The Reason for the Season

When our children were younger we would quite often take them to Salt Lake City the Friday after Thanksgiving for a mini-vacation. A hotel was always such a treat! Plus we would watch them turn the lights on at Temple Square, a spectacular sight! One year, as we walked around the grounds, the church had a display of Nativities from around the world. This gave me an idea and thus began my collection! A few years back we let the children each choose one nativity that they would someday like to inherit.

James Christiansen is the artist behind this nativity.

I LOVE his depiction of the camel and three Kings.

Scott LOVES the fact that Joseph is holding baby Jesus.
It also comes with a shepherd, the shepherds wife and child,
and the innkeeper. It is by far our most fragile and most expensive nativity.
Matthew Bud choose this one.

While visiting New Orleans one time with my hubby and
some other MSD employees I came across this nativity.
It was love at first sight! I love the fact that the children are putting
on the Christmas Pageant! I love the fact that they are
African American or Black! The gift the King is presenting

to baby Jesus is none other than a pet frog. A perfect gift

coming from the heart of a child.

It too has other pieces that are not in the photo.
Jonathan Scott and Phillip Noel both choose this as their number one choice.
I purchased an extra one and Jon and Mel already have theirs.
This one will go to Phillip.

While serving in the Singapore Mission Alizabeth came across this nativity and purchased it for us. Obviously, it will go to her, but NOT until I am gone!
I LOVE it.
I love the diversity it represents.
I would post a photo of the nativity she choose, but Mr. B already put it away.
It was the one she was raised on. My first purchase was an all white
porcelain Avon nativity set. My least favorite, but she chose it for the memory
it evokes. Anyway, I am glad she gets this one. Otherwise I would feel bad because
I so do not care for the Avon one!

This is my Raiku nativity and once again it is one of my favorites, but it
was not number one on any ones list!Laura liked it best, but being a nice wife (too nice)
she let Matthew choose and he choose the first one. I tend to prefer the ones that
are not traditionally Caucasian.

This one was the one I grew up with as a child.
Religion was not a big thing with my folks so I was glad to see
they did at least display a nativity. I really do need to put some
'thatch' up on the roof! Did get the light working so it could have a star!

I do have a play dough nativity that my children made for me one year when Matthew, Laura, Jon, Mel, and Lizzy were all living in Logan. It is most wonderful! Matthews idea, but when you look at the pieces you can tell who is the crafty, talented one in the family. No offense to anyone, but I think we can all pick out the pieces Melanie shaped! I will have to take a photo of it next year. It is put away also. Along with the paper one that the church produced some 45 years ago. Janet found me a couple at DI and I found two at a garage sale I was helping with. Thus this post will be continued in 2011, same time, same place.

May we all remember throughout the upcoming year the wonderous event of our Saviors birth, life, and atoning sacrifice. May we each remember we are an inn keeper who decides whether to let Him in or not. May we be as the Wise men and seek Him out and let Him in our lives. God bless us all.

Ornaments from Christmas Past

As one ages Christmas becomes a rather nostalgic time.

A time when one reflects on childhood Christmases from years gone by.

Whether they be from your own childhood

or...

the childhood of your grown children who are now hosting

Christmases of their own.

This final showing of ornaments definitely evokes a stronger feeling of

melancholy than the first posting.

Obviously, because these ornaments take me farther

back in time!

This adorable little boy is my Philliup when he

was probably in Kindergarten! It is not dated, but

it is obviously the work of a teacher, but it is his cute little face.

He is now 24 and 1/2 years old and he is still and forever my baby!

My little frosty snowgirl is Alizabeth Annie back when she was 7 years of age!

She is now 28 and a first time new mom! She will always be our little girl.

Next to her on the tree is my 'beary' special little Jonathan.

Once again it is not dated, but I am thinking he was probably 7 or 8.

He is now 30! Father of 3! He was my busiest baby

and also lays claim to fame as my Hardy child.

He will always be my Hardy child.

Wish I had an ornament of my Matthew Bud, but obviously his teachers

did not make ornaments with photos for I have none.

Perhaps I should make one this yearwhen he is 31! He will always be my firstborn.

The one who introduced me to motherhood.

These last 3 ornaments are the oldest surviving ornaments

that adorn my tree. They were on my big, fat bushy

childhood pine tree. Hanging right next to those silver icicles.

Merry Christmas mom and dad!

Ornaments from the heart

I well remember the year I tried tole painting classes.

This and a rocking horse for Jonathan were my only projects.

I discovered I did not have the patience, time, patience,money,

patience....

oh and yes most important...talent!

I have a difficult time painting in the lines

let only free styling it!

Little Miss Gingerbread is a constant Christmas reminder that

I need to develop patience and Tole Painting is not for everyone!

This angel was made for me one year by one of our

very own Sutherland 2nd angels. Isn't she sweet,

just like Jackie. A most remarkable young wife and mother.

It reminds me of the faith, dedication, and

testimony of a true angel I know.

This little bell has been adorning my Christmas tree for many

years. It was handmade especially for me from my most favorite Wells aunt,

Aunt Margaret. Oh, the wonderful memories I have of her

and her family. She always made me feel loved and

welcome. She is a good, good soul! Her own heart

rings out with joy and love!

