Thursday, December 3, 2009

Cloche Party with Marty!!

I've known about this party for weeks now, but as usual I've waited until the last minute to get all my ducks in a row and get this post done. I guess what I should say is all my partridges in a row...you'll see why in a minute.

First, props to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for hosting this grand affair.

Everyone grab a glass of wine or a a hot cider and just wander through the different blogs and get some ideas on Christmas decor. Actually hang on and I'll make us all a cup of cinnamon tea.

Ok, back. Careful now, this tea is hot. So let me show you my humble little cloche decor and then you can head over to Marty's and see some of her very professional cloches.

First up is my partridge. I found this little bird at one of my favorite thrift stores, The American Cancer Society Discovery Store. I just loved it's plumpness and the colors. I didn't even know it was a partridge until I was paying and a lady standing next to the register said, "Oh, you bought the Partridge from the Partridge in a Pear Tree?"

I don't have a pear tree, so I've place him in a lovely wrought iron birdcage in a nest of pine and pine cones.

I had him on my coffee table in the living room, but the lighting wasn't too great there, so I moved him into my kitchen just for this photo session. The light still isn't great, but trust me it's much better than it was in the living room.

Since I have a Partridge, but no pear tree...I found the next best thing; a pear! A golden pear. I still haven't take out any of my Christmas decorations. I so wanted to have lots of sparkly things surrounding the pear, but it's so beautiful in it's simplicity that I'm sure it's ok to display as is.

My cloche by the way is an upside down hurricane lamp. I did the same thing for the previous cloche party, which you can see here. This hurricane lamp has come in very handy!

And I thought maybe the Partridge and the Pear might look nice together. What do you think?

My other little treasure I want to share is a Mexican Santa figure which I found at my local Goodwill. My sister was with me and we found the Mexican Santa, an Irish Santa, a Russian Santa, a Swedish Santa and an African Santa. Can't wait to show you those. But for today's cloche party...just the Mexican Santa.

I tried displaying him a variety of ways, he was so easy to work with. A lovely model, but then again he is Santa, he's used to having photo sessions.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

And here's the backside. You can really tell he's a Mexican Santa by his Big Sombrero and his Guitar.

Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the casa,
Not a creature was stirring
-- Caramba! Que pasa?

Los ninos were tucked
away in their camas,
Some in long underwear,
some in pijamas,

While hanging the stockings
with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa
would feel obligado

To bring all children,
both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces
and other regalos.

Outside in the yard
there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet
like a fightened cabrito.

I ran to the window
and looked out afuera,
And who in the world
do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh
and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along
like a crazy bombero.

And pulling his sleigh
instead of venados
Were eight little burros
approaching volados.

I watched as they came
and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling
and calling by nombre:

"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe,
ay Cuco, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo,
Macuco, y Nieto!"

Then standing erect
with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top
of our very own techo.

With his round little belly
like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze
down our old chiminea,

Then huffing and puffing
at last in our sala,
With soot smeared
all over his red suit de gala,

He filled all the stockings
with lovely regalos -
For none of the ninos
had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud,
seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash
and was gone like the viento.

And I heard him exclaim,
and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to
all, and Feliz Navidad!

12 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Alicia, I love the Spanglish "Night Before Christams" poem...So cute. I just read it to my hubby and daughter. They love it too. Is it OK if I snatch it and share it with others? Anyway, I think all your displays are pretty. Loving the little Mexican Santa. Thank you so much for sharing. Have a wonderful evening.

    Besitos,
    ♥Ana

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  2. Hi Alicia,

    I love your creativeness. Your birdie with a pear is a cute idea!

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  3. Your wire cloche with the gorgeous bird is just stunning, I love it. YOur precious Mexican Santa is just the cutest. I love the different displays and they are all so beautifully put together. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Oh Alicia Sweetie...
    Everything looks positively beautiful. I love your little Mexican Santa. How precious is that to have for each holiday. If you had a base under him, you could spread some sand on the base. Mexico has a lot of sand, and maybe a few little pebbles to look like bigger rocks.

    I love your partridge. He is so pretty. I think I would get one of those little 2 foot trees, buy some little pears, put the pairs all over the tree, attach that partridge to the top or let him set did center in the middle (element of surprise) and keep it set up for the holidays. It would be so pretty.

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful cloche ideas with me today.

    I have signed up to follow your blog. I can't wait to see what you share next.

    Please stop by and let me share my cloche ideas with you. I would also be so honored if you signed up to follow my blog as well.

    Country hugs...Sherry

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  5. I love the Spanish poem,beautiful! And the bird is too cute:) Great job!

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  6. It is all very pretty - especially like the birdcage.

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  7. Alicia, It's been a while since my last visit- kinda been under the weather... I love your partridge-I've been looking for one because I wanted to add one to my pear tree that I made up. Sadly, no luck finding one... Your Mexican Santa is so adorable- complete with his guitar, sombrero, and his little pinata. What luck to have found all those ethnic Santas. Looking forward to seeing them all.
    hugs, Sue

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  8. What a cutie...that mexican santa is soooo adorable! Hope you have a FUN weekend.
    Blessings,
    Linda

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  9. You are sooo creative! And you find the neatest stuff in second-hand stores.

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  10. Wonderful finds! I love the partridge next to the golden pear...brings out the gold in da bird.

    Everything looks lovely, sweetie!

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  11. I adore that little mexican santa. It is so cute. I also really enjoyed reading the spanglish version of Twas The Night Before Christmas.

    Love it!

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Please leave a comment.I would love to know your thoughts!