After an exhausting stretch yesterday with the snow blower and the shovel – trying to get through layers of sleet, snow, and more sleet – we figured we were all done.
But then we got about 5 more inches last night. This time, the snow is quite light and powdery. So we’ll be back out there today, shoveling, snow blowing, and salting. The sun is out, as so often happens after a storm. We went outside early this morning to take some pictures because it was so beautiful.
You can see the mountains in this shot. No pristine shed shot, however, as we moved our cars over there so we can shovel. School has been cancelled for the past two days, many businesses were closed; it was a very long snow ‘event.’
Since we were housebound for most of the day yesterday, we did this:
We’re very pleased with this tree; the shape, height, and scent. I would say 98% of the ornaments are vintage, many of them Shiny Brites. There are also some ornaments that I’ve had since I was quite young. And then there are the large creamy bottlebrush ornaments that I purchased when I was working at my friend Heidi’s shop. I have nine of them and I love them. I think that large pop of off-white adds definition to the tree.
Here it is from inside the den:
I love being able to see it from both rooms. Why didn’t we think of this long ago? Probably because of the dogs and the paths they took from room to room. We used to have our real tree nestled back into the corner of the den where the dollhouse now sits. It was the safest place at the time.
We don’t plan to have a big ‘gift’ Christmas. We had our Paris trip (a huge gift!) and we decided the frame (framing is never cheap) of our Paris lithograph is our gift to each other. There will be a few little gifts under the tree, but mostly this Christmas is about the tree and being together here in our cottage. About being grateful.
Happy Tuesday.
Beautiful!
It is. I just wish I didn’t have to shovel it! Thanks, Claudia.
Your tree is just beautiful! The bottle brush ornaments are so great. And the snow! Wow! It is so lovely. Sure looks like Christmas at your place.
And it’s only the beginning of December! Thanks, Tana.
So lovely!
Thank you, Sylvia.
The tree is SO beautiful and seeing it put a large smile on my face. Good for you two!
Thank you, Deborah!
Just having things to be grateful for is such a gift in itself!! A gratitude check at the end of each day is always a good thing to do. In these stressful days, it is too easy to forget.
The tree is lovely! And what a great spot. I love sitting in here at night with the lights on. So peaceful.
Hope you can make quick and light work of the remaining snow and enjoy the rest of the day. Having sunshine certainly does help!!
Three hours working outside. Three hours yesterday. It’s been a pain in the ass. Beautiful, but exhausting. And my back is not happy.
Thanks, Chris.
Your tree is just perfect, Claudia. I love those big white ornaments. We had quite a bit of snow in North Jersey as well. My husband blew out the driveway this morning and now it has melted clean away. Fine with me! We don’t buy each other a whole lot for Christmas either. Jack never wants anything, and I usually have a cookbook on my list, so that’s us. I should mention that our rather small hundred year old home is stuffed!
Another stuffed home! I understand, Judy!
Absolutely love your tree! And Shiny Bright ornaments are my favorite. I have a few from my Mom/our tree growing up. Us kids all split them when she passed away. Hope you can dig out from the extra 5 inches that were dropped upon you.
:)
How lovely to have some of your mom’s ornaments, Maureen! Thank you.
Your snow pictures are so beautiful! I love the shot of your red shed peeking through all the white snow and your Christmas tree is gorgeous. Being able to see it from so many angles is an added plus. Thanks for sharing all these beautiful pictures with us. It looks like a winter wonderland. I’m sure it’s hard for you to see it that way when you’re out there shoveling and plowing through it.
Yes, it is. But now I’m inside after shoveling for 3 hours and it’s sunny. So maybe I can enjoy it now! Thanks, Cathy.
Your tree is lovely…and I love the view from your den. I didn’t realize you had so many vintage ornaments. There’s nothing better than decorating a tree as the snow falls. We still have to decorate our tree, but I’ve sprinkled a little bit of Christmas cheer around the house. Today is for the outside swags and garland.
That’s quite the snowfall…but, despite the work it brings…it is gorgeous. Your pictures have captured it beautifully. I hope you’ll allow yourself a hot chocolate treat after all the shoveling! ;)
I had some hot chocolate yesterday, but after being off sugar, I realize that I need to have a much smaller portion!
