Happy New Year!

All my best wishes to you for

a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Further Holiday Decorating

This post shares the few lighted houses I’ve collected the past two years. They are displayed in the study in front of one of the windows.

Three lighted ceramic houses on a bed of sparkly fleece:

At the top is Fireside Inn, with a nativity scene out front.

Nearby are a snowman and an ice rink where a couple skates.

Below are the Toy Shop and the town hall. There are carollers and other villagers outside.

The bookshelf houses several smaller houses, including a lighted Boarding House.


The skirted table in front of my desk holds a tiny one-foot tree decorated with miniature Hallmark angel ornaments.

Just in front is a white candle in a festive candle ring.

A Hallmark Merry Miniatures nativity set is alongside.

I wish you continued blessings this holiday season, and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Holiday Festive Decor

I can’t believe there are just three days till Christmas! I haven’t been posting this month due to an unexpected request to contribute an exhibit of selected nativity scenes for the Italian American Cultural Center in Worcester, MA. In 2000 I had a large exhibit there and also did a 40-minute lecture on the history of nativity scenes.
This holiday season my strength has been limited, so I have not gone all out as I have other years. Also, I hosted the family Thanksgiving at my home this year. Yes, I was preparing for Thanksgiving and packing up nativities for the exhibit -- all at the same time!

Next, has come preparations for visitors to see my nativity gallery. All along, though, I’ve been adding festive holiday touches to the rooms here at Oak Rise Cottage. I put up the garlands in the dining room entry and the doorway to the kitchen, plus the garland for the living room fireplace.

Doorway to Dining Room

View across dining table to kitchen door

See the complete tablesetting post at Oak Rise Cottage blog.

Doorway from dining room to kitchen

Fireplace garland
Angels in blue and in white with gold

The living room tree is an aluminum tabletop tree, all decked in vintage ornaments.

Three of the vintage nativity ornaments:

Under the tree is a vintage creche from Germany

To the right of the tree, barely visible through the sheer curtains is the lighted Star of Bethlehem in the window. Below it is a lighted Holy Family silhouette.


In the dining room another tabletop tree displays musical instrument ornaments.

Oops, I forgot the tree topper! Here it is:

Under the tree is an acrylic nativity set displayed on a mirrored base.
So this is a brief view of some of my 2010 holiday decor. The next post will feature on the lighted houses in my study.

I am linking to Hooked on Houses Holiday Tour, hosted by Julia.