Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Soft And White Pure And Bright


My hubby's Grandmother Clara
had a beautiful white and gold
porcelain Nativity that someone
handpainted for her.
Sadly, during the months
before her death it
"disappeared".
She had always told me that
it would be mine someday
because I loved it so.
When she passed
it was nowhere to be found.
Fast forward
15 years.
I was in Sam's Club,
of all places,
and spotted one that was
"almost identical"
to it.
I hesitated in buying it
and walked away.
When I went back they were
all gone.
Regret overwhelmed me.
As I was leaving I saw one
behind the counter
(you know the one where you
go to sign in if you forgot 
your card).
I walked to the counter.
Ummmm....Ma'am?
Is that Nativity taken?
No-It was returned.
Ummmm...Can I buy it?
Certainly!
Ah.....I knew then I was
supposed to have it.
Here it is-
It sits inside my front hall door.
On top of a case that is filled 
with family photos.
These were taken at night.
The only light is that coming
from the white lights 
under the "snow".
I love this-I was born and 
raised on a farm...we had 
cows but never any with gold horns.
The 3 wise men pay homage.
As does the shepherd here.
This sits below a picture
that my father had when he set
up housekeeping.
It is an old lithograph dated 1897.
My son did some research
and found that hardly 
any of them survived.  
It is in its original frame.
It was actually the only thing
I wanted that belonged to my dad.
It's quiet here now.
SweetCheeks has gone home.
It is pre-dawn and I am
cozied up with my coffee.....
with my lights turned on
in the pre-dawn darkness.

And...you WILL notice that there are
NO DUCKS
in my Nativity....
The duck stays here!
Have a ducky day!
Tomorrow if you are good
(and promise not to  stick
your half-eaten candy bar
under the sofa when your
hubby walks into the room)
I will give you my latest
 laugh.
your photo name

57 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

What a gorgeous nativity set. I'm glad you were able to find something that reminds you of your grandmother's. Lovely painting. Enjoy this Wednesday.

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

Your display with the white lights- opps I mean snow is just so pretty. I do think adding a duck or two would have been lovely as well!! :)

La Brocanteuse said...

Very very beautiful, and happy you found a almost same nativity scene afters so many years..along with fond memories...
Blessed Christmas to you, filled with peace and calm.
Love Colette

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OH gosh I love that nativity Diana!
It's gorgeous, so glad you were able to get it.
I need one of those little kiddy ones too, Addison is just fascinated by it all!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Lynne said...

Good morning, Sweet D!
Your manger scene is beautiful!
I am so pleased to hear rhymes and signing again. You and I must be on the same track because my post title rhymes and sings out too!

I am happy to hear that sweet little Sweet Cheeks is feeling better!
Have a cozy day looking onto your beautiful Green Bay!
~Lynne
w/L.

Lynne said...

oooops! typo!
"singing" not signing!
w/L.

Susan said...

Diana, your nativity set is so sweet. Your story was so touching.
Do miss the farm Diana. I grew up on a farm and did not appreciate it then, because " I had to milk the cows". But now I truly miss the farm life and appreciate what I had back then.

Tete said...

I love it in white and gold. I have been looking for one, a larger one than I have now but not overly big.
What? NO ducks? Come on, its a cute addition. There could have been ducks there, you never know.
Glad you have some quiet time there in the winter wonderland.
What half eaten candy bar?

Petie said...

What a beautiful Nativity and I love the lights underneath. Have a Wonderful Christmas and thanks for always making me smile with your comments. Hugs...

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I love your story about the nativity- and I do believe it was meant to be! When you look at it you think of her and that's the best part. I love that its setting with the lithograph picture of your Dad's. The lights under the snow blanket look beautiful and you captured it well! My husband grew up on a dairy farm. They stopped actively doing that in 1985. His mom is still alive and we will end up there sometime after Christmas. Lots of memories!

Susie said...

Diana, I love your father's picture. It seems perfect hanging above the nativity. I have a little nativity that is different too. I should post a photo of it. I also like the quiet of dawn.xoxo,Susie

Shirley said...