(p.s. Sorry Aunt Margaret for the waterfight inside your house!)

Another angel that adorns my tree and the

story that goes with her. Scott and I in our early years

would purchase a big, bushy, sticky, fat pine tree.

I had made a chain for the tree out of ribbon, the

exact ribbon that adorns this angel. Sue was our friend. Scott

taught piano to her children. She was an observant, crafty, giving,

caring lady. She made 6 or so of these for our tree one year. That had to have

been about 25 years ago.

Ornaments From Around the States

Spring of 2005

San Antonio, Texas

A very fun vacation for Scott, Claudia , and Phillip!

A sea shell painted by a local artist.

The above ornament came straight from

Hershey Park, Hershey, PA.

A fun filled time with Jon, Mel, and kids!

The ornament below also came from Pennsylvania

and a trip to visit our Hershey Bassetts.

We visited Amish country side and I found this in

an Amish gift shop. I could not afford their

beautiful handmade quilts so this was 2nd best!

This lil guy comes from the Washington, D.C. Zoo.
Along with memories of Matthew, Laura, and kids &
Ben and Liz summer of 2009. The Utah Bassetts
headed east to visit our east coast Bassetts/Szilagyis



My newest and latest ornament comes from a
local art botique in Virginia.
I purchased it on my last trip to Virginia
while visiting Ben, Liz, and the newest grandbaby, Reid.
I wanted the crane because it reminded me of my reading
group I had two years ago. Five of the most wonderful
2nd graders. We read "Sadako and the 1000 Cranes"
then we made our own paper cranes. Not near as fancy as the
one above!

While posting this blog I realized how much I am going to miss visiting Pennsylvania and the Washington D.C. area. Both are such wonderful places. Not sure Nebraska and
Wisconsin can make the grade. Sorry kids!
Perhaps Scott and I should move back east and the children
could come visit us!

The Many Faces of Gus

Too bad all this beauty is wasted on a male.
I LOVE it when the ironing board is left up.
One of my favorite places to catch some z's.

A true couch potato in his finest form.

Did I mention this was a male cat?

"While visions of Jonathan Scott danced in my head"

This morning I sat pondering all the wonderful things I am so very thankful for. One event in particular came to view. In my minds eye I could see 30 years past when Scott and I were blessed with a new little son. The memories which came flooding in brought to my heart more things to be thankful for. Let me share a few with you. I am thankful the green gallon of paint sitting on our pantry shelf was water based and not oil based paint. It was much easier to clean up off the little one, the floor, and everywhere else it landed! I am thankful that when he broke open bottled cherries to snack on he was not cut inside or out! The Dr. told me next time to serve them with cream! I am thankful he was waaaaaay younger than the age of 8 when he and his older brother decided to give Racey Car (the kitten) a bath in the water trough. Sad to report Racey Car did not survive the bath (or should I say baptism or perhaps drowning is the word I am really looking for.) I am very grateful I was not within too close of distance when his stock show cow jumped over the moon. Okay, it actually jumped over the fence and I thought it was sooooo funny I busted out laughing. He did NOT think it was funny and the Bassett/Hardy temper combo came out in full force. The memory of it all still makes me laugh to this day. Sorry. I am so thankful for all of these memories and so many more. Too many to mention. I am thankful for the birth of this child, for the fine young man he grew up to be, for the good choices he has made in his lifetime. I am thankful he married Miss Mel and has given me 3 beautiful grandchildren to love. Thank you Jonathan for being you and may you have a most wonderful birthday! May you also be blessed with a little one just like you! Hide all the paint Melanie!

Oh Christmas Tree

I love Christmas! I love having a real tree 'planted' in the corner of my family room for the duration of one month. As a child I remember the Christmas tree as being a Pinon Pine. A big, fat bushy thing. They smell wonderful! The neighbors always had a fir of some sort. A skinny tree. As a child I always liked our fat one the best. When I think of decorating the tree images of my father come to mind. I see him putting on the lights, hanging the ornaments, and neatly arranging silver icicles. Do they still sell those? The lights were big colored bulbs and the ornaments are what we now refer to as 'vintage.' It is so nice to know thatI am now what we refer to as 'vintage'! As an adult I understand why Mildred chose the fir tree. Much easier to place and show ornaments! Much easier to decorate. Yes, I get a fir. I do tiny white lights and ribbon for garland. I do not do a theme tree because I have ornaments family and friends have bought or made for me. I also purchase an ornament when I travel to remind me of my ventures. So my tree is a helter skelter tree! But I do so enjoy it, especially at night when all the house lights are off and only the Christmas lights are on.

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, much pleasure dost thou bring me! For ev'ry year the Christmas tree, brings to us all both joy and glee. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, much pleasure dost thou bring me!"

This.....

"I love Grandma's kitchen!"
"It is 6:00 a.m.- just Grandma and I are
up and I am ready to cook."
"But first I need this pan that
is wayyyy back there."

"Got it! I knew I could do it!"

"And, this is where I will cook my meal

or trip my folks as they come down the stairs."

This is Isaac.

This is Grandma's little helper?!

His vocabulary is somewhat limited.

His favorite word is...

This!