Tuesday, December 23

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I've been way behind this year in getting my house decorated for the season. I really needed to do some deep cleaning because of all the renovations that took place upstairs. I had a great head start on it and then Aunt May went to the hospital. For two weeks I did very little except visit her. Then she passed and there was the funeral. I wasn't thinking much about decorating at this time. December 1st, I came down with a nasty bit of viral infection and have been fighting it ever since. However, the last week has been much better with the help of antibiotics and I've been scrambling to get it all done. So, I will show you a few photos of what I've accomplished and some of what I still have to do.


The first photos shows our Christmas tree when we put it up on Saturday. All it has on it is the lights. Excuse the Christmas boxes sitting on the sewing machine cabinet in the left foreground and the vaccuum in the right corner. These will get put away.

Here is the tree all decorated after the boys left on Sunday. Ah, I need a better picture. I cut the angel's head off and this is an angel that my mother made for me. I will show a photo of it before we take down the tree. The Christmas boxes have now been changed to old telephone books that are going in the garbage. Yes, the vaccum is still there by the dusty china cabinet. I told you there were some things I hadn't got done yet.

The Christmas cards on the white door are from all of my blogging friends. Thank you so much. I love each and every one of them and when they come down, they will go into my card collection.

Most of these cards on the dark door are hubby's, given to him by his clients. There are more Christmas cards strung on a piece of ribbon behind the couch. The picture of the animals was made for me by Mom about 15 years ago. I notice it has a little fray on the lace. I must repair that.
This angel was a gift from my dear blogging friend, Sammi at Bears in Exile. I participated in her Circle Journal last year and she just sent it for me to read all of the entries. It is fantastic. In the package was this little handmade angel. I love it. A special token of our friendship. Thanks again, Sammi. She will be carefully stored away with love after Christmas.

This is the main part of the entertainment unit. It holds some of my angel collection. Two were given to me by hubby and the purple one on the left was made for me by Mom. The nativity was a gift from a stranger. A story for another day.

This is my granny Christmas tree. Last year Hootin' Anni and Pea bought Santa Claus trees at Michael's. I went to find one and on the shelf was this granny Christmas tree. It was love at first sight and I couldn't pass it up, as it was on sale for 40% off.

This is the other side of my entertainment unit. I also love snowmen and women and on the bottom shelf you will see some of those. The middle shelf holds Santa's sleigh that the reindeer are pulling. It is acrylic and was a gift from Mom. The boy and girl with the musical instruments was something I won when I was a Princess House crystal representative. The top shelf holds the crystal angel that was a gift from Denise at Shorty Bear's Place in 2007. Beside her are kissing angels that I made in ceramic class in the 70s.

This star was made for me by Jordan when he was six. It is a piece of cardboard covered with tin foil. Some people might think it was junk, but it is a treasure to me, as it was made and given with love.
When Brandon was in kindergarten, he made this walnut decoration. He painted the walnut and then put very tiny green beads on it. Quite a feat for a child with Asperger's because their motor skills aren't the best. But make it he did and it is another ornament that is treasured simply because it was made and given with love from the heart.
Most of my Christmas decorations have special meaning. I have a few others that I may share with you before the tree is taken down.
Well, I have a few things still to wrap and need to throw those phone books out and put the vacuum away. Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas!~Blessings, Mary~

19 comments:

  1. Everything looks really nice my friend.

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  2. Things are looking lovely at your house. The tree is beautiful! I think those ornaments with sentimental value are the best.
    I thought of you today. We are under another winter storm warning - supposed to get another 10 inches! I was shoveling the driveway, which is starting to be a big feat and I thought of all the snow you had pictures of recently. I'm ready for a break - you too?
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  3. looks like even the stockings were hung with great care....
    I hope that you had a great day today!

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  4. Your house looks very tidy from where I sit Mary, I love your Christmas ornaments and how your tree looks - it's nice to see some festivity on the other side of the world too :-)

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  5. Everything looks lovely, Mary. Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

    Merry Christmas!

    Hugs,

    Renie

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  6. I enjoyed looking at your tree and the decorations. I have a special feeling about ornaments with a story behind them, too.
    I'm so happy you liked the Angel. I have made angel ornaments of one kind or another for the past 6 years. Last year, I never finished the ones I started so I did that this year. They were made of wood mostly. And I also made a few of the thread ones for special people like you.
    Do you realize we barely knew each other last year when you entered my give away and won? I cherish yours and all the other friendships I've made through blogging.
    Blessings,
    Mama Bear

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  7. Everything is lovely, Mary.

    I wish you and your family a happy, blessed and joyous Christmas, my dear friend.

    Much love,

    Diane

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  8. Have a Very Merry Christmas...thank you for the books, they arrived safely!

    Lots of love to you,
    Jess

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  9. I love your tree, dear Mary, and love that you've kept these ornaments the boys had made...such special treasures they are. So enjoyed seeing some of your other decorations:-)

    It was such a pleasure to talk to you on the phone again today, it really made my day:-) xoxo

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  10. Christmas has a lot of meaning but to me it is joy of giving to others and your blog always but anther shinning light into my life.

    Coffee is on.

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  11. What a lovely decoration! Have a blessed Christmas!

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  12. Mary, those home made ornaments are indeed treasures! Not only do we have the ones my girls make on our tree...but some plain, not very pretty cardboard bells hang every year on the tree since they were made by my three cousins on my own very first Christmas 45 years ago!

    Your place looks so warm and cheery...and I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, dear Mary!

    Hugs,
    ~Tammy

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  13. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a joyful time together at this special time. Thanks for sharing your preparations.

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  14. Everything is just so meaningful Mary!!! You have truly a lot of family treasures. I especially love the star and the walnut. Don't ever get rid of those...I know you won't!!! And the Grannie Claus?.......super!!!! I'm happy to hear you found one for yourself. This one is so darned cute.

    It's great to see all you've done what with the problems of getting is all set up in the first place this past week.

    Love and hugs to you. Hope you all have a blessed, peaceful and joyful holiday. My best to you dear friend!!!

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  15. It's looking great Mary. I had to laugh because when we put our tree up we always have the boxes and the vacuum out too. :D

    I love your tree, the shape it just perfect. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

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  16. Oh Mary....your tree is beautiful. Are you having fun with the circle journal!!

    Merry Christmas my friend. Have a wonderful season filled with everything good and beautiful.

    God bless.

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  17. Merry Christmas Mary... everything looks great..

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  18. How festive everything looks! I hope you don't mind that I 'snagged' your lovely manger scene for 'balance' in today's post at Small Reflections.
    Hugs and blessings,

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