Hello and thanks for dropping by. :-) The boys have been wanting to decorate the tree, really bad.. so after a week of being busy.. last night we did it. Now.. this photo is unedited, a tree decorated by me and two 4 foot tall grandsons. If you look closely, the top of the tree is.. unadorned. And there are ornaments hanging right down to the floor. So, shhhhh.. don't tell the boys.. but I may do a little re-arranging on the sly. I also have some crocheted snowflakes and hearts to add.. so this is not the finished product. But you know what? I'm happy to be to this point! I'll get some better photos later.
The mantel looks good.. but half the lights seem to be missing on the wreath.. SO.. I might have to take all those off and start over.
I'm *SO* happy with my Jim Shore nativity scene.. I little a little tea light candle to illuminate the stable.. and I'm thrilled that I found 3 camels after Christmas last year to add to the scene.
I just love seeing my collection of ornaments again, it's like seeing old friends. We got the brass lantern when we took all our grandkids on the Polar Express - the real steam engine - and afterwards they had a sales area and I got all the kids this lantern for their tree and one for Dayle. (A retired railroad engineer).
Gracie, did you make this for me last year? I think so!
A precious glass barn.
My ever growing collection of Italian cherubs.. thank you eBay.
Last year I crocheted this heart using sparkly little Bonbon yarns. I think this is Lucy at Attic24's design. But I just looked on her list of patterns and did not find this.. hmm.
The middle jar snow scene was one I made for friends and family last year.
Our grandsons were out in the garage helping their mom look for some things and excitedly ran in to show me they found ones we made for them last year. Cute, huh?
Ok, I must race off through the bitter cold to jump in a pool of chilly water to swim for an hour with my blog friend Gracie.. argh! Talk again soon.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
PS - How is your decorating coming?
My goodness Teresa ... You are miles ahead of me . And you gave managed Thanksgiving too. I must get a wiggle on. I have been meaning to ask you for the recipe for that delicious stuffing you enjoyed x
ReplyDeleteTeresa everything looks BeAuTiFuL! Yes I just hung Gracie's ball of yarn/knitting needles too! I love it. Your tree is perfect just how it is. The fun of decorating with your grandchildren too. I'm very jealous. Piper tried to pull me through the iPad yesterday when we were facetiming. She said, "Gamma, my home. NOW!" She just doesn't understand how far away I am now. Can't wait to see you my friend. Say hi to Gracie!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Hi Teresa, All looks festive at your home! Love the tree and the story! Aren't you good to swim in the cold weather too, I would probably find some excuse! I'm decorating also, no tree yet! Love to you and yours, have a great weekend, xoRobin
ReplyDeleteI for one kind of like the "bottom heavy" tree! It looks fun and festive... I'm all set to get mine done tomorrow...
ReplyDelete~Chris
Such wonderful decorations - your post has made me start to feel Christmassy! I love the crochet heart. Don't change the tree too much - it looks beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, Just wrote you a long comment and lost it!. I've just stumbled upon your blog via Alicia Paulson's. My husband and I spent a wonderful holiday in your area of the world around 4 years ago and LOVED it. It remains our favourite trip ever and we long to return. Today is rainy here - a rarity for many months here in our very sunny part of Australia. I'm curled up with coffee, blissful rain beyond my verandah and the intent to spend some time going back through your blog and reading it. I have made the same crochet heart from Lucy's blog. I think the instructions were in the main body of the blog rather than in the sidebar. Small world that we read similar blogs. Sandy
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful tree. All the more special since your grandsons did the decorating.
ReplyDeleteI think the tree looks pretty fantastic, and those boys looked like they worked hard hanging those ornaments near the bottom of the tree. Hope the pool wasn't too chilly.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Beautiful tree Teresa, very little happening here, think my xmas mojo is broken......
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love the tree. I bet the boys are so proud of it. Funny how things look when you are only 4 feet tall!! They look so cute with their jar scenes.
