A Family Tradition

When we were children and hung our stockings by the fireplace we didn't use fancy "store bought" stockings. We used socks. We didn't have too, we could afford to buy the stiff, decorative stockings with sequins and embroidery. But Mother and Daddy were more creative than that, they loved the quirkiness of the unusual, the silliness of the whimsical. So we used socks, all kinds of socks although the stretchier the better! We had quite a collection and I remember arguing with my brother on which stocking we got to hang! I also remember friends thinking we were a little odd, that our socks weren't charming but a bit strange. That didn't bother us, we knew that Our stockings stretched unbelievably and could hold a multitude of nuts, candy, and surprises! Over the years I have made our sock stockings as gifts occasionally and been pleased to find that they are now thought inventive and fun. Our family thinks they are wonderful and everyone knows where their sock hangs whether from the fire screen or the hall tree. They all have a designated spot and I dare say any of us would be quite appalled and disappointed if a stocking wasn't waiting with our name on it --there Would be consequences to pay!
Our Christmases have changed over the years, I guess that happens to most everyone. Sadly my brother is not here but we added two nephews, the husbands of my nieces. Another change is that we are all older. But some things never change--and that would be the socks! They are a family tradition!

Simplicity

I used to have roses surrounding me. My tastes have changed. I still love roses and rose fabric and rose prints but I crave simplicity. I want less, I want aged, I want natural. I also want a garden room, not exactly a potting shed because I don't care to "pot" in it, but nevertheless a charming little rustic place to put my collections of old garden tools, clay pots, rickety wood furniture, and yes, some rose printed pillows! I have just the spot only it's filled with a collection of junk rather than a charming collection at the moment. Next year! Really! I mean it!

Welcome In!

And here we are inside! See why I love working late? It's just a magical place to be.

Entrance to White Barn Upstairs

This is the entrance to my dear little shop--aka White Barn Cottage but always The Rose Garden to me. My workroom is still in the back of the upstairs and still crowded with all manner of floral stems, containers, seasonal flora and anything else I may or may not need. It is still my love. I haven't really decorated it yet, I always have the white "fairy" lights there but they look even more magical this time of year. The upstairs is my favorite room, apple green, black and white. Basic and shabby and inviting. Let's go in, shall we?

The Beginning of the Season

I've always loved the fresh scent of evergreen so therefore a fresh wreath is essential to me. We used to have real trees to decorate but even I, a diehard "fresh" lover, have to admit that artificial is easier. For one thing I like to get my tree up earlier than most and in the past have had to put up as many as three fresh trees. So these days I am content with going out and cutting all manner of greenery and constructing a huge, lush, fresh wreath for the front door. A birds nest is always nestled in and though it isn't the time of year for birds to have eggs an empty nest doesn't seem as festive! Top it off with a big red bow and some glitter and the front door is dressed for the Season!

The Mirror

Ahhhh, I finally got the picture of "the mirror" on here! Upstairs again and quite comfortable nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Yet.

Sort of a Ghost Story

I was just trying to give you pictures of "the Mirror" that seems to have a bit of "spirit" to it. However, it refuses to be uploaded. Honestly. I have tried and tried. Now obviously I haven't had a problem getting pictures on my blog but tonight I'm having a problem. No bother, I can still write. So write I will and tell you the story that I promised a long time ago. This is about the parlor in The Rose Garden--the only room that seemed to have a "presence" for lack of a better word.
The parlor was the most elegantly decorated room in the shop. It had a dressier feel, more formal arrangements, more ribbon, more jeweled fruit, more of everything. It also had a French mirror crowning the wall. It's a tall, gold framed, beveled beauty that now graces the upstairs bedroom. It was upstairs originally and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The downstairs parlor however was a different story. No, we did not see gossamer gowns floating about nor did we hear noises or thumps in the night. Still strange happenings from time to time and Usually concerning the mirror although not always. The first time I remember thinking "Hmmmmmmm" was a morning when I opened up and went downstairs. It was about two days before our annual Christmas Open House. The night before we had been hanging several very large, ornate wreaths on the side wall. Underneath the wreaths we had a glass topped table with lots of glass apothecaries, breakable collectibles, and various other decor. I was always very particular about things being hung securely so we had checked and double checked the wire and the hangers before we left for the night. That morning all three large wreaths were on the floor. They had fallen or floated down to the floor, all three were face up, they were not touching each other nor had a single glass item been broken or even touched by the look of things. The glass table was about two feet in depth so this was quite a feat for the wreaths to have fallen and not hit the table. And why didn't they fall face down? Hmmmmmmm.
The next three times involved the mirror and each time was before an Open House. The mirror was over a buffet. Three times the mirror fell and balanced on a ledge about a quarter of an inch wide. That's not very wide for a four and a half foot tall mirror to balance upon. The wire was not broken on the back, nor had the huge nails we had it hung upon bent or come out of the wall. No explanation at all really. Just one of those odd happenings. Very odd happenings. Janice used to say that the parlor did not like being messed up or disarrayed. Actually that did seem to have some bearing to it, it never happened when the parlor was totally decorated and clean.
So there you have it. Yes, we have had visitors go down the stairs and say they "felt" something. I feel very comfortable myself but doesn't it make you wonder?