Saturday, December 09, 2006

Memories, Ornaments, and Other Decorations

NOTE: I haven't had time this week to create a new tour of my home, but I am re-running the one I did for the ornament parade last week. I hope you don't mind and enjoy it. I apologize if you've come and have already been here! Merry Christmas!

Many have been sharing their favorite Christmas memory. I mentioned the "year of mononucleosis" in a prior post. I have not been able to join in all the festivities, so am planning on combining several in this one spot.

New memories are being formed every day as I care for the kiddoes. Care Bear is really aware of what Christmas is about, thanks to Sunday school, Christian preschool, and reinforcement at home and at Grandma's. She was excited about seeing Santa today at the mall, but yesterday it was all about Jesus. She and Feisty were playing Mary and Joseph yesterday. Feisty wanted to be Baby Jesus, but Care Bear informed her that she couldn't be Baby Jesus, because he had not been born yet - she had to be the donkey that Mary rode on to Bethlehem. Pretty good for a 4-year-old! Care Bear has also been very concerned this week about King Herod's ordering all of the baby boys to be killed. It was a great learning moment for us.


Last year I bought the Fisher Price Little People (known as Things That Go Guys to Care Bear - another story I'll let Kristen tell) nativity set, because my traditional set was showing the wear and tear of being rearranged by little hands - several animal ears have fallen victim. When you push on the angel on top of the stable, it plays "Away in a Manger." They arrange, rearrange, lose, find, the characters many times a day.


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I have decided a safer place for the set I made (with the help of a really crafty friend) many years ago is the top shelf of the entertainment center. On the shelves below is my growing collection of angels.

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A few days ago I mentioned that I have two trees. It happened because I always wanted to put a tree in the living room window and the kids always wanted the tree down in the family room. I compromised - the tree full of memories continues to be in the family room, and I bought myself a tree which I have added to every year since. It has been a labor of love, but lots of work!

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I made this crewel embroidery picture years ago and love to hang it every year. Now it serves as a reminder of how ambitious and creative I used to be - and patient.


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I love this wooden Christmas Windmill. It is very special because my son bought it for me for my birthday a few years ago. It has 3 levels of the nativity scene, and of course twirls when the candles are lit. The grandkids love it as well.


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I had a hard time narrowing down my favorite ornaments. Our first tree was full of blue satin balls from our flocked wedding trees the December before. That's all we had on our first tree. I wish I had a picture of it. Every year after that I would give away a box (we had 6 dozen of them) and replace it with a new set. We also decided to acquire a special ball each year. Most of them are dated. The very first one we picked out was crushed, along with many others, when one of those real trees with a lousy trunk tipped over while we were gone for the evening. That was sad.


When I was a young mom, we had a great time at Bible study. Sometimes we had a craft time. One year we went through this phase. The balls were styrofoam made to look quilted - lots of fun to make, but I haven't done one since I made so many that year. But this one has stayed on my tree ever since - I wonder how many of the gifts I gave are still "hanging around."

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This was our 1979 ball, bought to commemorate the first year in our new house - we are in the same house 28 years later. I posted about that on July 1.

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I made this for our 10th Christmas together - the only needlepoint project I ever did - I did lots of crewel embroidery, regular embroidery, and counted cross stitch, but only this one needlepoint. That makes it VERY special, as well as very sentimental.

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For our 25th anniversary, 9 years ago, we went to the Big Island of Hawaii. We stayed outside of Kona at a Bed and Breakfast called The Dragonfly Ranch (Kim would love it!). It was so wonderful - no windows on our cabin so the birds and even roosters woke us up in the morning. We drove around the hills one of the first days and came upon a beautiful old very small Catholic church. They were having a craft sale that day and we bought this hand-made ornament as a memento. We also attended their Christmas program later that week. That was a blessed experience - seeing the Christmas story portrayed with hula was unbelievably moving and beautiful - I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

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This is our 1995 ornament in honor of our little dachshund, Fritzie - I wrote about him a few weeks ago. This was one of the last pictures we took of him before he died.

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Last, but not least, our 3 grandkids are gracing the tree with these adorable pictures.

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This has been fun - I hope it's not too long for your to enjoy it as well. Merry Christmas!

42 comments:

someone else said...

It was great peeking in and getting a glimpse of the ornaments that are special to you. Glad you got in on it! Those are all lovely.

brooke said...

I really love the wooden candle windmill. I'm gonna keep my eye out for one myself!

Donnetta said...

I collect angels as well. It was fun looking at all of your angels on that shelf!

Another collection I have is of nativity scenes. I automatically fell in love with the wooden windmill one. Beautiful!!

Thanks for participating in the Christmas memories at "My Quiet Corner"!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful ornaments and decorations, and such precious memories, Dawn. Your trees are gorgeous!

Thanks for your sweet words about Jessica's wedding. :-)

I'd love to go out and eat, but it ain't happenin' tomorrow, LOL. ;D
Maybe next Sunday....

Merry Christmas, Dawn!

Anonymous said...

Both of your trees are beautiful! Loved reading about your ornaments; I don't know how to needlepoint so that would be a special one since it's the only one you have. I love the last ones with the pictures of your little ones, so sweet!
This was fun to do, thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

I loved Christmas morning with you guys...Kristen and I would call each other in the morning to find out what the other got. By the way...thank you so much for the ornament for Evan. I love it! It's his first (and only so far) ornament. Very special. It was fun to see your ornaments.
Love,
Julie

Anonymous said...

