Last weekend Miss P and I decorated the house for Easter. It didn't take us long because we don't have very many decorations. Well, really we don't have that many clean horizontal surfaces places to put them.When we had finished putting things out Miss P was disapointed that we had finished so quickly. She also wanted the house to be more transformed like it is when we decorate for Christmas. We have loads of Christmas decorations but most of those go on the tree. Yes, we all miss the glow of the lit up tree.To help make things more festive, she has decided to make Easter decorations for her doll house. First up, an Easter rug. She looked through some of my books on making doll house things and my old copy of Pearl McGown's You Can Hook Rugs.
Today, I'll teach her how to do punch needle embroidery.
We've Been Decorating
Decorating for the holidays takes us a long time. I love our mix of thrifted vintage, family heirloom, gifted, travel collected, and handmade decorations.
Putting lights on the tree is exhausting for me. There are six hundred lights on this tree! Remember, it's the one on the right in this picture. I like the little lights! They help get through the long winter. If only we could leave the tree up through March! Once the lights are on the tree the decorating is all fun.P and I have fun remembering all of the ornaments and who made them or where they come from. This is the beginning of the season for me -really thinking of and remembering loved ones. Holding the ornaments and choosing just the right place on the tree is a time to pause and remember. I feel a little like I have family members and friends past and present visiting for a short while. There are so many ornaments made for us, by us, and purchased on travels around the world hanging on our tree. Each year I treasure this trip down memory lane touching each little treasure.
We ALMOST have all the decorations on the tree. almost.We are even using a new (to us) tree topper this year. 
Oh, and we still need to find the white sheet that goes under the tree and add the icicles.P is looking forward to doing her homework and coloring in the glow of the tree lights after school.I have a quilt that I need to finish but I also really want to mix up some gingerbread dough for cookie boy cookies, and there are the other boxes of decorations. What is a mother to do?
Shiny Brite
Today am trying to make the house shiny and bright! I need to clean up so that we can put out our non-tree decorations.
Decking the Halls
Decorating for the Holidays is always a trip down memory lane for me. I love getting out the decorations that we haven't seen since January and recalling the history behind them.These old favorites always make me smile. The one on the left made by M in third grade and the one on the right made my B with leftover plaster from a home renovation project. I love how they are like family so, different yet still alike.
This girl with the roses around her dress is another favorite. When I was young we had three of them on our dining room table. My sisters and I each had one at our place to admire during meals. We thought they were so very special. I hated to split them up at first but now I am happy that we each have one at our homes.
These deer belonged to my mother. We did not have them when we were young, she thrifted them after we left home. They do remind me of my mother's love of Christmas and her favorite quote from Santa, "It is better to give."
Holiday decorating brings new opportunities for memory making each year. The kids and I enjoy making decorations and I enjoy picking up a few "new" items like these during the year.
Yes, the holidays are a time to remember, share, and pass on the family traditions.
