Countdown to Christmas - Day 25

Saturday I faced my Christmas nemesis - the tree! We have a fake tree- I wish I could handle a real tree, but I can't. The cats make it too hard. Plus we have high ceilings and we really need a big tree. When we moved in we found the tree in the basement (dirt floor, dark, damp, scary) -

It still had the price tag on it, but it was scattered in over 100 pieces all over. The paint on the tips of each branch had rusted off. We knew it was tall and we were so excited for our first Christmas on the Porch Tour that we decided to try to put it together. That year we started on Halloween. I had on my scarecrow costume as we sorted the branches and tried to figure it out! It took two weeks. We now have it down to 4 hours. That is just to put the tree and lights up - no decorations! I start by clearing a space in the dining room (which was easier before we got the table!) And I play my Il Divo Christmas CD on repeat the whole 4 hours.

The branches are sorted and shrink wrapped, stored in trash cans.


DH comes in 1/2 way to tie the tree to a hook in the ceiling (the first year Seven, the cat, rode the tree to the floor in the middle of the night).

Four hours later I have a big, naked tree to look forward to decorating the next day!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 26

Hall rug - one of the few new things this year. I got it 80% off last year at Hobby Lobby.

Countdown to Christmas- Day 27

I won't be using the vintage glass ornaments on trees this year due to Lulu. Maybe they will be safe here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting ready for the kids....

Missing the daughter- the boys and Son#2's girlfriend!

The new Granddog- Rivers! The pugs sniffed him over carefully and approved of him. He's going to be a big boy!

We have a lot to be thankful for!

Hide the Turkeys!

Early this morning One of my friends called needing to take some pictures for the newspaper for Porch Tour PR. My kitchen was a mess and the part that looked the best was covered with "turkey" items. So quickly I shoved the turkeys in a corner and hauled out a little Christmas. Instant Christmas cookies being prepared for the Tour!

After the photos I shoved it all away and turned the Turkeys loose for 2 more days! Eli was not impressed since he felt like he should be the subject of the pictures. He did manage to get in a couple, so people will probably be afraid to eat cookies at my house - since the pug helped make them!

He is all dressed up in his Auburn football shirt since the big game is Saturday! War Eagle!

Clutter Catchers

A better picture- yes, they are all full!

A Little "Whiney"

I think I've been a little pitiful this week because DH came home with flowers and a bottle of wine to sedate me! Things get that way around here this time of year. I get a tiny bit stressed with Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas and the final preparations for the Porch Tour.

There are piles of stuff to finish in my sewing room and I make mistakes when I rush- I certainly did that this week. The more I tried to fix a monogram goof the worse it got. It took me six hours to take the stitches out and redo it- there were tears. I hate to cry over something that silly- but 6 hours-wasted!!!!

On a more positive note - Millie and her Bear Tea Party are almost finished! I made the dress, apron and hats. I have to finish painting one of the stumps and have DH attach the bear to it.

Lulu showing of the Hobby Lobby 90% off patchwork pumpkins. I walked in the store just as they put up the signs. I did not need any more Fall stuff but the mass hysteria of the women grabbing stuff got the best of me.

There are 4 places at the table again- Son #3 has returned from Basic Training in Missouri. We picked him up at the airport in Montgomery Thursday night. He is VERY glad to be home.

This last picture I threw in for my Mom - so she can see my tower of suitcases in the background. We saw a tower on another blog that went all the way to the ceiling - I have a ways to go!!!

I have liked the way many of you have have tried to blog every day in November and I think I'm going to give it a try from Thanksgiving to Christmas! Maybe it will help me get into my Holiday spirit and out of the whine/wine!!!!!