My Christmas "Love" Tree

Good day to all of you and Happy 12/12/12!! Hoping all of your Christmas planning is right on target and everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season,

Here at the home place things are good and at last there is a little nip in the air.  Been right chilly here for the last few days and the old gal is loving it.  Nothing like putting one in the Holiday mood than cooler weather.  When I was a little girl, {many moons ago} it was ALWAYS cold here in December.  The highlight of a school day was getting dismissed early because the pipes had frozen and there was no water.  Anyone remember that long ago ?  I can remember coming home early and my Grandmother would be in the kitchen baking and the house would smell of Christmas spices and all the windows would be fogged over.  Oh,,,, thank you Good Lord for fond memories.

Which brings me to the title of my post.  For some reason, the holiday season has brought out the sentimental side of my personality.  Could it be because I am getting older, or just the fact that along with age, comes wisdom and one learns what is most important in life?  Just for the record, I am not ancient,,,, just in my 50's.  Anyway,,, enough blabbing,, on to the story.

Let's go back around 7 years ago to the holiday season.  It had been a rather rough year for the Mister and myself.  Work had been slow, and we were struggling.  The year before we had thrown out our huge Christmas tree that we had purchased over 20 years earlier. Yep, it had seen it's better days and we had truly enjoyed the beauty it had brought us over the years.  Well, when it came time to buy a new tree, we just couldn't see sinking lots of money into another tree , so my heart was breaking that I would not be able to replace the tree with a tall skinny tree for the space I wanted to put it.  Instead I was just going to use one of the smaller trees I had used in other rooms during Christmas.  And be thankful for all the blessing we had received during the year

Holly was newly married and her and Stacy both had good jobs.  Well we came in one evening and what was on the door steps than a huge box and inside was the perfect Christmas tree. Couldn't have picked out one I would have loved myself.   It almost got washed away with all the tears I shed when I saw the tree.  Thus the tree became my tree of love. 

This year I chose not to put the tree up as I have been having severe back, and hip problems.  I had the German Twig up in the living room and the family was fine with that.  BUT,,,, it just wasn't feeling like Christmas.  The Tree of Love was not up and it was just not right.  So on  Saturday the mister brought it in for me.  I sat in a chair, Christmas music playing in the background and put that tree up in the sun room.  WooHoo,,,,, it is now Christmas here at the home place.  A warm and cozy, comforting feeling as I go about my day.  No, it's not the tree itself, but the love I feel from looking at that tree.  A reminder to be so thankful for each and every gift God blesses us with ALL during the year , not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas.  The love from God, our family and friends, that is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Okay,,,, so thought today I would share with you my very special Tree of Love. This is the view looking into the sun room from the Great Room.

 

 

Tree with flash,

 

 

 

Do any of you remember these little battery operated bells ?  This hung on our Christmas tree when I was a child at home.  Holly loved it as a child and now Darbee Rae loves turning it on as well. 

 

 

I am so enjoying decorating with fresh greens this year.  Think that swan loves them too!

 

 

The ice cream parlor table and chairs were a Christmas gift from Mr. P and Holly years ago.  When it gets really COLD, I bring it into the great room and we have supper in front of the fireplace. But for now , Santa feels right at home.

 

 

Even Bertha is getting in the holiday mood as she decided to fill her bag with pine cuttings.  Maybe she thinks since it it the holidays, she won't have to work as often.  She is hiding the vacuum!!

 

Remember last year , the naughty elf came to visit Darbee Rae when she came out during Christmas.  Well, he discovered the sun room this year too.  Darbee was so excited  to learn Wilbur found his way back this year.  On Saturday they rode out and the search for Wilbur began.  This is where she found him.

 

 

 

 

Now Darbee Rae thought that was just too funny, but Papa wasn't too happy with Wilbur playing around on his deer head!!  Oh come on Papa where is your Christmas Spirit?

 

He has also been upstairs and visited the guest bathroom.  He knows upstairs is suppose to be off limits.  So of course he decided not to stay. Instead..... 

 

 

 

 

He ended up downstairs.  What are we going to do with Silly Wilbur?  Wonder what he will be up to the next time Darbee Rae visits?

 

And speaking of visiting, thank all of you for stopping by . Please be sure to say hello so I will know you were here.  Hoping you all have a blessed and joyous day.  . 

 

From our home place full of love , sending love and Christmas cheer your way until next time.