The Garden Tomato

The Old World Christmas Garden Tomato is a unique ornament that is very popular with our customers. Any time we receive an order for several of an ornament, we’re always wondering……what are they going to use this ornament for??

Last year, the Garden Tomato was used as a nice gift to a group of super ladies that raised tomato plants to sell as a fund raiser for a local youth group to go to camp. This year we received an order for several Garden Tomatoes for a family gathering………a chili sauce fest)))

Emily Edmonds and several members of her family, meet each year to cook up a batch of their homemade chili sauce. Now, we’re not talking about a nice size pan on the stove inside the house. They cooked up 360 pounds of tomatoes, onions and pepper ……outside…..the real old fashioned way!

 

The Garden Tomato ornaments were given as keepsakes for this family gathering. Emily’s sister-in-law dated the ornaments with a gold pen “Chili Sauce 2011″ and these ornaments will still be around after those jars of chili sauce have been put to good use.

And yes, I tried to get the chili sauce recipe…..but it’s a closely guarded family secret))) Thank you Emily for sharing this wonderful story about families taking time away from their busy lives to spend time with each other, carrying on tradition ……. making memories…..and chili sauce)))

Squash

The new Squash ornaments from Old World this year are the Acorn and Butternut Squash. Both are very beautiful and realistic looking ornaments.

Decorate your Thanksgiving table with a cornucopia filled with squashes, vegetable and nut ornaments. Use wood wool or Spanish Moss as a filler to cushion the ornaments and let them just spill out on the center of the table.

Here's a great recipe from Southern Living using the Butternut and Acorn squash. Beautiful dish for your Thanksgiving  table.

• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) butternut squash
• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) spaghetti squash
• 1  (1- to 2-lb.) acorn squash
• 1/4  cup  butter
• 2  tablespoons  honey
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash in half lengthwise, and remove seeds. Place squash, cut sides up, on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Microwave butter and honey at HIGH 1 minute or until melted; stir until blended. Brush cut sides of squash with butter mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until tender; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into large pieces and serve.

Now, if you live in the south, here's a recipe that you will find on Sunday dinner tables in the summertime!

Squash Casserole

• 2  pounds  yellow squash, sliced (frozen will work also)
• 3/4  cup  chopped onion
• 1  tablespoon margarine or butter
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup milk
• 3/4  cup  (3 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  soft breadcrumbs, toasted or crushed saltines

Cook squash and onion in a small amount of boiling water 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Drain; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt margarine in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; add cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Add squash mixture; stir well.

Spoon squash mixture into a shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle squash mixture evenly with breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.

Visit us at Trendy Tree to gather an entire garden of "vegetables!"

New Shipment of Old World Christmas Ornaments Coming in this Week!

We've been waiting all summer for these!

Broccoli 28088

Butternut Squash 28091

Campfire 44057

Western Santa 40136

More Collegiate Footballs too!

Michigan

Tennessee Knoxville

Miami

Kansas State

Auburn

Illinois

Missouri

South Carolina

Purdue

Zucchini Retired

Zucchini 28078

While most gardens are flourishing with Zucchini and other types of squash, I'm afraid we're down to our last one! The Zucchini ornament is retired from Old World Christmas.......so get one soon from someone before they are all sold out!

The name Zucchini comes from the Italian word for small squash, zucchino. First found in Central American, Columbus brought seeds back from his travels. The Zucchini is a jewel among the summer squashes. Its sweet light flavor and delicate texture make it a summertime favorite.

Visit us at Trendy Tree to see the new squash from Old World Christmas this year!

Butternut Squash Ornament - New for 2010

Butternut Squash Christmas Ornament

28091 Merck Family Old World Christmas
Introduced 2010

Vegetable ornament made of mouth blown, hand painted glass. Measures approximately 3 3/4"

Butternut squash  also known in Australia and New Zealand as Butternut pumpkin is a type of winter squash. It has a sweet, nutty taste that is similar to pumpkin. It has yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp. When ripe, it turns increasingly deep orange, and becomes sweeter and richer. It grows on a vine. The most popular variety, the Waltham Butternut, originated in Stow, Massachusetts, on what is now the Butternut Farm Golf Club. (Wikipedia)

Shop Trendy Tree for more unique vegetable Christmas Ornaments from Old World Christmas!

Zucchini Christmas Ornament Product Review from Trendy Tree Customer

Zucchini Christmas Ornament 

Upstate NY Lady

"Ah the zucchini. What would a Christmas tree be without one? Buy one quick or you'll find out as this ornament's retired. Great details and quality as always with Old World Christmas. Purchase with confidence from the fine folks at Trendy Tree."

Fruit and vegetable ornaments are great for decorating small trees in the kitchen or dining area. Use raffia for a more natural look to tie the ornaments on to your tree, wreath or centerpieces. Some fruit and vegetable ornaments can be used as "picks" in centerpieces or wreaths by slipping the crown off, inserting a stem made of pipe cleaners, etc to give the position most suitable for the decoration.

