonal!
Dishware rotates seasonally on the cottage shelves. Royal Stafford Christmas Sleigh plates, green majolica plates, and tartan plaid salad plates combine for a festive display!
Setting in the center of the counter is a Hummel nativity that my sweet RM gave me many years ago. It is our most important decoration in the cottage! Nativities are wonderful to use for telling the Christmas story. RM commented that he enjoyed the simplicity of this scene. There is nothing else to capture our attention and he says his eye was immediately drawn to the baby!
Long-time readers know that I am sentimental and love traditions! Our son’s childhood bear, Snuggles, is a permanent resident of the cottage. He protects a stack of decorating and gardening books. Two darling girls love that he lives in the cottage and is always available to play! A dear friend made the cross-stitch Noel pillow in the early 1980’s. So many items displayed at Christmas are all about memories!
Standing tall on the counter is a Christopher Radko musical nutcracker that was a limited edition. In the previous photo, sitting on the floor, is a large Santa that is also a Christopher Radko. He is a nutcracker and part of the “Grande Old Saint Nick” Nutcracker Series limited edition…number 244 of 600! Both were given to me by another precious friend.
All of the other nutcrackers are Steinbach and were made in Germany! The Steinbach company from Marienberg in the Ore Mountains, of Germany has been producing the finest wooden works of art such as nutcrackers, smokers and miniature figures for over 200 years. They maintain a long tradition of top quality, attention to detail, creativity, and the finest materials. Each step, every detail, and every brushstroke is carried out with care. The smallest wood figure on the bottom right behind the gingerbread cups is called a smoker (for burning incense). He celebrates Oktoberfest and is musical.
I purchased for myself the first Steinbach and very soon a collection began. My beloved Mother, a dear friend that was my nail technician, and my RM gave me the rest. They are truly like old friends when I unbox them each year. EM and EK love them and have asked if they could have them one day. I am sure you know my answer!
I found these cute Robert Stanley nutcracker salad plates at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago. The scalloped edges and gold highlights are so pretty. The girls have requested a nutcracker tea party and have told me what they want in the way of sweets! We hope to invite you all to the party, we will have to see how it all goes.
The rustic painting of the Nativity returned to the cottage this year!
I was surprised by a lovely package I received in the mail from my friend, Mary from Home Is Where The Boat Is. The darling cardinal cup with spoon and saucer will be serving up some of the special holiday teas that she also sent. Mary is my fellow tea enthusiast and co-hostess of Tea On Tuesdays! I really don’t have to introduce Mary because she is the blogger extraordinaire!
Santa and Mrs. Claus are making their first appearance in the cottage! This pair was the last ceramics that my Mother made. Along with the couple are a couple of others that she made. Bottle brush trees were added to the shelves and special Christmas cards of our family were placed on Daddy’s very old Underwood typewriter (as a child, I loved typing on this now antique typewriter).
An Old World Santa that belonged to my Mother is quite handsome, don’t you think? She didn’t make this Santa, but I am not sure if she bought it, or if it was a gift!
The table from last week’s Monday Morning Blooms is still set and amazingly the flowers are still pretty! It is Clear Crowning Glory that does the trick of keeping fresh flowers beautiful for days!
Since I am the only coffee drinker who frequents the Sunshine Cottage, I claimed this ornament as hanging on the tree especially for me. It reminds me, upon each cottage visit, that I have a commitment to prepare a mocha and…
…settle into this cozy, comfy chair and enjoy the memories that surround me. What a tremendous blessing!
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a most “memorable” Christmas!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
What a joy it is to spend time in your Christmas Sunshine Cottage. I thoroughly enjoy every single detail! Your plates are lovely on the shelves, along with your fabulous collection of nutcrackers! The grandchildren’s tree is a delight for them, I am sure. Plus, your son’s bear is priceless!
Thank you for sharing this special place with us!
Merry Tuesday!
Thank you, Nancy for your heartwarming comments. Wishing you a Merry Week!
Pam,
Thank you for the lovely and precious memories. Merry Christmas!
