Monday, November 28, 2011

It's Starting to Look A Lot Like Christmas

At least it is at our house...

We got our tree on Friday and, after some issues with lights not working (again) and buying a new set (again) after DH spent a good two hours trying to figure out why the original set would work, we decorated the tree on Saturday evening.

DD asked if I thought the tree would be prettier if it had a "theme" or if it was all the same color ornaments, etc. One of her friends has a tree that is decorated in some theme every year -- usually the same color balls and ribbon.

I said (very adamantly) "NO".

Our tree is covered in memories. I have an ornament on there I made when I was a toddler. I have an ornament that I got from a friend for DD when she was still in utero (technically her first Christmas, lol). Ornaments from family. Handmade ornaments. Every one of them comes with a memory, and nothing can replace that.



We did have a brief blip in all the good cheer when DD unpacked the stockings and found Breeann's. There were tears and sad times. We put her stocking with her box of ashes, sniffed awhile and then moved on.

This helped:



When do you decorate for Christmas?

I have to take Dakota in to the vet today. On Friday, we found a suspicious lump on her head that wasn't there before. It looks like a pink wart... sort of. But the fact that it appeared so quickly and isn't going away (even after four days) means it could be something more serious. We're very "lump" conscious here because Bailey was lumpy (and we had to biopsy every one). We don't even think about it, just whenever we're petting the animals, we automatically register any lumps or bumps. This thing is right on top of her head, so there's no way we would have missed it before.

We're hoping it isn't anything serious (:::cancer:::) but prefer to be safe. Because I needed another vet bill. *sigh*

I found fresh turkeys on sale at the local store yesterday: $0.39/lb! I bought three, then spent the afternoon deboning them and running them through my grinder for ground turkey. DH didn't get a deer this year, so our freezer is going to be very empty. He strongly suggested getting a couple more turkeys today since the price is good AND it's from a very good company who uses no antibiotics or growth hormones.

I have two huge stock pots of turkey broth done as well (plus all the meat from the legs, wings and bodies that I couldn't get off when it was raw) and am thinking about trying my hand at pressure cooking turkey vegetable soup. We'll see if I have the time or inclination any time soon...

What did you do this weekend?

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You Are Successful



Mellow and wise, you like to be with others but also to be alone. You seek a balance.

You are hard working and enterprising. You find staying busy satisfying.



You have high standards, and you are fair to everyone. Manners are important to you, even if that's old fashioned.

A bit demanding, you expect proper behavior from others. Your standards are tough but fair.



That's pretty much spot on...

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8 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

Your tree is beautiful!

I won't be decorating because Greg won't be here for most of December. :(

I do decorate to theme. After 36 years we have a lot of ornaments that have sentimental value, but I've found I can intersperse them with solid color ribbons and balls and still have a color theme.

But my favorite theme tree is the dog tree. I have dozens of dog ornaments. I buy one every year.

Angelina Rain said...

I agree with you about the Christmas tree. A few years ago my mother went with a theme. She had while lights and white garlands. No other decorations. the tree looked so cold it could only belong in some uppety clothing store. I hated it. This year, I'm not decorating for Christmas. I'm not in the holiday spirit.

I hope Dakota is okay. Let us know what the vet says.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I'm excited to get our tree. Hope we can find a good one! I don't do themes. My theme is "Gowen family Christmases through the ages" LOL.

Brandy said...

I've never understood "theme" trees. My MIL does something like that every year. Last year it was gold with snowflakes. *sigh* It was somewhat pretty, but I prefer our tree with handmade ornaments, special occasion ornaments and such. It just means more. But, we haven't decorated yet. I have a rule. No Christmas decorations until after the first of December.
Hugs and prayers for Dakota!

Oh, and my quiz results were the same as yours and pretty much correct. Whatever happened to teaching manners? I swear hardly anyone does it anymore.

Wishing you a good day!

Dru said...

I love your tree.

This weekend I took care of my back, read, and did some quilting.

re quiz: same as yours and it is accurate.

Tori Lennox said...

I love your tree! We've never had a theme tree either. Just the ornaments we've collected or made over the years. :)

Diane Craver said...

Your tree is beautiful. For years we had a live tree but the last couple we now have an artificial tree which I really like a lot - never thought I'd like to have an artificial instead. I never had a theme until we bought it - I use red and gold ornaments for it because it looks great with the 800white lights. Our adult children like it too.

MJFredrick said...

Your tree is so pretty! We have a fake tree because I know I'd be the one taking care of it getting water, etc, and getting rid of it after Christmas and...and...and...

I have the sentimental ornaments, too, but lots and lots and LOTS of Santas. Not exactly themed, though.