Shop Trendy Tree for more fruit and vegetable Christmas Ornaments from Merck Family's Old World Christmas. HUNDREDS in stock!

Christmas Ornaments that Represent Good Luck

Many of the Old World Christmas ornaments have special emphasis on good luck.....here's a few.

12331 Gecko - New for 2010

Geckos are almost universally regarded as a sign of good luck and they are welcomed into homes where they feed on insects. The traditional gecko circle is a symbol of keeping one eye on the past while focusing the other on the future.

 12130 Christmas Ham

Pigs have long been considered by many to bring good luck and prosperity. The German word "dickbauch" means fat stomach, and its is spoken often in December. Tradition says you must eat well on Christmas Eve to avoid being haunted that night and to insure prosperity in the New Year!

More Pigs!

12121 Big Pig Solid or Spotted

12338 Lucky Pig  New for 2010

12157 Little Elephant

Elephants have long been symbols of strength, fidelity, wisdom, protection and prosperity. In many cultures they are considered sacred animals. When shown with their trunks up, elephants are believed to bring good luck, and even to be the granters of wishes.

12159 Large Elephant

32025 Pretzel

The Pretzel: Sixth-century Italian monks gave pretzels to children as rewards for attending church. The pretzel's twists signify arms crossed in prayer. Pretzels are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and spiritual wholeness.

 28089 Bunch of Carrots New for 2010

The glass Carrots ornament is truly a decoration that can bring a tear to an old woman's eye. Long ago carrot ornaments were very popular as traditional gifts for brides. They were believed to bring the bride good luck in the kitchen.

28051 Small Acorns 

Acorns have long been considered good luck symbols. They also represent the rebirth of life, which is where we get the old saying: "From little acorns come mighty oaks."

28076 Double Mushrooms

Mushrooms are associated with nature and the beauty of the forest. Finding a mushroom in the woods is like finding a lucky penny - good fortune is just around the corner! And a double mushroom is twice as lucky. The Lucky Mushrooms ornament symbolizes the hope for good fortune in the coming year.

36110 Chrysanthemum

In many Asian countries, the Chrysanthemum is a good-luck symbol signifying happiness wealth and longevity. It also represents an easy retirement. With beautifully radiating petals, the Chrysanthemum symbolizes the sun.

12267 Christmas Spider Retired

One Christmas long ago, eager spiders left cobwebs on an old woman''s tree. When the Christ Child came to bless the tree, he turned the webs into silver and gold. Since that time, Christmas trees have been hung with tinsel, and it is considered good luck to have a spider among the decorations on your tree.

12048 Grasshopper

 The Grasshopper is a creature that thrives in warm weather and reminds us to enjoy the delights of summer. Even though it is portrayed as irresponsible in Aesop's fable "The Grasshopper and the Ant," the Grasshopper is considered to be a symbol of abundance and good luck

12082 Mr. Ladybug

Retired

Ladybugs are known to bring good luck. They signal good weather and a good harvest. If a Ladybug lands on your hand, make a wish, and then watch it fly away. Your good fortune will come from that direction.

18050 Chickadees in Nest Retired

Legend has it that prosperity will come to any home that finds a bird's nest nestled among the branches of the family's Christmas tree. As a symbol of good luck, this ornament makes a special gift which brings hopes of good fortune and best wishes.

12283 Lucky Cricket

In many countries, the cricket is an auspicious symbol of good luck. If found inside a house, it signifies peace and plenty for those who live there and must not be killed. In folklore, to hear a cricket chirping, means impending rain or good fortune and upcoming financial gain.

12122 Froggy Retired

Frogs have long denoted good luck in business. Since a frog only travels forward, he is always progressing and as such he represents a prosperous future. So a frog ornament is often given as a gift at graduations, weddings, or to someone beginning a new business venture.

12179 Clam Shell

In many cultures, the shell is universally recognized as a positive feminine symbol which represents birth, life, resurrection, love and good luck. In China, the shell is one of the Eight Good Prophetic Symbols and signifies a prosperous journey.

12039 Sea Horse

In Ancient Greece and Rome, sea horses were believed to pull the chariots of the sea gods. With this association, they symbolized the power of the water. Superstition held that they also protected against fever. Today, sea horses remain good luck symbols for fishermen.

Add to your Vegetable collection! A Bunch of Carrots!

 

Bunch of Carrots 28089 New for 2010

Lovely vegetable ornament, bunch of green topped carrots. Made of mouth blown, hand painted glass. Measures approximately 4 3/4"

The glass Carrots ornament is truly a decoration that can bring a tear to an old woman's eye. Long ago carrot ornaments were very popular as traditional gifts for brides. They were believed to bring the bride good luck in the kitchen.