It ALWAYS Starts with an Inspirational Vision

For those of you who have joined the journey this past year, you know that all of my trees have started with a piece of inspiration. Some times the initial inspiration revealed surprising additional pieces like the charm bracelet from my Nana that I hung on the St. Patrick's Day tree. Each tree along the way triggered memories I hadn't anticipated would come and I think of all the things this experience has provided me, the ability to spend time with long forgotten, but happy memories was the absolute best part.

In deciding what the final tree should be...I was at a loss for ideas or motivation. For many years, the trees have been about the decor of the room. Long gone were the kid's handmade ornaments replaced by anything from beaded Victorian fruit to pheasant feathers and polished seed pods. No two trees were ever the same and every year was an opportunity for something grandeur and totally unexpected.

I have certainly taken a lot of ribbing from my children who at times questioned, "Mom, can we have a REAL Christmas tree this year?" This being the FINAL tree of this blog I decided to surprise my children (who are now nearly all adults) with a REAL Christmas tree. What I did not expect was all the SURPRISES I would gift myself.

With my new motivation in focus, I immediately knew where the inspiration would come from. Years ago my husband's aunt knitted each of the children their own personal Santa stocking. When the first one arrived in the mail for our daughter's second Christmas I nearly cried at the sight of it. I was so touched by the thought and the care taken by the hands of their beautiful Aunt Dorothy. She continued the tradition for the next two children as well as all of her nieces, nephews and grandchildren. For many years displaying those stockings was one of the highlights of our holiday. Years ago I tucked them away for safe keeping. Aunt Dorothy is no longer with us and I worried the stockings would get ruined and I wanted to preserve them. Still...I knew they had to be a part of this year's special tree and so instead of hanging them on a mantle, I hung them on the tree.

Further rummaging through long hidden boxes in the attic led me to ornaments and keepsakes I honestly had forgotten we had. Carefully unwrapping the tissue paper they were packed in, each and every one brought back a flood of memories of either the person who gave us the ornament or the reason behind our purchasing it. Everything from all the babies first Christmas ornaments to puzzle piece wreaths made in elementary school. I stumbled across bags of ornaments made by the ladies auxiliary group at the Church my grandmother attended. Many of the women responsible for those beautiful pieces are long gone, such as my own grandmother and yet...these pretty trinkets stand testimony to their talents and serve as a legacy. Of ALL the treasures I joyfully reconnected with there were a few that truly took my breath away. I found two ornaments from my own childhood Christmas tree and a precious envelope addressed by my son Ryan to the North Pole. Inside is his letter to Santa asking for specific gifts for himself, his sister, dad and me. ( Seth was not a part of our family then). I also discovered Ryan's favorite baby rattle. I happily tucked all of them in the tree.

For years I couldn't wait to have a REAL Christmas tree. The trees I long admired in magazine photos and fancy establishments. Trees of glorious ribbons and color coordinated adornments. Trees that had a theme where everything matched and flowed with a decorator's touch. Trees that said PRETTY.

Is this tree Pretty??? NO! It's BEAUTIFUL!!! I have a REAL Christmas tree for the first time in years and I couldn't be any prouder of it.

Merry Christmas friends!

The Thanksgiving Tree

Oh MY! How did that happen??? I almost always start my holiday decorating the day before Thanksgiving. Nothing fancy...I attempt to get the trees up and lit, but rarely any decorations until after we have had our holiday meal. I just LOVE the subtle lights of the trees adding to the candle light on the dining room table. I can't believe that it is NOVEMBER and it will nearly be time to set my attention on THE Christmas tree (s).

Perhaps it was the whole year's experience of living with a tree that made the months pass more quickly than I wanted. My daughter asked me on Halloween what my plans were...if I would just go straight to the Christmas design, but I couldn't. This was meant to be a new design a month and so November needed a theme of its own.

I was once again running behind. I greeted the start of November with the flu and have done little to nothing about anything in my life these past couple of weeks, let alone worried about what to do with the tree. Today being the first day in some time that I felt human, I thought the least I could do was remove the Halloween decorations. To be honest, I was dreading what I thought would be a huge mess in trying to remove the spider webbing. Fortunately and happily...it came off with no problem at all.

Then IT happened...what??? The "IT" is what happens every time I get anywhere near a Christmas tree. I can't put it in to words...the closest I can explain is what I believe a painter must feel every time they eye a blank canvas. It's the NEED to touch it...to create something that wasn't there before and just like that...I was mesmerized and committed.

In all honesty, I hadn't made any preparations for this tree...no goodies bought and tucked away in the closet...no expectations at all. For a few moments I had thought about leaving it be until it was a proper time to turn my attention to Christmas decorating, but the thought of eyeing a naked tree was more than I could handle.

I am proud to say this tree cost me nothing more than my time. A couple of visits to my "design closet" and the attic was all it took to find all the accessories needed. My greatest find of all....the turkey place mats made by my oldest children from elementary school. For the time being they are proudly displayed on the dining room hutch. I can't remember the last time a child's drawing or painting graced the walls or refrigerator of my home. THAT in and of itself may prove to be one of the best feelings enjoyed this year.
Stay tuned....

