Nussknacker

Nussknacker: According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.

If this is true, I'm in good hands for the holidays! 

 

 

It all started at the mall, in my teens, when I saw these three. 

I remember telling my mom "I want to start collecting nutcrackers." 

Those same three nutcrackers were under the tree on Christmas morning. 

I was ecstatic!

And then, Santa went all crazy and started leaving these on Christmas morning...

 ...real nutcrackers! The bagpipe player on the left was my first "real" nutcracker...yes, I cried like a baby. I remember my jaw dropped when I saw the price tag attached.

Year after year, I'd open my nutcracker on Christmas morning. I started recognizing the size of the box and would get the butterflies just imagining what nutcracker it would be. As I'd start opening, my family would tease "here come the tears."  I'd always cry with gratitude and excitement!!

After I got married, I was informed that the tradition wouldn't be able to continue, I totally understood! But the strangest thing now happens.  Every December, I get a knock at the door. No one is there, but a beautifully wrapped box, just the size of a nutcracker! Now that I have kiddies, there are oftentimes 3 beautifully wrapped boxes on the doorstep.

Maisy wanted her collection posted:

My nutcrackers all have a story. Here are a few:

One year our family had to give handmade presents. That year's nutcracker was 
"Cost-co Santa!"

Another year, shortly after my great grandpa passed away, my nutcracker was a total resemblance of him, down to the red cowboy hat, cowboy outfit, and horse.  I was shocked, and felt like this one was made especially for me. I love and miss my great grandpa. But I know he hangs out with us, especially in December!

This year was a treat...I'd never seen anything so authentic looking and unique as this yodeler from the high alps that dances and turns on top of a music box. 

So, a few days before Thanksgiving, we get the nutcrackers out. The kids get to spend a few days playing with them and then we decorate.

 

I'm thankful for parents who see the beauty in traditions. I had no idea how neat this collecting of nutcrackers would be, but my mom did. I love her.

Request from Mom...

This is Great Grandpa's end table that my momma inherited. She saw the desk I re-finished and wanted the same thing done for this. 

ORIGINALLY:

 CURRENTLY:

Usually if you find a piece of furniture in this condition, you paint it! Funny that I try to make it look like its had a rough life! It looks super great in my Mom and Dad's bedroom with their sea green walls and white washed wood floor. Too bad I don't have a picture of that! To see how this was done, scroll down to the desk. It's easy, really!

God Knows Us

I have been in awe of God's love for us. Over the past few weeks I have really come to understand some important truths about this existence. Over the past week, I have been amazed at how the Lord works in our lives in order to help each other in this part of our existence...life. I know we are all divinely connected and that he helps each of us through each other.  This week as I have been in close contact with a friend whose family is struggling. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost in my life. For the quiet promptings that he sends us so we can help lift and even share burdens that are placed on our brothers and sisters, because that is what we are. We are all God's children, who succeed and struggle together with love for one another, and with Jesus as our example and redeemer.

I wanted to share a couple of wonderful things that I am thankful for this week:

A Broken Vessel
Conference Talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Come, Come Ye Saints
Sung by the Tabernacle Choir in April, 2013 General Conference.

Great Grandpa's Desk

I inherited this desk years ago from an incredible cowboy, my Great Grandpa.  When he passed away, I got to have this desk, an old typewriter and one of his rodeo trophies.  This is the second time I have re-done the desk. About 17 years ago, I stripped it, re-stained it, then sealed it with wax. 

Recently, I decided it was time for another re-do. Half way thru my project (when I realized it would take several coats of paint to cover it), I remembered that I had wanted to use chalk paint on it! I had researched it a year ago and had forgotten.  So, I ran in the house and googled the homemade recipes that I had seen and I happened to have baking soda, so I used that recipe. Normally when using chalk paint, you don't have to sand or prime! I went the extra mile on this project!!


CHALK PAINT

...didn't buy Annie Sloan's, but I was happy with the results of my homemade chalk paint!

1 cup paint and 1/2 cup baking soda, mix and brush on.

 Didn't take a before pic! This is after sanding.

Rough texture of the chalk paint.

 Sand until smooth with fine sandpaper. Also sand edges for distressed look.

 Wipe on, wipe off dark stain. To show off any detail in the wood!

Wipe on, wipe off min wax to seal the deal.

 Re-attached hardware (which I spray painted).

Finished Desk!!!