The Gifts of Saint Nicholas....

I knew there was a very good reason I always leave a pair or two (ok, maybe even more) of shoes out and about this time of year (ok, maybe ALL times of the year)....But this year my wishes and dreams really did come true on St. Nicholas's day!!! I didn't get any sweets of the chocolate kind (chocolate in shoes is just kind of gross anyway if you ask me) - but something way, way, sweeter, and way more endearing....The most incredible St. Nick made by the amazingly talented Eve at Lee Hill Primitives.  This was Eve's very special Christmas giveaway - and I cannot believe I was so, so, blessed to win. I absolutely, positively, LOVE this guy to pieces....

(How sweet is that little sheep he's carrying??!!)

(Decorating NOT done - but Nick is helping me find the courage to start....there is just something magical with him.  This is a view of him on the mantel...) (You don't see any black cats or pumpkins do you??  Hope not....But the stockings aren't hung....Ummm....the stockings aren't even hooked yet....)

Eve also sent me these wonderful snowmen, stars, Christmas tree (they smell HEAVENLY!!!)....and a package of Virginia peanuts (please disregard that the package is opened and now empty....ummmm...they were hard to resist....):

Thank you from the very bottom of my holiday heart Eve....St. Nick will be a truly loved and treasured part of our holiday tradition for as long I have a shoe to leave about....What a wonderful, wonderful, gift you have given me.....Now you've just made me want more and more and more of what you do......

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On the same day, I also received these amazing goodies in my shoe the mail from Linda at Hickory Ridge Primitives for her "get-to-know-me" giveaway.  She said the winner would receive a pound of her fixings, candle tarts, and some room spray....Holy heck - it was a pound of fixings AND a pound of tarts - plus the spray!! Two boxes full of the most amazing smelling things you can imagine...."Colonial Christmas....." 

(See how cleverly I opened and reclosed the bag of tarts for the photo - once I got a whiff, I just had to turn on the Christmas music and melt a tart or two....)

Some of the fixins' in a bowl.....heaven, I tell you, has to smell a bit like this....

Thank you SO MUCH Linda!!! You've made our home smell like old-time Christmas.....(Mr. CC is loving it....)  Stop by Linda's blog - I'm betting you'd love to get to know her better - she makes some very adorable crafts - and her "smell goodes" are second to none....

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And....as you know....good things come in threes....yesterday, I received this sweet little mitten ornie from Sweet Karen at My Colonial Home.  Karen had participated in an ornie swap hostessed by Marie from primitives by olde lady morgan.

I kept seeing these darling mittens Karen had made and commented on them - and she sent me my very own.  

Love it!!! Thank you Karen!!! You're a living doll....I'm sure most of you know Karen, but if not, she makes amazing penny rugs and has an impressive line of patterns.  You can find her at her website, KM Primitives. 

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I'll leave you with a few scenes from Nod.....(yes, folks, these ARE color photos.....) 

Shirlee....the guest bed's ready.....