Table-Top Snow Scene : Christmas Decorating

Our dining room table takes up a large part of our living space( by design ). A large table allows more people to sit together as they share a meal & fellowship. Because the table dominates so much space I like to decorate it too."Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." Washington Irving

Often a pretty tablecloth, candles,or the food itself are the best centerpieces, but around Christmas I like to make a miniature world of Christmas and winter scenes to delight my grandchildren and myself. "The best gifts around any Christmas tree; the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." Burton Hillis

The miniature forest scene on the table is part of our home's Christmas village scene, carried on into other parts of the house.You can see our little village on the buffet from here.

Santa's camp is in the little forest on the table too. ( He looks like my husband.) This is the table-top decor for this Christmas season, and one that allows little children and big kids alike to imagine a Christmas forest and even rearrange the figures if it suits them. Kind of an interactive table scene.( Don't forget the give-away, details posted in the side-bar.) "My idea of Christmas , whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" Bob Hope

Cookies and Another Santa

~This is a Santa I made about 20 years ago. I drew out the pattern on paper, and my Hubby cut him out of wood. I then painted him, added toys and hid a music box in his sack. I bring him out every year. I made 2 more and gave them away as gifts. Funny thing is, his face so looks like someone we know and I couldn't help thinking the little guy kind of took on a bit of life ( not in a spooky way ) as he stared at me while I worked on him.~Here is a plate of sugar cookies I baked up tonight using the recipe from yesterdays' post. The grandchildren are not here and I did not want to take the time to roll out and cut the dough, I am busy finishing up things for the bazaar this weekend. So I simply pulled a roll of the dough out of the fridge, sliced it like one would a loaf of bread, baked the sliced bits of cookie dough, cooled the cookies, and decorated with the powdered sugar icing and sprinkles. Voila ! Freshly baked Christmas cookies and hot coffee . ( The larger snowman in the picture was made by my Hubby's youngest sister and her husband who live next door. ) ~And just what would Christmas be like around Cedar Pond without a decorated Labrador Retriever or two or three or four ? Here is Beatrix, putting up with bows and picture taking. "You have never been properly welcomed and given holiday greetings until you have been welcomed by a quartet of Labs. Retrievers to the core they will greet you with something in the mouth- a boot, mitten, child's toy, anything that is in reach and retrievable." Jo Northrup

~"Christmas! Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart." Washington Irving