A DIY ELF's Surprise: A Yule Log Centerpiece

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After reminiscing, I made a side comment to my husband the other day....,"Remember when you use to make a Yule Log Centerpiece back when we didn't have any money?" 

Yes, this holiday is all about reminiscing and this is what he surprised me with.

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Since we no longer live in the North Woods of Wisconsin (since 1976, lol)...the local grocery had branches...a little sawing and some greens a few berries and he walked into the kitchen with this.

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It's really huge, but so is our table!!!

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Here's the HAPPY ELF Carpenter! He told me the stories of making Yule Log centerpieces for his grandmother's in N. Wisconsin when he was in high school. Drilling holes in big huge birch logs, and halving a branch to cut for legs. That would be the 1960's...gosh time flies! 

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After moving many assorted candles around, I had enough to fill the wood holders from my dad's old stash of woodworking supplies. And they work perfect with the rustic logs.

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The branches will begin  to scent the kitchen, once they thaw out. The berries are pretty casually put in. We decided a bit of ribbon is all it needs.

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I love the texture on the logs and the branches.

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He raised the branches up with legs made from more of my dad's toy parts. 

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I think it will be perfect...excuse the plastic tablecloth---but it isn't time for Christmas Dinner yet...just wait until Friday when we set the table.! I can't wait.

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NOW---the Most important thing is spraying these branches for the next 5 days! 

Golly, I love my Hunk of an ELF!!!!

Happy Holidays and all the Trimmings! 

And who doesn't love the scent of fresh GREENS!

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All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. Please do not use my photos without permission. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts, or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Sandi 

Christmas 2021: Part 2 Tree and Buffet

Christmas in Chicagoland consists of brilliant sunshine, or dark gloom, making photographing a challenge. Waiting for that medium light is a challenge. 

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We are passive solar which means our windows are all on the south side, with overhangs that shield the windows during the warmer months, but let the full bolt of sunlight in during the winter months. 

Our new windows don't go to the floor like the old ones, but that is a plus. 

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The tree is centered and in it's Victorian 'crib' on wheels. That was great for decorating all around the tree.

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Ornament on the left is from family in the late 1800's. 

Last year we only put 4 boxes of ornaments up---what came up the stairs is what went on the tree. This year the idea was to go through everything and cull...IMPOSSIBLE.

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Rudy was my hubby's childhood favorite.

We only put on the vintage, glass and favorites...so it is jammed. 

Fifty-three Christmases and inheriting ornaments really makes it hard.

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We have half a tote of glass snowmen we didn't even touch. An entire tote of wooden carved Santas, a tote of Santa statues from all around the world, A tote of un-breakables, and multiple totes of village houses and accessories, that we never even got close to having room to put out????

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Each year I would buy a box of glass ornaments, or something unusual, as well as an ornament for every person. Well we inherited my parent's and grandparents also.

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There are memories attached to so many. The striped blown glass ball was from an artist I sat next to for 4 days every year at an art show. We became great friends and I bought one every year!

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I'm a total sucker for gnomes, fairies, and mushrooms.

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The wax angel on the left was a replacement for my grandmother's which melted.

The fairy---I found maybe 10 years ago. 

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Hubby has contributed too, Rudolphs and some of his great grandparent's Victorian ornaments. We have two of these Santas...amazing the white fur is over 120 years old.

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The tree is full all the way around---how can we part with any????

We are going to see what the kids want....maybe NEXT year, lol.

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More memories and traditions.  The china cabinet is filled with family Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl porcelain and figurines. I just add traditional red candles and a few baubles. 

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Red candles are traditional in Danish homes---and I have kept up that tradition.

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I will use these dishes for our Christmas Dinner.

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My family was working folk in Denmark, farmers, fishermen, or cabinet makers.

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My mom was partial to the children figurines, while my grandmother had more adult ones and birds.

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We have so many serving pieces.

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I deep cleaned everything for Thanksgiving so they are ready to go.

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Hans Christian Andersen wrote the 'Snow Queen', 'Steadfast Tin Soldier', 'Thumbelina,' 'The Little Mermaid', and so many more fairytales that are part of Christmas traditions everywhere.

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On the buffet, I used family and thrift store found Silver, some polished, some not! Amazing that people gift sterling pieces to thrift stores and they sell them for under $10.

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I've added some silly fairy folk, and little lights with some vintage ornaments.

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All spread over a 'Turkish' weave 1800's tablecloth.  It has just that wonderful deep red color and the right amount of tint to make the old items really popl

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The centerpiece is my largest fairy. I sold these in my store in the late 1990's. And of course kept one. she's sweet and like all the fairies is pose-able with wonderful fly-away hair.

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Such a face....he's just too much fun.

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This 'Pige' (small girl) was one of my mom's favorites. She holds her apron open all year long to catch something magical.

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Grandmother's silver candlesticks with the mini multi-colored lights just sparkling.

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From our home to yours, I am wishing you Happy Holidays and Traditions. 

Do enjoy family and friends, safely! 

coming soon

Part 3: Bedroom and Hall

Part 4: Rest of the Living Room

If You enjoyed this post please FOLLOW IT in the upper right hand corner, to get just one email of each new post.

Thanks  ALWAYS  for visiting,

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

I will post at the following Link Parties, I hope you visit them.

Happiness is Homemade

You're the Star Blog Hop

Grammy's Grid:All things Christmas

Vintage Charm

Farmhouse Friday

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. Please do not use my photos without permission. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts, or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Sandi 

Christmas Past Projects and Fun

I've only been blogging for one Christmas season, but thought I would 

share a few of last years posts.

DIY Christmas Tree Shaped Topiary

We made an ivy topiary from a tomato cage. This year it has filled out so much, 

can't wait to put some fairy lights in it for the holidays.

Inside I shared some DIY cookie trays.

DIY Making Tiered Cookie Trays

Loving vintage I tried a NEW/OLD Christmas Tin Tree. 

This was great for hiding real sweets in over the holiday season.

Vintage Christmas Tins Tree

My family traditions and my inherited Copenhagen porcelain.

Christmas Traditions and Copenhagen Porcelain

My family traditions and the blue and white porcelain in my china cabinet.

Vintage Christmas Kitchen

Christmas in the old kitchen.  Goodness, I hung the Jule Nisse stitchery to hide the ugliness of the  beat up cabinets. How short is a year after a remodeling?

Vintage Christmas Kitchen

Christmas pig noshing down on acorns with vintage everywhere.

Vintage Christmas Kitchen

A child's apron, I was 8 to 10 when I received this from my aunts in Denmark.

Granny's Ornaments

I was on a hunt to replace wax ornaments of my grandmother's. Gurley wax ornaments.

Vintage DIY Terracotta Gingerbread Village

We toured my Christmas village made with terra-cotta houses, and vintage ones.

Wonderland Express at Botanic Gardens

Wonderland Express at the Botanic Gardens

We went on a tour of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and road the Wonderland Express.

DIY Barbie House moving in for Christmas

Decorating the DIY Barbie House for Christmas had to be the MOST fun!

Junkin Finds for the Front Porch

Decking out the front porch for the holidays just before the storm.

Cushions for the Front Porch

Vintage tablecloths into cushions

Junkin' Finds for the Front Porch

Making an arrangement for the holidays, focal point for the front porch.

Just in time, 

Mid-November 2015-a year ago---in Chicagoland, those are pumpkin lights, not Christmas lights! 

Better Watch OUT! 

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!

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Sandi