Pages

Saturday, December 5, 2015

I've got a start here...

For sure you've all heard quite enough about poor Jewel and her children, so I will just say this. All six are well and happy and seem to be adjusting to their new home.  At the edge of dark, only one chick was without the courage to walk in amongst the older hens who had taken their places on the roost, so we went in together and found her siblings.

Why am I such a slow poke at getting things ready for Christmas! Here's a start but good grief, I've been fiddling around with cedar, wreaths, grapevines, and this little tree since Thanksgiving and finished nothing yet!


I worked on the tree a while yesterday before going out to rake leaves. It still needs something. Maybe I'll figure out what and get things right by December 24th anyway. Maybe a few icicles? I like icicles.

Those silver icicles remind me of the 1950's and Christmas. The excitement of putting up a big tree in the living room. Shelby being the oldest was always in charge. She put the electric lights on the tree first...those big gaudy lights that were orange, red, blue, and green. I definitely remember there being orange bulbs.  Then Jackie and I helped hang the ornaments, but when it came time for the icicles...an argument always broke out between the three of us. Shelby insisted the icicles be pulled out of the box carefully and hung on the tree...Jackie, on the other hand, argued that you were supposed to throw the icicles by the handful...like snow falling...big wads of icicles! I, being the middle child and bashful and a Virgo :) sorta went both ways. I didn't much want to mess with Shelby and I really didn't like the wads. Why couldn't we throw just a few icicles and let them float down and catch on the limbs? 



Do you have ornaments that you don't remember where they came from? I do. Like the four kitty ornaments. This kitty with the tea cup makes me think of Deb over at justcats.blogspot.com She has the sweetest blog!



I hung the stockings and Poppy's Santa hat on the mantel. Funny how you see things in a picture and think yuk!  That purple looking box has got to go. New stockings would be nice too.



A few things tucked in amongst the Indians.



I do like the tall skinny Santas stood amongst the holly and the cute snowman. Lots of the Christmas ornaments were gifts from the girls at work...back when I still worked. Gosh that seems so long ago. Christmas time at the office was fun and exciting. 



This old Santa from a thrift store rides in a sleigh pulled by two rocking horses. Some of my handiwork. :) The Santa is made from wood and kinda heavy.

Okay enough of my tacky work. I'll finish up soon and take new pictures. I've simply got to get my head out of the leaves and concentrate on Christmas. 

Sweet Andee may come for a visit tomorrow!! Big smile here!!

Thank you for putting up with me still.

Love,
Henny




51 comments:

  1. Mornin' Henny - I was admiring the cat ornament when I saw the shout-out to my blog. Thank you for that. That is the cutest ornament I have ever seen. I just love it. Your tree is so sweet. I love table trees, always have, and adding the toys under it just pulled it all together. It is gorgeous. So country. :))) We'll be doing a table tree this week. Right now I am just putting out ornaments and hanging wreaths. And we have lit up some trees and our gate. It's so festive. Your mantel is sweet, too. Enjoy your visit with family. It's a wonderful time of year. Hugs, Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Deb, Thank you! I wish I knew how to add a link when I mention a blog like yours. Guess I need to read and study more. There is so much I don't know how to do, or change on my blog. This is a wonderful time of year, isn't it!

      Delete
  2. One day I'll have a table tree! Love it! For now my kids insist in big real trees... Love your ornaments and I'm enjoying your blog :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Sherry. Oh I love the big trees! Poppy and I talked about cutting a big cedar from the woods, we didn't. Maybe next year. Thank you.

      Delete
  3. One day I'll have a table tree! Love it! For now my kids insist in big real trees... Love your ornaments and I'm enjoying your blog :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. We just downsized on our tree. And I mean just - we bought it yesterday. I swore I'd never have a fake one, but it sure is easier. And hopefully with this new one there'll be less of a wrestling match putting it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Marty, we swore the same thing. It really is nice to bring this small tree in from the shop and plug it in. Then it's fun to hang the ornaments. :)

      Delete
  5. We quit using the silver icicles, one of our cats ate some and it passed through, but we found out it can cut up their intestines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my. I appreciate you telling me. Our two inside cats have never bothered the tree, which is unusual. I will keep a close watch. Thank you.

      Delete
  6. It all looks so pretty ! I am glad the hens are alright and safe now ! Love your fireplace really cozy looking ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey. Thank you. I'm so glad the chicks have settled down. Things are getting easier. Hope your weekend is good too!

      Delete
  7. You have some lovely displays there, but doesn't it take ages to get everything right! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Jo. Thank you. It does take ages. You finally get it to looking good and it's time to start taking everything down. It is fun though!

      Delete
  8. Glad your hens are alright. Your Christmas decorations are gorgeous! Enjoy your visit with Andee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Robin. Andee and I are excited about getting together tomorrow.

      Delete
  9. I loved your story about the icicles . . . it was the same way at our house :) It brought back a childhood memory, thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Connie. I can remember lots of arguments between us three! :) It was all good though!

      Delete
  10. My three daughters were very much like you and your sisters...and my middle one is a Virgo too. Thanks for bringing back memories of Christmas Past!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't siblings find a lot to argue over! That's neat that your middle daughter was a Virgo too. Shelby is my sister, but Jackie, which sounds like a girl, is my younger brother.

