New this Year

 I collect NUTCRACKERS.....

Wikipedia ~ definition...

Original nutcracker dolls from Nussknacker Museum in Neuhausen, Saxony

Nutcracker dolls originate from late-17th century Germany, particularly the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge) region.^[1] One origin story attributes the creation of the first nutcracker doll to a craftsman from Seiffen.^[2] They were often given as gifts, and at some point they became associated with Christmas season. They grew in popularity around the 19th century and spread to nearby European countries.^[1] As the demand grew, nutcracker doll production also began on a mass scale in factories.^[1] Friedrich Wilhelm Füchtner [de] (1844–1923), commonly known in Germany as "father of the nutcracker", began the first mass production of the design (using a lathe) at his workshop in Seiffen in Saxony during 1872.^[5][6][7][8]

Decorative nutcracker dolls began being popularized outside of Europe after the Second World War, when numerous American soldiers stationed in Germany came home to the United States with German nutcrackers as souvenirs.^[1][2] Further popularization came from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, a ballet adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which featured a toy soldier nutcracker.^[1] The ballet, introduced to America during the mid-20th century, became a favorite holiday tradition across the United States^[1] and helped make nutcracker dolls a Christmas decoration and a seasonal icon across Western culture.^[2][1]

Legend says....

   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.

    “Don’t be afraid, my beard is long, my head is large, my look is grim but that matters not. I won’t bite you. In spite of my big mouth and grim appearance, I look with my heart for your happiness.”

•Nutcrackers embody the ‘Cycle of Life', As the seed of a nut falls to the ground, it grows into a strong tree, living over hundreds of years nourishing the woodcutters and woodcrafters. The legends tell of a feast celebrated just before harvesting the logs of the Elder trees, where nuts and fruits were eaten as if to pass on the magic and mystery of this eternal cycle . . . and so on to the collectors of these exquisite wooden nutcrackers.

•Nutcrackers reflect ancestral dining customs where amusing or unusual nutcrackers were part of the social setting adding a whimsical conversation piece as guests lingered over the desert course which included sweetmeats such as pecans and hazelnuts.

For our house

This years addition ~

Happy Holiday Decorating!! 

#holiday cheer,#Christmas,#christmastraditions, #nutcracker,#memories,

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.

My favorite Poem for Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas 

 Clement Clarke Moore '

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, 

 Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 

 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; 

 The children were nestled all snug in their beds, 

 While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads, 

 And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, 

 Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap — 

 When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, 

 I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. 

 Away to the window I flew like a flash, 

 Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. 

 The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, 

 Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below; 

 When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, 

 But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer, 

 With a little old driver, so lively and quick, 

 I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. 

 More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, 

 And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: 

 “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, 

 “On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem; 

 “To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! 

 “Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” 

 As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, 

 When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;  

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, 

 With the sleigh full of Toys — and St. Nicholas too: 

 And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof 

 The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. 

 As I drew in my head, and was turning around, 

 Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: 

 He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot, 

 And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot; 

 A bundle of toys was flung on his back, 

 And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack: 

 His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry, 

 His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; 

 His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow. 

 And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; 

 The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, 

 And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. 

 He had a broad face, and a little round belly 

 That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly: 

 He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 

 And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself; 

 A wink of his eye and a twist of his head 

 Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 

 He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, 

 And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk, 

 And laying his finger aside of his nose 

 And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. 

 He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, 

 And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: 

 But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — 

 'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.'

#memories,#christmastraditions,#family,#lovemyfamily,#holidays,#holiday cheer,

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.