Monday, December 22, 2014

she keeps the tradition alive . . .

 I do not like the drive into Los Angles, but yesterday I was happy to be headed east.


 I was meeting these two very special people, my sister on the left and my cousin on the right, for a Christmas lunch.


This picture was taken last January and it was the last time I saw my sister because she has been working in London for the last few years and rarely in California.


I am so happy that her project is complete and she is back in California.


The first stop was Marcia's house where I managed to snap a few pictures - her Teddy Bear Tree in the family room,


some of her magical fairies and a fat old Santa.


We didn't have much time because we were meeting our cousin Vicki in the charming little college town of Claremont - it's the halfway point between Vicki and me.


We met at a favorite shop, Barbara Cheatley's, where both Vicki and Marcia purchased some Maileg elves, enjoyed a great lunch and exchanged Christmas gifts.


My absolutely favorite part of Christmas as a child was our stockings - mother went to a lot of trouble to select special items for each of our stockings - and Marcia keeps that tradition alive for me.


My bag was filled with items lovingly collected especially for me over the past year.


Mother always put a bear in my stocking and Marcia buys me a bear or two each year - the one on the left is from Budapest and she found the one on the right in Salzburg.


Marcia found fun gifts at this shop in Prague - notice the little angel in the window.


I now have a cute little angel along with a necklace made of cloth beads and a felted pin.


Marcia always find me sweet things for my crafting - these buttons will be part of the Valentine hearts I plan to start making next week.


And, she always includes something from our childhood - we shared a cherished fairy book and neither of us know what became of it.


A beautiful tea cup and some delicious Godiva chocolates will be enjoyed when I browse through Tea Time and Victoria magazines on my iPad.


I love all the wonderful gifts from my sister and her love of tradition,


but by far the best gift this Christmas is that she is back home and it won't be another year before I see her again.


I hope you are deep into the "traditions" part of Christmas with your family.

36 comments:

  1. So sweet to spend this special time with your cousin and sister. Yes, these are days to treasure - I'm looking forward to seeing lots of family this Christmas.

    Merry Christmas!

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  2. What a fun time and great shopping. I hope you have a wonderful holiday week! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  3. Lovely post Carol and it wouldn't be Christmas without traditions! We have several old traditions as well as a few more recent ones. I love the treasures your sister selected expecially for you. So sweet. I know you are thrilled to have her back in California closer to you. I live right next door to my sister. I am blessed I know. Have a beautiful Monday.

    Hugs, Vicky

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  4. their decoration is beautiful, soooo simple and festive !!! love greetings and Merry Christmas wishes from Germany angie

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  5. How special that you got to spend time with your sister and cousin! And her gifts to you are so thoughtful!
    I wish you and your family a blessed, Merry Christmas! :)
    Susan

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  6. CAROL! THERE YOU ARE, you gorgeous blond, you!

    Last year, I was in L.A. with my cousins. What a fabulous Mexican-American Christmas. The only bummer was that our parents and dear auntie were not there, but we brought back the tradition of making tamales, dancing, singing, and playing instruments. The youngsters and teens looked at us like the way WE used to look at our goofy but very talented elders!!!!!

    This year however, we are staying in our cottage here in Minneapolis. Wonder and light and rest from school are all I want.

    BLESS YOU dear friend! Anita

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  7. P.S., how lovely all the gifts your dear sister has given you!!

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  8. That is such a sweet tradition that your sister does for you by filling a stocking with all your favorite things. Sounds like y'all had a wonderful reunion. I enjoyed seeing pics of your sister's pretty Christmas decorations too.

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  9. It must be so nice to have a sister...all those special shared experiences that bond you...I'm so happy you have her back again. Hey I loved seeing your photo...you don't pop up in your blog that much :)
    Hugs
    Leslie

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  10. What a beautiful reunion! Our traditions are much different now that my parents are gone. We are making new ones with the children and grands. This year the only thing that matters is healthy children and family. Happy yourself and merry little Christmas. I'm singing it now:)

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  11. What wonderful treasures, including the best one of all!
    Hugs ~

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  12. Oh how wonderful that your sister is back in California! I don't know what I'd do if my sister lived so far away! It sounds like the three of you had a fabulous day together. Family is so important, and YES I do love traditions and have continued some from my childhood! Blessings for a very Merry Christmas, Carol!!

