O CHRISTMAS TREE…O CHRISTMAS TREE

Dave and I have always had a live tree at Christmas.  Ever since we started dating.  We have a running battle about lights.  I want hundreds (I mean hundreds) of white lights…he wants multicolored lights. When our children were little we solved this problem by having 2 trees.  A live tree with white lights and ornaments we collected over the years and a kids tree with pre-lit multi colored lights.  This tree was special as it had all the ornaments made by Lizzy and James throughout the years and a Lego train circling the tree and presents.

When we purchased our first North Carolina mountain home, we began a new tradition.  We love to spend Thanksgiving in the mountains and would head out the day after to choose and cut down our live tree from a favorite Christmas tree farm.  (For many years we attended all the home Florida Gator games, meaning the years when Florida played Florida State at home we stayed home…no Thanksgiving in the mountains…)  Back to cutting down the tree and bringing it home…all the way to Florida atop our car.  We always had the same back and forth discussion about how to get that tree home, whether it was tied down well enough to make it 500 miles at 60+ mph…My response always…everyone does it…just look at the line of cars on I-95 traveling with Christmas trees.

Last year was the first time in years we did not have a live tree.  We moved into our newly remodeled home (after living 4 months in our over the garage guest suite) the week before Christmas.  With boxes piled everywhere, our son, James, managed to put up an artificial tree we bought on sale and decorated it beautifully with all our special ornaments.  We enjoyed gazing at the one thing in the house that looked pulled together.

This year…back to a live tree for this girl. I would love to share with you some of our special ornaments, decorations and traditions we’ve enjoyed throughout the years.

The Gear Bears garland is over 30 years old…made of paper and has survived years of folding and storing just so.  Remember Gear Bears in the 80’s?

In our old house, I used to have a small tree tucked in the corner on a kitchen counter.  The only ornaments on the tree were Tutti Frutti angels…a different fruit on each angel.  Now I have them grouped on our large tree.

 Love this whimsical apple

Lemon with a cup of tea…

My favorite Plum stirring a plum pudding…

Pineapple angel, the universal welcome symbol holding another welcome symbol…the wreath

Pear angel holding a small Christmas tree

Orange angel carrying an orange glazed pound cake

And the grape angel…holding a bottle of wine…love her expression!

We also have a few Christopher Radko ornaments.  I found these  ladies years ago and with my fashion buying background, I appreciate their detailed fashionable dress!  Real fabric details.

This one has an apt name…”Miss Kitty” from the old western Gunsmoke.  For those of you who remember Miss Kitty, even her red hair is on target!

Love this Carmen Miranda fashionista with boa and yes that’s fruit on her head.

Lady from The East…look at the fabric details

International Lady…more detail

And 2 of my favorite Christopher Radko ornaments…Peter Pan and Captain Hook.  Lizzy and James were Peter Pan and Captain Hook on a long ago Halloween.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit makes this time of year so special.

Coming next week…a look at our holiday table with what’s for dinner recipes!

Thank you for being supportive of KathyMillerTime art of Living blog, writings, recipes, artwork and more importantly for your friendship.

Wishing you and yours the best Holiday Season…From our table to yours…

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.