Hi Diana, Well I am back home and hubby is back in the nursing home. How long it will remain that way only god knows. I enjoyed your post and I love the picture of your winter scene. I don't know what happen to my mother-in-law's nativity. To many people helping clean out an apartment when she passed a way. They say the snow is coming starting later today. We shall see. I am glad Sweetcheeks is feeling better. You always worry about them. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend. Oh I don't have a half eaten candy bar under the sofa, but I do have some of Maggie's fudge in the fridge that I will have a piece or two when I come home this evening.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a beautiful nativity set, Diana! I'm so glad you were able to get it.

Debbiedoos said...

What a story Diana. So happy in the end you were able to have one of your own. I love the picture too. Merry Christmas.

Japolina said...

So pretty. Glad you bought it!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

What a lovely Nativity Diana! It was clearly meant to come home with you. Isn't it amazing how those memories from our childhood can still warm our hearts? That is what you are helping to create for all your sweet grandchildren!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

So happy you were able to get this Nativity ~ It is lovely!

Julie Marie said...

Dear Diana, I do believe that is the most beautiful Nativity I have ever seen... and of course it was meant to be yours... to remind you of your grandmother... she placed it there for you... and your lithograph is just precious... blessings to you dear friend, xoxo... Julie Marie

Jettie said...

It is beautiful, and I'm so glad you found it.
I have one somewhere, need to dig it out, I'd forgotten about it, until now.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

It's a beautiful set. I do think real cows would look extra special if they had gold horns.

Donna said...

What a beautiful nativity set, Diana. It looks just heavenly in that light. So glad you were able to find one. And the litho of your Dad's is beautiful too. I've never seen one like it. And now I can say that I've seen a ducky in a nativity, too:)!

Nellie said...

An absolutely beautiful Nativity set! I love mine that is all white and should arrange some kind of light around it. Thank you for the idea!
xo Nellie

Beth said...

The nativity set is beautiful I am so glad you found it!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

It was surely meant to be, Diana.
I am thinking of you sitting there with your coffee...a quiet moment with your nativity and your thoughts.
xo, Tina

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

half eaten candy bar!!!!! your such a hoot!
YOU were MENT to have that sweet little manger...great story on how the Lord provides our wants and needs.
and the picture!!!!
I have a winter scene my dad painted when he was newly married to my mom and He left it to me when he died...I'd always wanted it.
My daughter made my white (go figure) ceramic manger, which I love...
I really like how you've put them together...You've given me an IDEA HERE!!!!!
Have a blessed Christmas sweet friend...love to you and your family on this magical season...
Come Lord Jesus!!!!

Unknown said...

That is just gorgeous Diana - love how you have it lit up from underneath - looks magical!
And I absolutely LOVE your father's lithograph - it's beyond beautiful!
XOX

Anne said...

Diana what a beautiful Nativity set! I LOVE how yours is display with those lights just beautiful! And a beautiful litho from your father too!
I am sure you are missing sweet cheeks.Can't wait to hear what happened with that candy bar!
xx
Anne

Ron said...

You have a beautiful nativity and a perfect display. I love the white lights under the "snow". You were certainly destined for it to be yours. HE is the reason for the season. xo

koralee said...

This is so so pretty...I love the white with gold! What a stunning display...enjoy my friend..wishing you a beautiful week with your family and friends...oxoxo

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diana,
This is so beautiful. I just love your nativity and I do believe you were meant to have it with you just like your grandmother wanted. Little miracles like this do happen. Love the little glow coming through the snow.

I also love the framed lithograph from your father's treasures. It is amazing.
The early morning hours you enjoy are also a favorite time for me as well. With my coffee and the glowing lights, it is peaceful and gives one time to just think and reflect.

Wishing you the joy of the season my friend.
Hugs, CM

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

such a beautiful story behind the Nativity. Glad you were able to find one almost like the one you loved so much!

Ruth Kelly said...

Such a beautiful set. I am happy for you that you found it.

Anonymous said...

I really love this set. It was meant just for you!
That art is lovely too.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful nativities! I am so glad you found the one like your Grandmother's.
After reading your post about the Fisher Price Nativity set, I ordered one right away online! I have a friend whose daughter's baby will be born early in the new year. I didn't know what to buy for the little baby this year... but that was perfect! It will be here in time for Christmas! Thank you for the wonderful idea - may it bear fruit!
Love,
Lily, WA, USA

Diana LaMarre said...

What a lovely story and nativity set, Diana. You have such great family memories.

Unknown said...

