Saturday, December 12, 2009

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Hello dear friends! I have taken a break from painting for the shop and concentrated on some decorating for the holidays. The tree is up and rivals the Griswolds' for the number of lights and ornaments that it holds. There are so many wonderful memories hanging here and there.... clothespin reindeer that Megan made in Kindergarten, all the school photographs with tinsel around them she made through the years and the various mementos we have gathered on vacations here and there. I also have some old ornies from my own childhood on the tree that remind me of the Christmases that my sweet brother and I would spend trying to guess what we would find under the tree.


The nutrackers are attached to the columns on the front of the house. This is the second year for them and our friends and neighbors are still asking about the flying angels that we had hung for the previous 20 years. Each window has its wreath and candle so we are finished with the outside of our home.

I love my snow village and how it looks inside the old oak cabinet. This is a treasured family heirloom piece that my dear father and mother-in-law started housekeeping with. I can't bear to pack the village away so it will stay up for a week or so after everything else is packed away.


That Jolly Olde Soul's elf (ME!!!) still has some last minute shopping to do but I am waiting for some last minute inspiration before I dash out into the wild masses. Yesterday's trip was an adventure to say the least. You would have thought it was Christmas Eve from the terrified look on some of the shoppers' faces. Dearest and darling Megan love to go to the Malls and be in the hustle and bustle. I prefer to stay home and make a lovely Brunswick stew to feed my hungry sweeties when they return.

I pray each of you are enjoying this most special time of the year. Try to make time for yourselves and soak up all the warm feelings that you can to tide you over through the winter months ahead. My love to each of you!!!

13 comments:

Tins and Treasures said...

Such a lovely post...

Best wishes to you and your family too...I'm like you, not so crazy about all the shoppers at the mall...

Have a wonderful holiday season ~Natalie

Jody said...

Merry, Merry, Christmas my friend! I adore your tree! There is just something magical about a tree that is loaded in memories. Our family tree is also...and I wouldn't have it any other way! Have a blessed and wonderful season!

Anonymous said...

I just love your tree!! SO beautiful!!
Happy Holidays!!
Love,
Marilyn

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy holidays to you! Your home and all the things you make are lovely! Enjoy this special time!

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Your tree is very beautiful. I have tried to avoid the mall. Barnes and Noble and Target were very crowded yesterday.

Hope your Holidays are warm and wonderful!

Iris

Anonymous said...

Martha, what a great way to display your village!!

Nice to see you posting again! :-)

Diane

Peaches23 said...

Very beautiful Martha!!!

Apple Tree Cottage said...

Thanks my sweet friends! I was a brave girl and went out shopping again today --- I am finally finished and ready for the grand finale! Happy Christmas to all of you!!!! XXXOOO Martha

Dorothy said...

I love your blog. I especially love the nutcrackers attached to your posts. Could I ask if these are made of plywood? I would love to do that to my front porch!

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful talents!

dorothy

Apple Tree Cottage said...

Dorothy, the nutcrackers are indeed made from plywood. They are 8 feet tall. I didn't have a pattern so I based the design on a large nutcracker I had bought to put on a wreath (that is now on our front door!). Hope you make some for yourself!!!

~Martha

Dorothy said...

Thanks for the info. This is a project for next year! Such a unique idea. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!

Dorothy

Martha said...

Really great holiday decorations OUr tree, too, is a family tree -- old ornaments, big lights and tinsel!

It promises to be a white Christmas on the prairie -- what we all dream about but also what messes up travel plans.

I wish you the merriest of Christmases.

"Also Martha"

Unknown said...

Martha ~ I hope that your holidays were bountiful & beautiful ... AND ... your New Year will be warm & wonderful.

Have a great week.
TTFN ~ Marydon

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