Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and blessings in 2013! This year, Sport designed our Christmas card and chose the verse  inside that reads,

"The gift of God is eternal life

in Christ Jesus our Lord."

-Romans 6:23

xoxo,

Krissy

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a blessed and joyous Christmas!

Blessings and joy,

Krissy

photos via Pinterest

Birdie and Pearl

My very first post was all about how I came up with the name for my blog, BirdiePearl. You can read all about it here. The name is from my two, precious grandmothers. Pearl is on the left and Birdie is on the right. They absolutely hate that I used their names for my blog (even though they don't really understand what in the world a blog is). They don't even "officially" use either of these names. Pearl goes by Lavoyce (better? I won't comment on that) and Birdie goes by Wynell. Names aside, I love these two women and the importance and love of family that they have instilled in me.

During my childhood, Christmas Eve was spent with Pearl/Nanno and Gramps at their home. After church, there was always a crowd and presents stacked as high as the ceiling! This is my dad's side of the family and everyone is musical, so the evening would end up by the piano and we would sing our hearts out! My aunt Ruby usually brought some old-fashioned, cut rock candy (my favorite), among other goodies and we would choke down our ham dinner, served on Nanno's ivy china, to get to the dessert table. Nanno always had some sparkling grape juice for the kids' table, so we would feel special.

Christmas morning, after my brother and I had torn through Santa's gifts, the front door would burst open to a loud (Mommom is not the quite type) "Ho, Ho, Ho!" and in would arrive Birdie/Mommom and Grandad. Mommom would bring a breakfast of her famous sausage balls and various other goodies and we would spend a fun morning together. Mommom and Grandad would stay through the day and other family and friends would join us for lunch and again, the dessert table. Do you see a trend here?

We don't have Christmas Eve at Nanno's anymore, a tradition she did not give-up without a fight, but we all get together. Christmas mornings are now spent at my home and new traditions have been started, but I love the treasured memories that these two women made for me as a child and I hope I can pass on the magic to my children.

Thank you Nanno and Mommom!

Krissy

A Dickens of a Christmas

The actual scene - live! That's Fisherman in the red!

Last Friday evening, we were entertained at the minis' school with a wonderful, holiday production. Each year, the seventh and eighth graders perform the classic Charles Dickens' story A Christmas Carol - as a musical no doubt! Each student is required to participate (nothing like making a young teen do something) and they also have the option of trying-out for specific roles. This is exciting news for some, but for Fisherman, not so much. However, much to my delight, my boy tried-out for a part! He was an understudy for Fred and part of a special party scene. He did not sing a solo (He won't mind my saying this - thank you Jesus!) and he had no spoken lines, but did I care? He stole the show for me! My boy was on the stage!

Curtain call!

I have mentioned before that this is Fisherman's first year at this school and quite a change from what he is used to. He is having a wonderful year; our prayers have been answered. He smiles each day and is so enjoying all of the opportunities that he has been given. Being a teenager, he won't admit to this, but as a mom, I know it to be true. We can't rest on our laurels for long though, he must face his first-ever finals next week! Well, as Tiny Tim would say,

"God bless us everyone!"

We are going to need it!

Krissy

Happy Christmas!

" Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

From all of us Pearls, we wish you a blessed Christmas!

Krissy

Blue Christmas Cheer

Traditional Home

Traditional Home

Country Living

Country Living

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unknown

Don't feel blue like the decor in these pics! Only a few more days, so don't fret! Its time haul out the holly and put the last sprinkle on your Christmas cookies! I wish everyone a stress-free, love-filled, "happy" blue, joyous week!

xoxo,

Krissy

On the Mend - Pink and Green Christmas

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country home

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Country Living

Country Home

Mary Engelbreit

Birdie Pearl

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Helloooooo!!! Sorry for the absence, but my entire household has been under the weather and well, doctor visits, naps and round-the-clock breathing treatments have been at the top of my "to do" list. We are all on the mend! Nothing some steroids, antibiotics, Zicam (my new best friend) and Sudafed couldn't cure. We should all be in tiptop shape for the celebration of Jesus' birthday! (for some reason, the prayer scene from Ricky Bobby just popped into my mind! I'm a "baby Jesus" fan myself) Anywho, last night, Mr.Pearl and I made our last Target run for the week and I just have one or two more stops. Hope you all are finished, as well and can enjoy the week!

Here is some pink and green Christmas cheer for your Monday!

xoxo,

Krissy

Flashback Friday - Christmas 1968

I went through my stash of vintage magazines and found a few December issues to share. Today, I am highlighting Better Homes and Gardens from 1968. The "holiday feature" was "Christmas Around the World." The magazine contains decorating ideas and recipes to add a "worldly" flavor to the holidays! I hope you enjoy this little trip back to the sixties and have a great weekend!

At the top of every woman's list - a fliptop dishmobile!


Christmas in Poland

Christmas in Norway

Yum! I must admit that I do love me some Eagle Brand!

The frozen cherry loaf was a favorite of my Nanno.

Nothing says Christmas quite like Spam Spread.

"decorator panels" - that is what Amana called these doors.

A decorator endorsed this?

Love this ad! Do you remember some of these appliances?

The popcorn popper, the coffee pot, the avocado green electric skillet (Nanno had one of those, too) but my personal fave, the bread warmer (I used to love to flip the top back and forth)

Happy Friday!

Krissy

Christmas is Coming and Santa is in a Boot

Well, like it or not, Christmas is coming! I don't officially begin the countdown until after Thanksgiving, even though radio stations have been playing Christmas songs for two weeks and retail stores act like I should be finished with my shopping already. Last Friday, I made it official. It's Christmas time! Mr. Pearl and the minis and I drug down the umpteen boxes of Christmas "stuff" (after the tenth box or so, Mr. Pearl has another word for it!). We set-up our tree (artificial because of our allergies), carefully placed baby Jesus in the nativity and I decided on a way to make more work for myself! I am going to make everyone new stockings! (at least in theory) I will visit that later and let you know how it is going!

I have been shopping for the perfect ornaments for the minis. Each year, I buy them an ornament for our tree and when they have trees of their own someday, I plan on passing them on. If I can part with them. I become rather attached to my ornaments. I sign the back of the ornaments and date them. When anyone gives us an ornament, I write who it is from and date it as well. Opening-up the ornament boxes is a trip down memory lane. I treasure each little ornament and the person and memory that it represents. Yes, I am a sentimental fool, as illustrated by the beautiful ornament above. This flocked velvet boot with Santa and the Mrs. plays "Somewhere My Love" and was given to me by my mother's dear friend, on my first Christmas. I LOVE this thing! It has a very special packing box and is carefully stored away each year. It's not Christmas until Santa is in his boot in a place of honor. The last several years that place has been under a cloche. Everything looks important under a glass dome, right? Its a little harder to see the years of "love" that are showing on this poor ornament under the glass! Anywho, I hope that all of you will take a few moments to enjoy old memories and make some new ones and have a wonderful holiday season!



Peace and joy!



Krissy