I must admit it's unheard of for Christmas decorating to happen here at Chez Magpie before the beginning of December (most often even mid-December) but we hauled everything out and did the deed. There was a great deal of muttering and even a teeny little bit of swearing involved (mainly Resident Chef as he wrestled the "easy-peasy lift from the bottom, hook at the top" pre-lit Christmas tree into submission. The 'hook at the top' was an issue because for some mysterious reason said hook part had evaporated since last year. There was another bit of blue air over the fact that some of the lights had quit working. Luckily we happened to have a spare strand so that disaster was averted. Every year we swear we're going to buy a new tree and every year it doesn't happen. We can only have an artificial tree due to fire regulations and the one we have is/was too tall for the space we have for it now so at some point the Chef lobbed off part of the top. The entire thing makes Charlie Brown's tree look positively lush, at least until I stuff a fluffy, shedding all the while, hunk of garland into the middle of it.
Please note you can click to embiggen the photos!
Some assorted ornaments
The tree - bad lighting and all.
The topper ended up being a teddy bear - because, after much searching, it was determined that we got rid of our previous one and had intended to buy something new. Obviously - intent and doing are two different things!
If you would like to know more about the history of this particular type of Santa go HERE.
This sits on top of a cabinet in the living room. I made the lamp shade in a workshop years ago and the angel (which lights up) was a gift
Today, instead of a quote...
I am nowhere near even finding my Christmas stuff. So I take off my Santa hat to you. I do have a deer, Canadian made, decades old, who sits on tge hearth year round. And I have the white lights around the big window, also year round.
ReplyDeleteHaving things out year round certainly helps when it comes time to 'decorate' for Christmas. It's always a chore I dread but I enjoy it while it's up....at least until the 26th when I want it gone. Resident Chef wants it up until after the new year though so I bow to his wishes.
DeleteYour decorations look lovely! The air here has been blue for 2 days. Mr Noofy has been trying to get all the lights to work on our tree...finally it was either 'kill or cure' so our new tree will be arriving next week! LOL
ReplyDeleteNot that you....ahem.....don't have any other trees to fall back on! Must say the air was a tad blue here too as Resident Chef tried to wrestle our tree into submission AND replace a string of blown out lights.
DeleteLove the Lessons from a Christmas Tree--really uplifting. it is pouring down rain here, windy and gray...So gloomy--thanks for the bright spot in my day....hugs from a faraway place Julierose;)))
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could provide a bright spot in your day! Dull and miserable here too - rainy and trying to snow. Supposed to get the latter overnight...yuck.
DeleteYour tree looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a delightful week!
Our tree has never been one of those 'House Beautiful' matchy-poo trees that we all love to admire. Ours falls closer to Charlie Brown in style.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing some of your Christmas decor and ornaments. I just love that reindeer. I'm still not sure if we're going to decorate, but this makes me closer to considering it. ;^) Your nativity set reminds me that hubs inherited the one from his childhood, so that definitely needs to be displayed. But how do I display that and not some of the other things we have... At least some greenery. I may just have to ask hubs to pull it all out of the attic on our next warm, dry day. Or not. Sigh. It's so much work...
ReplyDeleteThat little owl ornament is adorable, as are so many things Ann Wood creates. She's new to me, but I think that's about to change. :)
I fell for that wonderful deer in one of the local stores two or three years ago and by sheer happenstance the flower arrangement we received that year from our son & daughter-in-love was in that sleigh. Obviously meant to be. I agree with the work involved in decorating but I've been downsizing every year and was astounded when I finished the job this year that I hadn't turfed out even one single ornament.
DeleteOoooh... and that Santa! Somehow I missed that when clicking through the pictures. He's pretty awesome. Going to go read his history now!
ReplyDeleteI've made numerous Santas over the years but that one was one of my favourites. Our friend was from Austria and went through the war and I thought he would like it but he didn't know the story of the Belsnikel. I guess during the war anything resembling Santa or gift giving was the furthest thing from their minds and lives. Sad.
DeleteNo decorating here yet! Hopefully by the weekend. Love today's quote!! Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis was earlier than I've ever decorated but it seems like we need a lift this year so I thought this might help. Mind you, while I was in the middle of the actual doing of it I didn't feel particularly 'lifted'!
DeleteI love your reindeer and sleigh. I really like your tree, your great Santa and beautiful lampshade. We had large trees but as the family grew larger the trees became smaller. No tree at all now but the family still grows.
ReplyDeleteI like Will Kurtz dogs. Their eye expressions and body poses are so lifelike.
I could do without a tree but that's something DH likes so we continue to do it. I'd be happy to just put out the nativity and call it done.
DeleteOh, your putting up of the Christmas tree, reminds me of the many misadventures of ours, over the years. Well done, for transforming your place into a festive wonderland. You have some gorgeous pieces there. The Nativity set is gorgeous and the little white angel is so sweet. Mary Anne, I just read your reply above and did laugh. Truly, where is your Christmas Spirit??!!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm sadly lacking in Christmas spirit - something happened a few years ago that was rather traumatic and it pretty much has destroyed the joy I used to have for it. Now it's more of a case of just getting through it. I love to see what others do and I enjoy seeing all the beautiful displays in the stores but that's about as far as it goes. My Christmas enjoyment comes from making things for my family and friends.
DeleteCharlie Brown would admire your tree.
ReplyDeleteI hope he'd like it - it certainly isn't something you'd ever see in a magazine!
DeleteThat's well organised Mary Anne and all the decorations look fabulous! Love your little 'lessons from a Christmas Tree saying'. Enjoy your decorations!! Christine xx
ReplyDeleteThe decorations are pretty minimalist but at least it looks cheery when the tree is lit up.
DeleteYour decorations are lovely! We're getting started today. I really hate doing them but I like it once it's all done.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you in the hating of the doing part of it. Once it's all done I rather like it but the putting up and the taking down is a huge chore.
DeleteThe bear as a tree topper is spot on fun! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt was a case of desperation - couldn't find anything I liked in the local stores so looked around to see what I might already have.
DeleteMerry Christmas and now you can enjoy the Magic of this Wonderful Christmas Season. I love your decorations and tree...especially with your descriptions. Love the Lessons from a Christmas Tree. Sparkle and Twinkle all day and night...
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry - the tree does look pretty when it's lit up at night.
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