Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Finally decorating for Christmas

A bit more baking and decorating this week.

Above is German Stollen which I make at least once over the holidays. I lived in Germany for three years. Two elderly German women that I met while walking my dog invited me over one Christmas and showed me how to make stollen. Since they didn't speak much English and my German was limited it was an interesting day...however I did get their recipe right! It was a favorite of my Dad and it reminds me of him.


Well I finally got my tree...little as it is...up this week. I only used a third of the ornament boxes.

I love the memories the ornaments carry with them. My sister Kay bought these white santas over 20 years ago and we both still hang them on our trees. The vintage ornament was on my parent's tree while we were growing up.

Also I hung up this little wallhanging that Tonya made for me (note Mac and one of the cats!.) Couldn't believe it when I saw the date on it...'01! Wow....time flies!

10 comments:

regan said...

Your stolen is beautiful....yum! And I love having ornaments with history....so nice to think about different people or circumstances while decorating....what a flood of memories it makes!

And that wall hanging from Tonya is so perfect! Wow!

Gypsy Quilter said...

Everything looks lovely. The red balls altogether make a pretty setting. What a great idea. I too had fun remembering where my ornaments came from, especially the handmade ones. Have a merry one.

Janet O. said...

Tonya's wall hanging is very fun!
I have ornaments on my tree that are vintage--I bought them because they are exactly like ones my parents have had on their tree for as long as they have been married. I love the connection I feel with them.
My daughter spent a school year in Austria and was invited home to a little mountain village for Christmas with a family. She also spoke very little German, but had a great time. The tradition they shared with her was the making of Krampus cookies (don't think I spelled that right). Do you know about Krampus? That is a scary Christmas tradition for little kids, I think. : )

cityquilter grace said...

very nice; trimming trees is always a trip down memory lane

Marj said...

Great Christmas memories!

Judy in Michigan said...

My tree ornaments take forever to get on the tree - each one is fondled and all its memories are relived before it goes on the tree. I wish you and your husband a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. Thanks for all your words of wisdom.

Janet said...

What a great looking stollen. Could you post the recipe, please?

Have a great christmas.

Loris said...

That looks yummy! Love the history in your baking and your ornaments as well. Makes the season even sweeter! and I love the quilt Tonya made for you...that is a treasure! The quilting is so fun!

Tonya Ricucci said...

mmm, yummy and a great way to remember your time in germany and your dad. love all the ornaments. I got all of mine (that I have here) up on the tree, with the exception of some that I have loads of duplicates of. wow, '01???? that IS ages ago!

KarenQuilt said...

I find it amazing what memories ornaments can evoke when I come across them in antique shops. I am catapulted back to childhood instantly! About 15 years ago I divided about half of my ornaments with our three kids. I love seeing them hanging on their trees now. Thanks for stopping by and posting to my blog Quilt History Reports this evening!