Oh what a beautiful nativity-
isn't it funny how things work out sometimes. Just like it was meant to be all along.

must love junk said...

Diana, what a sweet post! Isn't it so special when things like that happen? Also, so neat that you have your dad's picture!
Susan

Red Rose Alley said...

The Nativity set is just beautiful, Diana. It looks so special with the lights all lit up. I found one at Costco years ago and had to buy it. The pieces are covered with jewels and it was the prettiest Nativity I've ever seen. I know SweetCheeks enjoyed her stay with you, but it's always nice to sit awhile and relax. Merry Christmas, Diana. You are a dear bloggy friend to me.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I just don't know how you do it. Your posts lately have been so wonderful. I loved this. Thank you for sharing about the nativity...don't you wonder what happened to Clara's?

Anonymous said...

Diana, this is lovely nativity set! The lithograph is amazing! How wonderful that it belonged to your father! You have beautiful treasures with such a special history! Love the duck!

tlcukjourney said...

It's absolutely beautiful...
I actually don't have a nativity, I need to get one!

Pam Kessler said...

Your display looks so pretty with the lighted snow. I haven't gotten my nativity set out yet. Well, actually I wasn't going to get it out at all this year, but now you've talked me into it.

Little Miss Maggie said...

How beautiful, Diana. Your nativity scene is almost ethereal. Well, that's not true because it is ethereal. It looks like it's floating on heavenly clouds. I love your dad's artwork too. Perfect.

Holly said...

Your post just feels warm and cozy, Diana. I'm so glad that you found your nativity. I think they call that a God wink where He winks at you. You are right, it was meant for you.
xo

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

What a beautiful nativity! What a treasure to have found another nativity that reminds you so much of the lost one. And I love the print and the story behind it.
Wishing you a very Blessed & Merry Christmas!

Lucille said...

Diana, I have never seen such a beautiful Nativity scene. It's a marvel the way you have set it up. It's enchanting, like it's in a little world of its own! The lithograph is a real treasure!

momto8 said...

so beautiful!!! captures the reason for the season..
was meant to be!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Such a pretty, pretty nativity scene. I can see why you wanted it so badly!
Oh..and that last? Ok, I promise! You DO believe me, don't you? :)

Julie Harward said...

Oh, I am so glad you got it, beautiful! There is a life size one in white here in town, so pretty. Love the picture too..you are so lucky. Merry Christmas! :)

Leslie said...

Diana,

What a wonderful story :) It's all about destiny isn't it? The nativity is just perfect and I like the way it's glowing as you welcome the predawn and sip coffee. Wonderful painting you have from your Dad. How great to have something that has sentimental value AND such an interesting history.

I love the quiet, reflective moments you just described. Morning time is the perfect time for a little peace isn't it?

xxleslie

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Awww. what a lovely story. I am so happy for you. Yes, it was meant to be. The set is beautiful. Your Dad's painting is a treasure. Have a Merry Christmas.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Such a beautiful and special Nativity set, Diana...and I love the wonderful lighting in your home! Hope you have a blessed Christmas!

Jacqueline said...

That was one of those wonderful moments, wasn't it? I love those kinds of days. So glad you got it because it is stunning. The touches of gold are perfection.

Nonnie said...

I love everything about this post. Nativity sets are my favorite at Christmas time. If I had to choose between the tree or Nativity, it would win out.
The story about your Nativity reminded me of a small ceramic set that someone gave me many years ago. The first year our son-in-law came to our home for Christmas, he loved it because his Grandma always had the same set out. He went on and on about it. ... Yes, I wrapped it up and gave it to him for Christmas that year.

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

Diana,I am so happy for you that you found a similar Nativity! It is beautiful and I love how the light shines from underneath! I love your dad's picture too - very sweet scene! I see that Pedro is still hanging out in the little Nativity. LOL! That still makes me laugh when I think of how you wrote it! Have a great day, hon! Hugs, Leena

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

How did you know I did that when Jim walks in? Hee Hee...

Love this beautiful Nativity and lit up looks even more beautiful!

Annesphamily said...

I think you are my twin and we were separated at birth! Seriously! Oh your nativity is so lovely and that photo from your dad. Divine! What a lovely sight it must be to see them side by side. Always a fun time here and I enjoy your stories. Hugs The Other twin