Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Decorating the Cookstove


I'm trying to remember where all these things came from. The Beefeater (I think it's supposed to be) was from World Market one year, and it contained Walker shortbread. I think. The S&P post boxes were given to me by friends who know I love England, and the cast iron train and car have been sitting on top of this stove for years. They may have come from a little shop in Bird-in-Hand, PA.


The little hanging man was given to me by my cousin Bobby (bearer of all fun things), the grapevine wreath I made from vine that I actually think was Virginia creeper. And the license plate is an old Wisconsin plate.


The turkey feathers (left) were from a beautiful (but dead) turkey we found alongside the road near Chetek last year. Doesn't everyone keep turkey feathers?? Cast iron skillets flank the cookstove. They're wonderful pans and were handed down through the family, except for a couple I purchased at a flea market when we lived in Pennsylvania.


The bells were a collection that belonged to my mother, probably given to her by my nephew and his family who live in China. I couldn't resist the gorgeous chicken, probably the closest I'll get to keeping chickens. Every time I get the hankering for raising chickens, we get something like a. ten below zero day which slaps me back to reality. Who wants to go out in sub-zero temps and take care of chickens?  I suspect that Kevin would frown upon keeping them in the house. We do have the room, now that the kids have all left home, but...he's so unreasonable. ;-)



I'm pretty sure I swiped the Scottie dog from my oldest brother many years ago, when we were kids. Or maybe he just accused me and it was so traumatic that it was indelibly etched into my brain, making me live under a cloud of guilt all these years.

But not enough to risk asking.

My REAL Christmas decorations, the Nativity, will come in another post. They're my favorite!

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24 comments:

MadSnapper said...

it all looks great and so very festive, if you decide to part with the hanging Santa with a bell on his feet, think of ME

TexWisGirl said...

i really like your collection. the silver bells and the hanging man are my faves. (and the old, old wisc. plate, too.) :)

podso said...

We love the connections we remember when we look at our Christmas stuff, don't we? And your bird (and cat) pictures were great!

Empty Nester said...

I love it! You have such an eye for lovely decorating. I could have all the same items and they would NOT look so inviting.I told Molly last night that my Santas behind the couch look like Santas behind the couch and not one bit like someone decorated for Christmas. LOL

Susan said...

..."it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." Lovely decorations, XOXO

Chatty Crone said...

I did the same thing today and am getting my blog ready for tomorrow. Great minds think a like.

I love your decoarations. I do think you must have a much better camera then I do and you set up the scene nice.

Very lovely.

sandie

Carla from The River said...

I like it. :-)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You put things together in such a beautiful way, my friend! I'm still going back to look at what makes it work so well! Love the sweet little bells...and the train...oh and the Scottie dog! Love it ALL! (and your peppermint soap!) Hugs!

Pamela Gordon said...

I like your varied collection on the cookstove, especially the black Scotty dog.

Terri D said...

So pretty! I love decorations with memories attached!!

Muffy's Marks said...

Love your collection of Christmas decorations. They are all so special because the story of their origin is so meaningful!!!

Vee said...

That's a great Scotty dog! Definitely don't ask! My niece is raising chickens. I find myself worrying about them.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Lovely nick-nacks! I feel I'm missing out though, because I don't keep turkey feathers..!

Trace4J said...

Love your Christmas treasures.
Turkey feathers and all.
My turkey Ella seems to be a Elroy.
How did I know not..lol
Love the Scottie! :)
Woolie Hugs

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, it's so beautiful and charming, with so many happy memories everywhere you look ... :)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love seeing different Santas. so fun! ( :

Ruth Kelly said...

Your brother probably has not missed the dog. My brother swiped my Barbara Striesand album years ago and never returned it.

Diane said...

Very nice! Fun to decorate for Xmas-- kind of like having "new" things to look at for awhile.

Deanna said...

I adore decorations which have special meaning. Nice job! We had chickens for several years until raccoons got them a couple of years ago. I do hope to have them again this Spring but must admit with our recent snow I'm not missing them at the moment. However, if you ever do decide you want some, a secure coop with a hanging feeder and hanging HEATED water dispenser are essential in the winter. One quick check per day to make sure all is well will see you through winter storms.

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

It's all so cute!

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I like all the English touches in that décor!

Donna said...

Thank you for the tour of your cookstove decorations! I had to laugh about the chickens!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

love the chickens in the kitchen. Thanks for the tour.

J_on_tour said...

Nice to see other peoples unique decorations and hear a little story behind them all. Wonder what the figurative chickens would think about it !!

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