1972 Wading in the Gulf of Mexico.This was AFTER visiting the St. Louis Zoo and the incident with the door to the aviary. My sister was kind enough to help me "wade" in the gulf with one foot.I think this was our first visit to the Gulf of Mexico. I remember that there were blobs of sticky black oil goo on the beach. We wanted to get our feet wet so we walked/hopped through it. Again, I was wearing my FAVORITE outfit ever.
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?
Happy Holiday Happenings
Whew, that was a busy weekend. Thanks to all of you who came to the show. It was fun to meet so many new people.Yesterday was a day for changing gears and getting caught up a little. P and I spent a long time putting ornaments on the tree. This tree is different from any we have had before. It is one that we grew and has never been trimmed (except maybe nibbled a little by deer). It is very open which is great for allowing the ornaments to dangle but there are also fewer branches for the ornaments so each branch is loaded with a number of decorations. This is one of those times that I can let go of my "less is more" mantra. I think with the tree "more is more" is the way to go!!More sparkle.More light.More memories!I never used to be a fan of glass ball ornaments but I really love them now. We have collected quite a few vintage shiny brites in the last few years. I love the way they make the tree sparkle even more by reflecting the lights.
This tree makes me very happy. I love the mix of handmade, vintage, and other new ornaments. There are so many memories hanging from the branches of our tree.I do wish my mother were here to see it. I think she would appreciate its overloaded branches in all their glory.We still have the icicles to add but P has requested that I wait until she is home from school to do that.What is making you happy today?
Thoughtful Sunday
"That morning I walked to school looking down at all the different colored pieces of cloth in my coat. All the stories the Quilting Mothers had told me about the rags and who they belonged to, I knew by heart. I had ended up choosing the most worn pieces for my coat because the best stories went with them."The Rag Coat, Lauren Mills, 1991.(This is an excellent book. I have read this book aloud many times at home and at the elementary school and still can not read it aloud without crying.)
Christmas Memories
I have said it before, but the holidays always bring back a lot of memories for me.
This 1950s Santa is one of my favorite decorations. It was given to my mother by one of her friends. I remember visiting in her friend's home and seeing this Santa on display when I was young. My mother had a large collection of Santas and her friend gave this to her to add to her collection. It reminds me of my mother and the wonderful friends she had and the joy she got from giving to others.I love that in December my home is filled with reminders of family and friends.
