Connecticut, Craft, Elle Smith Fagan, Inspirational story, true story, writing, Nativity Figures, Winter Holiday
Elle Smith Fagan
Restoration of Antique Nativity

The historic church's  Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, but the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration.   Most Certainly!   It was clear that the group was much loved by the people and so I just loved it, too.   Later that  year came the easy opening to ask Father if I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing from an injury.  I had the interest and love and skills.

Restoration of Antique Nativity
story, true story, Winter Holiday
Elle Smith Fagan
The Strawberry Top

True story - first published 2001

No matter how much we love the Winter Holidays with all the trimmings, there is the validity of Christmas 'stocking stuffers'  - a refreshing escape from the "too-much-ness" of things.  Stocking stuffers and similar "little-gift" observances renew the awareness that the true holiday spirit is a small and shining moment that connects people in light !   A funny little thing can be like that! 

The Strawberry Top
Christmas family story, Connecticut, family, Inspirational story, Lifestyle, romance, spirit, True Sixties Story, true story, Winter Holiday Story, writing
Elle Smith Fagan
Christmas Wedding

Recently, both our children chose wedding days at Christmas to honor their late Father and myself.  And so I thought they might like this "part one" of THE story of how we met and married.  It was all so grand to us, and a gift of empowering love is their birthright!  But that's another story. More will come.

Connecticut, Craft, Elle Smith Fagan, Inspirational story, true story, writing, Nativity Figures, Winter Holiday
Elle Smith Fagan
Restoration of Antique Nativity - FDR/WPA/FAP

The historic church's  Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, but the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration.   Most Certainly!   It was clear that the group was much loved by the people and so I just loved it, too.   Later that  year came the easy opening to ask Father if I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing from an injury.  I had the interest and love and skills.

Restoration of Antique Nativity - FDR/WPA/FAP
Inspirational story, spirit
Elle Smith Fagan
How the Robin Got His Red Breast

Legend - fable - fiction - 2006 - from "A Christmas Stocking" by Louise Betts Egan


On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill.  The small fire in the stable was nearly out, Joseph had gone for food and the new Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold.  She turned to the animals about her and asked them for help. 

How the Robin Got His Red Breast

Polish Christmas

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Polish Cultural - The Lulajze

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Polish Cultural - The Lulajze

On Christmas Eve, at our home in the 50s and 60s, holiday preparations focused on the Nativity Scene arranged atop the shiny mahogany music center top - sight and sounds of recorded or radio holiday music, glows in memory even 50 years later.  How we teamed well for a change, to help set it all up, with Mother in charge:  cotton mat for snow and the wooden stable, with the lighted star at top;  the icons in plaster and paint, with all but one of the figures set.   For days, we'd visited the scene with a prayer and anticipation,  gazing longingly at the empty manger  like the Mary and Joseph and all the other figures .