Last Year's Christmas

If you've followed or read me since last Christmas, you've seen my first froufrou tree. We don't do Christmas anymore because there isn't one thing in this world I need and I have very few wants. Well, to be perfectly honest, I have a lot of wants; it's just that I've learned to bridle my wants and desires. Nothing in this world or out of this world compares to my hubby, kids or grandchildren or great grandchildren. They are what life is all about.

Hubby and I don't exchange gifts anymore. We buy for our youngest grandkids and will now buy for Caroline, our great granddaughter, but we've talked with our son and daughter and told them not to buy us anything. We don't need it! But once in a while when our daughter comes to visit I'll buy her a box of Good and Plenty and that's her gift. You have no idea how freeing it is. Being Christian, we celebrate it in church and during the day on Christmas but there isn't the need for us to buy gifts. We don't have the hustle and bustle others go through and at our age that's very important to us. So the season is very easy for us. We do have a Christmas dinner however. Love Bunny won't let me get around that. ;-)

So last year's photos are below for you to see. I just had a little Canon point and shoot back then so the pix aren't very good. But this year I hope to be able to do better photos with the Canon Rebel I got in February of this year. And when I do get it up, I'll photograph it for all to see. Our artificial tree is green and I don't know if I can talk hubby into a white one, but I'm gonna try! Again, we'll see. [Update! Since I wrote this blog post the very end of November, hubby insisted I buy a white tree. Squeeeeeal, I couldn't believe it. The other night we were at WM and he actually mentioned buying it. I am just thrilled. Now we have 2 choices each Christmas—white or green.] And since we downsized we have to move furniture in the living room around since hubby wants it by the front window. Sigh...

If you'll recall, I spent several weeks making, painting and buying pink and white things for this tree. Yards and yards and yards of tulle went into it. Flowers galore were purchased and hung on it. Gifts people have sent me went on it.

I later put some pretty boxes under it to look like presents, but they were all for show. There were NO real presents under it.

And I ended up making this little topper for it. It will go back on the tree again.

Merry Christmas and may your holiday season be wonderful and filled with love and the Spirit of Christmas. Ooooh, and since I'm feeling a lot better, I'll be posting more now. Aren't you just thrilled?! :-)
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I Finished the Chandelier

I received a delightful email from a blogger the other day that made me chuckle and truly just made my day.

She said that she'd seen my name and picture/logo around the blogs on comments but didn't think we'd have anything in common. Finally, she got up the nerve to come over and see what I did and was like. WOW! She then told me she loves how I write and loves my blog and photos of my home. I chuckled all the way through it because I've always said people don't know how to take me. While she was having issues with my calling others honey, sweets, chick, sweetpea, she finally decided to take a look after those sobriquets threw her off thinking I was something of a new wave beatnik. Nuuuuuu, not at all. What a sweetheart to confess she judged me wrong. I have definitely done this. I'm very opinionated, you know! I have also done the exact same thing. (As a matter of fact, one of the best friends I ever had was at first my nemesis.) She said she'll be back and that she loves my stuff and felt ashamed for judging. How generous and sweet of her to admit it even though we'll probably never meet. I think I'd found a new friend and I want to thank her profusely for giving me a glance and chance! :-)
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Time gets away from me sometimes when I'm reading a good mystery. Ever happen to any of you? Well, it definitely does for me.

But anyway, while taking a break from a book recently I finally got to finish the froufrou-ing up of the white painted wrought iron chandelier.

You can still see the hot glue strands I neglected to pick off.

I used 3 different kinds of ribbon, then glued paper roses to each candle holder arm.

I have a plethora of tiny pink roses so I glued one to each candlestick. Okay, let's be realistic here—I probably won't ever light these candles. ;-)

I then put a candle wreath in the center with a rose. I may put another one or two on there also and I wrapped the top with white garland. A pink ribbon is attached to hang it from the ceiling.

It was really windy when I photographed this just as the sun was over the peak and before it set for the evening.

And this is the final result.

I really do like to get photos of it in different locations with different lighting so here are a few more. I beg forgiveness. ;-)


Okay, I added a tiny rose to each of the strands of hanging pearls and also a larger one to the wreath in the middle.


And as the saying goes: The rest is history. I looked all over this place for a spot to put it. I first thought I would hang it in the guest bathroom but that just wasn't going to work out. No matter how high I put it, it was still too low and the beads would have grazed and graced the heads of visitors. :-)

And, yes, I did bring the fancy prom dress in from the office to our bedroom. I thought it would look nice in here for a change.

And while it looks a bit crooked, it probably is. But I haven't adjusted the candles in it while up on the bed. I got off the bed backwards, and since it is so high, promptly almost fell on my bum while attempting this and it was NOT a pretty sight seeing an old lady totter backwards so to keep my balance! Trust me. I have no clue how I managed to maintain my dignity. So I'm not adjusting for a while, but it is also handmade so there's a good possibility it isn't perfect. It only adds to its charm for me that way.

And, yes again, those are my purple socks on the floor next to my side of the bed. And, yes, Love Bunny asked if it would stay here (the chandy, not my socks). I said, "Yes!". . . for a while anyway. ;-)
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