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  13. How wonderful! I'm so glad you can all get together, I only get to see my sister once a year in July. Love the teddy bears!

    xox

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  14. I'm so happy your sister is close to you again. I dont know what I'd do if I couldn't see one or more of my six sisters for more than a week, let alone year! I have a sister by the same name, Marcia, but it's pronounced as Marcie, and she usually spells it that way just to avoid confusiion for pronunciation. I love.my sisters, and traditions like the stocking your sister keeps alive for you. So sweet, and a special way to remember your mother.

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  15. This is so sweet.
    I love the stocking tradition and how you have continued it!
    xx oo
    Merry Christmas
    Carla

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  16. Those buttons!! I would have been happy with just those.

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  17. So happy for you that your sister will be close by again. Nothing like sister time! I adore my sister too. She loves family and tradition as well, and her four children are like my own. I loved my stocking as a child, but ours were filled with nuts, fruit, and a candy cane. Nothing fancy! When my husband and I married, we began a tradition of filling each other's stockings. It quickly evolved into the tradition of that's all we do for each other. No packages to each other under the tree. It's a challenge to find things that fit in a stocking. I tend to pick up things through the year or when traveling. Still need to get a few food items tomorrow.

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  18. What sweet gifts. My cousin and I loved doing things like that. Our tree was hers. I sure miss her. I just got in Colorado today. It even snowed for me, hah. Merry Christmas.

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  19. I so enjoyed my visit with you this evening! It's fun to meet your sister and 'follow' you through y'all's visit!
    I love Christmas traditions! Your sister is really someone special!

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  20. What wonderful gifts and you are blessed to have someone to share your traditions with. I love the teddy tree and the elves. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you ... M x

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  21. What a fun time and such sweet traditions. I'm enjoying this special time with my daughter who I don't see nearly enough of. Wishing you a Joyous Christmas.

    Linda

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  22. Hi Carol, what a lovely post . . . the best part is that you have your sister back.
    That has got to feel so good and be the best present ever :)
    Merry Christmas.
    Connie :)

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  23. Oh Carol I love all of this day you shared with us. You and your sister and cousin. So sweet. Love the pic of the three of you.
    Love the shop with the Mailegs! How cute are those guys all sitting together. I want to wish you and Steve your kids and your future soon to be new family members a very Merry Christmas. LuLu too. Enjoy.
    Kris

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  24. Sounds like such a special time! Family traditions are so important! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Cecilia

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  25. What a lovely time you had, nothing better than a sister and a cousin!

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  26. Nothing better than a sister...and a cousin too!
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  27. What lovely gifts from your sister. That seems like such a nice tradition. The bears are cute. So happy for you to have your sister home again. Looks like you had a great time with your sister and cousin.

    Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

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  28. Such a precious visit, there is absolutely nothing as dear to our hearts as our family.
    I hope you are feeling well and I am wishing you a beautiful and Merry Christmas!
    Jemma

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  29. That is a wonderful tradition to get together with your sister and cousins. I love the shop of elves, at least it looks that way from the photo. Chocolates from Salzburg... Unfortunately my daughter doesn't like chocolate :( So we went to Mc Donald's in Salzburg, but they use glass if it is not take out. So it still was unique.

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  30. Sounds like a perfect day. Lovely that you have your sister back in closer proximity! Merry Christmas!
    PS-I'm trying not to covet the elves

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  31. What a lovely tradition that your sister keeps going in such a kind and thoughtful way! I enjoyed this post, and am so happy you have your sister back again on your side of the pond! Lovely pictures....loved all those elves :)
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Carol.
    Helen xox

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  32. How wonderful to have your sister back in California and to be able to spend time with her and your cousin. The teddy bear tree is darling and now sweet that you have your own collection too. Your pictures, as always, are beautiful! Merry Christmas to you dear Carol and blessings for the New Year!
    Love & hugs,
    Patti

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  33. I loved seeing all of these charming Christmas things! You girls are something else! I want one of those elves. They are the cutest ever, and the angel, too!

    I am glad your sister is home. I wish mine lived closer. We got to see each other at her granddaughter's wedding, and it was so much fun. There is nothing in the world like sisters (and nieces) and friends who are like family!

    xoxox

    Sheila

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  34. You must be so happy your sister is back next to you. By far, the best Christmas gift!

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  35. That is the best gift having your sister come home and close by. That tree with all the teddy bears was cool. Those teddy bears you got were really cute and figures I spied the Godiva chocolate first. LOL and I've never been a big chocolate eater but I do like Godiva. LOL

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