I have to do the outside lights yet, but everything else is done. Thanks, Donna!
I like that view from the den, too; seeing the tree on the other side of the glass interior door. Really lovely. Like seeing a tree in someone’s living room through a window when you’re driving by their house. Something about that reflection; the glass. Sparkly. Glowy.
Great idea; I bet the pew looks good against the back of the loveseat, too. I find lights on the tree or on/in a home so cheery at this time of year; just feels, I dunno, sort of reassuring and hopeful; twinkling stars I guess…a throwback to childhood wonder of it all…
I love the lights. I find them comforting and magical. Thanks, Vicki!
Your tree is lovely and truly captures the spirit of the season. I decided to use my vintage shiny brites this year instead of a “themed ” tree, and I am so happy with it. Many of the ornaments belonged to family members and they brought back quite a few wonderful memories.
Those kind of memories are priceless, Liz!
“this Christmas is about the tree and being together here in our cottage. About being grateful.”
that is what Christmas is all about. xo
Yes it is. Thank you, Tammy!
xo
Oh, the snow is a wonderland; indeed gorgeous. But my husband (at times, a Midwesterner; his heritage is from the middle of the country/U.S.) says that shoveling the stuff is one of the hardest physical jobs (and, apparently, one of his least favorite!). It’s a good testament on how great a shape you both are in, to be able to do that kind of strenuous work (at any age; I sure couldn’t ever do it, then or now; I’ve never had that kind of stamina/strength [she says with envy!]).
Your holiday tree turned out perfectly; gosh, it’s such a pretty tree. Good job on the decorating! And now you can enjoy it for the next three weeks (and hopefully more) in its full glory for the whole season.
(In terms of the gift-giving, my husband, when he agreed to a ‘real’ tree this year, said, “Okay, but that’s your Christmas gift(s), Vicki!” In other words, that’s IT from him, ala the budget because, I don’t know how it is in your neck ‘o the woods, but they’re expensive out here in SoCalif, at least the one we’ll get which is sourced from Oregon/Washington. We formerly had a few Christmas tree ‘farms’ around here where you could cut your own; maybe it’s cheaper; sure was fun to do when we were kids. But I’m looking so forward to the tree, and it’s worth every penny, that I don’t want or need anything else. Like you, grateful. Got my man, my dog, my tree. Enough said.
So true, right? More than enough!
too bad about the required shoveling and risks that come with ice and snow, but the snow is beautiful! and your tree is lovely. glad you can see if from several viewpoints.
kathy in iowa
Thanks, Kathy!
Claudia, it is dazzling, and I love how you can see it from all different places. It really sparkles. Don’t you love Shiny Brites? Most of mine (I don’t have a lot) are smaller ones but still precious to me. And those lovely big ones — bottlebrushes? Very inventive!
And that snow and sun! It DOES do that quite often, doesn’t it? Well, it looks beautiful. Very merry!
I love Shiny Brites! And bottlebrush anything. Thanks, Jeanie!
How beautiful and festive! Loved the story about how Don suggested jokingly to go get a tree and you quickly agreed. The spot you chose is perfect…that will surely brighten the dark nights and any grey days. Enjoy!
It already is. We really love it, Tisha!
Claudia, that tree is gorgeous. The decorations are beautiful. We have mostly vintage ones ,too. Enjoy your tree.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
So pretty! I love the photo from inside the den.
Thank you, Lynda!
The tree is beautiful, and the outside shots enchanting. That’s easy for me, a person who has dealt with so little snowfall in my life, to say. Hope your back isn’t too tight and painful today.
It’s painful, but not all that bad! Thanks Linda!
The tree is so pretty! I love all of the ornaments. I’m especially fond of the Shiny Brites.
Your cottage looks so warm and cozy, filled with love. Must be so nice for you and Don to come back into after shoveling snow.
Thanks so much, Lily!
Gorgeous!
Thank you, Kay!
Glorious tree! And for me it is redolent with the ornaments and colors of my childhood! The large white snowflakes are spectacular! Such a collection of shiny brites unbroken is impressive. With that tree, your Paris trip, your lithograph, and Don strumming some acoustic carols, your Christmas sounds heavenly already. XOXO
It is, Nora. It is. Thank you!