We had a GREAT time visiting with family members, individually and in a larger group. It's so nice to get together and catch up, hang out, laugh and share stories. It's also amazing to see how much our nieces and nephews grow with each visit. I didn't take a lot of pictures this time, but I will at Christmas. We finally met Zach (nephew #8) and at one month he's such a little peanut, like a football you can carry on your chest with one hand.
Today, on this beautifully sunny 41 degree day, our first order of business was a car wash. Old Gray looked like it was buried in a salt field overnight and then dried out in the sun. It was simply embarrassing, so much so that when we went to the car wash place down the road, the owner laughed and yelled "where have you been?!?!" Oddly, all of the other cars in line looked shiny and new. In minutes, Old Gray was squeaky clean.
We got ourselves our very first REAL tree, a Balsam Fir. It smells divine (!!) and the needles are soft and round. Sure, there are pine needles all over inside the car (I can just hear my dad's disappointment) because that was the only way to get it home, but it looks FANTASTIC in our livingroom. I couldn't believe how inexpensive a 6 foot tree is: $25!! I originally wanted a short one to put on a table because $25 was all I wanted to spend, but there you have it. I've converted to real Christmas trees forever.
Decorating the tree brought back memories of our first Christmas together. When we were first married and oh so worried about every single penny, we got into this huge disagreement about Christmas trees and decorations and ornaments and stuff like that. As a newly married woman, all I wanted to do was build up my own seasonal decorations because my Mom does such a fabulous job with all of that. I was ready to hit the stores for lights and beautiful shiny things, and ribbon. Lots of ribbon. I must have scared Matt who thought I'd go way overboard. I convinced him that I could stay in budget. Well, once I got to Walgreens (yes, Walgreens), and saw how much variety there was in ornaments and lights and ribbon, I sort of broke down and panicked. I remember thinking "Is this my style? Or is this my Mom's style? Do I like this? Or do I like this? Do I want matching colors? What if I change my mind? But I can't afford that!!" You see where this is going: a phone call to my trusty sister who knocked some sense into me. That first year, because I simply couldn't handle the choice and I didn't want to panic-buy, I went to Goodwill and bought a box of ornaments (for a buck?) that I never liked and still don't like. Oddly enough, I still have them and I've used them every year. Strange, I know. A few years ago, I realized that ornaments found in this store versus that store will only make me want to buy new ones every season. So, Matt and I decided that we'd buy an ornament whenever we traveled and our tree would become more and more personal every year (of course, we've forgotten plenty of times when we travel) which means we must go back.
With so much time on my hands today, I walked to our thrift store to try and find big apothecary jars but instead, I found so many more treasures! Bells, a pine garland, more lights, a gold tinsel garland, burgundy ribbon, a house to add to my little people, and a GORGEOUS nutcraker plate all for just $6.
Front door display.
Above a bookcase. The niece and nephew picture frame is quite dated: William is only 2 months old there.
Thankful for all of our family and friends and the Gift of our Savior.
WOW!! Your style is your own, girl! And I like it!!! I especially covet your nutcracker plate!! Your tree is amazing and I am sure everyone enjoys looking up at your window. The first year you have a real tree is the first year (in a very long time) that we only put up the fake because of leaving. Oh well. Tiger is happy to sleep under it, regardless! So glad you had a good Thanksgiving and are back safe and sound! XXOO Mom
ReplyDeleteI love you, Shao-Shen. Love your taste in decorations too. dad
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