Sunday, December 16, 2012

Two Lists

On Thursday we fly out to spend Christmas in Alberta with the kids. We fly back on Christmas day as we traditionally open presents and celebrate on Christmas Eve and then they spend Christmas day with their Mother. I have two lists going - one for all the things I have to do before we go and one for all the groceries I have to buy when we get there. I also have to deal with snow (remember, that white stuff?) and cold temperatures.

Lights in our bedroom

This Christmas will be a bit odd as the Island house is all Christmasfied and the Alberta house is not. I had left some decorations in the Alberta house, a small fiber optic Christmas tree that we have had for years and a few small decorations along with the kids Stockings so we will decorate on arrival. If it looks too bare I will have the kids (teens and young adults really, 15, 17, 19 and 20) help me make paper snowflakes and cut some boughs off the trees to festify the house. I am not going to go out and buy a bunch more decorations - that is for sure. This may be the last Christmas we spend in the Alberta house as are tossing around putting it back on the market this Spring - decisions, decisions.


There is a story to the little tree in our bedroom. This little tree used to be one of a pair of pre-lit trees that were used outside either side of the garage, bought about seven years ago in our less frugal minded years. Last winter vicious winter windstorms took out a wreath and the other tree breaking both into little bits. I did not realize that until we went to put them up this year - hubby and the kids had quietly disposed of the other one when we were cleaning out the garage in preparation for the big move. What does one do with one lone tree? One that none of the lights work as the wind smacked this one around too? Unstrung the lights (very difficult on a pre-lit tree by the way, only made better by a round of rum and eggnog), and decorate it. I had enough decorations but not enough lights. For some reason I had been hanging on to a long string of multicolored lights that only half the strand works. I decorated it with half the strand and stuffed the other half behind it hiding it in a black blanket used also as a tree skirt. It sits in the corner of our bedroom and I particularly like the way the lights reflect on the boughs and the wall. The ribbon gracing it has been used over and over for the last 10 years - in it's last reincarnation it decorated a large wreath that was given away before we left Alberta.

I love this candle holder - there used to be two but one broke. I use it year round as you can put whatever you want in the bottom of it. I took a couple clippings off the front yard tree and used a few gold balls that had previously been part of the aforementioned departed wreath - and now it sits in the kitchen window.
Finally, the grand finale, the living room tree. Yes, it is fake. We have had it for several years now and works great. Never dries out and can be left up for many weeks as I usually have it up the last week of November. One day, when we are not travelling back and forth I wouldn't mind having a real tree, but for now this will do. The vintage ornaments found in November at the thrift store fit in nicely with the mishmash of family ornaments. There is no theme - I don't do theme trees.

This will be my last post until after Christmas so I would like to wish all my readers a safe and happy Christmas!

18 comments:

  1. I love the coloured lights best of all on a tree, it looks very nice!

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    1. I am a coloured light girl, hubby is a white light guy. We have all the coloured ones in the house and outside he got his way. Thanks!

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  2. I love your attitude of using what you have! Beautiful trees!!
    Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Thanks - enjoy this Christmas with your little one!

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  4. Merry Christmas to you too! Have a safe and happy trip.
    Judy xx

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  5. Merry Christmas to you and your family. We always have a fake tree, don't like the mess of a real one.

    Gill

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    1. Yes, way less cleanup - miss the smell of a real tree though - Merry Christmas to you too!

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  6. What a pretty glow in your tree photos. Have a wonderful holiday and have a safe trip!

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    1. Yes, they turned out much better when I turned off the flash. We watch tv without any other lights on in the house except the Christmas ones at night - plus a few candles

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  7. I loved hearing about your Christmas decorations.

    I hope you have a wonderful time with your family in Alberta.

    Safe Journey!

    Sft x

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    1. Thank you and you have safe travels in your after Christmas Getaway - waiting on the pics!

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  8. Have a great holiday!!!!!!! Merry Christmas! Fake trees are good!!! ;)

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  9. I love how the reflections look on the wall. Really awesome and would be nice just to stare at and fall asleep!
    Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

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