Merry Christmas 2019

Christmas is almost here!  We are finally ready and I hope all of you are as well.  What a glorious time of the year.  We have so much to be thankful for, especially for the precious babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  The One who came to save us from our sins and bring us to Heaven when the Lord calls us home.   Christmas is for celebrating the Birth of Christ.

Santa is also welcome in our home, but we know who is more important.  Santa gives us another reason to be happy.  He is a jolly example of giving from the heart, just as the Three Wise Men brought gifts to Baby Jesus.  This is why we also give gifts at Christmas.  It would be an amazing thing if every child in every corner of the world could receive gifts and know they are loved.   Sadly, there are many who go without even the very necessities of life.  Not only children, but people of all ages who need love.  Lord, please give all of us a heart that longs to give to others.   Let us never forget the gift of You.

I have enjoyed putting out festive Christmas decorations, as I always do.  It seems with every year, I cut back just a little.  I love the simple things most.

And this year, I bought myself a Christmas doll.  I normally do not do this, but I saw her and the price was too good to pass up.  She is an Izannah Walker Inspired doll made by Shari Lutz.  She is very simply made and is not made in the same manner as most Izannah Walker Inspired dolls.  In fact, only the face and hair resemble Izannah Walker.  Her face painting is like a watercolor portrait.  The simplicity of her and the peaceful, serene expression on her face is lovely. 

She is sitting in front of our Christmas tree, waiting for the big day.   She arrived December 19th.  She reminds me of "Sarah, Plain and Tall" so I have named her Sarah.  Have you seen those movies?  They are among my favorites.

I hope all of you enjoy a Beautiful Christmas with your families.  May it be Blessed and Merry!  And a Happy & Healthy New Year as well.

The Girls of Christmas

Happy December!  I hope you all had a Blessed Thanksgiving.  We did.  Anytime family can be together is wonderful.  Now we are in the process of getting ready for Christmas.  Most of the decorating is done, but there still are gifts to be wrapped, cookies to be baked, candies to be made and lots of holiday fun to be had.

As we are getting ready for Christmas, so are the dolls.  The Izannah girls are the first to be ready.

Helene got a new dress for Christmas.  She is so pleased with it and hopes that she may get more dresses soon.  Helene especially loves the holly leaves and berries on the trim.

Tibby also got a new dress for Christmas.   She is always happy to get a new dress, as most old fashioned dolls are.  Tibby loves the candy stripes on the trim of her dress.

Sybil is wearing her cranberry red Christmas dress, made just for her by her creator, Jan Conwell.  Sybil loves that her dress is her favorite color and has long sleeves to help keep her warm.  

I think they all look beautiful and ready for this very special season. 

All of this merriment and fun is wonderful, but the most important thing about Christmas is that we remember why we have Christmas.  Our Lord God sent His only Son down to earth to live among us.   A Son who loves us as much as His Father does and would eventually give His own life to cleanse us of our sins.  We are so wonderfully blessed!  

Please keep Christ in Christmas.   

Blessings to all of you!

Helene

It has been a long time since my last post.  I apologize for that, but life seems to get busier every day.   I hope all of you are happy, well and blessed.  I have many blessings to share, but want to start with this one...

This is Helene. She is a marvelous Izannah Walker Inspired doll made by the very talented Svetlana  Lukina in Russia.  I saw this sweet doll in her Etsy store and also on her facebook page and fell in love with her.  At that time, she was already spoken for.   Without going into all the details, this doll became available again and I was very blessed to be able to bring her home.   She is amazing!  Every tiny detail is perfection!  Look at her gorgeous dress and that beautiful bonnet!  All handmade by the artist.  Even her sweet little leather shoes!

                               
She is wonderfully painted as well.  See her pretty side curls?  There are more on the other side and in back.  Her face is so precious and her eyes very captivating.  She is stunning in every way.

She fits into my home very well too.   My home is primitive farmhouse style.  I love antiques and well worn things.  Helene looks so pretty no matter where I put her.  She is beautiful perfection sitting among my old things.  They compliment one another, because she is a replica of an antique doll.

Helene arrived here on September 28, 2019.   So this will be the day we celebrate her birthday each year.  As you can see, she has already been gifted a few special toys.  The little rug beater she is holding is very old.   A father from long ago made it for his special little girl to play with.  I have had it for many years.  Now it belongs to Helene.

She was given the little painted cat on the day she arrived here.  And recently the little rug beater.   The sheep & willow tree pin-keep is one I made several years ago.  The small basket is part of a miniature basket collection my sweet husband gave me for our 10th Anniversary.   We celebrated our 38th Anniversary this past June.

Tibby and Sybil have welcomed Helene with open arms, just as I have.  I love them all dearly and feel so very blessed to have them.

I am out of time so I must get busy.  Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  Take a few moments to count your blessings and you will see just how truly blessed you are.

Until next time, be blessed!