oh, christmas tree.

Everyone seems to be posting about their Christmas decorations, so I figured I would, too. I really enjoy viewing what other people hold dear and believe the holidays is a time when it's alright to be, well, a little over-the-top. I mean, we just spent $50 on a tree to shed needles in our dining room for the next few weeks. Most of you already know about Bobby's obsessive vacuuming habits - well it only gets worse around this time of year.

The decorations I look forward to unpacking the most each year are our stockings. I had a felt obsession a few years back (hopefully, most of you still have the ornament I made you) and decided to make our family, including each cat, a personalized stocking - completely hand-sewn minus the outer contour of the stocking. At this time, I developed bronchitis and stayed home from work a couple days. I woke early and went to bed after midnight, in which time I constantly worked on the stockings. I became so utterly delirious by the time the whole project was finished...well, you'll see for yourselves.



Notice - our red wood stove finally fits in around this time of year.


For our cat Lucy. I think the one eye bigger than the other captures her quirky, neurotic personality.


Bobby, my little drummer boy. I like the caterpillar eyebrows.


My beloved Pico. Pictured doing what she loves most. Though actually, she's been adapting well to wet food recently. I think she might lose some weight afterall.


So, did you notice the trend? Everyone is pictured doing what they love most - Lucy playing with her mouse toy, Bobby playing the drum(s), and Pico eating. By the time I arrived to design my stocking, I had become so delirious, I decided to make my caricature look a little nuts. There I am - dancing a jig, wearing orange shoes, wide-eyed and insane. But notice – I did give myself a nice rack for the holidays.

Here are some other of my favorites:


The aluminum tinsel tree. Found in my grandmother's death while rummaging through her attic. Still in its original packaging - "as advertised in Life Magazine." It looks a little sparse and could use a new tree skirt. I wish we could string lights on it, but we do have one of the spinning color wheels to give it some glimmer.


The deer family. I know, they're a bit strange. Again, they also belonged to my grandmother and in her final years, she told me several times that she wanted me to have them after her death. She was soooo proud of them. (Mom - notice I painted the nose black again.)


This snowman is new. He's papier mache and I picked him up in Texas. Love the icicle hanging from his nose.

Tonight I will decorate the live tree. I love looking at all the little ornaments still unpacked from last year. Expect to see a few of them tomorrow. I challenge some of you to share your favorite tree ornaments (hopefully those damn felt ones I made a couple years back will be included...if you still have them!).

Regarding the last post - who knew talking snot would prompt so many comments! An apology goes to those of you to which I sent the picture directly.