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Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Birthday Gift

I wanted to share with you
a very
SPECIAL
birthday gift.
It was wrapped in the most beautiful
BLACK and WHITE HARLEQUIN paper...

I didn't have my camera with me and didn't get a photo of it...:-(
"Behold the awe and wonder of the Christmas Story"

I lost my breath when I unwrapped this box.
The most beautiful nativity set...
I have been wanting this for years and years.
and my sweet daughter, STACY LEIGH, and her family, of course,
bought this for my birthday that was on New Year's Eve.
It will be packed, carefully, away for another Christmas
and I wanted to show it to you before packing.
I hurriedly placed it on my mantel,
along with a few more pieces of my small collection of
WILLOW TREE figures
so I could get these photos for you.
♥♥♥
I tend to want to leave it out all year...
but then I might lose the special glow
we get every Christmas when we set up our treasured nativity scene.
I keep my Father Christmas out all year and at CHRISTMAS TIME, 
I almost forgot to even LOOK at him.:-(
I think no matter where or how
it is displayed....
IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.


Linking with
at

59 comments:

  1. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.January 9, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Oh how pretty that nativity looks on your mantel. And every year you will remember the joy of opening such a special present. Happy belated birthday wishes!

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  2. Blondie's JournalJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Beautiful, BJ! I love the Willow Tree collections although I don't have any pieces. You are going to be so pleased when you unpack it next year and it has the whole Christmas season to be displayed. What a sweet family you have!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. Ms Bingles Vintage ChristmasJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Oh, it is just beautiful!
    Thank you for sharing and happy belated Birthday!
    Leticia

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  4. TracyJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Oh Bj, how lovely...I love the Willow tree angels and have a few of them; mostly from students and I just adore their simplicity yet deep message.

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  5. Kathy@ Gone NorthJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    SO lovely & thoughtful.. esp. since your daughter knew that you wanted it. You have it displayed so beautifully!
    I have some of it, also a gift, but not the pretty angels you have with it.
    It will be special each year as you unpack it & remember the gift.
    (mine is still up...can I celebrate the Christ-child thru Jan. ? :)

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  6. CharlotteJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    This is so pretty! I would love to have one of these also.

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  7. LindaJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Truly beautiful. What a lovely gift that you will treasure forever.

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  8. DonnieJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    That is such a lovely Nativity. So simple but beautiful. A special gift for a special lady.

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  9. TheresaJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    What a beautiful gift! I have a few pieces of Willow Tree friends! Love them so much! Your nativity is just gorgeous! I found a Nativity in the attic that I bought at an Estate Sale but it was too late to put it out... Next Year, I will get it out early so I can enjoy it!

    Have a blessed day dear BJ, HUGS!

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  10. Sissie's Shabby CottageJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Ah BJ, what a sweet gift to treasure forever. You are so fortunate to have a family that loves you so very much.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  11. Chicken WranglerJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    That is very nice - I've not seen their Nativity set before! Just love it!

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  12. LynnJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    What a beautiful nativity set BJ! I know you'll love bringing it out every year:@)

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  13. DebbyJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    It is beautiful. What a nice gift .

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  14. VeeJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    That nativity is wonderful...the expressions and I love that Joseph seems overcome with emotion and that Mary is holding the baby Jesus. Sighhhhh, I don't know how you're going to be able to pack it away so soon after receiving it.

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  15. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    BJ...what a WONDERFUL gift from your daughter and her family!! My sweet Jessie collects the Willow Tree figures and she would have been over-the-moon with a gift like that, so I know you are too :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  16. Julie HarwardJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    How sweet, I just love them too. You have a very sweet daughter! :D

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  17. On Crooked CreekJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    BJ,
    What a preciou gift from your daughter and family! It has brought you great joy on your birthday and will again at Christmas! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  18. Linda @ A La CarteJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    BJ is is so beautiful and what a sweet and thoughtful gift to you. I know you will treasure it for many years.

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  19. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Oh BJ, such a wonderful gift. It is just gorgeous. I know you will cherish it always. So precious and thoughtful. Hugs, Marty

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  20. SarahJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    BJ, happy belated birthday! I do think that is one of the sweetest nativities I've ever seen. I know it will be a treasure in your home. ~ Sarah

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  21. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 9, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    How precious...I know you will treasure this forever! Happy Monday, my friend! ♥♥♥

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  22. EbieJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    What a wonderful present! Something to treasure.

    I love your technique of the artistic collage.

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  23. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    It is beautiful BJ! What a wonderful birthday gift....
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  24. KitJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    It is just lovely! And I love the photos you took of it too. Kit

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  25. podsoJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Oh how wonderful! What a beautiful gift and your camera captured it so well. You will look forward to using that next Christmas!

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  26. MarigeneJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    What a beautiful birthday gift...it looks so nice on your mantle.
    Happy Birthday, friend!

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  27. Judith @ Lavender CottageJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    A belated happy birthday BJ.
    Willow Tree figures are adorable and your new nativity set is a real special gift.
    Judith

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  28. A Garden of ThreadsJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    It is beautiful, I would find it hard to pack away until next season.

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  29. SnapJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    You are correct! A most beautiful nativity!

