Precious Memories & Ornaments (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, 12/18/2020)

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Over at the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge, Amy invited us to share some precious memories.

The Priorhouse take has some old Christmas ornaments to share. This week, it was fun to AGAIN sort through ornaments and go down memory lane. The last five years we have been tossing/donating more and more Christmas stuff.  I decided to take a few photos to remember some of the items (thanks for the idea, Ruth). It sure is easier to get rid of things when time passes and when the children are grown – at least some things are easier to part with – my children’s artwork is still hard for me to release. But ornaments? – easier to let go of every year.

 

The above ornaments are in the “give away or toss” bag.  A few of these bring back memories, but nothing too special and the grown children do not want them. So adios they go!  Some of the ornaments are Enesco’s “Precious Moments” (left and center). Do you recall the Precious Moments figurine brand? My Mother-in-law started giving me these figures in the 90s (they were about $55 and ow they are about $85) and I gently spoke up with the second one and said, “No thanks.” – 🙂 I did not want to collect them. Some of the “Precious Moments” brand ornaments trickled in here and there. And can you see the three ornaments to the back (and right) – those are bears from the Hallmark bear collection. Also never wanted to collect Hallmark anything – these were gifts from a different in-law – the kind of well-meaning lady but she gave the kind of gifts she would like as opposed to thinking about what the receiver wanted. 

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This ornament brought a smile because it reminded me of something special. My son made this at school (K or 1st grade) and I never even realized it was a multi-cultural angel. Looking down at this small handmade ornament made me grateful that we have have lived in a diverse area in the united States and that our schools and community groups have been diverse and multi-culture-rich over the yeas. The diversity is something I took for granted at times and I am extra grateful for it. 🙂

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These items were in an old Xmas tin. They were “keepers” from the last time we sorted and tossed Christmas stuff. However, they are going away this time. The small gold Christmas tree (upper left) i kept last time because it was from a “charm set” that we used on place-setting name cards for informal (but still sit down) Christmas dinner. A small string went into the name card and charm and we used them for a handful of years and everyone had a different charm.  Next, do you see the sheep? See how it says “Ready” – well the other side says “Not Ready” – and we used to have one of those big coffee percolators we used for small group events. My son made this “Ready” sign to let people know when they could press the lever for coffee – we would flip it over from the “Not Ready” – and there used to be a white leather cord that went through the hole of that sheep. Ahhhh precious memories indeeed.

 

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Okay so this is a bench ornament! Of course I am linking it to “Pull up a seat” – ha – and this week, it was my son and his girlfriend who helped me go through ornaments (quick like) — they said which ones they liked and they put those on our very small tree (small on purpose) — anyhow, this bench was keeper for now – and it is leftover from a “red-metal ornament set” we had years ago – only the bench survived and I think it had a bear on it at one point. 
You might recall this avian friend ornament from a different Priorhouse post. This cardinal was a gift from one of my very favorite cousins, “N” (she lives in the Tampa area) — I am not tossing this ornament 🙂 She sent it to me after I gifted her a copy of my “Avian Friends” book – 🙂
Years ago (2014), I shared my San Jose Santa (here). Well it turns out —  that we still have two “San Jose Santas”. I want to keep these San Jose Santas with a nicely clenched fist. Not so much because of the look of the ornament- it is more for the time in our life that these ornaments remind me of — the PRECIOUS MEMORIES connected to my San Jose Santas remind me of living our life bold and free. They remind me of taking chances and leaps and living a life that was (is) fully alive. Of course we had setbacks and detours – but fully alive baby.  And while I am glad to have moved AWAY from Northern California, I am very grateful for the year plus that we lived there. Grateful for that special season and it still brings smiles today.

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The same lady that gave us those Hallmark bear ornaments (and a few other expensive ornament “collections” that we did not eve want to collect)) also gave us these wooden ornaments one year. They are Hearthwood Jim Shore carved little beauties put out by the same company that makes Precious Moments, Enesco. I saved these three wise men (side note – I know, I know —- there were likely many more than three wise men and they definitely did not look like this – hahaha ) — I saved these ornaments because they are works of art  —sculpted scenes in the body and they happen to match my leftover Christmas carved-out nativity set that was in my art classroom from 2008 to 2010.  

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The last photo shows my current favorite little ornaments. These two little birds came from a past Hallmark set – the 12 days of Christmas collection (the birds were from days 1-3 and the 3rd ornament -a pair of birds together, I gave to my son ad his gf).  I really liked these two birds because they are well made and fit the vibe of this year (empty nesting over here). Oh, and in the photo you can see the classic red and white Christmas Stockings – first time using those in at least ten years! This year Priorhouse is all about color and classic decor. Not too much, but a little decor and lights to have a nice mood – and create new Precious Memories – the little ones that add up.

