Countdown to Christmas: 22 Days Check out the Amazing Realism of Karen Vander Logt's Santas

Recently, I discovered the work of Karen Vander Logt via Santamakers Facebook page.

Her dolls are so impressive and her detail is amazing!

I borrowed a few images from her Facebook page to share with you.

Check out her biography and her website!

But for now, enjoy!

For more images of her beautiful Santas, and the work of other gifted Santa Artists, visit the Santamakers Guild Gallery.

Follow Karen Vander Logt on Facebook

Countdown to Christmas: 23 Days I BRAKE for THRIFT STORES

Today, while traveling to south Louisiana, I had to stop a couple of time to stretch my legs and get my blood flowing. One thing about having fibromyalgia and arthritis is how painful car trips are on my back, legs, and feet. Not to mention how sleepy I get with the November sun so low in the sky shining in my eyes.

I was traveling through Vidalia, Louisiana on my way towards Natchez checking out both sides of the street for a place to stop and eat that wasn't "fast food".

I spotted a church run thrift store (can't recall which saint it was named after) and did a "Yewie" (How do you spell that word that means a U-turn? Hmmmmm) to see what goodies they had to offer.

I used to brake for antique shops but now I don't do it as much to shop, but as to do research. This way, when I find a "treasure" at a thrift store, I'll have an idea of its "worth".

Which brings me to this question...how much is something worth? Of course, I get excited about something I pick up at a thrift store for $2 and find out the same item is selling for ten times that on eBay. I feel what something is worth depends on how much fun it is for me to "find" and how little I actually spend on it.

Thank goodness for Thrift Shops!

I believe a typical antique shop is for "displaying" collectibles for sale at generally competitive prices but a thrift shop, whose goal is to keep the items donated from piling up, prefers to sell cheap and fast making more money off quantity that quality. Obviously, I like to support that whole "quantity" thing and have to admit that I enjoy wheeling around a cart full of cools stuff!

After my brief stop in Vidalia, I went on to Natchez, MS and hit a few shops downtown including St. Andrews.

Natchez really is an adorable town decorated for the holidays with a Christmas tree right in the middle of an intersection! There are several antique shops, a consignment store, and a thrift store downtown tucked in amongst the other shops and NON "fast food" restaurants.

I did manage to find some fancy bath salt in the thrift store (sometimes, I just like to pamper myself) and I only had time to briefly walk through a couple of shops. 

Countdown to Christmas: 24 Days Kurt S. Adler Santa Claus Redux

Who doesn't love to accessorize!

Somewhere, I could have sworn I had already posted a blog featuring this particular Santa but I've either lost it or my mind...but probably both.

So, here goes all the things I thought I had blogged about this Kurt S. Adler Santa.

First...Let's talk about Kurt S. Adler, the leading importer of holiday decorations for over 65 years, and not Kurt Adler, the composer. Just so you know that there is a difference.

As an importer of some of the more quality decorative items, his company's products are generally very collectible.

This particular Santa just needed a bit extra. In my efforts to encourage my readers to add to their favorite Santas and create their own heirlooms, I felt this one was another good place to start.

Originally, he came with a bag of toys and a simple plastic bugle in his hand.

I've upgraded him a bit and I hope this is an encouragement to others who want to make their Santas extra special.

I spruced up the bag by adding a blown glass polar bear Coca-Cola ornament, moved the horn to the bag, added a shiny candy cane, and an older plastic nutcracker.

My personal favorite was adding a baby doll to his arms and classy green tassel ornament.

Even though she was in "played with" condition, she still added personality that some of the small porcelain dolls just could not do!

My favorite place for him is near the fireplace because the flickering flames reflected so beautifully off the sequin design on his coat.

I hope this give you some ideas!

Countdown to Christmas: 25 Days WHITE RABBIT! WHITE RABBIT! WHITE RABBIT!

For years my son, Ross, and I have a tradition that was derived from a tradition I learned in college from my friend, Tracy. On the first of the month I attempt to "White Rabbit!" him before he"White Rabbit[s]!" me in order to have good luck throughout the month...or at least BETTER luck than who got "White Rabbit[ed]).

Yes, it is for real!
"Rabbit rabbit rabbit" is one variant of a common British superstition which states that a person should say or repeat the word "rabbit" or "rabbits", or "white rabbits", or some combination of these elements, out loud upon waking (or first moment) on the first day of the month, because doing so will ensure good luck for the duration of that month.

Countdown to Christmas: 26 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 28 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 29 Days HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Countdown to Christmas: 30 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 31 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 32 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 33 Days Farewell Sweet Princess, May Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest.

Our family was blessed to have Hero as such a wonderful member of our family for almost fourteen years.

She was named after the character "Hero" from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" because she just didn't look like a Beatrice.

She was truly the best of both her breeds (Weimaraner/Labrador) with a tall, thin, elegant body, short shiny coat, silky long ears, and the color and loyalty of Lab with the quirky personality of Weimie.
Unlike the typical Weimie, she was great with small animals (mostly because she was obedient and we asked her to be nice to our rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, birds, but most importantly, she loved out cat, Storm. They were sisters.

She would have been an ideal therapy dog were she not so ticklish. She was not one to jump on people and allowed strangers to pet her briefly before insisting they throw her ball.

She was always a healthy dog except for the fatty tumors that are typical of both breeds.

About a month before she passed, she slowed down significantly and I noticed she was anemic. Even with veterinary support, her body began to shut down until she refused food and then water.  She slipped away in her sleep with my husband, oldest son, and I by her side.

It was so much like the week before my father died which only deepened my despair.

With the popularity of having your pet "put out of his/her misery", (Have you ever wished humans had that option for themselves?) I knew in my heart that I was supposed to let Hero pass away on her own.  She was not in any obvious pain and we pampered her and made sure she was comfortable. She slipped into a coma a couple of hours before her actual passing but that did not stop us from loving on her every time we passed her.

As those who know our family will confirm, she had a great life and we were lucky to have her.

Countdown to Christmas: 34 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 35 Days