Tidings of Great Joy

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:11

(Pear Tree Primitives © 2008)

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14


I was asked to paint a scene of the shepherds, lambs, and baby Jesus with the star for the children's Christmas Eve service next week at our church. (Although, the wise men followed the star and the shepherds heard the good news from the angel, I suppose it doesn't matter, they all arrived eventually!)
Last year, the adult choir sang for the Christmas Eve service, and my husband (the choir director), asked me to paint a portrait of Mary and Baby Jesus. So, this year I was honored that the Children's director asked me to paint a scene for their program. It is very simple and "child-like", fitting for the theme and the presenters of the program.

From my family to yours...
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas~
Suzanne

Solemnness of Snow

White woven blanket
a softness covers the ground
not making a sound

Snow fell on our little city this weekend. I do love watching it gently fall and how is makes everything look so fresh and pretty. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay this way. But until it turns to slush and ice, I'll enjoy the newness of it's beauty.

As I watched it fall all day (in between doing laundry, the dishes, straightening the house, etc.), adjectives for snow kept running through my mind...weird, I know!
Guess I was also thinking of school and the fact that we have one week left until Christmas break! Woo-hoo!
So, I jotted down a few of those words and put them into phrases and then composed a haiku or two! :)

Falling, twirling down
glistening diamonds adorn
branches of the trees

Now, I am not a poetess by any means, but it was a fun brain exercise for me. If you'd like to give it a try...I'd love to read them in the comments section. (But, please don't feel like you have to write one just to leave a comment.....you may not feel like being as "weird" as me!)

Here is a little info and some guidelines on the haiku if you "choose to haiku"~ ( I should probably have some more coffee before I try to write a joke!)

The haiku is a poem or verse that originated in Japan. It is written in three lines. The haiku does not rhyme. Instead, the haiku sets a mood or portrays a feeling or scenery.

The entire haiku is composed in 17 syllables. The first line contains five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third and final line has five syllables. 5-7-5.

First, choose a topic or theme (mine was snow), then think of words that describe your theme:

1st line: 5 syllables

2nd line: 7 syllables

3rd line: 5 syllables

Calm, quiet, soft, bright
Illuminates the dreary
keeps travelers home




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Crisp crunchy footsteps
Laughing child spreads angel wings
cold, wet, powder....SNOW!

An Age Old Confession

"It's not how old you are, but how you are old."

Author: Unknown

It happened, I bought my first pair of reading glasses. I'll admit, I wasn't happy about it. But, I've been fighting the inevitable for a few weeks now. Well, ever since I worked on that stitchery for Annabelle. For that, I had to borrow my husband's reading glasses and they kept sliding down off my nose the whole time. And while I was wearing them, I kept telling myself that anyone would need a magnifying glass for this tiny stitchery....it was one strand of floss over 2 squares of linen. But, I knew subconsciously that it wasn't true, I needed a pair of my own.
So this past week, I went to the drugstore and looked over the selection of bifocal reading glasses. (I wanted to be able to look up and glare at anyone who would dare to make a comment!) And I found these:




I decided to splurge a little and get the $14 pair rather than the $5 pair, since this is my first. I may regret that decision when I start losing them, as I've been told can happen.

"Youth is the Gift of Nature, but Age is a Work of Art."
Author: Garrison Kanin

And to be honest, I can read, paint and see the computer screen a little clearer.....even though they are the lowest strength!

I guess I should be mature and take William's sage advice:

"The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind."

Author: William Wordsworth

Did someone say mature? :)

~Simple Greening~

Small vignettes tucked here and there throughout the house, this is our simple decorating style for Christmas here at our small "colonial cottage". I try to rotate the Christmas decorations each year since we've lived here and try not put too much out each time....I don't always succeed, 'cause I love to unwrap all of my Christmas decorations! My family hears lots of ooooing and aaahhhhing from me as I unpack a box. I can't help it- its like, well, it's like Christmas!

The "family tree" with the boys ornaments from years past, hasn't been decorated yet...the week just got away from us. Hopefully, we can start that this weekend, and I can "ooooo" and "ahhhhh" some more!

Have a safe one~
*Click to enlarge the photos, but if you find any dust bunnies, please ignore!*

Tryptophan and TDIPT Update~

....well, don't fall asleep while you visit TDIPT's new offerings for Dec. 1st!


How was your Thanksgiving? Hope you all stayed safe and were able to enjoy a meal with your family and friends. We stayed home and enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving meal....and the subsequent leftovers! But after 2 or 3 days of turkey, I'm about ready to try another meat!
Guess we'll freeze some for another week, or maybe month? :)


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TDIPT is updated and ready for viewing, and the site has gone bloggin'. The online market group now sells from a formatted site on blogspot. It really is nice and easy to maneuver....you should go and check it out!

To Dwell in Primitive Thymes

(just click on the link above and then click on one of the artist's names on the 1st of the month.... you will be taken to their page, and after you've viewed it, just scroll to the bottom and click "next").

And while you are there, please visit with Annabelle. (Who is in the photo above, just click on her and it "should" take you to my TDIPT page...if I've done the photo linky thingy correctly).
She is my latest offering on TDIPT. I haven't made a fabric round-headed doll in, well, quite awhile...but a snowgirl just called for one. She also comes with several trinkets on her snowperson.
I also did some stitching...and I haven't done cross-stitch in, well.....forever! But, it was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed doing something a little different this month, (and I guess my child with ADHD gets it honestly!) shhh, don't tell him I said that!

This weekend, I also took down, (well, had my husband take down) some Christmas decorations.
I have the main "family" tree yet to finish....you know the one with all the ornaments made with popsicle sticks and pom-poms? After the boys help with decorating that one, I'll take some photos of our home and post them later this week.

Have a happy Monday.