Happy, Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you the very happiest and healthiest of New Years!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Pink Saturday ~ A Pink Christmas... TREE!

Hello to all of my Pink Saturday friends! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and you received wonderful gifts and spent wonderful time with your family!

For this Pink Saturday I thought it was about time I showed you my beautiful Pink Christmas Tree! I tried to use lots of vintage bulbs but I also purchased some new pink ones as well. Did you all notice that Pink and Aqua are all over the place this year? I just might have to purchase some Aqua bulbs that will be on sale in just a few hours. My favorite color combination of course is Pink and Aqua. Is there anything better?

I have to say I did receive a lot of compliments on my tree this year. It really turned out prettier than I expected! What do you think?

It's really hard to see the twinkling lights in this pic but they are very pretty! I also added my Candy Cane scented Candy Lights!

Here's a nice view of some pretty in pink sparkling bulbs!

As you can see, we added some pretty cream colored bulbs too! The dark pink in this pic is one of my vintage bulbs. The upper one is soooooo darling... light pink with silver sparkles!

And finally. what makes a better center-piece for your table then a bowl filled with pink ornaments?!

Don't forget to visit the lovely Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to view all of this week's Pink Saturday participants.

Have a lovely weekend!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Here's our pretty pink silver bow to top things off!

T'was the Night Before Christmas... @ RME Boutique

T'was the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even the DOG (well, almost)...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care (well, we don't have a mantel so I guess my dresser will do, ha!), in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there! The Children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap (not me of course, I'm blogging!).

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away in the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow (no white Christmas here) gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name!

Now Dasher! now Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! on Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

*Written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822.

Happy Christmas to all of you and may Santa make your dreams come true!

OXOXOX,

Jacalyn

Pink Saturday ~ Favorite HolidayTradition!

Happy Pink Saturday! Be sure and visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to see all of the participants. This week we are to share our favorite family traditions. While we don't have any specific traditions, Christmas in our house is always filled with joy! We enjoy gathering and eating and sharing gifts and eating and oh did I say eating? Ha! It becomes more special as 2 of my children are away at college and come home for the holidays.

I wish all of my Pink Saturday & Blog friends the happiest of holidays! May you share great times, many laughs, much love and of course great food!

With warmest wishes,

Jacalyn

PInk Saturday ~ Favorite Decorations

Welcome to Pink Saturday! Once again, thank you to Beverly, who hosts this event each and every Saturday. You can find her HERE as well as a list of all of the other participants.



This week our task is to describe our favorite Holiday Decoration. Well, I must admit that I don't yet have my decorations up! Moreover, they are not even unpacked yet! It is actually on my "to do" list this weekend. Sooooo..... since I don't have pictures, I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.



My favorite decorations have to be the beautiful tree ornaments that my 18 y.o. triplets made for me as they were growing up. They were reindeer made from Popsicle sticks, adorable cut-outs with their picture attached, and oh so many more. I have kept each and every one! While they may not make it on the tree each year, they are preserved and each year as I decorate I lovingly admire them once more! I will truly cherish them forever.



As least I can leave you with a picture of my "babies." This was taken at their Prom last May.






Have a great weekend!
OXOX,
Jacalyn

Holiday Childhood Memories for Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday, all! This week is of course, a little bit different in that instead of just sharing pink, we are sharing our cherished memories! I have always loved holidays because our family, albeit small, always gathers to share fun, love, and warmth. I would say one of my most cherished memories from childhood is a collection of events, rather than a single event. I grew up with three older brothers and you might imagine what that was like! Everyone always asks if I was "spoiled" being the only girl of the family. The answer is a resounding NO! In fact, my brothers pretty much treated me like I was another brother, ha! Hmmm... I wonder why I am such a "girly, girl?" Probably a bit of rebellion, he, he!

The two oldest boys were 5 and 3 years older than me and thus we didn't share a lot in common. But my brother Mark is only one year, one month, and 19 days older. Why do I know that, you ask? Because Mark reminded me of that every day for the first 17 years of my life! So funny that seems to stick with me. Being close in age we had a lot in common. We had similar friends and most often attended the same school. Plus, we had two older brothers who picked on us!

Every Christmas Eve my parents hosted a family party for the extended family. It was always a lot of fun with tons of food and gifts to be shared by all! Usually, everyone would leave by midnight and the looooonnnnnnggggg night a head awaited. Surely you remember awaiting Santa's arrival and of the anticipation that would bring. Well of course I couldn't sleep and if I did, it wasn't for long. Jeeeezzzz, why do the parents have to sleep soooooo long?! It's 3 a.m., can't we get up and see what Santa brought?????!!!!! Since my parents insisted on sleeping in until 7 a.m. or so, there were those long hours to fill and so much anxiety ~ "I've been good alllllll year, really! I wonder if Santa remember to bring my Chrissy doll?" (Remember her? The beautiful long red hair that you could lengthen by pulling it through the top of her head? He did bring it by the way. I told you I was good!!!!!). So to fill those long hours, Mark would come across the hall to my bedroom and we would talk and wonder together what Santa was bringing! Year after year it was our special ritual, a secret meeting of sorts that no one else could share! It made the time pass more quickly and I will always remember those special times with Mark!

Here's me ~ circa 1964!

That's Mark ~ circa 1964! What a cutie!

Mark joined the service when he turned 18 and I was a senior in high school. I still remember the morning he left and the immense sadness I felt. He ended up staying in Texas where he was last stationed, married and is raising his family. We have changed and grown as adults, of course. But I still remember Mark on Christmas Eve as the special brother who shared that magical time with me! Thanks for the memories Mark!

Don't forget to visit sweet Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound and all of the other great participants for more Pink Saturday Holiday Memories!

Have a wonderful weekend filled with Holiday joy!

Hugs,

Jacalyn