Thanks so much for your visit today

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32 thoughts on “Precious Memories & Ornaments (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, 12/18/2020)”

  1. I remember Precious Moments! We had some of their figurines back in the day. I love handmade ornaments from little hands in the past. I still have a few I made in elementary school. Your post is colorful and delightful. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Tara – that is awesome that you ha e some of the ornaments you made.
      I had one of those “art plates” I made and we had to for years but somehow I lost it – but I guess we cannot keep everything
      And appreciate the nice comment – have a nice weekend

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Precious Christmas ornament collections. Thank you fortaking us to go down your memory lane. My collection is getting smallwe, I have given many to my daughter. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Amy
      Glad your daughter wants them!
      And in hindsight I should have saved the “collectible” boxes that came with some of those ornaments but oh well- – is what it is now 😉
      Have a njce weekend and ttys

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Yvette, I also am sentimental about things that mean something to me, especially from loved ones who have passed. I have downsized on some of my ornaments also. My girls are not as sentimental as I, so more will probably go in the future. I always loved angels and bought them both one every Christmas when they were little. I have stopped doing that. I had thought about buying ornaments for my grandkids, (not angels) but that definitely stacks up with 6 grandkids. So I am not doing it. I am happy to say, I do not want to collect “anything” anymore. I have enough!
    Love your pics. That cardinal is beautiful, as well as, the ones you have decided to keep! Good choice! 🙂 Hope you have a Merry CHRISTmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Renee
      And the Angel it makers each year sound like they were a wonderful annual gift
      And congrats o n six grandchild her – how did I not know this?? Well I bet that is some of the rich life live and seasoning that fuels your writing – 😉
      —
      And collections?? Oh my goodness – same here – nada – just hand selecting what I keep
      —

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome! At least their mom (moi) enjoyed the angels. Some were porcelain.
        Thanks! They wear me out when they are all under the same roof! They are definitely a part of my writing.
        My answer is nada, also on the collections! 😆

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  4. so many memories and great pictures Yvette. I think I have the same rejects, the same special ones and laughs at memories made. I love the bench.. pull up a seat.. My son’s G.f. is here and I may just put her to work. Merry merry! ❤️ Cindy

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re so welcome and not at all with all the great pics and fun text and pictures! Really fun!
        I am… Fri-Yay Funday is in full action.. lol❤️ and you too!

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    1. Hi! It was super funny when my son was saying throw away Hallmark brand ornaments that cost almost 20$ and then that one came up and he said “yeah – this one is a keeper” lol
      Thanks for the comment and for hosting your challenge he in 2020 – one more week to go – !!😊🪑🪑🪑🪑

      Liked by 1 person

  7. So precious – I find it very difficult to through away memories too…but in the end some of it has to go…Love the little sheep. Well done photographing them!

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    1. Leya – it does feel like we are throwing away memories – and maybe that is why photos can help preserve some of the memories attached to items we need to release
      Have a good day

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    1. Hi joy roses – thanks for chiming in and ornaments can really take on different meanings – I was shocked at how many we collected since the mid 1990s
      🎄🎄🎄

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  9. Great memories Yvette 🙂 I have never had a big collection of Christmassy things, just use until looks shoddy and out it goes 😀

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  11. Yvette, a post that sparkles with colours, lights … memories galore show the power of love and family! Sheer joy reading about your precious moments!

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  13. Hi Yvette! So sweet and precious memories!! I told my husband I’d go through some Christmas stuff to downsize. Ugh, such a chore, haven’t done it yet. Maybe when we are done and cleaning up I’ll look at things and decide then. What ornaments I hang that have lots of memories are small and easy to keep. So my ornaments I’ll save for now. No collections really… I love the cardinal, beautiful!! I remember precious moments but I don’t have any ornaments. Your wise men set are so cool, worth keeping for sure! Great post, Christmas is still magical even if our kids are grown and we are empty nesters! ❤️❤️❤️

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  14. What a fun post Yvette – and such terrific memories for every piece. I too love your little birds and am glad they made the “keeper” list!

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  15. Firstly thank you for following CarolCooks2…Secondly, we love Liver and Onions(comments) were closed on that post… here in Thailand mainly chicken Livers are used …I also make a Thai spicy liver with chicken livers…Natural flavours …Oh, Dear! don’t get me started on pesky manufacturers.
    Christmas ornaments like you mine span many years and have travelled with me around the world..you have some great images love them …Be well, stay safe and enjoy the festive season 🙂

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  17. You certainly had a lot of ornaments Yvette … next year I’ll get a tree up in the house for some Christmas cheer. I do remember the Precious Moments figurines. I have two large Precious Moments nutcrackers … a girl and boy in nutcracker outfits. They are resin figurines and we used to put one on each side of the mantel. They are about two feet tall. I also collected the Enesco Cherished Teddies. My mom used to buy me one for Christmas every year.

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  18. Precious moments, when will I see you again? Memories are such treasures especially when the kids made them, huh? That cardinal is definitely a keeper. And the two birds look like earrings I would wear. Merry Christmas to all in Priorhouse!

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  19. Pingback: Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2020-Week 52 | XingfuMama

  20. Such a wonderfully eclectic collection of ornaments, Yvette. I have favourites amongst my Christmas ornaments, but my best are my Christmas bells which I will never part with. Each one has a memory attached to it.

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