Bubba opens a box containing the first ornament on the tree. He is used to my changing my mind about the tree.
This ornament was added to the tree on Amy's first Christmas. I can remember standing in front of the tree holding her in a little yellow nightgown while she held this ornament.
This ornament is one of many that Amy gave us through the years.
I love the little handmade ornaments
that Amy made when she was a little girl.
Amelia brought this creation to me when she came for Christmas last year. It's kind of nice to have the decorations made by Amy when she was four next to the one made by Amelia when she was four.
College student Amy went through a cross stitch phase and this ornament was added to our tree. The tree is full of contributions from her. There are also ornaments that were made by friends. The tree skirt was made by a friend just for us. Can you imagine how much time was spent on that project? There are ornaments that my mother bought for us while she was on vacation when we were first married. (They are 46 years old!)
And, of course, when we hung this ornament we were reminded again of our precious Archie. He always enjoyed the Christmas tree.
The couch was his resting place while he looked at the lights. For his last Christmas, we got him a nice soft bed for the floor because he could no longer jump up on the couch.
This nativity scene has become a treasured part of our decorations. Bubba cut the wood out and I painted it. I liked it because I knew a child could play with it without any fear of anything getting broken. I had one in my Sunday School class and the kids enjoyed it.
This is our mantle. I kept it pretty simple this year. The wreath was made by a very talented woman I worked with at Calhoun C.I. The reindeer were made by Bubba back in the 80's.
This gold nativity scene is really old. When I was growing up, my parents owned a business and every year they would have a wonderful Christmas party at our house for the employees. My mother was very creative and she decorated the house like a professional. She usually placed these figures in front of a piece of draped purple (for royalty) with the large Bible opened to the Christmas Story in Luke. I've had it for years and always put it out somewhere. When Amy was a little girl, we had a coffee table with a shelf that I could place the scene on. I once found some pieces of tangerine drying in the manger. I asked Amy about it and she replied, "I was feeding the Baby Jesus some of my tangerine." I can still see her in her little red pajamas with her pony tail swinging.
Last week while I was doing some shopping at Kohl's, I saw a quilted red table runner with holly on it that I really liked so I bought it. When we started decorating I put the runner on the bar. Later that day after I put the table cloth on the dining table, I found a table runner just like the one I had bought. I had forgotten about it! Then I put it on the table with some candles and greenery and thought it looked pretty good. Later when I looked at some pictures from last year I found a picture of the table fixed exactly the same way. Oh well, I'm glad I bought the second one because it looks really good on the bar. I just hope I don't buy a third one next year because I really don't know where I would put it.
Well, the tree is out and the decorating is over with. I have nothing fancy or expensive decorating my house, but what I do have is priceless. With every ornament hung and every decoration placed, a precious memory is revived, a loved one is remembered, and thanks is given for them all.
My wish for all who read this blog is that in the midst of the shopping and cooking and going and planning, that you will take a few minutes to reflect on what Christmas is really about. Be thankful for the Gift that was given to us all. Take time to enjoy the blessings of the season. Make new memories and cherish the old.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Becky
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