So today was a whirlwind kinda day. Jeff had the day off so we went to breakfast and then I ran errands I had to return a couple things and I wanted to pick up a Christmas tree, not a huge one, just a nice size one to go in the corner of the living room. We haven't put a tree for the last couple years, well last year we bought the live small one and then we planted it outside and it died. I usually make December so crazy I never have time to decorate for the holidays, so this year I said I am gonna do it. So today was the day for the tree.
While I was putting it together Jeff brought in a box from my BFF Tracy. She did some antique shopping for me in PA, and her hubby made me something too, and the parcel came today. I will share those with you another day. I did however want to show you the beautiful card she sent me.
Sorry the color is off, my camera hates taking pictures of red, I need to get with Melissa and find out what to do about that. Tracy also put a note in with it, that the directions to make the tree can be found here at Connie Babbert's blog. It is so pretty eh?
I love all the details, how she put the thin taffetta over top of the crochet trim ribbon makes it look so different.
Tracy and I always tease, she is the East Coast girl and she is more fancier I think then me, she likes fancier food then me too, I could live on french fries. She has a beautiful house and has the flare for decorating, and when she sets a table you feel like a queen. I'm like well I hope all the paper plates match…ha! Just kidding. But when they say opposites attract that is one place that is the truth in that aspect.
So anyway, I got the tree all up and I wanted to share some pictures with you if that is ok.
Here it is in all its shiny glory, I love that it is a prelit tree, this had to be the fastest tree we have ever had to put together. See the beautiful quilted stars on the wall by the tree? Those were made by Tracy's Mother in Law, and she has since passed away so they have a special place in my heart cause Tracy shared some of her Mother in Law with me.
This little ornament was given to Eric when he was just a baby and we went home to Canada and he was baptized at the church I went to. They actually did the story about baby Jesus for the congregation and they used Eric as the baby. This was given to us by the lady that taught us at Young People's when I was growing up.
This was our first ornament after we got married.
This is my newest ornament cause it came in the box from Tracy, she said we needed a chicken ornament. I love it, and I will hang her up after Christmas somewhere else so she stays out year round.
This is a new ornament this year, I loved the shiny-ness of it and it even jingles. I was with Melissa when I got this one, she got a different one for her tree.
This is another new one. I picked these up on black Friday when the lines were crazy long.
Here's another new one. I have a couple of each of them, and they are so pretty, and kinda heavy in fact, I had about a dozen altogether and I had them hanging on my fingers cause I didn't get a cart and I had to wait in line for about half hour or more, and I was shaking my head (inside I was shaking it, only I knew I was doing it) at these two women they had to be Mum and daughter, and they were disgusted at the ridiculous lines (I read their lips..ha!) and so they stood there and griped to each other for about 10 minutes (I don't know if they were hoping someone would let them cut in, but not with that attitude) then they went to the store girl that was manning the lines and said "are these the only check outs, is it true we will have to wait an hour?" and the girl said yes (even though that was wrong, it was not that long), so then she was like "well I don't want this, do you?" and she hands all her stuff to the worker lady. I am like well I am about to lose a finger and you don't see me getting all huffy and boo-hooing!
This is just a neat shot, I was having fun with my bad girl camera. Gotta love that auto setting.
This is one of my favorite ornaments, Granny made Jeff and I a bunch of ornaments one year, she crocheted us a bunch of snowflakes and she knitted us stuff too. Over the years I have given a few away to dear friends that I know will appreciate a little bit of love from Granny on their tree.
This is Poppa's angel. I got this Angel for the Christmas tree 13 years ago after Poppa died, I think of him every time I look at her, and she is the first thing to go on the tree.
This is Toby's view, or if you drink too much Christmas Egg Nog.
I want to Welcome back Deena, the newest girl to my team. I am so excited to have her back in my Di's Country INKers family.
So today starts my 12 Days of Christmas specials, those of you that get my email newsletter should be getting that in your email box anytime. If you aren't signed up, then make sure to go over to the left hand colomn and where it says Sign up for my Email Newsletters that is where you will do it. If you get my blog in a reader or your email, you will need to go to the actual blog to sign up.
Have an awesome Wednesday and thanks for stopping in!
P.S. To my sister Jax, is this post not as boring as yesterday? ha! Love ya!
wow, what a pretty tree, Thanks so much for sharing it….hope I get one up this year
I love your tree and the special ornaments. My fave is that cool chicken and gramma's homemade ones. Great find by your friend. I can't wait to see what else she got you. She has good taste!
Is Jeff over your little huff yet! LOL!
