Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!

This beautiful painting is part of the collection of Spanish colonial art at the Denver Art Museum which I visited recently The oil painting with gold filigree, by Peruvian artist Ignacio Chacon circa 1765, is titled "Madonna and Child with Bird."

If it looks familiar it is because the image was selected by the United States Postal Service for the 2006 stamp Christmas stamp! The theme of each traditional U.S. Christmas stamp issued since 1978 has been the Madonna and Child, and according to the postal service web site these holiday stamps have attracted a devoted following over the years. I know I always choose them for my holiday stamps.

Also in the Denver Art Museum collection is this painting titled " Adoration of the Shepherds" by Nicolas Rodriguez Juarez, Mexico, circa 1675. I just loved the ornate wood panel the canvas was mounted on.

My family's Nativity creche circa 1974. It was one of the first Christmas items we purchased as newlyweds.

I received a beautiful e-mail Christmas card from Abby Press , an online store for religious and inspirational gifts where I have purchased gifts many times over the years, which contained the following sentiment that I'd like to share with all of you:

"This Christmas... Let's Give a Little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed,

An act of generosity for someone who's in need.

Let's Give a Little Jesus to everyone we meet--

The salesclerk or the server, the person on the street.

Let's Give a Little Jesus, that's what really counts--

Not what's spent or bought, for whom, in what amounts.

Let's Give a Little Jesus to everyone, large or small...

For Jesus, the Messiah, is the Greatest Gift of All!"

--Lisa O. Engelhardt.


My 2009 Christmas tree!

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

Santa cookie jar --a gift from my husband a few Christmases ago.


The Joy of Giving

"Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you;
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing
Returns to make you glad."

~ John Greenleaf Whittier


I would like to thank everyone who visits a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2010!


Thank you for your kind interest, comments and encouragements on my blog and also for sharing a bit of yourselves on your blogs. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience to make blog friends all around the country and the world. I've learned so much from all of you and I appreciate all you do!

One of my favorite ornaments.


"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

~Charles Dickens

26 comments:

RNSANE said...

Pat. I so love Madonnas ( not the British singing sensation, although some of her songs are pretty good ). The Ignacio Chacon is one of my favorites.

Your tree is just beautiful! You have some special things which are wonderful heirlooms to use year after year.

Blessed Christmas to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Pat,
thank you for all wonderful posts. Please continue in 2010.
Gisela

La Petite Gallery said...

That is a beautiful painting,
I never heard of that artist
any way I can't remember him.
I love the cookie jar
and Happy Birthday to your
Grandson also.
You do have the most interesting posts.
Happy Holidays
yvonne

Anonymous said...

I do love the Madonnas too. Some beautiful art you captured there. I always use the Christmas stamps too. I cannot send any Christmas cards unless they have the Nativity on them. Santas and such just doesn't feel right. I love them for decorations but they don't convey what I feel in my heart. Blessing of Christmas to you and yours.
QMM

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Pat - Thanks for introducing me to a new artist. Beautiful paintings and beautiful family presepio and tree. A merry and blessed Christmas to you and your family.

snoopydogknits said...

What a lovely post. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Ros

Sara said...

May you have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year...

Looking forward to getting to know you better in 2010!

steviewren said...

Both paintings are spectacular...I always think the frames are especially pretty on old artwork. I'm one of the post office's loyal customers of the Madonna and Child stamps as well. I think they embody the spirit of the season. Love your real Christmas tree!

Hope you have the merriest of Christmases this year!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, I am listening a Josh Groban song (Thankful) when I pulled up your blog... Your Josh Groban song (a different one though) came up also... Small world, isn't it???

Love your your family's nativity creche. SO gorgeous! Love your huge tree also... Your home looks marvelous!!!

And that Santa Cookie Jar is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing some of your 'goodies' with us.

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

Vee said...

Oh my! Such a lovely tree and your staircase...hmmm...

Thank you for all you do, Pat, to make your blog so interesting AND educational. I'd take a history class you taught in a heartbeat.

Merry Christmas to you and Vinny with love from us up here in the North country. (Thank you for that fantastic photo...talk to your hubby about using that one...it's perfect!)

Kat said...

These paintings are gorgeous. And that wood panel is spectacular. What a wonderful post. Your family's creche is lovely and your tree is so pretty. Don't you just love taking down the ornaments every year and remembering all the little stories behind each and every one? Have a wonderful Christmas Pat! Kathy

Marg said...

Thanks for those wonderful, encouraging words.
May you be blessed with joy and peace as you celebrate with your family. I've so much enjoyed listening to your play list. It's so much fun...
What a beautiful tree.

Carol Murdock said...

Merry Christmas Pat to you and your family! This was a beautiful post! xoxo

Claudia said...

Beautiful post, Pat - spreading joy. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Junie Moon said...

Merry Christmas to you and your honey, Pat! I love the pictures you've posted today and your Christmas tree looks beautiful.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I have enjoyed your Christmas music on more than one occasion!
Merry Christmas y'all~

Willow said...

Merry Christmas, Pat!
There is a medieval Madonna and Child on my blog this evening :)

Anonymous said...

all beautiful paintings! i love the madonna and nativity paintings.

i, too, plan to honor christmas in my heart and try to keep it year round. ;-)

merry, merry christmas to you and your family!

paz xoxo

Unknown said...

Pat,
Yes, my dog is a pom. He is the love of our lives of course.
Thanks for commenting on my blog.
Michele

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Merry Christmas Pat! I hope you had a most joyous holiday:D

Judy said...

Love that poem by Engelhardt!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Pat. Blessings!

Gina said...

Belated Christmas wishes to you and your lovely family Pat..and wishing you a very happy and safe 2010. Gx

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, how lovely, Pat!

I hope your holiday was lovely as well.

XO,

Sheila :-)

valeria said...

Ooooh! You have such a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations! Complimenti e saluti da Verona xxx

Sandy said...

Hi Pat,
I was telling my hubby about your blog and what a great job you do showing off your beloved NYC! We drove into NYC a few years ago to finally see the Rockettes Christmas show. Hubby didn't mind driving and I didn't mind riding. I spent some time in NYC in the 1980s on business trips for my company whose headquarters were in NYC. Loved your Christmas tree and Santa!

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I love that first painting -- hard to believe it dates back to the 1700s! It looks more modern folk art. I love it!

Pat you've been a huge and happy part of my 2009! Thank you for always teaching me something new. A happy and blessed 2010 for all of you in the Mille Fiori Favoriti famiglia! :-)

p.s. Good for you for keeping it real (with your tree ;-)!