Saturday, December 20, 2014

Tap Tap Tap ... Is This Thing On?

I'll bet you thought I had abandoned you.  Here I was, lauding over milestones and expressing my gratitude for the time you spend here ... then I go and disappear for what seems like forever.  Not to worry, it's all good.  Been spending time on Christmas preparations and other not-so-exciting daily activities.

One of many Santa ornaments.


Pretty peacock.


Roses, of course.


This year, I only put up one Christmas tree (instead of my usual two), and it's a little bit different than usual.  No garland or tinsel ... the tree is packed with our entire collection of glass figural ornaments.

This is a painted oyster shell, referencing "When I am old, I shall wear purple."


I really like squirrels.  We have two squirrel ornaments, and I placed acorns and corn ornaments on the tree near them so they're not hungry.


Our middle daughter was obsessed with penguins when she was younger.


This collection reflects 30+ years of Christmases spent together, and many of the ornaments commemorate events or places that are special to us.

Cape Hatteras lighthouse ... North Carolina's Outer Banks is a favorite vacation spot.


This resin alligator is from my trip to New Orleans last month.


Taco, because Christmas for the past few years has been all about family, friends and Mexican food.


It took a couple of days to sift through the boxes of ornaments, carefully placing each one onto the tree and remembering the memories that so many of them represent.

Grapes, because we live next to a winery.


Santa with toys.


Our grandson's handprint, from when he was three.


My Christmas shopping is finished (except for a couple of items that I will pick up in the next day or two), and Christmas baking is well under way.  Our house is quiet and calm this year... and part of me misses the energy that small children add to the holiday atmosphere.  It's been a lot like the famous poem, "Not a creature was stirring" ... me included right now.

One of my favorites ... flowers and I Love You.


How about you?  Are you doing the same thing as usual this Christmas, or are you changing things up a bit?  

13 comments:

  1. Your ornaments are lovely. I love having the memories come flooding back when I am hanging the ornaments. :)

    This year we have one small tree, since I am the tree decorator and unfortunately injured my knee. That said, I took out all my holiday themed decorations a few weeks ago, so we are not lacking.

    Merry Christmas!

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  2. I love your collection of ornaments. My tree is also filled with memories started when my hubby and I married 28 years ago. Even some antique from both of our families.
    This year is new as our 18 year old can't get home for Christmas. It will be quiet without her, but at least we saw her on Thanksgiving. Our son is 15 so we still have one at home!

    Have a very Merry Christmas!!

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  3. Beautiful ornaments and the sentiments that are attached to each one.

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  4. Well i HAVE been missing you a little bit Connie. :) Things around here keep flipping between busy, busy, busy to S L O W to busy , busy ...you get the idea... Daughter has been sick with trips to the ER and doctor and now seems to be on the mend.....knock on wood......Lots and lots of rainy days...loving that...wish it was snow but i'll take the rain...

    I just loved seeing your ornaments... I have very few that i've saved thru the years... pretty much i was a slave to everyone elses tastes and desires and tried to make everyone happy. This year the tree is as close to how i would like it to be as i can remember... I like au naturale with berries and wood ornaments and birds and owls and animals and hubby is all glitz and glammer and daughter was every ornament she ever made should be on the tree... this year i decided was MY year...lol... If you pop over the blog theres a few pictures...I hope you have a fabulous Christmas Connie. Anymore Christmas photos to share?? Hugs! deb

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  5. I am really doing something different this year! I'm in Aruba and won't get home until Christmas Eve! So all was done before I left or it isn't getting done at all! It feels good I must say to just be here and enjoying the sun, wind and sky!

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  6. I've been getting your posts via e-mail and have to say that I've enjoyed not missing your posts. But I have to admit, it's much better to just stop! :-) Your ornaments are lovely, cool, fun, and perfect and truly treasures!

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  7. Your ornaments are all so colorful and happy and beautiful, Connie! Definitely a tree full of sweet memories for you all...which is such a huge part of this season. Each year at Heaven's Walk, my decor seems to get more and more simple since it's just my hubs and me. And in these small rooms, simple is best. :) Wishing you a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas, sweet friend!

    xoxo laurie

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  8. Merry Christmas Connie! Perfect sparkly post for the shortest day of the year.

    Thanks for bringing light and glitter to the morning.

    Xo J

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  9. Such pretty ornaments and I like that they all have a special meaning :).

    After being on the road for two years we are actually going to Florida to spend Christmas with family this year. We may even sneak a trip to Kentucky with a load of our stuff and take it to our new farm. The verdict is still out on that though.

    We're not exchanging gifts this year so I have been doing lots of baking to take with us and share with everyone.

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  10. I finally decorated our tree tonight and this year I only used vintage ornaments. It made me a little sad not to put out all of the ornaments we've collected over the years, but I love the look of all of the old vintage ornaments, some that belonged to my mother and grandmother, so there is still some tradition there. :) I love your ornaments and I hope you have a VERY Merry Christmas!

    xo Kat

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  11. Pretty pretty.....betcha can't guess which two are my favorites♥.... the warmest of holiday wishes to you and your kin!

    XOXO
    C

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  12. Well yes, lady, you were definitely missed. I loved every minute of reminiscing with you. If I don’t get to say it before the twenty-fifth, have yourself a merry little Christmas. If I get a another chance, there is no harm in saying it more than once.

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