I recall a story my mother told about her childhood in Nova Scotia. In those days, there was very little money for ornaments and gifts, but the one thing her family did have every year was a tree- not just any tree, but a gigantic evergreen that reached the ceiling. Every Christmas Eve, my grandfather would head for the mountains to cut down a tree and cart it home. Anxiously awaiting his return, my grandmother would busy herself in the kitchen, baking apple pies and gingerbread cookies, while the children were stringing popcorn, cranberries, buttons and candy canes for the tree. They laughed, sang Christmas carols and enjoyed a generous dose of togetherness. Today, as you find yourself in the midst of the hustle and bustle, take a moment to reflect on a time when Christmas was much simpler.

I was fortune to write the feature story of my friend Gay Van Beek's elegant home. In this issue, we illustrate how you can embrace your traditions and introduce new, simple twists to make this Christmas extra special for your family and friends.

It was the Victorians who, in the mid-19th century, popularized fanciful Christmas decoration. They lavishly bedecked their homes with delicate bulbs, romantic mistletoe and sparkling tree-toppers. For many, collecting Christmas keepsakes has become not only a family tradition, but a soul-satisfying pursuit. Each cherished heirloom we collect has a story to tell...

Dovetales Magazine-http://www.dovetalesantiquesandhome.com/home.html

The enchantment of a very pink Old St. Nick captures the young at heart and tell us Christmas is on the way...

A vintage bottle brush -tree is accompanied by a collection of antique mecury-glass ornaments.

Traditional colors of the holidays are cast aside for a pinkish spell...

-As the enchantment of the season fills us with anticipation and excitement, let us remember the the true meaning of Christmas--not of the material things and presents, but that which brings true peace and tranquility to the heart and spirit...

I want to thank you for your kindness to me through this difficult time. I am truly grateful for the love, grace and support of my family and friends...

Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving and a Happy Holiday Season my sweet blog friends! xoxo

Love to you, Jo-Anne

I want to take this time to thank you for your concerned emails on my where abouts. I contemplated about writing of my personal loss and realized as the weeks passed that it’s a necessity to pay tribute to the special love and heart of my mother. My dear sweet mom passed away on the eve of October 12th.. My mom suffered from heart disease and Alzimers. Although as the disease progressed, she always knew who we were which was a blessing.
Our mom was the heart of our family. Her kindness and caring, her spark for life along with her contagious smile, touched the lives of all who knew her. Words cannot express how much she will be missed…

My parents had a love affair that lasted 55 years. They were like two young kids in love…
My dad who is very ill and has lost most of his hearing now was asked at the funeral if he would like to say something about his wife. He paused for a few seconds, and said, “We fell in love 55 years ago, And, we never lost it. I’m going to miss her”. Later that night my oldest son Mark said to me. Mom, that simple line that Papa said about Nanny was so powerful. All the long speeches wouldn’t of come close to the depth of those few chosen words…

Thank you God.
For pretending not to notice that one of your angels is missing and for guiding her to me.
You must have known how much I would need her, so
You turned your head for a minute and allowed her to slip away to me.
Sometimes I wonder what special name you had for her.
I called her “ Mother”...

Shirley Lauzon 1933-2008