20 January – Storytelling
Template: Winter Candy Dressed Down from Fiddle-dee-dee Designs
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Winter-Candy-Dressed-Down-Digital-Scrapbook-Template.html
Winter Candyland by Kristin Aagard
https://the-lilypad.com/store/digital-scrapbooking-kit-winter-candyland.html
Solids Mega Pack Vol 5 by Amy Wolff
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Solids-Mega-Pack-Vol.5.html
Winter in the Woods by Rebecca McMeen
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Winter-in-the-Woods.html
Chapter 5 New Traditions and Boho Soul both from Etc by Danyale
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https://the-lilypad.com/store/Boho-Soul-Bundle.html
Title Font: Santa’s Sleigh
Journaling font is included with template
These tiny treasures bring joy to our home. The first ornaments came from the Woolworth’s store just off Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas in 1973. The delicate glass baubles haven’t made it onto the tree in many years because boys and fragile glass just don’t go together. At $1.00 a dozen, they were pricey for my small budget, but they are beautiful still. When the Army transferred me overseas new ornaments would jump into my hands screaming “Take me home!” From England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, and Czechoslovakia, ornaments just always seemed to hitch a ride in my suitcase. They would giggle, some of them jiggle, and all of them vied for first place in my affections. But each is so unique and wonderful, it was impossible to choose! Every year, 1-3 dozen new lovelies would find themselves hanging on the tree then tucked away snug and safe until the next year. Winnie the Pooh bounced into our lives and onto the tree in 1996 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Handmade by a dear friend to finance her grandson’s study abroad trip, Pooh – all 6 of him - was a perfect match. Whenever Justin was frightened in the night, Pooh Bear would sing softly to him until the shadows were no longer scary and he could sleep. Justin is now 25 but greets his old friend with joy and hangs him gently on the tree. His baby brother, Jason, hangs his own Pooh, as well, and we sing. Angels, Santas, dolls, cabins, violins, saxophones, sleighs, you name it, it’s likely there with nearly a thousand ornaments, not counting the Santa collection, creches, and other decorations. There are also little boy crafted ornaments, teacups and saucers, strings of beads, and thousands of lights. Soon, it will be time for them to hop into new crates as they are divided up to go to new homes as the boys finish college, marry and move away. I will miss my tiny friends, but they will bring even greater joy as each son opens the box and tells his wife and his own children all the stories that go with each of those treasures and old family traditions will continue with some new ones added along the way.