      Delete
  11. I love your pretty tree and I love the stories you tell of growing up with your siblings!
    Thanks for leaving that really sweet comment on my blog. I think I needed that because I've been kinda not feeling much like posting. You've given me a boost that I needed. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I appreciate that. I meant every word. I really enjoy your blog. You make me want to bake, and collect tea cups, and Christmas books. Thank you!

      Delete
  12. It looks like you could be raking leaves Christmas Day. I'm glad you haven't lost any more chickens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Red. I guarantee you I could be raking leaves on Christmas day! :)

      Delete
  13. Miss Penny. What are you going to get those dogs and cats for Christmas ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well Miss Ann! Thank you for the comment! Let's see, maybe bones and canned cat food. :)

      Delete
  14. I'm in love with your tabletop tree, it's so sweet, and the little cat decorations win my heart :)
    Happy to read the chicks are safe, I sadly assume you never found mama Jewel ?
    My daughter has lost six chickens since October, she has set live traps, but so far they have out- smarted her.
    I understand the predators need to eat also, but bugger, it gets so frustrating.
    Looking forward to seeing more of your Christmas spirit dear friend.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness. Six since October. Don't you wonder what could be killing her chickens. I dreamed that I saw a Ferret coming after our chickens. Poppy said, but we don't have ferrets around here. I hope she catches that predator. Thank you Jo. We never found little Jewel nor any trace of her. No feathers, nothing.

      Delete
  15. I haven't even started on my Christmas decorating yet!!
    Is tinsel the same thing what you call icicles? I must have tinsel on my tree or it seems unfinished. Not many people use it anymore. One year we had nothing on our tree when I was a kid except blue lights and tinsel and it was beautiful.
    I think you got a good start. Everything looks great.
    I love the pictures of the Indians over your mantel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I'm not sure, but I think we used to call the long silver rope like stuff that you drape around and around the tree, tinsel, and the small box of long skinny pieces of silver that hangs on the ends of the branches we called icicles. But I may be wrong about that. :) Poppy say the same thing, that the tree doesn't look complete without the icicles. My Mother loved the blue lights at Christmas. I bet that tree with blue lights and tinsel was absolutely beautiful! Thank you.

      Delete
  16. I love your charming decorations, and everything about your cozy cabin. December is for Christmas, all month long. It's OK to stretch out the decorating. Getting ready is all part of the fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so right, Linda. We need to enjoy all of December. Thank you!

      Delete
  17. Glad Jewel's babies are adjusting! I remember icicles on the tree! I didn't have much patience to put them on one by one but think they look nicer that way! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. People don't use icicles much anymore. I do love hanging them one by one on the tree. Problem is, I don't know when to stop and Poppy says, put just a few on the tree. :)

      Delete
  18. Your tree and other decorations are so rustic and lovely! When we had our cabin, I loved decorating it with live evergreens and other natural elements. I loved those icicles that we used to put on the tree years ago. When I was really little, that was my job, after the decorations were on. Can you still buy those??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Debby and thank you. I saw icicles in Walmart just a day or so ago....69 cents! Still cheap, aren't they? :) That's sweet that you got the hang the icicles. People really don't use them much any more. I like the twinkle and shimmer they give the tree.

      Delete
  19. You are making progress! Looking good! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm with Shelby----one by one, carefully placed. With three cats we no longer put up a tree. How do you keep your cats away from yours?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guess we have been lucky. Our cat don't bother the tree. Andee thought that was unusual as her cat hides behing their tree. I do like to hang the icicles neatly one at a time. :)

      Delete
  21. Your home its certainly looking pretty, warm and welcoming. Have a great visit with Andee.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Relieved to hear that the momma and the chicks are warm and snuggly in the roost. And your decoration are beautiful - I especially like your mantel. I never thought of including an oil lamp in the scheme but it is thoroughly charming! I plan to 'borrow' that idea!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Relieved to hear that the momma and the chicks are warm and snuggly in the roost. And your decoration are beautiful - I especially like your mantel. I never thought of including an oil lamp in the scheme but it is thoroughly charming! I plan to 'borrow' that idea!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your house is looking very Christmasy even if it isn't finished yet. I like to do a little each day as I really enjoy the decorating part of Christmas and don't feel like rushing. The greens on and above your fireplace are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! The garland I made started off slim and got fatter and fatter. :) I keep adding and changing things too.

      Delete
  25. Your decorations are beautiful! Picture perfect. I don't think we'll get much done in the way of decorating at our house. We're in the middle of replacing the dining room windows and there's dust everywhere! Not very Christmasy, but it's a lovely present to ourselves to have new windows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! New windows is a great present and will be beautiful. Surely worth skipping decorating for a year.

      Delete
  26. Hello HP! I love it so far! Isn't it amazing how much stuff accumulates over the course of our lives? I thought I got rid of a bunch but I still have quite a bit more than we need.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looking at your pictures it seems that some of those mounted deer heads could use some evergreen wreaths or wreaths made of bells around their necks. That would be cute. You could pretend that they were reindeer.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Looking good! Glad you had a nice visit :-).

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you. Thank you for your comment.