Yes – this was a much better post today!!!!! Glad you got some pictures happening!! Your tree looks great. I was thinking I should maybe drag ours out this weekend and see if it will fit in this house!! That is funny that Tracy sent you a card with that tree on it cause I just sent you guys an email yesterday with a picture of one and the link to the blog with instructions!!!! Great minds think alike I guess!!! Wish we could be there for Christmas with you! Luv ya and miss ya lots – so if you are taking blog post suggestions…I'm waiting to see pictures of Alice and the other girls with their little chicken Santa hats on !!!!
Jax
Hey! How about a post about how you met your BFF? BTW your tree looks great!
I love the tree. We just bought ours yesterday. I think Roscoe is old enough this year he will leave it alone. The last two years we put a very little one up (1 foot) on the desk where he couldn't get it unless he got up on the desk. Personally I think if he really wanted it he would do that. We had talked about a live one but for the planet we got an 4 1/2 foot artificial one. Reality, DH doesn't want the needles all over the house. I love opening the ornaments and thinking of all the wonderful people that gave them to me. I have a bunch from some of my former kids that were patients, some of whom are now in heaven. A Christmas tree is such a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. Are you doing blog candy since the girls are over 100 with the eggs? Hee hee.
Carey and Roscoe
Your tree is beautiful! I'm glad Tracy sent you a chicken ornament – so perfect! Love the card she sent, too.
I stay away from the stores on Black Friday, but the people who CHOOSE to go out that day should KNOW how it's going to be, so those two "ladies" had no right to be griping! In my opinion, either embrace the chaos or stay home!!
Your tree looks beautiful.
Thanks for sharing the card and link for directions.
I agree with Carey — I'd also like to know how you and Tracy met!
I think I have already told the story of how my BFF Tracy and I met, but maybe not I will definitely post the story just in case I haven't. Plus you don't want to go looking for it if I did.
Hugs to all,
Di
I'm jealous. Wish I had our tree up. Thanks for sharing your special ornaments. I think we all have some of those stashed away.
What a great tree and ornaments. My tree has lots of beaver ornaments on it for some reason. Posted pics of the special ones on my blog last December. Had hoped to get our tree up this weekend, but prolly won't happen till after the 12th.
Thanks for the link back to the folded tree directions on my blog. I love Tracy's interpretation! Beautiful tree! I'm happy to have mine up, too! Each ornament I put up brings back memories of when and where I got them!
Hi DI –
It is a beautiful tree. Please tell Tracy's husband that you made my husband's year when you shared the razor blade tip. His is so happy. Nothing bothered him more than having to spend money on razor blades so frequently. It made my year too because it is one less complaint I have to listen to.
Thanks for sharing pictures of your beautiful ornaments. I love ornaments and have collected them for years and years. I love seeing what others have too. It's been a joy. TFS
You're way ahead of me! I *usually* have my tree up the day AFTER Thanksgiving. NOT this year, but soon I hope. HA! – I bought those same ornaments you did, 3 of each, to put where?? I'm thinking of hanging them off of garlands, and other places, because my tree is STUFFED already w/all the ornaments I have collected. Oh, I love those crocheted ones. I have a few my mother made many YEARS ago (she's in her 90's now), and also some that my both my daughter and I crocheted together when she was 7, so I treasure all of those, because of the memories. I LOVE your new chicken ornament, VERY appropriate, and I agree, keep that one out ALL YEAR LONG! I see a potential here now for a new collection – chicken ornaments, etc., for Di! Love the info you shared about all your treasured pieces! : )
Happy Holidays Diana!
WOW!!! I am impressed you got the tree up and decorated so fast. I have been working on my tree for 3 days and it isn't even a whole tree yet. LOL Last year, we decided to retire our tree of 33 yrs. Found a really pretty pre-lit tree at Hobby Lobby on clearance. It was a $350.00 tree we got for $35.00. Well, Tuesday morning, I got it out the box and put it together, fluffing and shaping as I went. After it was together, I plugged it in and not ONE light lit up. I plugged each section into an extention cord, thinking something was wrong with the cord on the tree. NOPE…Nothing!!! My youngest son is an electrician and he started checking out the wiring. So many of the bulbs were black, his theory is the tree was unplugged and packed in the box before the bulbs cooled down and the filaments in the bulbs blew. So, we started taking the lights off the tree and bought new lights on Wed. He insisted that I buy LED lights. So I bought 6 sets and they only covered the bottom tier of the tree. I spent $60.00 on lights so far and will buy more on Fri. So, our $35.00 tree is turning into more than $125.00.
I love your angel. I have been putting a Father Christmas on the top of our tree for many years. I just haven't found the perfect angel for a tree yet. I do love yours though and it has a heartwarming story behind it too.