Decoys
These beautiful decoys belonged to my great-grandfather Scholta. They were real working models. My dad had them for years and gave them to my son. Until he has a place to put them, they decorate my home and at Christmas are given festive bows!
Winter Wonderland
We got our first snow fall on Sunday and it was beautiful. Looking out my sunroom window was gorgeous, however I was not prepared for how beautiful this view would be at night. We were out for the evening and came home to this view. It is gorgeous and painted by God’s hand.
Plexus Ease
Every year at Christmas I make hundreds of bows. My hands ache! These are my tools of the trade.
I wouldn’t make it through the season without my Plexus Ease. It eases my aching hands without harsh chemicals.
If you think you can use this, please hop over to my website!! shopmyplexus.com/dmpriebe
Advent Wreath
I LOVE Advent. It is such a special time of the year. The Advent Wreath originated with German Lutherans in the 19th century. With the last name of Scholta and growing up in the Lutheran church it’s no wonder it has such a special place in my heart. Each candle has a meaning. #1 HOPE #2 LOVE #3 JOY #4 PEACE Each Sunday I try to reflect on the meaning of the candle of the week.
Here I’m getting the Advent Wreath in my church ready for the first Sunday in Advent.
This is the Advent Wreath we have at home. My dad made it for us and is a duplicate of the one I grew up with – which he also made. So many special memories of lighting the candles each Sunday as we prepared for the coming of the Christ child.
Even with the hustle and bustle of my family life, I still try to stop and continue this tradition in my home.
Annalee Tree
Do you have a collection that you’re not sure how to display? How about dedicating a tree to your collection.
My Aunt Sue started giving me Annalee mice when I was in high school. You can find Annalee figures everywhere now, but that was not the case in the late 1970s. Sue had to order them directly from the factory in New Hampshire. They were incredible special then. She always got me the grey mice. Over the years I have continued to add to my collection, but only the grey mice – I am very finicky when it comes to my Annalees.
As my collection grew, I was running out of places to put them. I saw a display of Dickens Village houses on a wooden tree and I came up with the idea of putting all of my Annalee mice on their own Christmas tree. Genius! It is such a fun tree and a great conversation starter.
Try it out with your favorite collection that is getting to big to display!
These caroling Annalee’s were my Gran’s.
Sweet Tali
Nothing escapes decoration in my house. Even the girl dog has a Christmas collar. Look how happy she it!
Ornaments, Ornaments, Ornaments
Each year as I pull out ornaments to decorate my Christmas tree I relive so many memories. I’m sure each of you go through the same thing. Please be patient with me as I walk you through some of my memories.
My mother-in-law, who is an amazing artist painted this beautiful bulb.
My grandma Grace knitted this sweet mitten for me. At one time it had a mate, but like most children I lost it. I’m so glad that I still have this one. Many years ago I came up with the ingenious idea to hang it on my tree every year. Instead of being tucked away in a box, I am able to pull it out each year. It is one of my most precious possessions.
I have had this little ornament since I was in Kindergarten. I got it from my Sunday School teacher and it was filled with CANDY!
I gave this beautiful ornament to my grandma Grace and a couple of years before she died she gave it back to me. She loved it so much that she displayed it all year long. I lovingly pull this ornament out each year and remember the love that was my grandma.
Another ornament from my grandma Grace. She had made for her each of her grandchildren. They hung on her tree for years. Another thing she made sure I got.
The German pickle! It is supposed to be the last ornament
on the tree and whoever finds it first on Christmas morning gets a prize. We have never done that since there is only one child in our family. My Aunt Sue gave me this special ornament.
Another beautiful ornament painted by my mother-in-law Rozanne. This is a painting of my Cocker Spaniel Casey. He was our first baby and then became Cameron’s protector. We had this sweet boy for 16 years. He could be a pickle, but he was loving and loyal.
My sissy, Amy, gave me this bee hive. My name means bee. If I wasn’t The Domesticated Maven, I’d be the Queen Bee! Amy is always on the lookout for bee themed ornaments. I just love this one
These two ornaments are from Dublin, Ireland. I took a group of high school students on a mission trip to work in a youth camp. I loved being a youth leader. The relationships and memories I have from this trip will be with me forever!
Puppies by the Fireplace
While I’m decking the halls, these two puppers are enjoying the fire. Tali will lay there until her whiskers singe.
Christmas Foyer
It took me awhile to find the perfect tree for my foyer. I wanted a tall, skinny tree. I’ve had a couple of different versions. Meet Foyer Tree 3.0 – it’s finally the right one! I handmade all of the pretty ornaments using beads, mirrors, crystals and bells.
These ornaments are very difficult to photograph, so take a close look.
I have all kinds of treasures in the secretary. Treasures from my mom, my Gran and my Aunt Sue.
When we built our house ten years ago, I was so excited to have a banister! I couldn’t wait for our first Christmas so I could decorate it.
Elf on the Shelf
Many of you are working feverishly every night to come up with new mischief for your Elf on the Shelf. We have many in our house that resided in my husband’s home when he was a little boy. That was way back in the 1960s! Way back then the elves didn’t cause mischief, there were many of them and they had new hiding places every morning. When my husband and his brother woke up, they would look all over the house to find all of the elves. We continued that tradition when our Cameron came along. Now that he’s grown the elves only get hidden once. Hiding the elves is my husband’s job!