I am so glad you enjoyed, Gail!
Merry Tuesday Pam! The Sunshine Cottage is decked out in its Christmas finery with your wonderful collection of nutcrackers, Santas and festive dinnerware! Love your sweet Hummel nativity and the Reason for the Season. The slim Christmas tree is adorable decorated with candy and sweet treat ornaments! Hope you find to time to enjoy your comfy chair and a Peppermint Mocha this week! 🎄❤️
Thank you, Mary. I hope to spend several days with the girls playing and a day just for me!
Merry Christmas! I always enjoy seeing how you have decorated your home and the Sunshine Cottage. RHill
You are so sweet and thank you, Rachel!
Good morning Pam, Sunshine Cottage looks beautiful decked out in her Christmas finery! It is very special that every item has a sweet memory and story to tell. Your heart must be so happy that EK and EM love them too. I passed an old farmhouse last week that had a huge old (red) tractor out front, completely covered in Christmas lights…WL would have loved it! I enjoyed taking typing in high school on one of those old typewriters, the sound of the keys clicking, and hitting the return with the bell!
Thanks so much, Roxanne. I know your brunch was fabulous!
WL loves tractors, he is a farm
boy!
The nativity is so very precious but unlike Butch I noticed the balcony especially built for the angel to rest while looking down on baby Jesus. And as always I found your daddy’s typewriter that’s never put away no matter the season. That little cottage holds many dreams come true along with the memories of a life well lived. What a joy it is each time you share these memories. Pretty sure if Butch is looking for you the cottage is the first place he looks. This post says MERRY CHRISTMAS from beginning to end🌲
Alice, I am so happy you don’t tire of me sharing memories. We all have memories and by sharing them we keep them alive. I always enjoy when you share your memories with me and our readers!
Thank you for sharing your handsome Nutcracker collection! I enjoyed looking at them all!
My pleasure and thank you, Maureen!
Pam, The Sunshine Cottage has been transformed to the Christmas Cottage. It’s absolutely beautiful! The shelves are so colorful and full of wonderful memories. The tree is delightful! The chair, throws along with the pillows are all so inviting. The nativity painting is a favorite. Enjoy your week. Clara❤️
Thanks so much, Clara. Merry week to you!
How delightful the Sunshine Cottage is all decked out for Christmas Pam! Your nutcracker collection is fabulous, they look wonderful proudly displayed on the shelves! The grandchildren’s tree is so cute, so many fun ornaments and that Old World Santa is so perfect. The nativities are so special and I could curl up in your comfy chair for hours! I love the nutcracker plates, the gingerbread man mugs, and the adorable tea cup and stirrer Mary sent you~ You will be making more merry memories with your grands during this most wonderful time of the year!
Thank you, Jenna. It is truly a special place and I love filling it up with memories from the past and making new ones!
Such beautiful memories. Love the grandchildren’s tree. Your nutcracker collection is awesome. Happy New Week. Enjoy every minute of this fast moving time of year. Hugs. Kris
Your visits are always so sweet. Thank you, Kris!
Pam, every detail is enchanting. I love seeing your “china of the month” here and I especially appreciate all the personal, memory touches that you have — your mom’s creations, the mocha ornament for you, the decorations for the children’s tree. Those nutcrackers are fabulous, each and every one. The Hummel manger is a treasure and I love your use of the textiles, too. It’s such a special spot and I hope you spend a lot of time there!
Jeanie, it is a special spot and I often retreat for quiet hours to read and sometimes take a nap. I love filling the cottage with memories!
I recall running to Hobby Lobby after seeing your Robert Stanley Nutcracker
plates back then and they were all sold out. So now I enjoy them at your
cottage, along with all the grand collections and memories you share. I
recognized your beloved Mother’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus…she captured complexion color to perfection in all her works. How fortunate that your
Grands are close enough to have their imaginations stoked by their gifted
and wise Grandparents. Cherish it all….
Thank you dear one. Your sweet words are encouraging and heartwarming. Wishing you a lovely season of joy!
It’s all so beautiful, but I’m especially drawn to the Nativity painting. It’s a classic beauty.
