Happy New Year

I wish you Joy all through the year.

I wish you Love of Family and Friends.

I wish you Happy Days that never end.

Happy New Year, 

Gina

Peace and Love to you.

Christmas 2018

Thank you dear Friends for visiting me.  

I wish for you all manner of wealth

but most of all I wish you health and happiness. 

Gina 

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

https://tentoesinthewater.blogspot.com/2018/12/

Old World Traditions

The First Advent

This year it fell on November 25th, my Birthday.

The first Advent is the fourth Sunday BEFORE Christmas Day. 

How excited we were.

Running up four flights of stairs to wake up the first Räuchermann (incense smoker).

Impatiently waiting for grown ups to catch up.

 Gently taking him out of his box, gently carrying him down to the Gute Stube (the best room of the house).  Only good little girls and good little boys are allowed to carry him. 

  

Placing  him on the fireplace mantle where he fills the air with exotic incense. And where soon he will be joined by three more Räuchermännchen, the next three Sundays.

Christmas Season had officially begun.

Cone incense is placed inside and lit.

We were spellbound, waiting for the smoke to come out of their mouths.

The tradition is observed in many parts of Germany and other central European countries. But nowhere more celebrated than in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) central Europe near the Saxony/Bohemia border. 

Ore Mountain Folk Art, in the form of Smoking Figures (Räuchermännchen), Christmas Pyramids, Nutcrackers and many other colorful and hand carved ornaments are known the world over.

Are you almost ready for Christmas?

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

A different version

It's that time of year again when I get lots of questions about my hand painted glass Christmas ornaments.

Here is How to 

If you don't want to get out the paints
and want to do something different.

 Tear up very thin napkins (MacKenzie type) into smaller pieces.

 Cover (modge podge style) clear glass balls with colored tissue paper.

Use thinned out Elmer's glue or similar.
You can even make a very thin paste of flour and water. 

These napkins come in layers.  Only use the top layer. 
The thinner the paper the more malleable it is. 
You will get a smoother finish.

Dip the paper in glue and attach to glass ball.

Attach a wire hanger and let dry.

Spray with clear Sealer. 

Almost all napkins come apart into several layers. 

Little once like to be involved. 

Clear plastic hearts and balls are available in craft stores.
They are safe to use for the younger group.  

Have fun. 

Gina

https://tentoesinthewater.blogspot.com/
https://betweennapsontheporch.net