Christmas Eve at My Cottage with Luminaria

Christmas Eve 2018 at My Cottage

I finally edited an iPhone photo and made it good enough to post. I used the photo editor built into my phone. I am so happy my across-the-street neighbors invited me to participate in luminaries to set out on Christmas Eve. I did my walkway too and it was magical. The long-burning fat candles amazed me. I had no idea they would burn between 10 and 12 hours depending on the wind conditions. My neighbors ordered the bags and candles here. This is going to be a tradition for me for sure. I took this photo about 10:30 pm when the full moon was above my cottage and the stars were plentiful and bright. Only 6 families signed up, two next to me and three contiguous properties on the other side. Several friends said they drove through and commented on how beautiful it was. Maybe more will participate next year. I hope so. One more day until year's end. Where did it go? xo

Real Life Gingerbread Houses

Can you see these houses in Wroclaw, Poland as gingerbread houses? I surely can. via

Tiny Kitten. Enormous Window.

This tiny black kitten looks extra small sitting in this enormous window. I guess he's having some huge daydreams in his favorite napping place. via

Kindness is Like Snow

"Kindness is like snow.

It beautifies everything it covers."

Khalil Gibran

via

Gorgeous Hotel Bathroom

Capri Palace Hotel and Spa via Have you ever seen a more beautiful shower floor?

Fox Chasing Hare Papercutting Gif

The fox will never win in this creative moving animated gif. I love the papercuts. via

Simple Christmas Decor

I love this minimalist Christmas tree and package wrapping. Simple is good. My neighbors across the street put out luminaria last year on Christmas Eve and this year they invited all the people on the street to do so too. They ordered all the supplies. I decided to only do my front walk and just finished putting out my white paper bags filled with sand with a fat candle inside. I won't be home when it's time to light them so my neighbors will light mine. It will look so nice when I come home.

lu·mi·nar·i·a

noun

a Christmas lantern consisting of a votive candle set in a small paper bag weighted with sand and typically placed with others along a driveway, sidewalk, or rooftop as a holiday decoration.

UPDATE: I was amazed at how long the luminaries lasted after they were lit at dusk. The special candles lasted for almost 12 hours. My neighbors ordered them here.

Holly with Berries Botanical

Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal

Flip through this early 18th century volume of hand-colored copper plate engravings HERE. Use the arrows to flip back and forth. What a treat! Merry Christmas. xo

See and listen to the whole book from the beginning, including the cover here courtesy of the British Library.

Knitting for Chickens

These chickens look quite happy wearing their hand-knitted capes. Sweet! via

Christmas Decor in Wales

Door on a rural Breconshire farmhouse, early to mid 17th century, Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. I saved this photo from Instagram. This place looks perfect for an outdoor adventure.

Snow Dog

What a great idea. You could do this with a little human standing behind an appropriately sized snow body too. via

The Poisoned Apple 1938 Snow White

What you see: The Poisoned Apple, a study by Wanda Gág [pronounced ‘Gahg’] for an illustration in a 1938 edition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Wold at Swann Auction Galleries in NYC for $5,000. I would love to see the other illustrations in this book. Her work is spellbinding!
UPDATE: I found a digital copy of this very book online HERE.

Cat Nap in a Window

“Cat in a cottage window” by Ralph Hedley (1848-1913) via He was a realist painter, woodcarver and illustrator, best known for his paintings portraying scenes of everyday life in the North East of England. I love this painting!

Pumpkin Pies in a Basket

Two beautifully decorated pumpkin pies ready to travel. via

Merry Christmas animated gif

I love this and will save to my phone to text to friends on Christmas morning. via

Christmas Card by Ernest Shepard

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS from Norah and Ernest Shepard: "This pen and ink drawing of Eeyore with holly, Pooh with a jar of honey and Piglet with a Christmas cracker comprises the original illustration for the only known Christmas card ever created by E.H. Shepard featuring the A.A. Milne characters." Offered for sale by Sotheby's in 1997. Sold for 30,000 GBP

What a treat it would have been to receive this Christmas card!

Beatrix Potter Rabbits Gathering Wood

Here is yet another Beatrix Potter image I haven't seen before. After gathering twigs for the fire, the rabbits are preparing to put the big log on the sled to drag it home in the snow. I wish I could see more artwork about this story. via Click photo to enlarge.

Ural Owl in Sweden

Photographed by Mattias Bergman in a dark forrest in Uppland, Sweden. He said seeing this Ural Owl against the dark background was like seeing a ghost.

DIY Window Ledge Trees

I love this idea. It takes some advance planning to get the bases ready. If you have several different varieties of evergreens on your property, it would be fun clipping the perfect tips for the log bases. via

Antique Radiator with Warming Oven

How clever is this antique radiator with a warming oven? It's in an old flat in Paris. It warms my heart!