{Christmas in Magical Ortisei, Italy}

Of course, having lived and worked in Italy in the Venice area for about one year, around Christmas, I do MISS Italy! 

Virtual friend Loredana Stasi, the artist from the blog: Il filo del cuore Ricami The thread of the heart... Embroideries, did grant me permission to use some of her photos, to show you Christmas in Magical Ortisei, Italy.

La magia dell'Alpe di Siusi or The Magic of the Dolomites is the title of her original post!

Just click the pink hyperlink above...

The area of South Tyrol, northern Italy has such charm!

The Val Gardena, a mountain chain within the Dolomites is part of the Alps.

Look at such a DREAM!

 Family Spa Grand Hotel - Family Hotel Cavallino Bianco in English, just click it.

Cavallino Bianco family spa Grand Hotel on FB

Loredana went skying with her husband and son...

My comment for Lory on her post.
Yes, we always drove through this region of the Dolomites when going from Cornuda, Italy home via Innsbruck, Austria to The Netherlands to visit my Parents...

South Tyrol, is also the area for the famous hand carved wood, like this gorgeous outdoor nativity!
Thanks Lory for granting me permission to use your beautiful photos.
Below you find two posts, about this very talented artist Lory, she inherited her incredible skills from her dear Grandma Nonna Elisa!

Related links:

Mercatino della Creatività... | post showing Lory's fabulous Christmas embroidery work!

Un Ricordo Dolcissimo...Nonna Elisa! | Lory with her artist Grandmother Elisa, on her 100th Birthday. That remarkable lady designed embroidery kits when she was young, she dreamed about them and created them... A must read story and no wonder Lory is so talented herself!

{Fourth Week of Advent 2014}

Our fourth and final week of Advent for 2014!

Wishing you all a meaningful time of the final days before CHRISTMAS!

Our hand carved wooden Cherub Angels from Italy are all lined up...

The singing angel to the left is a ceramic one from Italy, gift from a dear friend!

Also French Porcelain Lampe Berger Angelot Cherub Cameo is lined up.

Click above link, to my on line Boutique; only ONE  still available.

Little golden candles with spriral brass candle holders on a Mason Mandalay Chartreuse plate.

Wishing you all a very Happy 4th Advent!

{The Birth of Santa Claus}

We are nearing Christmas, so this story about the Birth of Santa Claus is interesting...

English speaking readers can read the text below:

The American Santa Claus has developed strictly on his own to the point where he is now stationed on the North Pole and drives a team of reindeer. 

All that remains of his Dutch phase is his name: Santa Claus is a direct derivation of Sinterklaas.

Popular Dutch folk song...

For the Dutch Sinterklaas Eve...
Large chocolate initials serve as place settings along with the so-called 'lovers', tall men and women of speculaas, a crisp and dark brown pastry rather like ginger bread.

From De Nederlandse COURANT

The mailing of St. Nicholas cards was in the beginning of the 20th century a tradition in the better circles.

Related links:

{Of Sint and Santa} | previous post by me
{How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats} | previous post by me