ReplyDeleteWe have some decorations up. Jeff did that when I was at work the other night. We won't have a tree this year as we are having Christmas here. 23+ people and a tree just won't fit in our ranch style home!
Hmmm...I guess I did make the yarn ball ornament, Teresa :) The Nativity scene you made for me is in an honored spot on my round table next to a little poinsettia and a Christmas cactus. I am celebrating St. Nicholas Day at the Portland parish tomorrow and Sunday...a new experience! Hope you and yours have a happy weekend <3 xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to edit your photos at all. The tree looks amazing and the boys did a great job. You know, I wouldn't have noticed the missing lights on the wreath if you didn't mention it. I really enjoy your themed decorations and am motivated to look around for some things here to start a collection of my own. xox
ReplyDeleteWow, it's looking lovely with you, and you have some fantastic decorations. We're picking up a tree this morning at the school fete, but I might keep it in the garage for a while, I'm not quite feeling it yet. I know exactly what you mean about getting into cold water, I'm a complete wimp, I can't stand it, especially in winter. Eeek. But of course you will feel fantastic afterwards, and very virtuous. Have a good weekend Teresa. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteWell it must be "grandkids helping to decorate trees" week, my daughter has decorated my mums tree for her too! And even though my mum is 88 I bet she has sneaked by and made a few tweaks on the quiet!!
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely to have kids around at Christmas, makes it all the more magical. And your decorations are looking beautiful.
Hope you managed to get warm during your swim!
Helenxx
There is nothing nicer than decorating a tree with loved ones and yours looks perfect. Some beautiful ornaments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cozy farmhouse, indeed! It looks lovely for the holidays...all lit up and filled with warm memories! It is my sincere hope, that one day, I might come a knocking on your farmhouse door, to meet you and Dayle in the flesh!!
ReplyDeletexo Kris
What a fabulous idea ! IM off to find battery candles to put in my nativity scene barns! thank you !!
ReplyDeleteThe decorating is slloooow over here, but I did start with some prodding from hubby. I enjoy seeing your Christmas stuff come out. Total SCORE on the camels to add to your nativity scene! They look great. Hope your swim was nice. I love to be in the water!
ReplyDeleteWent to the first christmas party this afternoon. I bought (instead of made) a wreath for my mom & dad and will take it over to them in Sherwood tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great handmade christmas bazaar just before Canby -Red Mitten Bazaar. It runs this weekend and next. Find them on Facebook under The Red Mitten Christmas Bazaar. Featuring only handmade items on two floors of the Warner Grange. I found some cute presents for friends.
Your tree looks wonderful. Enjoy the re-decorating.
Such a lovely house...filled with love. :) ((hugs)) to you sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteAll of your decorations look so pretty, Teresa. The boys look very ready for Santa to visit! I hope you and Gracie had a good swim together.
ReplyDeleteYour grandsons are SO adorable! It must be sheer delight to have them living there with you:) I think the tree looks quite nice right now--the kids did a good job! Love the nativity scene too.
ReplyDeleteAdvent Blessings,
Aimee
PS: I have been adding Advent/Christmas blessings every day or so-tomten, Nordic candle ring, etc. Lots more to do--maybe:)
PS2: Great Pittock Mansion pix! If you ever have a chance to attend an eve event there do so--the lights of Portland below are amazing.
It all looks fabulous! No decorations here yet, it's a tad too early for a gal who grew up in a household where bringing in the tree was always a Christmas Eve affair.
ReplyDeleteLooking great Teresa, our trees are up but no time this weekend to decorate......busy, busy, busy! X
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all of your beautiful, fun decorations! My 5 yr. old granddaughter, and almost 2 yr. old grandson helped me decorate my tree. So you can imagine that the bottom part has many more ornaments than the top part does. lol I always leave them wherever the kids put them. :)
ReplyDeleteLooking beautiful at your house (but then, it always is!).
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa. The tree looks lovely. Have put hardly any decorations out yet and no tree yet. Hugs. Anne x
ReplyDelete