Although Art was insisting on waiting to put up the tree until December 1st, he's caved in to the old adage, "Happy wife, happy life."
Opening the boxes of ornaments always brings back memories. Here's a few.
A: Homemade ornaments made by our children when they were little and our granddaughter.
B: Tiffany bought this bulb from Home Depot to represent all our visits there for our ever continuing home renovation.
C: A teeny hand knitted stocking from my elementary school friend, Mavis.
D: Dated and engraved silver photo ornament of our daughter Tiffany and her family to remind us of their visit last year at Christmas.
E: A handmade ornament from our son, Jon when he was in 1st grade.
F: Art's Finisher Honolulu Marathon key rings from 2009 and 2010
G: I was so proud of myself when I finally finished this ornament making sewing kit.
H: My friend Joan went to Prague and brought these ornaments for everyone in our teachers group.
I: The Colonel and his wife, Elizabeth were the neighbors across the street when we moved into the neighborhood in Illinois 36 years ago. They welcomed us with open arms and watched over us like surrogate grandparents. When Elizabeth died they left us some special memorabilia. These little angels were one of them. I think of this special couple whenever I see these angels.
J: Dina from Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo gave this Israeli sandal to us about 30 years ago and I think of her whenever I see it. I think of how we celebrated Hanukkah together whenever I see it.
K: Like most teachers I have a lot of ornaments I received from children throughout the years. I have their names on them to remind me of the special times we spent together.
Jon used to aggravate us every year by hanging those little angels around the house so that we'd find one after all the decorations had been put away. Sometimes it'd be as late as summer when we'd spot one. Now we put one up in an odd place just to remind us of his antics since he's in New Mexico and can't do it himself.
The tree is up!
We're ready... sort of... for the holidays!
Opening the boxes of ornaments always brings back memories. Here's a few.
B: Tiffany bought this bulb from Home Depot to represent all our visits there for our ever continuing home renovation.
C: A teeny hand knitted stocking from my elementary school friend, Mavis.
D: Dated and engraved silver photo ornament of our daughter Tiffany and her family to remind us of their visit last year at Christmas.
E: A handmade ornament from our son, Jon when he was in 1st grade.
F: Art's Finisher Honolulu Marathon key rings from 2009 and 2010
G: I was so proud of myself when I finally finished this ornament making sewing kit.
H: My friend Joan went to Prague and brought these ornaments for everyone in our teachers group.
I: The Colonel and his wife, Elizabeth were the neighbors across the street when we moved into the neighborhood in Illinois 36 years ago. They welcomed us with open arms and watched over us like surrogate grandparents. When Elizabeth died they left us some special memorabilia. These little angels were one of them. I think of this special couple whenever I see these angels.
J: Dina from Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo gave this Israeli sandal to us about 30 years ago and I think of her whenever I see it. I think of how we celebrated Hanukkah together whenever I see it.
K: Like most teachers I have a lot of ornaments I received from children throughout the years. I have their names on them to remind me of the special times we spent together.
Jon used to aggravate us every year by hanging those little angels around the house so that we'd find one after all the decorations had been put away. Sometimes it'd be as late as summer when we'd spot one. Now we put one up in an odd place just to remind us of his antics since he's in New Mexico and can't do it himself.
The tree is up!
We're ready... sort of... for the holidays!
Mazal tov!
ReplyDeleteYours is a tree of memories and human connections. The best kind of ornaments. Our sandal is honored to be among them.
I pray Jon's angels will watch over your loving home always.
The very BEST kinds of ornaments, Kay. I remember one year when my parent's tree was covered with the ornaments from all their kids, even me (and I didn't even remember making any).
ReplyDeleteYour tree is just perfect!
The memories in each of those ornaments make them very special, I haven't gotten mine out yet, but I always enjoy the memories so many of mine bring back to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories. It is fun to hear the stories connected to all the ornaments. An art teacher where I worked used to do that each year back in the sixties. Now it is called Winter Break and no one in public schools gets into specific religious holidays.Diversity.
ReplyDeleteI don't do a tree anymore--long story. I put out a few festive touches and go to the grandchildren's house for Christmas.
I always put little touches around the house, like plastic holly in the potted plants and tiny ornaments in nooks. Then I always forget to put away at least one. Like you, sometimes it's summer before I spy the last of them.
ReplyDeleteGreat job of not only decorating a tree with beauty but best of all with memories.
ReplyDeleteVery nice all those memories. I'll miss the ornaments particularly from childhood as we will be with the Grands this year in Arizona. Life moves on but new memories are to be made... :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful tree! What a cool sneaky tradition: to hide one ornament after the others are packed. Cute. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI love when it is time to put the ornaments on the tree. So many memories come flooding back when I see certain ones! I hope you and all of your family have a wonderful Christmas season Kay!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, you are early. We won't put our tree up for a few more weeks yet as we always get a real tree and they only last for a couple of weeks before shedding their needles everywhere. But like you, one of my great pleasures is to get out all of the ornaments and dress the tree myself whilst thinking about the memories that they bring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty tree! I love it! I was going to wait until Maria's Xmas break to put up our tree, but have decided to do it this weekend. Rylan's toys, bedding, and tricycle will have to go to another section of the house.
ReplyDeletewhat fun memories...and Christmas traditions
ReplyDeleteThis entry is so charming. I love trees like that. I equally love the memories. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour display of ornaments is ornamental enough to be without the tree. I like the little stocking best I think, although its a tough choice. Love the tree too. Dianne
ReplyDeleteFun memories and a delightful post for the day! Looks as though you're ready for a beautiful Christmas, Kay! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
You are so right, the kinds of ornaments most precious and kept forever are the ones that were given with heart, or handmade by someone dear to us. (I don't put up a tree anymore, but I still have those ornaments stored.) That could be said about so many other things in life (but often we discard our given treasures for newer modern stuff), but something about ornaments, these are the perfect momento, small enough to be stored, yet brought out once a year and memories revisited.
ReplyDeleteL.
Your tree is beautiful and your ornaments are indeed special to you. I was touched by the one you leave out to remember Jon's antics.
ReplyDeleteThe tree is pretty. I enjoy reliving memories each time I unwrap one of my ornaments. Some of them are like yours - handmade with great sentimental value.
ReplyDeleteYour tree is stunning...I wait til the first of December to start decorating. I too decorate the tree with special ornaments, each time I hang them it brings back many happy memories. I love Jon's tradition of hanging an ornament to be found later...
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I love a memory tree like yours. We, too, have ornaments that remind us of people and places and times in our lives.
ReplyDeleteLinda: I LOVE it! A Memory Tree! I've just changed the title for this post. This is perfect! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove your memory tree and wow it is such a 'feel good' post .
ReplyDeleteHow lovely Kay. Those ornaments with the special meanings are the absolute best aren't they? Love your tree too.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I see the hutch but can't see the angel. I love your tree and the little memory is so cute.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a cute tree.
ReplyDeleteAnd love all those ornaments and the special meanings behind them.
Margaret: It's right in the middle of the photo on the handle of the hutch. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's so true ..it is a memory tree and we haven't been able to put one up since we had these two cats as they took it down and ate some of the pieces..it was a mess...
ReplyDelete