I’m feeling a bit more peppy today. It was a rainy day yesterday and Don’s day off, so we turned on all the Christmas lights as soon as we got up and proceeded to do only those things we wanted to do – my prescription for a restful day. Some popcorn and Ball of Fire with Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper on TCM was the perfect way to end the day. Have you ever seen Ball of Fire? It’s a wonderfully wacky comedy directed by Howard Hawks. You will love it.
Today, some dog (who shall remain nameless but is white in color) gets a trip to the dog wash for a bath. The other one needs a bath, too, but his back and hips have been particularly troublesome lately, so I’m not going to put him through all that.
As I sit in my blogging chair which faces the Christmas tree, I thought I’d share a few favorite ornaments with you. This one is old and the perfect shade of pink.
What makes these especially beautiful to me is the way the colors have faded and softened over time.
The acorns are only a few years old. I bought them at Heidi’s shop.
My bottle brush ornaments. What would I do without them? I found them at Heidi’s shop, as well. If you ever get to this neck of the woods, Heidi has a Christmas room full of fabulous ornaments, many of them vintage. She is known for her collection of vintage ornaments – and the Christmas room is open year round.
We moved out here in 2001. After driving a truck full of our worldly goods across the country, we arrived on the doorstep of our rented cottage, which was very small. We had already arranged to store many of our boxes and some furniture because there simply wasn’t enough room in the cottage for them. I had painstakingly organized the packing of the truck so that everything we needed for the house was unloaded first, leaving all the things to go to storage in the back of the truck. After we unloaded, everything else went on to the storage facility, which was rather far away.
Christmas came around. I looked for all our ornaments. Couldn’t find them. I tore the cottage apart. Nothing. Dang it. We had mistakenly sent those boxes to storage! No time to drive there and even if we had the time, the facility was huge and our stuff wasn’t easily accessible.
Off to the local drugstore we went. We bought a lot of generic colored balls and lights. No beautiful silver glass tree topper – that was in one of the boxes. We found this little tin angel and figured she’d do until we were finally reunited with our decorations. But every Christmas since, she has won out. We just love her. Sometimes you find the perfect decoration and don’t even know it!
This is the last ornament we put on the tree every year, in honor of our beloved dog, Winston, who died too young. He was with us for 8 years. I miss him every day.
I hope you’re finding some pockets of quiet time this holiday season.
That aged pink ornament is absolutely perfect! Too bad people don’t age to perfection the way the ornaments do (hmmm, maybe we do after all).
My doggy needs a bath, too, but NOT getting one may be his best present this Christmas. Anyway, I’ve come to love his scent, clean or not. Amazing how our four legged family members attach themselves to our heartstrings, isn’t it? Merry Christmas to you and yours!
The acorn ornaments and the bottle brush star are my favourites. I also find the little tin angel rather special! As for resting, the only pockets of rest that I find is when I sit in front of my computer and read my blogs. I need to go out again today for more shopping and groceries and it’s slippery out there. I’m waiting a bit for everything to melt but I don’t want to leave too late because I need to be back early and then off again somewhere else for 5:00. I’m so glad, Claudia, that you and Don had a nice day yesterday. It’s always nice to get a complete day of doing just what we want. I’m getting one of those pretty soon! Have a nice day and I hope everything goes well with the dog bath. I’ve put the deer hunters and the deers on my daily prayer list. Thanks for making me think of that.
Your blogging chair has a pretty view, Claudia. The ornament in honour of Winston made me think of a beautiful pewter ornament of mine, featuring a cat. A former student gave it to me years ago, knowing I had a purring friend at home. My puss, Sam, died last year at age 14. I rather miss him whacking the Christmas balls about!
-Karen ❆
So many memories in one post. It just takes something special like Christmas ornaments to bring things to the surface again.
Dear Claudia,
I think many of our tree are filled with memories , it is a special feeling to hang those items every year.
Your bottle brusc star is fantastic.
I found out that there is a :nisse compagny somewhere in Altanta–danish people, selling this guyes-maybe you can find them.
Greengate, I can`t find any dealers for in US…
Hugs,Dorthe
Hi Claudia,
I love all your ornaments….and especially the one for little Winston. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. xoxo Kim
I am glad you are more rested today Claudia. Your ornaments are lovely and a tear came to my eye when I saw Winston’s ornament. Have a lovely Christmas.
P.S.
I also love Ball of Fire. My other all time favourite Barbara Stanwyck film is Christmas in Conneticutt.
Sue
I love a tree full of ornaments that are memory filled (and not themed) like yours.
Hi Claudia,I love all your ornaments!!Winston’s ornament is so special.Wishing you,and Don a Merry Christmas.
Kathy
Hi Claudia
Wonderful memories on your tree.
Wishing you the most wonderful Christmas.
xo Tina
Well that reminded me that my mother always had pink ornaments on a white tree (to match the pink carpet!). I think the decorations went to my sister, whose has most of her things in storage too. I may never see them again, so I’m going to thoroughly enjoy yours instead (: xo
Beautiful tree Claudia. I bet it is lovely and peaceful in your home. Tell Scoutie Hi.
Mere
love reading about your favorite ornaments. your home is looking absolutely beautiful. wishing you and your husband a very merry christmas, and may you have many blessings in 2012.
xo
molly
My stinky dogs need another bath too..just had one on Monday! Lots of rain make for smelly pups!
I love your tree and your sentimental ornaments. Our stuff was in storage the first year we lived here and I thrifted for more..and ended up with quite a new/old collection.
Glad you are in better spirits today and may you enjoy your weekend nestled in your sweet cottage!
Your post sounds as though you are feeling better today. Sleep, good sound sleep. Isn’t it amazing?
I’m sitting here at my desk tonite also looking across the room and my office Christmas tree. It makes me feel all warm and wonderful inside and very happy that I have it to enjoy. The ornaments however, are all new and have no history to them. I can pretend though, right?
I love a day inside when it is dark and dreary but bright and cozy inside. Your ornaments are sweet…love the vintage ones! Sweet tribute ornament to your Winston! I miss all of my furry babies.~Hugs, Patti
What a difference a day makes. Love all the ornaments. It’s 6 am in Michigan just got up for my last day of work until January. The tree is lit, and my fireplace is going. Ah! 10 days off from work after today…
Woke up feeling blue….don’t know why but one thing for sure…it will pass and the sun in my soul will be bright again. Glad your day is bright today!
~Sandy
Claudia, I love those old ornaments. The acorns are cute !! I wish you and Don a Merry Christmas. xo, Susie (She Junks)