Deck the Halls

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re going caroling this year! 

This delightful carol has been around since 1877, but the Welsh melody it is based upon has been around since the 16th century and belonged to another carol (aka – dancing song) all together. 

I will bet that somewhere it was a drinking song, since much of the hymns, carols and other older songs that we know seem to have begun in a bar somewhere. Fa la la was a remnant of the original song and may have been part of a medieval ballad. I can see raising a pint of grog and yelling Fa La La! Maybe after a few pints that’s the only words you have left.

Here are the original words before they went all decking the halls on us.

Oh! how soft my fair one's bosom,

fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:

Oh! how sweet the grove in blossom,

fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:

Oh! how blessed are the blisses,

[instrumental flourish]

Words of love, and mutual kisses,

fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:

Here is the original carol before we got ahold of it.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Troul the ancient Christmas carol,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

See the flowing bowl before us,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

While I sing of beauty's treasure,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Laughing, quaffing all together,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Heedless of the wind and weather,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

See.. there’s drinking! Lots of it and bosoms, too.
Let’s strike the harp and join the chorus (as the more modern version goes), and do some holiday shopping from these wonderful artists and their colorful wares.

Blue Green Aqua Terra Jasper Beaded Gemstone Bracelet

ElunaJewelry

Blue Pink Flower Bead Necklace, Freshwater Pearls

PrettyGonzo 

Beaded Window Crystal – Swarovski Crystal Rainbow and Asfour Crystal Prism

SolanakaiDesigns 

Turquoise Bracelet, Beach Jewelry, Charm Bracelet, Ocean Jewelry

Treasures of Jewels

Pretty Poinsettia Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties

HollyKnitterCreation

Purple Flower Bracelet

BlueMorningExpressions 

Personalized Circus Carnival Favor Tags or Thank You Label Party

Adorebynat

Spirit of the Sea Brass Wire Wrapped Handmade Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant

Umeboshi 

Classic Irish Crochet Roses in White Lace

RSSDesignsinFiber

Opaque Medium Cobalt Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads With Raku Frit

Covergirlbeads 

Coffee Cup Sleeve, Tie Dye Doggie Bones, Cold Drink Wrap, reusable, eco-friendly

Sew Amazin

Granny Square Afghan

Cathy Creates

HandmadeTwisted Multi colour neck warmer

tricotetcuivre

Chakra Rainbow Handmade Earrings Swarovski Zen Beaded Jewelry Cluster

Shadowdogdesigns 

Fish Charm Bead Weave Purple and Aqua Two Strand Bracelet Petite Size

DianesDangles

Handknit Neckwarmer Ladies Rich Berry Irish Cables Caron Simply Soft

Jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy 

Guitar Wall Hanging Clock Handmade From Cherry Wood Fender Stratocaster Style

KevsKrafts

Multicolored Seed Bead Earrings Wire Wrapped Spiral Med Hoop Leverback

TheSingingBeader

Aztec Ethnic Double Cord BOHO Ladybug Charm Burgundy Artisan Bracelet

Katsallthat

See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list? Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast! 

Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at: 

Week 1
Week 2
Here We Come A’Wassailing

All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them! 

Enjoy,
Julie and Blu

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Countdown to Christmas 2015 Week 2

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Here We Come A’Wassailing

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wassailing,
So fair to be seen:
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you,
A happy New Year,
And God send you,
A happy new year.

To wassail: to drink ale! 

This guy here is the “among the leaves so green” part with a bowl of wassail from which you drink and yell “wassail” to your friends. This honey-based drink is served in large pewter or silver bowls. These bowls can also be known as “loving cup” and are passed around the house to all of your guests. Another way to wassail is to bless fruit trees or celebrate the harvest of apples. 

The word wassail is derived from an Old English word for “be well”. In Saxon times, the lord of the manor would take the time out at the start of every new year to meet with the peasants. He shouted out “waes hael” or “be well” to his people, and they would respond “drinc hael”, which was translated to mean “drink and be healthy”. 

At some point, people began going door to door to offer this greeting to their neighbors. In exchange, they were given drink and food that would normally be reserved for Christmas festivities like mince pie. This exchange was thought to give everyone good luck for the upcoming year. 

The ale drink varied from region to region, but it generally consisted of hot ale, spices, sugar, roasted apples and cream. 

Wassail has been known to be used to anoint apple trees in an effort to ensure a good harvest. Followed by the scaring off of demons and the raising of the Tree Spirit by shooting off shotguns and rattling pots and pans. 

You may commonly see the Holly Man during the Mummer’s parade on the Twelfth Night. 



Since we’re singing and raising a ruckus, let’s add sparkly things and holiday dress to the mix and wave our green and reds to all those that we meet today. 

Let’s go wassailing!

Dog Collar Christmas Bandana
SewAmazin

Celtic Bracelet
SolanaKaiDesigns 

Gingerbread Dog Tag Necklace
BlueMorningExpressions 

Holly Bell Christmas Ornament
Kevs Krafts

Holiday Gift Tags
AdorebyNat

Antique Christmas Card
ButterflyintheAttic

Candy Cane Earrings
PrettyGonzo

Christmas Beadwoven Bracelet
KatsAllThat

Green and White Dichroic Post Earrings
Umeboshi

Jingle Bell Earrings
The Singing Beader

Green Leaf Charm Bracelet
TreasuresofJewels

Green Neckwarmer
Jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy


Hand Knit Red Cowl
CathyCreates

Christmas Holiday Bracelet
Diane’s Dangles

Red Candy Jade Bracelet
Specialtivity

Niobium Earrings
ElunaJewelry

Table Runner
RSS Designs in Fiber

Lampwork Beads
Covergirlbeads


Snowman Earrings
ShadowDogDesigns 



Since we’ve already started drinking this Christmas season, let’s commence to shopping! 

Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at: 

Week 1
 























All of our handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!

Enjoy,
Julie and Blu

Technorati Tags: bluemorningexpressions,blue morning expressions,handmade beads,lampwork beads,handmade jewelry,handmade necklaces,handmade bracelets,handmade earrings,shop handmade,vintage postcards,vintage gifts,handmade christmas gifts,christmas shopping,christmas ornaments

Countdown to Christmas 2015 Week 1

Here we go! You know 12 weeks only seems like a long time when we first start, but how many of us will be saying, "WOW, that sure went fast!" when it's over. Let the reindeer games begin!

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