Fabulous Buy!!!

I am so excited! I just returned from a shopping trip to Garden Ridge. When I was there a week or so ago I was so focused on the Mardi Gras tree that I hadn't thought to look for items for the upcoming Valentine's day tree. I remembered seeing some Cherub ornaments and since I already have a concept of a Victorian Themed tree in mind...they were the perfect accessory. Today was my lucky day as they still had a nice supply available as well as some beautiful red glass ornaments. I got 36 ( well actually 35 as one was broken ) glass ornaments and 9 assorted cherubs for a grand total of $5.09!!! WOW! Everything was 90% off...a bargain shoppers dream come true!
I want to personally thank my beautiful ( oh and single...incase anyone is interested. Hope Marianne giggles over that one! ) cashier at our Garden Ridge here in Kennesaw Georgia. Should you venture in, look for Marianne and say hello! She's so much fun! I have a feeling she and I will be seeing a lot of one another over this year long experiment/experience.
I was not able to find the red beaded garland that they had the last time I was there. If anyone has a resource they could share that would be great. If I can't get my hands on the beaded garland, I will do something with ribbon. Still plenty of time to research and plan before it's time to change out the decorations.
Stay tuned....

As if Night Sweats Weren't Enough Reason for Insomnia

Day 7 ***

I titled this post If Night Sweats Weren't Enough Reason for Insomnia because lack of sleep has been a running theme in my life for a few months now. In fact, for those of you who don't personally know me, I have used those many sleepless nights to launch a new business and write a book.

Now I find myself suffering a different form of insomnia. For the past few nights I have tossed and turned unable to quiet down my brain and the images of future tree themes. I keep a bed side journal for my late night bursts of creativity. I realize that there is a lot more work involved than meets the eye as not only do I need to decide on a theme, but the ability to pull it off for little money. I have already put some of my closest girlfriends on alert for future "have glue gun, will travel" parties. Luckily, I have some amazing and supportive girlfriends who would do anything to come to my rescue. OK...maybe that's a little dramatic. It's more like they would show up for wine and an excuse to get out of their own houses.

Today's mission is to locate just a few more items for the Mardi Gras theme so I can post the photo by the end of the weekend. I have already conceived some interesting ways to decorate the tree over the next few months so I will also be looking for those supplies as well. Anyone up for making a garland of peeps and jelly beans? I have WINE!!!!

Demolition Day

I finally found the time to remove the Christmas decorations from the tree in the dining room to make way for our year long celebration. Can I just tell you...some times it takes just as long, if not longer to take down the decorations. I think for me it's the last time to absorb all that was before placing it away to welcome all that will be. I mentioned in an earlier post the story behind keeping the tree up until New Year's Day. I would start the demolition process every Dec. 26th. I did this for years and years until a friend pointed out that it was bad luck to remove a tree before New Years day and in fact...we were supposed to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. During my continuing research for this blog...I have since found that many people believe it is bad luck to keep the tree up in to the New Year. They believe the tree should be packed away prior to New Year's day. They reason you must remove the old in order to make way for the new. I am not a very superstitious person. I believe that whatever works for you is what works for you. It is just another way that we put the opinions and beliefs of others before our own. Hold dear to your own belief systems!!! I did welcome in a new tradition this year. My friend Nanette said that at the strike of midnight on New Year's eve you are suppose to open up your back door and take a broom to symbolically sweep away the troubles and sorrows from the previous year. After that is finished you are to open the front door to allow all the blessings and new energy to flow in to the house.
My youngest ( who is the only one who seems to have the stamina to watch the ball drop every year ) was very excited to partake in this new twist. If you BELIEVE it works...it WORKS! And even if it doesn't, it will forever be one of my fondest memories with my son of which I hope to repeat over and over again.
Until next time....

A Question of Avoidance or Adventure?

I updated my status today on FB about my Christmas tree idea. I felt like if I put it out there, I would be committed. One of my favorite FB friends didn't miss a beat by saying it sounded more like an issue of avoidance. She is just too good! : ) Yes, Susan...I'm talking about YOU!
I look at this experiment as a means to really test my limits. To be quiet honest, I am usually over the Christmas tree thing Dec. 26th. I always removed my trees the following day until someone warned me it was bad luck to not keep my tree up until at least New Year's ( more on that subject later as well ). The fact that my tree is still standing is a HUGE breakthrough for me. It hasn't gnawed at my nerves yet. I did take down all the other Christmas decor...but the truth is, this tree sets in my highly under used and totally unappreciated dining room. The only time that room seems to have any life at all is at Christmas time. I would like to believe that this year long experiment ( err experience ) will keep light and life in that room to be enjoyed and anticipated. You can kind of see the tree from the front window so my neighbor's may think I have lost my mind but you know what...let em! I think that's just another thing that I am finding so exciting about this project. It is a testament to the fact that I truly have reached a stage in life where the opinions of other's don't matter as much. Life is too short! It's time to accept that it is OK to march to a beat of a different drummer...your drum! Let the fun begin....