santa claus, indiana

I thought this was a very appropriate subject manner for Christmas Eve.

Thanks to Courtnee who e-mailed me about Santa Claus, Indiana and told me this, " My grandpa tells the story of how it got its name every time we visit. He said when they first established the village, they could not agree on the name. It happened to be Christmas Eve and a child ran into the meeting and shouted "It's Santa Claus!". They thought it was a sign and so Santa Claus, Indiana was born!"

"Santa Claus, Indiana, was established in 1854. In 1856, when the town was (then known as Santa Fe, pronounced "fay") working to establish a Post Office; the US Postal Service refused their first application as there was already another Santa Fe, Indiana. Several town meetings were held, during which the name Santa Claus was selected.

The town has the world’s only post office to bear the name of Santa Claus. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers known as "Santa’s Elves" ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus; this tradition has been around since at least 1914. Every year, the Post Office also creates a special Christmas 'hand cancellation' pictorial postmark for use during the month of December. This practice attracts mail from all over the world wishing to have the official Santa Claus postmark. The pictorial postmark is chosen each year from submissions from art students at the local high school.

Pictures found here, here, here, here and here

around the blogging world

I saw these beautiful shoes at Style Me Pretty. I want some.

Your Heart Out featured these boots, the best part is that they are only $30!

beautiful pendants

I love these custom silhouette pendants I saw on Etsy. Aren't they beautiful?

santa claus

Santa Claus has a very rich history. The modern day version of Santa Claus/Saint Nicolas/Father Christmas/Kris Kringle/Sinterklaas/Father Frost, can be traced back to the 17th century. Here are some of the different versions of Santa Claus.

Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet the Dutch version of Santa and his counterpart who gives bad children coal.

Father Frost who is prevalent in Eastern European countries like Russia and Father Christmas, who originated in England I believe.

Some folklore have Santa riding a donkey and in Italy there is a figure who rides a broom to give children presents for Christmas (although I think this one is a little different, they have two versions of Santa according to Wikipedia)

Father Christmas in the 1600's and the German god Oldin who some people believe is an origin of Santa.

The French version of Saint Nicolas

You can read more about the Santa Claus here.

All pictures from google pictures and Wikipedia.

gift wrapping ideas

Thanks Martha for all the ideas. Chances of me using them are pretty slim seeing as I try to avoid wrapping presents like the plague. I like to look at how pretty they could be if I tried though. You can see these and more here.

and the winner is...

Lucky number 12 (thanks to some website that gives you a random number) Becky who said: Happy Birthday! You can't ever go wrong with going to Italy... but i would love to go to Greece! E-mail me your information at paperwhitejewelry@gmail.com

feature friday

This week we are featuring Home Studio. I love their scrabble pendants (I have the owl one).

What do you make?

Scrabble tile pendants

What is your favorite thing/piece you have made?

Since all of our pendants are the same except for the image, I would pick "whisper" as my favorite...today that is because my favorites change from time to time. :)

What are your favorite materials to use?

I really love making jewelry. My favorite gemstone is smoky quartz.

What is your favorite color?

Turquoise

One thing you must have with you at all times?

My iphone.

What is your favorite accessory?

My new spinner ring from AutumnLeavesJewelry on Etsy

Favorite flower?

Gerber daisy

One place you dream of visiting?

Bora Bora

If you had $200 to spend where would it go?

Shoes!

What inspires you?

Many things. My husband and girls. Nature.

If you could talk to person, living or dead, who would it be?

I can only pick one?? ;)

tuscany

Tuscany

found here and here


Tuscan Poppies, if you like Under the Tuscan Sun look for the scene with the poppies, it is short but oh so beautiful!

Battistero di San Giovanni and duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore

Palazzo Salimbeni and Battistero in Siena

Ponte Vecchio and the skyline of Florence



The Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Duomo

nutcrackers

What says Christmas more than a Nutcracker? There is a whole ballet dedicated to them. One that coincidentally you can see every Christmas season. If you ever need an instant pick me up just go and buy a German nutcracker, you will be amazed at the power of a good German nutcracker, trust me. The pictures of all of the two Nutcracker makers I am the most familiar with (the ones that my Mother collects) Steinbach and Ulbricht Nutcrackers (and one smoker, I am not quite sure how the smoker smokes yet, I will have to test mine). If you are looking for them I saw some at Home Goods (can usually be found next to TJ Maxx) and they were cheaper than what you usually find, and yes they were the real deal.

giveaway

We got six votes and it was unanimous! So to celebrate my birthday (which is practically a holiday around these parts) here is my very first giveaway (hopefully not my last). To enter leave a comment and include one country/city/state you want to visit. I will pick a winner sometime tomorrow or Friday.

st. lucia's day

A couple of days late but better late than never!

"In Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) it is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. A similar version occurs in Scandinavian communities and churches in the United States. " From Wikipedia you can read more here.

Kirsten the American Girl Doll celebrates St. Lucia's Day. I think there is a book about it too.

Speaking of American Girls did you know Samantha is being retired?

hello

Hello to my six readers, half of whom are related to me! So I was thinking maybe it would be fun to do a give away, earrings perhaps? Maybe to celebrate my 24th birthday this week? I am getting kind of old. I promise there will be better posts later this week. vote!

why I can never be corporate...

It all comes down to the power suit. I am just not a suit kind of girl.

Like this suit from Banana. I just don't like it. Not that it doesn't look good on other people, it just doesn't tickle my fancy.

If I had to get a suit it would probably be one like this. Probably because this doesn't really look like a suit to me, maybe that is why I like it better.

On a completely unrelated note, I saw this dress at Banana last night and it is lovely. If I had $150 dollars to throw down on a dress I would do it. In a heartbeat.