A Frosty Morning

I had to be out early this morning and when I returned home there was still frost on the deck.  The rains return tonight so I had to get pictures of the frost while it lasted.

 These are the wreaths the we hang on all the windows at our house.  I added some snow to the bottom one - because it isn't likely we'll get any snow and I like the looks of it.

These frosty quail live on the deck railing - today they all have a fine outline of frost.

 Very chilly!  Even the barbecue is cold.

 The planters on the railing are coated in frost and the drops are frozen.

A frosty sun!

Mosaic Monday 

Holiday Shopping

Such fun this time of the year -  picking out all the wonderful gifts for the holidays.  And what better gift than to see my book featured on another blog.  One I had never heard of - but have now enjoyed very much.  A lovely blogger, Arlynda Lea features a lot of gifts available online on her blog.  Some we might never have seen if she hadn't featured them.  And my book, "Are We Walking to Alaska?" was one of her picks.  

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IDEAS

You can pop over to my other blog - click above - and see who might enjoy reading this book. It might surprise you to see who is reading it these days. 

It is the true adventures of our first few years in Alaska in the 1950s - before Alaska became a state.  Our family had moved to Alaska from California and our father became a commercial fisherman.  My two brothers and I had fabulous adventures and some scary times with Grizzly bears - plus we got to touch a whale on the beach and see northern lights - and so much more. 

A family friendly book - great for all ages - available in print and kindle at Amazon.

Happy shopping and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Black and White Wednesday

Christmas 1975 - this is a real black and white photo.  I wanted to take one in color at the time, but had black and white film in the camera and you had to use that roll up first before you could load more film in the camera.

Our "kids" are now 46, 44 (45 next week) and 49 .  

Black and White Wednesday  

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

It is time to decorate for christmas - and the first thing I got out was my collection of Santas

Most of the Santas are on the tops of my 1898 Piano - they are perfect there.  Before we got the piano the Santas were on windowsills and where ever I could find space for them

There is no method to my collecting - if I like a Santa it usually comes home with me.  Many have been lovely gifts too.  Most are from thrift stores and yard sales

I like the tin rolly polly Santa a lot

Big and little Santas

A Russian Santa

He's making a list - he's checking it twice

And drinking cocoa.

And we mustn't forget Santa Paddington

This Santa was a gift from one of my favorite blogging friends

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake

This Santa is a little tippy and made of ceramic - so he sits here on the side of the piano - propped up so he doesn't fall over

I cut out and painted the wooden Santa with the bundle of sticks on his back -many,many years ago 

Santas on the piano - sometimes at  night I hear them singing christmas carols - they can get to be quite a rowdy bunch

And then there are many Santas who are not on the piano - this old fashioned rocking Santa toy was a gift from my dear cousin Linda, in Oregon.  We are like little kids - we make Santa rock and sit and watch him with big grins on our faces.

And Santa teapots - tea for one with the rolly polly Santa

Tea for one - another Santa

I'm a little teapot short and stout - here is my handle - here is my spout.

A fabulously elegant Santa teapot - a gift from Don

Ho Ho Ho! "Merry" Englebreit Christmas to all!

We have Santa Ted - a cookie jar from when the kids were growing up.

And this Santa Reindeer will wish our neighbors Happy Holidays - he's just waiting to go out to the end of the deck and greet friends and family.

And here we have Sandra Claus (really it is Elmo - but he likes the hat with braids the best)  As you see, he's been to the nearby San Juan Islands for a ferry ride.

Grampa Bear Santa and his pet reindeer

Two little Santa door hangers - they came home with us from West Virginia when we went out there 9 years ago for Rusty and Jamie's wedding.  It was the first time I'd seen a Dollar Store.

Peace Sign Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers

Mr. And Mrs Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers - we've had these almost 50 years.

More Peace Sign Santas - I just can't resist them - they sit in the china cabinets at christmas time.

A pair of Santa Teddies on a music box

One of our favorite Santas - he is filled with Chex Party Mix - our son made this in second grade.  The teacher got those candle jars - the kind that used to be on every cafe table in the 70s - cleaned them up - and the kids  made Santa hats from felt, glued on cotton balls for beards and made the faces from googly eyes and felt features.  One day it will go to Rusty's house - but not just yet.

Even our bathrooms get to have Santas - these were all from the same thrift shop a few years ago

Happy Santas - one and all.

Do you have a collection?

I know here are more Santas - especially ornaments for the tree - but we don't have the tree decorated yet.  But soon.

Vintage Bliss Tuesday  

Sir Thrift A Lot