When the boys were teeny and we were preparing to move to Africa,
I bought a stable-less, plastic nativity set to take along with us. Even though
cheap, the details were lovely, and we have continued to use it
now more than 30 years. We've added a wooden donkey and camel.
Over the years I've made stables out of bits of wood but none of them survived,
or they were cast off in moves.
The gardener keeps a running list in the "back of his mind" of things he may
like to purchase if he ever saw them and the "price was right."
Likewise I've had "stable" in the back of my mind because the grands,
who love to play with it, always ask why there is no stable.
Eventually I found a basket that would work, but it was awkward at best.
I dropped off things at a local thrift shop the other day. It's very
popular, tucked into a little house, and on this day it was crowded. One almost has to
wait in line to move to a different section. I was drawn to a set of blue
willow dishes, but of course didn't need them. As I was about to turn away, my eyes
rested on the shelf above and there it was. The perfect size-to-scale stable.
Mary and Joseph were missing but there were two kings,
a shepherd and two animals, and they do look "vintage."
The vintage? 1930s. Perfect.
For, my grandchildren love to say, "Everything is old in your house, Grandma."
Mary and Joseph seem a bit more comfortable here.
With my five photos. I'm joining Amy's Five on Friday.
It is perfect! Our manger scene has been missing Baby Jesus for decades. We just say he was already out doing good!!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
What a delightful find! Perfect!
ReplyDelete(Love the quote from your grands. The same could be said here, I think.)
Oh it's just PERFECT! I really do love seeing people's nativities. Our grandkids can always be counted on for honesty can't they? lol Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteFantastic find. And now you did it. I have a ceramic piece of Mary, Joseph and the baby and didn't put out our traditional creche. I'm on my way to the basement right now. Two of seven grandchildren (4 & 6) are arriving this afternoon and I will let them set it up. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful how the perfect thing arrives eventually. Lovely nativity .
ReplyDeleteA wonderful find Dotsie, good things come to those who wait. It's uncanny how one can be wishing for something but it's frivolous to buy new and one day there it is, as though waiting for your discovery. I've had this happen too - something obviously meant to be.
ReplyDeleteMary and Joseph do look more comfortable.
This is a great story Dotsie. And wonderful to find the stable that is perfect for the holy family. Very fitting. :)
ReplyDeleteDotsie, you vintage stable is perfect. My nativity needs a stable as well. This year we placed them on the mantel in the living room. Your pieces are lovely and so special to have celebrated with you all of these years. Merry Christmas Dotsie! ♥
ReplyDeleteOh I love this story...you never know what you're going to find. I have been stableless for years, too. Like you, I am always looking for a solution. This year the bookcase shelf itself is the stable. Your find is so special...a God wink just for you.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, I do believe we have the same nativity set! I can't tell the scale of yours. My Mary is 3". I know I've had it at least 30 years--perhaps even longer. I only found a simple stable for it a few years ago at Michaels, or some place like that.
ReplyDeleteVery nice find! Love it...
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect! How special to finally have a 'home' for them!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, setting up the Nativity scene was my very favorite part of Christmas. It wasn't until I was an adult until I realized that it was a cheap cardboard set. I still loved it.
ReplyDeletePerfect! Wonderful find and makes your Nativity scene complete. Loved hearing the story of your Nativity, too. I giggled at "everything is old at your house" ... just wait "little ones"!!!! Good thing the Blue Willow dishes were calling to you (I probably would have brought them home, too and then wondered where I would put them) ... they knew you needed the Nativity! Merry Merry!
ReplyDeletePerfect find! My mother-in-law has a huge Nativity scene. My kids loved to play with it when they were little. Everything seems better at Grandma's house lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy five on Friday
The perfect find, such a wonderful and so uplifting post. Five lovely photos. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super find, and it is just perfect indeed.
ReplyDeleteOh Dotsie, you did find the perfect stable! It's just right! I love the colors of your nativity set and would never know it is plastic. I needed a creche years ago and was lucky enough to find one at Michael's. Now that I think about it, I haven't noticed any stand-alone creches in recent years.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post Dotsie, and thanks so much for your visit today. Wishing you a blessed Advent.
Hugs,
Denise
Perfect. So glad you found it!
ReplyDeleteEverything in your house is so old: priceless comment. Glad you found the perfect stable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky find, it's just the right size. My figures are roaming the house looking for a stable!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you finally found your stable...it's perfect and worth the wait. Our nativity is always the last to go up so my husband always pushes me to get that tree decorated and done!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you and your family!
Jane
I love it! I too am on the look out for a stable, right now we have a temporary birdhouse were using.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely find, Dotsie. The stable is the perfect backdrop for your vintage Nativity Set. Ours has never had a stable, either, but it does well on the china hutch.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of how your Nativity set has grown "old" through the years :) My folks gave us a wooden nativity set for our first Christmas in 1971. Nearly ten years ago I purchased a Fisher Price Nativity set for my little grand girls. Currently they have it arranged so that there is a FP cowboy and plastic box of food in the mix!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Mary and Joseph have found the perfect stable for them. Just like the real journey really, having trouble finding somewhere to lay their heads and travelling round, no room at the inn and then they find the right stable. A wonderful metaphor for Christmas in your own search for the right home for Mary and Joseph. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHow special and so perfect to find this stable. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I've been avoiding the thrift shops because I have too much stuff! I need a reason to go, and the stable is the perfect reason! I was thinking the other day when I put my nativity out, that I need a stable. I didn't know where to even look for one. Now I do!
ReplyDeleteYour comment about having old stuff in your house reminded me of a few years ago when my Dad said, after looking around our house, "If I draw your name I'm going to buy you something new." I said, "why?" He said, "well I guess I won't if you won't appreciate it!" I started laughing...I like the old stuff too. So does my husband! Have a Merry Christmas!
Cindy