Merry Christmas 2011!

Sometimes the joys of the season are to be found in the smallest things, such as a Christmas card from a special friend, a homemade gift, a surprise in the mailbox, the lights on the tree, a little baby's smile.

Here are just a few of the small joys of Christmas that I've been enjoying.

 This is a card from the late 50's or early 60's that shows my family's Maine farmhouse. The Hudsons were friends of my grandmother, and she let them stay in her house for the winter.

 The madonna and child was a card my dad created in the 1960's.

It's amazing how that 60's design vibe still seems fresh today.

 My good friend Patty sent me these yummy chocolate-dipped berries as a Christmas surprise.

 My friend Julie gave me this cute little bird candleholder. I have it going on my mantle tonight.

And here's another shot of the mantle with both cards and the bird, plus a handmade angel that was also a gift. The wooden Merry Christmas is from a previous holiday.

Wishing all of my blog visitors a very Merry Christmas!! I hope that yours will be magical and filled with your own happy surprises and small joys of the season.