The reindeer collection: The oldest

When I was a little girl, this Santa and reindeer graced the coffee table. Somewhere along the way--and I remember it happening but not how old I was--Mother got it into her head to give the reindeer a red nose a la Rudolph. This is what Elizabeth Arden Red nail polish looked like in the 1950s. As I closed down Mother and Daddy's house, I got Santa and "Rudolph."

Merry Christmas. May yours be merry and bright.

The reindeer collection: Kitchen towels

I love to embroidery, a skill (?) I started perfecting (or not) when I was 5 years old. My most notable memory of such was stitching my work to the knee (left, I think) of my red corduroy pants and then, rather than take out the stitches, I relieved my pants of their knee. Mother was not pleased.

But I have persevered. I found this pattern of reindeer and kitchen cloths and amused myself while riding shotgun on a trip two summers ago. Then, of course, I could not bear to use them for their true purpose so I arrange them over the tub in the guest bath come Christmastime.

I like Prancer best.

The reindeer collection: The newbies

The newest members of the self-purchased reindeer family are these fine fellows. I found them at Coldwater Creek where they were part of the "accessories" and 50% off. I very quickly went from purchasing one to the pair.

The reindeer collection: hanging around

Reindeer ornaments decorate our Christmas tree in what is, most likely, an overabundance. Here are two of my newer ones.

The, uh, classy lady reindeer was a gift from a friend last year. The metal one with beads and bells I saw in a catalog and couldn't justify the postage. Then, I found him at the Dallas Arboretum gift store. No shipping! Same price! Yesss!!!!!

The reindeer collection: classing up the mantle

It's not Christmas without these beautiful candleholders gracing the mantle. A gift from a friend who is well aware of my fondness for all things reindeer, I pack them away carefully each Season and store them in the top of a closet. No attic for these graceful beings.

The reindeer collection: The front door

I made this beauty about 30 years ago, a sock reindeer as opposed to a sock monkey. She (note the eyelashes and lipstick) had usually graced walls and inside doors until I gave up on Christmas door wreaths and put her at the welcoming spot. She a bit tawdry now, but I'm not trading her in on a newer model.

The reindeer collection: Welcome!

Let's move outside for a change. It's a beautiful day, so why not?

I believe the door mat was a gift from a friend. I don't know how long I've had it, but I'm always tempted to just leave it on the front porch year round.

The three happy fellows who stand by the front door have light bulb noses which light up at night. I'm not sure what anyone makes of three staggered red lights coming from near the front door. These fellows spend the better part of the year in the garage attic, so there's usually a little clean-up involved in getting them ready to greet the world.

The reindeer collection: The not-so-classy fellows

Some things just can't be resisted, as this set of reindeer wine bottle stoppers which were half price or less last year. Or was it the year before? Anyway, despite the appearance of a reclining Blitzen, they've never been near a bottle of anything alcoholic.

The reindeer collection: The classy fellows

Some reindeer, whether or not they need to be polished, are by their very nature, classy, such as these members of my reindeer family. Three are "silver" and the fellow in the reclining pose appears to be brass. He was for holding something, but I've given him rest in his old age and all he has to do is recline.

The reindeer collection: they might break

Well, the little silver Christmas tree ornament won't break, but by virtue of his cuteness he gets to occupy the china cabinet and not sit silent on the tree.

His companion I wonder at every time I take him out of his be-careful-fragile box. He wasn't expensive, just would be a mess to clean up! The other two were probably picked up at Goodwill or a flea market. Will they break? Not taking chances.

The Reindeer Collection: atypical deer

The candle snuffer is courtesy of the same giver as my tall gracious reindeer. I love that woman's taste! The green is a cookie cutter and as I don't make cookies of any kind, much less the sort with dough which is rolled out to a certain thickness, I'd say it's safe to say said cookie cutter is pristine.

I can't recall where I found (or gave me) the deer napkin holder. The wine cork is from a brand called Electric Reindeer, or something like that. I must confess I bought it for the bottle and kept the cork.

Reindeer collection: Koosh-y!

In the friends-can-be-too-funny category of reindeer gifting, we have this little fellow, a Koosh reindeer. I'd like to think he was the only one, but alas, he's probably just one in a million. That said, I've never seen another.

The reindeer collection: too cute

I couldn't resist these three when I found them. I love the upturned neck on the middle one, as if he's either watching Santa, or, and it should be this, admiring the Christmas Star.

The reindeer collection: part 3

Might as well to confess to a few other antique store finds. The Christmas red version below, plus a "cousin". The last two are "stuffed" and are supposed to stand on their own four feet I'm sure. It's just that time has taken its toll and I had to snap fast!

The reindeer collection: part 2

The following reindeer are what happens when I find myself in the Christmas section of an antique store. Alas, they are not the only members of their somewhat prestigious antique reindeer family and others will follow.

This is the only wire reindeer I've ever seen and I'm thinking he's from the 50s. The other two are earlier perhaps? They're showing their best sides, but they have been "loved" in the past.

The reindeer collection: my tall fellow

A few days late, but I'll try and post a reindeer and a story everyday until, and maybe past, Christmas.

This handsome, tall fellow was a gift, as many of my reindeer are. Once you start collecting something, friends and family are relieved and make purchases to fill out your collection.

He's quite tall and breakable and I can't believe I've kept him in such good shape for the over 10--perhaps 15?--years I've had him. He came in a special box and that's where he spends the other 11 months of the year, carefully wrapped in paper and settled gently into his box and then into a bigger one.

I don't give my reindeer names, only smiles.

On Selling to Woman's World Magazine

I was going to start a day-to-day series for the Christmas Season detailing my somewhat extensive reindeer collection. I meant to start on Dec 1, but as the reindeer were barely out of the attic and certainly not photographed, that didn't happen. So yesterday I lined them up, a la school photo fashion, and snapped! They are all on the computer and just awaiting their day on the internet and it was going to start today and then...

I got a letter and a contract and I SOLD A SHORT ROMANCE TO WOMAN'S WORLD MAGAZINE!

I've been submitting for two years. My goal was one/month, but I haven't met that lately. However, I did send in two in July and this is one of them.

The current title (and they may change it) is THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME. It'll be on sale January 3, which I think means it's in the January 14 issue.

Yeah, me!