Somewhere, back there, I promised MK a peek at some of my Christmas treasures. Must admit they were thrown up unusually hastily this year, but Alex wouldn't let me skip a year of playing with the wooden babies.

and I saved you guys some mince tarts

Cute collection in the first pic. Yum to the second pic.

As I was packing decorations away this past week, (not nearly as much fun as putting them out) I was wondering what happened to your promised pictures.

Love the Wooden Babies! Is the front garland of little ones wood too?

Making us hungry for Holiday Goodies again!

Thanks Maggie. We're expecting a whopper of a snow storm Sunday, so there might be some snow pics soon

We got a touch of that snow that's heading your way MK. Too bad it wasn't cold enough to stick around, but it did fall for several hours. I really enjoyed wandering around in it - so tranquil - esp knowing it would not cause traffic problems. Not a problem at your place huh?
Looking forward to you sharing yours with us :-)))xoxoox

Yes, the tattered little paper garland is printed nutcrackers and the non-nutcrackers are wooden Russian stacking dollies plus a few rocking horses. The collection started nearly 30 yrs ago, so it holds a lot of sentiment. Only a few of the nutcrackers are the real thing from Germany. My fav one is the Eng Bobby - to the right of the tallest guy. Alex was so excited when she found it for me a few years ago.

Terry, mincemeat tarts are not a traditional fare here, but are a staple in this house during the hols. I make them the frugal way my mother used to - using the cutting scraps of pastry for the toppings. When my brother was still with us, I would have to make at least 200 in the week to keep him and Larry supplied! Fortunately, Hunter hasn't filled his shoes in mince consumption ;-) This year, I found some imported Double Devon Cream to top them with. Oh ambrosia!!

Can't tempt me there Maggie I'm afraid, I don't like mice pies, now Christine on the other hand could probably beat that 200 if you told her they weren't fattening...

You must be the only Brit I know who doesn't like lavender or mince. If you claim to prefer coffee over tea, I give up on you completely.

50-50 on the coffee and tea Maggie, must have tea first thing though.

I'm with you on that Terry. Larry knows to put the kettle on before my feet hit the ground. The day is not worth getting up for without that first cuppa. (and I'm not worth being with till I get it ;-) I think it is a wonderful world to wake up to, when the tea pot is already on the brew

I wouldn't know about that Maggie, I'm always the first riser in our house.

There's nothing like a well-trained hubby ;-)