Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Orange you glad it's Christmas


There's something about a bowl full of citrus fruit that says, "It's Christmas!"

I like to hold an orange or a tangerine close to my nose and inhale deeply. Ahh, the smell. Or better yet, peel it by hand without using a knife. Then rinse my hands with just water. No soap. That way my hands smell like citrus for a little while afterwards. Ahhhhh.

We were gifted with a large box of oranges and grapefruits a couple of days ago (way more than what the picture shows!). I think it's a perfect gift.

For one, it reminds me of growing up in Flordia. Two, it brings back Christmas memories. Especially of my Christmas stocking. When I was little girl we always got tangerines in our stockings. There were pecans and Hershey's kisses in there too, but the tangerines were my favorite. Still are.

This is a picture of my original stocking. It's a hundred years old (well, not really, but almost). My mom made these stockings for me and my two sisters. I still pull it out every year. We don't have anything that even resembles a fireplace in our house, so I have hung it on a lamp. That's the closest thing to a heat and light source I could come up with.


I love this little, old stocking because it looks like mom used her silk stockings as a pattern. And there's a jingle bell sewn on the toe. It's very narrow at the ankle and sometimes made getting those tangerines out a little challenging. You couldn't put a lot in there. Hmmm, maybe that was the idea...

And speaking of stockings, I have a new kind of stocking, sort of. It's my table runner. I love it because it's not only fun, it has several bright colors in it. It allows me to use more of my Fiestaware than just the red and green. Come on over and I'll serve you up a nice big bowl of navel oranges and pink grapefruit, peeled by hand of course. The pink and orange fruit will go just perfectly with the table setting, don't you think?!


And if you have to have salt on your grapefruit (I will NEVER understand that, but some people insist it makes it better), then I'll bring these guys over from the kitchen counter. Santa & Mrs. Claus and Mr. & Mrs. Snowfolk salt & pepper shakers are like my extended family. (They are like the Pilgrims that I told you about here.) Scott affectionately gave them the moniker of the Publix Team, a reference to their place of origin.



We do have tree and some other Christmasy things that help make our house festive. Stay tuned. I'll share some more soon. What's up at your house?

UPDATE: Let me show you my Magi, click here.
and for my angel ornaments click here.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

7 comments:

Carmen said...

I love your salt&pepper shakers. I have the Pilgrims and the Santa ones as well. Somebody told me that Publix was discontinuing them. I got mine at garage sales and I am going to look for the snowmen.
Carmen

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the table stockings. Adorable! Merry Christmas!

Shellee said...

very cute stocking runner on your table...merry christmas!

Bonita said...

Sweet decorations and you're so right about citrus fruit at the holidays.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

OMGosh I thought I was the only one that liked oranges out in a bowl at Christmas. I love it! And your table runner is SO cute!

Anonymous said...

That table runner is adorable! What a great idea. Thanks for joining the tour with us.

Merry Christmas from She Lives!

Unknown said...

I have a big bowl of oranges too - so Christmas-y! :-)