I loved looking at, and reading about, all your ornaments and decorations! The crewel embroidery picture you did is beautiful and that Christmas Windmill is intriguing. I've never seen anything like it! Last, but not least, your grandchildren are adorable! Thanks for sharing! :)

Linda said...

Your ornaments are precious and the trees just beautiful. Isn't it amazing how full of memories all those ornaments become. I love them all - especially the handmade ones. Thanks Dawn.

Anonymous said...

Lovely stories and pictures. The ornaments are sweet. :)

TJ said...

I enjoyed each and every memory you shared Miz Dawn...you've lived in your house as long as I've been married...what an awesome thought...the people we are renting this house from lived here for 42 years and raised 5 kids here...she said she outgrew it or she would still be living here because she cherishes it...I vowed I would look after it as if I had raised 5 kids here!!
:-D

kpjara said...

That was a wonderful post! I love the ornaments, the trees...and I so want to see the Dragonfly Ranch! Plus a Christmas Story HULA? How wonderful!

Love the ornaments and I've really enjoyed this fun Tour!

Susie said...

Dawn,
It was wonderful to see your beautiful holiday decorations. I love all your angels and your crewel picture.
The story about seeing the Christmas program done with the hulu sounds like a wonderful experience.
I hope your enjoy your time off from work...
:)

Barb said...

Oh Dawn, never too long to enjoy. I love your special ornaments and decorations. And I especially love the ornament that is the photo of your beloved dog. I'm going to do that. As much as we love Chelsea, we really miss Chloe and Jessie. After seeing Fritzi's ornament, well, I can easily do this to remember the pets we've loved and lost.

This is just a beautiful post, Dawn.

Unknown said...

What a fun post to read! You're trees and ornaments are beautiful. I've been thinking about getting the Fisher-Price nativity. It is so perfect for children!

Pamela said...

What a great post! I got such a kick out of Care Bear telling Feisty that she couldn't be baby Jesus cause he hadn't been born yet! lol

Love your two trees and all of your ornaments! You are crafty girl! Love them! Love the picture ornaments too.

Now, I hope they still sell the Fisher Price nativity set, that is just precious! :)

Carole Burant said...

Oh, Dawn, I so enjoyed this post, seeing all your special ornaments and reading the story behind them!! You really do have some precious memories hanging on that tree!! I also love the Fisher Price Nativity...I didn't know they had made one and it's so perfect for little kids! Both your trees are just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Putting up the tree is such a walk down memory lane. A beautiful tree is a well lived life!

Anonymous said...

I think the Christmas tree windmill are cool looking.
Thanks for sharing your ornaments with us.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful ornaments, beautiful trees, beautiful memories! Your life is just full of beauty! Blessings!

Rhonda in Chile said...

I love your family tree! Its soooo homey, and we love homey!

R

Susanne said...

Thanks for coming by my place! Your ornaments and decorations are lovely. And two trees! I really like both of them. Your grandchildren must love the FP nativity!

Theresa said...

Thanks for the birthday wishes, I love your ornaments. Thanks for sharing them with us.

I think I'm gonna start collecting angels, yours are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

How neat some of your decorations are...beautiful!

Lala's world said...

that was great! I love your windmill nativity! and all your things are jus beautiful. This is my first year of having 2 trees and I LOVE IT! I will do it every year I think! I posted some more pictures today!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely collection!

Anonymous said...

I just happened upon your blog. I too am the grandmother of three, who call me Grammie. I look forward to reading your blog.

Anonymous said...

The nativity scene you made is gorgeous & a special one for just the kids is such a great idea. I tried making those quillted balls & mine didn't turn out nearly as cute!

Anonymous said...

I love the toparies outside your house, actually i love your entire house you've done an amazing job decorating.

Anonymous said...

I love all the ornaments, how sweet! I really must go decorate now - all we've gotten decorated around here is the Christmas tree, yipes!

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful! Your embroidery picture is beautiful and I love th windmill! Thank you so much for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the lovely tour! Merry Christmas!

owlhaven said...

Your house looks lovely!!!
I'm seeing so many blogs I've never visited! Stop by my place too, if you have time.
Merry Christmas!!
Mary, mom to many

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed seeing your decorations. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

It was fun to take the tour again Dawn. It all looks so pretty and Christmasy.
Thank you so much for your prayers. It encourages our hearts to know you are praying for us.

Anonymous said...

Everything looks beautiful. You have some very beautiful decorations, and I love the ornaments.

Anonymous said...

Love the Blue and White tree! Of course the family tree is special, too. I've combined mine as we don't really have room for two trees.

Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

Girl Raised in the South said...

Enjoyed the tour - Its obvious you put lots of thought into decorating for the holidays.

Kelli said...

What a wonderful tour! Your trees are lovely and Ioved seeing all your special ornaments! I think it is great that you are in the same house after 28 years. My husband and I have the same goal. We have been here 7 1/2 year so far. :0)
Thank you for having us over and Merry Christmas!
Kelli

Anonymous said...

I loved seeing all your special ornaments and hearing the stories behind them. Thank you for inviting me in, Merry Christmas

Carol said...

Everything looks wonderful. Thank you for inviting us in! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Wow - I love all the little details in your home!
You've inspired me - I really want our family to have the Little People Nativity set now - something our little one's can actually use and act out the Christmas Story!
Thanks so much!
~Merry Christmas from Karen at www.firstbrookfive.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

what lovely decorations!! so many beautiful details. the windmill is fabulous!