Today I thought I would take you on a tour of our living room all decked out for the Christmas season. But first, let's look at Bob's and my very first Christmas tree. The year was 1958, we had been married 3 months and we were poor college students. We probably paid $1 for the fresh tree, and then bought one red ball to write the date on. We strung popcorn and cranberries and called it good. Those red blobs are some red net doodads I made.
Now, 51 years later the tree is basically the same - just more loaded and bigger. There are now 52 red balls with the year written on them, plus other ornaments with meaning that have been added over the years. I guess I don't decorate, I accumulate. That pretty well sums up my whole decorating philosophy - Christmas or anytime.
In the mosaic below on the upper right, you can see that 1958 ball.
We have been putting up a second tree for about 20 years now after we inherited Christmas ornaments from our families. This tree contains only blown glass ornaments - some old, and some new from travels and friends.
The huge (about 8" in diameter) green mercury glass ball below was made in Belgium and belonged to my parents.
Bob started the Hummel Nativity set for me 41 years ago. That Christmas he gave me Mary and Baby Jesus. He then added to the set piece by piece as finances allowed.The Hummel Madonna and Child belonged to my mother.
The grandkids came home with us after church on Sunday. They were so quiet after lunch, I thought I should check on them. They were busy decorating the doll house!
I was happy to see that they considered the whole family around the table as part of the Christmas celebration.
What a joy it is to celebrate the Christmas season.
I'm linking this post to The Nester's Tour of Homes
and to the Deck the Halls Tuesday party at Thoughts from over the Rainbow.
Also, I'm linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
for Metamorphosis Monday and to Mary's Mosaic Monday at
Little Red House,
So many parties to attend, but be sure to stop by these blogs for a whole lot of Christmas joy.