Thanks so much, Leslie Anne. My girls love the painting!
It’s always a delight to find Everyday Living in my inbox. There is so much joy to be found through your sharing of precious memories from the past and the beauty and wonder of the simple things found in the everyday. Thank you for sharing from your hearts.
Pam Clingan
How sweet you are, Pamela. Your words of encouragement are heartwarming. Wishing you and family a blessed Christmas season!
Every picture a feast for the eyes, Pam! I love the colors you put together, the patterns and textures too. Your granddaughters and our youngest have a love of nutcrackers in common. M. asked for one for Christmas! We just may wrap up ours and gift it to her–a keepsake that she can enjoy for years, we hope!
Thank you, Nancy for your sweet visit. Nutcrackers are colorful and festive, perhaps that is why children are drawn to them!
Pam, the detail in this cottage is so special! the girls must love being in here so much. I love how they’re interested in keeping your collections. they know the value – not monetary – from your attention and care in storing them, unwrapping amd decorating with them. the nativity is so sweet. a very merry cottage, indeed!
Rita, thank you so much. It is a labor of love to make it special for our grands! Wishing a blessed Christmas season!
Pam, Sunshine Cottage is beautiful decorated with special treasures and memories. I can see how you enjoy sitting in that comfy chair with a coffee and admiring all of the pretties. I know the grands must love it to. Wishing you a most merry week, sweet friend!
Thank you, Shannon. Your visits are special and I love hearing from you!
Such a lovely post! I do hope you get to have a peppermint mocha and relax in your Sunshine Cottage all decorated for Christmas.
Your precious collections and sweet memories warm my heart.
Best blessings to all your family. Bonnie
Thank you, Bonnie for your sweet visit!
The Sunshine Cottage is adorable Pam… Love the nutcrackers and the Hummel nativity is so special, what a beautiful gift from RM. I know the girls love being in among all the Christmas items…it must seem magical to them. Blessings Always to you and your loved ones.
Thank you, sweet friend!
Christmas blessings to you, dear one. I’m grateful that the Lord keeps us close together and I’m just checking in to see how things are going, to let you know that God is keeping you close to my heart.
Sending love and peace to you and your beautiful family this evening.
Linda, your prayers and concern are most appreciated. My husband is home and doing better. We still have challenges, God is faithful!
Pam, you have really decked out Sunshine Cottage in its best Christmas decor. Love the nutcrackers,how special to collect them. Your Mother’s old world Santa is precious. I love how you dressed your shelves with greenery and the plates. Mary’s gift is lovely and I know you will enjoy sipping a cup of tea. Merry Christmas Pam 🎄
Pam, the Sunshine Cottage is looking so pretty all decked out for Christmas! You have so many memories and how great it is that you can share them and pass down your wonderful traditions to the grandgirls. The Santa and Mrs. Claus that your mother made are truly precious and the nutcracker collection is fabulous. I love the mix of dishes too. The grandchildren’s tree is perfect for making new memories. I hope that you are able to relax in that comfy, cozy chair and enjoy a peppermint mocha. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
P.S. I tried to comment a few days ago but kept getting this weird error message that said invalid security token or something like that. Fingers crossed this time.
Thank you, Kim for your sweet comments. Yes, we were having a problem for commenting on Tuesday. Thank you for coming back to comment. Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas!
You could spend hours in the cottage reminiscing about the stories behind so much of your Christmas collection. Someday your grandchildren will be remembering and telling those stories to their own children.
I love the Sunshine Cottage! The grandchild tree, the rustuc nativity painting, and all the other special items are uplifting and inspiring. Have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks so much, Kristie. Wishing you a Happy New Year!
The Sunshine Cottage surely was decked out so beautifully for Christmas! I can only imagine the sweet memories you and the precious little ones made this year. I pray God blesses you all to share many more happy, healthy Christmases in that sweet little cottage together, in Jesus’ name. Happy New Year, dear friends!
Thanks so much dear friend. I love the sweet respite in the cottage. Making memories is so important to me!