What is the purpose?

I have enjoyed visiting everyone blog's this holiday season. Everyone has wonderful decorations, decorated homes, wonderful food and memories to share. I was participating, I even joined Wanda's 25 days of Christmas and posted for 7 days in a row. With working a full time job and having family responsibilities...that is alot for me. But suddenly, I am not feeling "IT". You see I have lost 2 family members this year and a good friend and neighbor. I am in a very reflective state of mind now.

I look at photos of Christmas' past, last year and the year before, and now there will be empty spaces. If we had only known that it would be their last Christmas with us, would we have spent more time with them?

I know that the most precious gifts in life can NEVER be found underneath a tree, so how can I get excited shopping at a mall. It's ridiculous. It's meaningless.

I realize that I am blessed with gifts more precious than gold and silver. I called my 4 brothers that live in the area to invite them to my house on Christmas Eve, and they thanked me, and each told me they will make sure they are there. My father asked me to call his brother, my 91 year old uncle, to invite him, because he had such a good time last year, and my 82 year old father will do the driving. My mother-in-law assumed I would again be entertaining and she will be there.

Although I mourn the loved ones that are no longer with us this holiday season, I celebrate those that are still in my life.

In answer to the question, What is the purpose? family and friends is the purpose no matter what the religion or even lack of it.

So I am going to take a little break from blogging to spend time with family and friends. I will check in from time to time to visit everyone, and even post when I feel I have something to share. I wish everyone the best that the season brings.

I wanted to share with you the photo of the Italian paper mache nativity set. This has been in my family since I can remember. I took it with me when I got married, 28 years ago, and I'm glad I did, because I saved it from being destroyed. This is all that is left. One of these days I am going to purchase all of the missing pieces on ebay. But I still have Jesus, Mary and Joseph all in good shape.

Question...I was told only in the last couple of years that Jesus shouldn't 't be put in the manger until Christmas day, because he wasn't born yet. My family never did that. Did any of you?

The singing angel

Is she an angel or a choir singer? Maybe she's both. You know there's a story behind every purchase. This little beauty was found at a yard sale, for $1 as most of my things are. The woman who was having the sale, told me that it was her grandmother's.

Answer me this...if this belonged to your grandmother and you remember it being dispayed at Christmas...could you sell it for $1?

I'm calling her my singing angel.

A Mexican angel

Since I do almost all of my shopping on what I like to call the secondary market. You know, yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores and the such, I find the most unique items, at the absolutely best prices.

I found this hand made angel bell/candle holder one day this summer. I picked it up and then put it down. Sometimes when it's 90 in the middle of June it's hard to think about Christmas decorations, but I quickly came to my senses and bought it.

You may have noticed that I am attracted to anything handmade. All of my angels are so different and varied but they share one thing in common, made by human hands.
And how do I know that this angel was made in Mexico?

It says so.

Murano glass angel

My mother-in-law went to Italy years back and she brought me home an angel from the Murano glass factory. Someday I hope to go there myself.

I didn't have the nerve to take off the sticker.

I love glass. You can tell by the glass Christmas tree and crystal lamp behind the angel.

Glass is so fluid and organic.

This is just one of the international angels that I have. Tomorrow...an angle from Mexico.

Angels of a different medium

My Christmas decorating is as varied as my moods. My moods can be dangerous, but my decorating is harmless. Except for the fact that my collections have multiplied over the past year.

I joined Wanda's 25 Days of Christmas and today is posting day #3 for me. I do not post on a daily basis so this is a challange, but I will do my best to show you something different for the next 22 days.

These are pottery angels that I purchased from a pottery sale where I work.

Each year I buy one or two new angels.

I love the simple, natural, earthy look about them.

I have more angels to share and will feature a new one each day this week.

Napco & Lefton

I don't know how it happened...that I ended up with all of these angels.

Let's meet them, starting with the NOEL sisters.

and how could you not just fall for these cuties.

Those candy canes are heavy but it won't erase the smiles on their faces.

it's time for more shopping...

Sing it loud ... we can never have enough angels in our life.

Wanda from Just Vintage is having a Christmas decorating party, The 25 days of Christmas Pictures and she would like everyone to join the party. Check out her blog and join in the fun.