Brett at The Hostess with the Mostess is hosting Trim the Tree Thursday. Please check out her blog for a list of participants during this Holiday season!!
I like the saying, "I don't decorate, I accumulate!" That sums up the stories of the two Christmas trees we set up each year.
The one I'm showing you today is a tabletop tree in our dining room. It is covered with blown-glass ornaments both old and new. There are ornaments from both Bob's and my childhood trees. Plus, over the years I have bought the newer ornaments when traveling and received quite a few as gifts.
The tree topper is an old one and quite fragile.
All of the glass roping belonged to my parents; and is composed of 1/4" little hand-blown balls, except for one rope where the balls are about 3/4" in diameter.
Sheila - see that rooster! I bought that in the Strand District in Galveston.
I love all of the bird ornaments on the tree. There is a legend that the original glass blowers in Germany kept birds in their studios while working to alert them if there was a gas leak from the equipment. In honor of the birds, they would blow bird images as an ornament for the Christmas trees.
This little horn was on Bob's childhood tree.
Some of the balls have cardboard hangers indicating that they are from the World War II era when metal was scarce.A hummingbird!
The orange round ornament to the left of the pheasant was my mother's. She loved orange; I always think of her when putting this ball on the tree.
The grand kids love looking at this tree; but have always been so good since babyhood to look and not touch!
Check in next Thursday to view our other tree that is full of memories, also.
Thanks for stopping by,
Sally
what a beautiful tree! it is made more special by all the wonderful cherished ornaments with all the history behind them...wow...thanks for the eye candy!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally...what a beautiful tree. I think it's great that you still have ornaments from when you were kids, how cool is that.. I have many German glass ornaments but haven't put up a tree in years since we're always at the daughters for Christmas. I do miss putting them on a tree...I saw that you just stopped by my blog, I just posted a picture and recipe for the toffee candy I made today...Stop back in and take a peek, it really came good.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. I love those old ornies. I have a few, but I don't use them. Your tree is so full. I love that.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sally ...
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant way to bring back the sweet memories of Christmases Past ... I, too, have several of my grandparents' ornaments, including a cherished tree topper like yours.
I enjoyed reading about your special ornaments, especially the interesting story about the German bird ornaments.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tree with us. I'll look forward to seeing the other one next Thursday.
Sincerely,
Janie
Gorgeous tree. Love the fact that so many ornaments hold memories. That's really neat too that you have some from your's and your husband's childhood. I don't have any ornaments from mine and I think that would be really neat.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Sally! I love all the glass ornaments!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia;)
It's so beautiful....it reminds me of the tree we had in my home growing up...my brothers and I would always fight over which one of the bulbs we got to hang...because we all knew the special stories behind them. I like that it's not just pretty but it also tells a story.
ReplyDeleteSally that tree is just Beautiful girl and all those special ornaments just make it even more beautiful...great post Sally..hugs and smiles Gloria
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree. Loved reading the stories of the ornaments and I learned something about the WWII ornaments. Think I'll tell my dad and impress him with my historical knowledge!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty tree, Sally! It's small, which I love, but it's also full!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas...Kathy
I decorate much the same way as you. Each ornament has a memory. Nice.
ReplyDeleteYour tree just took my breath away, and then I read about all of the special memories on the tree, and I loved it that much more! My children make fun of me, because every year when we decorate the tree, I start telling where we got each ornament! I love those memories that come back to me with each ornament. You have done a wonderful job of decorating this tree. laurie
ReplyDeleteHi Sally...Your beautiful tree & special memories of ornaments just warm my heart...I had such a pillar to post childhood, I don't have anything like that. ;-) Bo
ReplyDeleteLove everything but I just noticed the transferware Christmas plate in your header. I love it! I want it! I NEED it! :D
ReplyDeleteLove the tree and the blown glass ornaments! I love that you have old ones mixed in. I have a similar tabletop tree with blown glass ornaments. They are special, aren't they? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSally your tree looks beautiful! And the memories that it must invoke! Happy Trim a Tree Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I love the sentimental value of ornaments, it is so much fun to look at them each year!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Your tree is LOADED with eye candy! Love it! It really is pretty!!
