Christmas and Tradition

With Christmas upon us and with all the hype about spending, spending and more spending, what was Christmas like 50 years ago?
There were very few televisions, no cell phones, computers or microwaves! So how did people enjoy the holidays without what we call the "necessities" of life?
Lets take a look back approximately 50 years ago. I was 12 years old and the year was 1962. Living on a farm in rural Iowa and attending a one room schoolhouse with only 2 other kids in my class. In the school we had no running water and when you had to go to the bathroom, you put on all your winter outerwear and went outside to an outhouse! We had a Christmas play in which every student had a part. I played my accordion with a friend and we all sang Christmas carols! All the families decorated a Christmas tree and the parents brought food for a potluck.
Christmas was spent with my parents, three siblings, my grandparents, and my aunt, uncle and their four children. My uncle farmed with my father so they were always a part of my family including birthdays, holidays, and other important events in all of our lives.
All the excitement started the day after Thanksgiving! Oh, there was no Black Friday then! Only a lot of leftovers from Thanksgiving!
Mom would start baking and making candy and cookies the whole month of December! Most of it to be given to friends in the farming community in which we were a part of. She would store the candy and cookies on the front porch which was unheated and freezing cold! But we kids would sneak out there to grab that decorated sugar cookie or divinity which was absolutely delicious! We had a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene which constituted most of our decorations! No LEDs or plastic blow ups!
Ahh, Christmas Eve has arrived!
But first of all, chores had to be done! Dad and my Uncle would go feed all the livestock usually in a foot or more of snow! Memories come back of walking with my dad down the cow troughs and the cows waiting in line for their food, their nostrils breathing that ice cold air and watching their breathe disappear into thin air!
OK chores done! Christmas Eve can start!
Our supper consisted of Grandma's Oyster stew, and our one time of year, deep fried shrimp with baked potatoes! Oh, then we got to eat mom's candies and cookies!
But guess what was running through my head? You see, I still believed in Santa and we all knew he would arrive shortly after supper on Christmas Eve. Santa always came Christmas Eve after supper.
Santa came and everyone was so excited! One present was all we got! Usually a doll or one toy! One year my sister and I got a record player together and were we excited!
We never saw Santa but quite often we knew we heard him. We would run from window to window looking for him but our parents would herd us into the playroom for a little!
Then we would open our present under the Christmas tree from our parents and grandparents.
By this time it was around 8pm or so. Time for bed because you see, we all had to get up for Midnight Mass. You read right, midnight like late at night time. My parents, being very strict Catholics never and I mean never missed Midnight Mass. It was the purpose of Christmas! The celebration of Christ's birth! Going to communion for Christ's birthday!
It was so beautiful getting up in the middle of the night and hearing the church bells ring down the road as the church filled with people there to worship the birth of Jesus. The crunch of everyone's footsteps in the snow making their pilgrimage to church.
Then back home we would go! And to bed!
Those Christmas's were the real Christmas! Not full of material objects but families brought together for the birth of our Savior! Family and gathering together for the birth of Jesus is Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all !!

History of Wind Chimes

Wind chimes are rooted in the ancient civilizations of Asia, and are one of the worlds first musical instruments dating back 5000 years ago. They were not just used for music, they were also placed in the woods so their enemies would think it was a haunted forest. Historically though, their purpose was to drive away evil spirits while attracting the good, benevolent ones. They first were made with bone, bamboo, stone, and shells. Later,around 2000 BC, the Egyptians made them with bronze. They were introduced to the Western world in the 1800s when Asian art gained popularity in the United States. Since that time, they have found their way into homes, gardens and meditative spaces and are enjoyed today for their meditative, tranquil and relaxing sounds.
The worlds largest musical wind chime is located near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The longest tube is twenty feet long and the shortest is fourteen feet long. There are six metal pipes and they are tuned similar to the black keys of a piano. The deepest tone pipe sounds like a Cathedral bell, Tibetan singing bowl and a jet engine all combined. The shortest has a rich Cathedral sound. The wind chime is made from aluminum tubing and it weighs six hundred and fifty three pounds. It is listed in the Guinness World Records and to this day, still holds that title. It is dedicated to a Holocaust Survivor.
Wind chimes are made from a number of different materials, metal, wood, porcelain, earthenware, bamboo, with each material affecting the sound and resonance that the chimes produce. A few varieties are even made from recycled materials such as recycled silverware. Aluminum wind chimes produce the loudest and most resonant sound, making it one of the most popular choices materials. The tones can sometimes be determined by the heat treatment it was made by, the material and the type of alloy used. As in clay chimes, the higher the final firing temperatures required, the higher the tone will be. Stoneware wind chimes are able to withstand high winds and more durable. The common practice in is to hang the chime so that the center ball strikes the center of the chimes length. This will result in the loudest sound that they can achieve. Sounds are made when the tubes come in contact with a suspended central clapper such as a ball or horizontal disk.
Today, musical wind chimes are found all over the world, but continue to be especially prevalent in the East where they are believed to increase the flow of life's energy called "chi." It is believed that they provide a balancing, calming influence in the home.

Check out our Wind Chimes at http://www.outdoorcharm.com/chimes.html

Gnomes: Real or Imaginary ?

Real or imaginary?
Have you ever been out in your yard and out of the corner of your eye, you spotted a little figure running across the lawn? The next glance, gone! Was it real or was it our imagination running away with us? Or was it a gnome jetting across the yard so as not to be seen by you!
So has anyone ever captured a gnome?
Gnomes were originated in the fourth or fifth century in the Eastern and Central European countries. They were portrayed as shy creatures who avoided human contact and who haunted forests. Later they became "garden gnomes" and it was thought to believe that they would all gather in gardens and fields to tell sad stories.
There are many books and many movies have the little creatures in them.
The Brothers Grimm featured them in "The Gnome", a series of short stories detailing the lives of gnomes. It depict them in benevolent and malevolent light.
In the "Harry Potter" movie series, They were pests that lived in the gardens of witches and wizards. They were small creatures with heads that looked like potatoes on small stubby bodies. They were considered harmless but very mischievous.
In the movie, "The Chronicles of Nardia," they were called Earth men who lived in the Under land, a series of underground caves. In this movie they had a wide variety of physical features and skin colors. They were used as slaves by the Lady of the Green Kirtle.
The features of a gnome can vary! It is thought to believe that the average gnomes is only 3"-31" inches tall and weighing about 70 lbs. They have deep tan skin and white hair. The most distinguishing feature is their nose. They have very large noses compared to the rest of their body. The average lifespan is 350 years. They have a sense of humor and love to play practical jokes on humans.
Many people believe that gnomes are mischievous and naughty. If you cannot find an object in your home and it turn up later, did the gnome hide it? What about the items that you never find? Are they privately hidden away in a gnomes home?
Did you know that in 2002, Gnome Day was instituted. It is celebrated on June 21st by over a dozen countries.
So the bottom line is, do you think that gnomes are real or just a figment of your imagination? Only you can decide!
Looking for a Gnome to put in your garden? Check out http://www.outdoorcharm.com/gnomes.html

Indoor-Outdoor Fountains

There is nothing quit as soothing as the sound of running water.  Inside your home or in your yard,you can turn your space into a tranquil retreat with the soothing sound of a waterfall. The many fountains available give you a variety of choices, from the Budda Zen fountain, to the western theme fountain and many in between, you can find one just right for your decor.
 Also, you can pick many options to satisfy what you are looking for.  One of the most popular add ons to your fountain is lighting. To be able to hear your fountain and also see the cascading water when it is dark outside will give you a calming draw where you can stop and just absorb the moment. Another great option for your fountain is to purchase a solar fountain. With solar you can set your fountain anywhere you like with no plug ins.  No wire or cords are needed.  Another great advantage to solar is there is no electricity used, so it is a very efficient. You are using the sun for your power.
 Whether you are looking for an indoor or outdoor fountain for that soothing addition to your special area, that perfect fountain will always be a place to stop and connect with mother nature or your inner self.

Click here to check out a variety of choices.

Solar Lighting

The days are getting shorter, the nights longer, as winter is closing in. One way to add light to your outdoor space is with solar lighting. They charge the battery during the day and come on as soon as dusk starts to appear. The solar lights can be installed along your driveway, or beside your entrance door to light your way into your home. Check out the variety of styles and prices here.

Enjoying your patio and yard

This fall and winter you can still enjoy your outdoor yard and patio. One of the ways to bring friends and family together in the outdoors, is with a warm crackling fire. There are many fire pit options that you can choose from to make this happen. Many are portable with carrying bags, others on wheels so they can be moved to different locations. They come in a variety of sizes and prices.
Check them out here for prices and details.