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  30. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Hi BJness! Oh, what a sweet nativity set! I know you're going to love it.
    Now you have no header! You little stinker! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  31. PondsideJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    How beautiful. These Willow figures are so sweet.

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  32. Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...January 9, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Willow tree figures are so beautiful..
    So glad you recieved one of your hearts desires...Daughters are wonderful!
    Enjoy BJ.!
    Hugs, Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  33. CHERIJanuary 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    What a sweet, thoughtful, and beautiful gift!

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  34. Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...January 9, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    There you go missy!!!!
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

    A new header!

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  35. xinexJanuary 10, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    So beautiful! What a thoughtful daughter you have, BJ and with a great taste too who knows you very well...Christine

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  36. Love Of QuiltsJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Just beautiful! Trish

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  37. Kathleen GraceJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Your sweet kids seem to have a gift for knowing what you love! The nativity set is beautiful, simple and sweet and just perfect. You will be so happy when you unpack it next Christmas!

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  38. Gardening in a SandboxJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    How very thoughtful. It is a treasure you will enjoy for many years to come.

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  39. LaJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    What a lovely and thoughtful gift. You will enjoy this beautiful nativity for years and years.

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  40. txladyJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    i heard the most wonderful sermon the Sunday after Christmas suggesting we might leave a nativity out to remind us of God's gift to us all year long. I left a small one out in my foyer. Yours is so lovely, you might could leave it out a little while before packing it away. What a wonderful birthday gift. Happy belated birthday. I do so love following your blog.

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  41. Auntie sezzzzzz...January 10, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    The look here, is now, all-sweet-pink-softness. Lovely! :-)

    Thank you for taking the time to comment on my recent blog entry.

    Gentle hugs...

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  42. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Oh, BJ! That is wonderful, and I think I might just leave it out all year to admire. What a sweet gift from your sweet family! Loved it. Love you, too.

    I hope your birthday was every bit as special as you are, my friend.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  43. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    What a wonderful surprise! I know how much you wanted that nativity set! Stacy is such a sweet daughter! Aren't we so blessed to have such sweet daughters?

    Love you much!
    Martha

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  44. BethJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    BJ, That is a stunning nativity! Your family know you well, and I am so happy they pleased you with this generous and beautiful gift!
    Blessings, Beth

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  45. SmilingSallyJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    BJ

    Do leave it out all year! That nativity set has been one I've drooled over too, and I feel that it's easily a year-'round item.

    Happy, happy Birthday!

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  46. The Summer Kitchen GirlsJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Hi BJ!! That is one of my favorite nativity sets! I think it just looks fabulous on your mantel ~ what a lovely gift for your birthday! Do enjoy your week!

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  47. Jean TuthillJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Happy belated Birthday, what a wonderful gift from your daughter and her family! I am sure you will cherish it forever. It is so simple and beautiful!

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  48. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Those are wonderful figures and I have never seen the nativity set. You can tell you are very very loved.

    Happy Birthday and thanks for sharing.

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  49. LVJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    It really is not bad having a birthday. See what nice things can happen for you. In fact, I am delighted to have another one.

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  50. Sandi McBrideJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    How lovely and it looks right at home! Happy Birthday!!!
    hugs
    Sandi

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  51. Carole BurantJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Now that's a very special birthday gift indeed!! I remember a few posts back when you mentioned how much you would love the Willow Tree nativity...now you have it:-) I love mine and I remember how excited I was when I bought the set. The next year I bought the 3 Wise Men...this year I bought the stars:-) xoxo

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  52. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    This is such a lovely nativity set! I love the simplicity and beauty of Willow Tree statues. It was a wonderful gift. Happy belated birthday and mosaic Monday!

    Happy birthday to your sweet grand daughter Deeds!

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  53. AdrienneJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    I love your nativity set. I collect Willow Tree, too, and I found the nativity set in an antique mall at a very nice price. I never thought of adding some of my other angels. What a great idea! Think I'll copy you next year.
    ~Adrienne~

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  54. "Cottage By The Sea"January 11, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Your Willow Tree nativity is gorgeous ~ lucky you! I have a Willow Tree of a girl on her knees praying. She kneels on a tall wooden pedestal. I absolutely love her, she says it all without saying a word.

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  55. KathleenJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    They are beautiful, BJ. I have a white nativity music box I leave out all year under a cloche. You could leave the 3 main figures out too!
    Enjoy them!

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  56. UnknownJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I LOVE my Willow Tree! I got the Wise Men this year.... Next year I want the creche! Happy belated birthday!! :)

    ~Liz

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  57. Linda (Nina's Nest)January 12, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    I love that nativity. My daughter gave it to me several years ago, and I have a collection of angels that different friends have given me. What a treasure! I know you love it! Linda

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  58. MarieJanuary 12, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Hi BJ - What a wonderful and thoughtful gift! The angels are beautiful.

    I wanted to stop by and say Happy New Year! and hello from a fellow White Wednesday participant. Please stop by and join my giveaway when you get a chance.
    -marie

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  59. Heaven's WalkJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Sweet sweet gift! I adore Willow Tree collections. It's amazing how much heart and soul comes through those little wooden pieces. :) I don't blame you for wanting to keep that nativity up all winter. It's just beautiful....

    Happy WW to you!

    xoxo laurie

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Thanks SO much for commenting. I am blessed for knowing you.