ReplyDelete~Liz
Your tree is beautiful, Sally. I love all the ornaments and the stories that go with them. Wonderful post. I'm looking forward to seeing your other tree!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tree. I really do love all the bird ornaments. There's something about bird ornaments that just make me smile when I see them on the tree....
What a beautiful tree. I love blown glass ornaments too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visits to my nativity blog. I just wanted to let you know that I just posted about the second holiday giveaway. Here's the link:
http://carolanativitygallery.blogspot.com/2008/12/second-holiday-giveaway.html
Carrie
Hi Sally!! Oh, I hurriedly looked at your post yesterday - I've been so very busy - and missed that little Rooster!! How cute! Don't think I've ever seen a little rooster Christmas ornament. OH, the poor shops on the Strand - they're all shut down! But hopefully they'll be back in business.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Oh my word girl...not only is that tree beautiful but it is an absolute treasure with all those memories on it! Loved seeing this!
ReplyDeleteSally, I loved your comments about the various things... the cardboard hangers and such... I loved seeing the handblown glass balls and the tree topper. Your camera caught the essence of your tree well ( a great photographer can do these things!)
ReplyDeleteI love your tree. It has such wonderful memories and stories. That is so cool. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! Oh WOW! That's one BEAUTIFUL tree! and I loved hearing the stories behind the ornaments. It's wonderful that they are so lovingly cared for and still in beautiful condition. I love the glass bead ropes - how fragile that must be. I have another tree in the office with similiar glass ornaments - I think this style just sparkles the best on the tree! Thanks for sharing the beautiful "baubbles" and the sweet memories. I'll be back to see that other tree you've got! ~ Laurie
ReplyDeletep.s. Oh, almost forgot - thanks for stopping by my room again and for wishing my husband well - I do hope the hubby gets back on his feet and LEAVES the house soon! haa! I love him but sheesh - too much togetherness! ;)
what a great tree! I love all your ornaments. My mom's favorite color was orange too. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree and fabulous ornaments. I didn't put up decorations this years, so I'm just busy surfing the web and enjoying everyone else's Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteSally, you won my DeLurk day give-away...congratulations! Let me know where to send the pansy painting. My email is in my profile.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly beautiful tree. I love all the vintage ornaments and the memories they bring..they are truly priceless.. I say yes!! Get your silver out girl..show us. I for one would love to see it. It sounds beautiful..
ReplyDeletehugs ~lynne~
Hi Sally! What a beautiful tree! Full of the beautiful memories of times past. That's my favorite kind! I found the story of the German birds to be so interesting. Makes good sense too! It worked for our coal miners as well. And I don't mean to be a kleptomaniac on my first visit to your blog...but I am in LOVE with the painting of sheep in your header! I'm antsy to grab it and run!! Would you please tell me more about it? Everyone seems to have their favorite animal to collect...mine just happen to be sheep. I'm entranced with sheep! I warned ya I was a little crazy right? *winks* Vanna
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful! Lovely job. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Sally! How WONDERFUL that your GG drew it! She was quite an artist! And girl you let me know well in advance when you're going to post those 19th century sheep prints!! I will STOP everything to see those!! I have never seen a sheep picture that I like more than yours! Vanna
ReplyDeleteLove all those beautiful and unique ornaments...what a treasure!
ReplyDeleteWow what a gorgeous tree and I love those vintage ornaments!
ReplyDeleteI found you via Susan's blog - you had mentioned in you comment to her that you had made the fork easels before. I am wondering if you would share with me how to make these? I have been given a huge box of silverplate and I think these would make wonderful little gifts this Christmas. thank you for any help you can give!!
blessings
mary
I think this is both beautiful and so meaningful! Just the things that Christmas shoudl be!
ReplyDeleteI love this...and the banner with your mantel picture. Sp pretty.
Love,
Sue
Sally, what a beautiful, beautiful tree! I love that tree topper, it reminds me of one that my grandma had...and those birds are adorable, too. So, so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteBella