More Ornaments

Update!  Congratulations to Cheri@Cheri's Chatter!! She won the giveaway-a copy of Joyeux Noel!  Thanks to everyone who participated.
 
You may recall from an earlier post that my son and daughter-in-law are living in Germany.   When my son moved last year, he gave me something I'd wanted my entire life, a Christmas pyramid.   

 Our family grew up with one of these (see picture below) but we had neighbors from Germany who always put out a Christmas pyramid each year and I loved it. 

 When we visited Germany one of the places we traveled was Rothenburg ob der Tauber, home of Kathe Wohlfahrt.  WOW!!!!  Now if you love Christmas and all its trimmings, never, ever visit Kathe Wohlfahrt!!!  Speaking of Christmas pyramids, they have one inside the store that is 30 feet tall!  Sadly no pictures are allowed in the store.  

Back in the 80s my sister also visited Germany and my souvenir was a beautiful pewter ornament.  I've treasured that pewter piece and have used it on my tree every year.  This year's trip to Germany started a whole new collection of ornaments.  

 While in Rothenberg ob der Tauber, I bought several more pewter ornaments. 

 Then my friend Marta, traveled to her home town this fall and brought me a lovely Wendell August ornament made right here in the USA.  My friend explained that the forge near her hometown burned recently and she and many others in the area are trying to support Wendell August as they rebuild their business.  

One of my other favorite decorations are the nutcrackers.  I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I found "garden girl" nutcracker, but truthfully I love them all.

My son, daughter-in-law, and grandgirls won't be coming back to the states for the holidays but I've got my favorite Germany postcard out, just imagining the snowy, beautiful Christmas they will be celebrating. 

And we've got lots of
keepsakes and memories from our wonderful trip this year to help keep us warm. 

Well, I'm off to my cooking class this morning AND THEN drawing the name of the winner of my giveaway.  If you haven't entered yet, leave a comment by 5:OO eastern today, December 18th.  Good luck!