Here are some more pictures for
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We almost didn’t decorate the house this year. I am fighting a cold and we were only having a few people over (as in the dinner last night) and I wanted to spend most of my break from the dayjob writing, not putting up decorations and then taking them down again. A lot of those thoughts were powered by the fact that we hadn’t had a tree for the last three years.
Anyway, we decided to go for it and of course, I am glad we did.
This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations from my childhood. She’s actually a bell and it was in my grandmother’s house for as long as I remember. I used her in the centerpiece on the dining table.
This golden boot is also from my childhood. I remember putting it on the tree when my grandfather was still alive (and he died when I was 10). No story attached to it except that this year it made me cry.
When my children were little I had a tradition of putting together a little Christmas village that grew into a big Christmas town. It was an offshoot of my love of miniature collectibles. I had dozens of little houses and trees and many miniature characters. I would spend weeks setting it up (with a train, of course) and all the kids in the neighborhood would come to check it out. It was one of those things that made it feel like Christmas to me.
When I was divorced, my ex kept the train and I took my village. I carried it with me from California to Virigina to Louisiana and back to California again. I never unpacked it. First because there was no room. Then because there were no children’ to come see it. This year I decided to set up a small piece of it just to show my husband what I meant when I talked about my Christmas village. Alas, it did not inspire the oohs and ahhs from him that I had hoped so I’m not sure if I will be putting the big one together ever again. But I am glad of the memories it brings.
One thing I know for sure is that I need to start shopping for more decorations at all the after Christmas sales. This house is so big compared to others I’ve had that I don’t have enough decorations for it.
Hope you are all busy having a wonderful time with your loved ones.
I appreciate the little pieces you shared that make up the whole of you, Susan. The bell and the boot are beautiful. Like you.
The bell and the boot…
I feel a poem coming on.
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I hope you find all sorts of new joys in your new home. You don’t have to fill it with decor to make your spirits bright. One Susan smile will make it gleam. {}
Love and merry merry,
Pamela
Your village brings back memories of playing under my grandmother’s tree. Thank you!
Merry Christmas, Susan! xox
Oooh aaahh! 🙂
Your post and pictures remind me of that saying, “It takes a village…” LJ’s a village of sorts, too, isn’t it? Even though I’m a writer for grown-ups among mostly YA/Children’s book authors, I feel so much at home here, and I’m grateful for this community.
Thank you for showing us your holiday treasures. This is — you are — such a gift.
I love that little choirgirl bell!!! Isn’t it great how looking at something like that transports you back in time.
I had a boot too and it was always my favorite ornament, but it was silver, instead of gold.
I love your Christmas memories/images. They are golden. They are shiny They kick butt. Kind of like that boot.
Thanks for sharing them.