The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Old Christmas Tree. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to visit today and see all the magnificent make overs the ladies have for your viewing pleasure. Be kind and leave a comment or two!


It's NOT a typo. . .although I do a lot of that lately! I know you think it should read, O Christmas Tree. But this, dear ones, is a post about our old Christmas Tree.

'Twas the Night before my birthday, too many years ago. . . all the neighborhood children were out playing in the snow! All except me. I had to stay indoors due to my umpteenth time with strep throat! My parents had just received the news that I had severe allergies to all evergreen trees. Down came the beautiful fir tree they had just decorated and into the house came the glistening silver tree with the circular, electric, rotary four hued disc in red, yellow, blue, and green. Fighting back tears at the ripe age of ten, I totally lost it when my older brother came into the room, took one look at that tree and the fir on the porch and said, "Gee, thanks sissy."


The December I turned twelve, my brother, married with children, took that silver tree to his own home. We had a brand new artificial six foot Scottish Pine. A green tree, at last. . .and, still to this day I decorate our old Christmas Tree.





For nearly 46 years now, I've decorated our old Christmas Tree. Every year, I think it's time for the landfill. Then the memories come flooding back. I wipe the tears, get out the ornaments and decorate that old tree with all the love I can give!











This past year, even I had my doubts. During after Christmas sales, I purchased fifteen bunches of greenery with pine cones. Each sprig of greenery went into the boughs to fill in the void spaces of the time~worn tree.








Before I get ahead of myself, I should tell you how much I love clear lights. This six foot tree has approximately 500 lights! Being an 'early riser', mornings On Crooked Creek are spent with coffee, the old Christmas Tree and me! There is something so serene about time alone with the Lord and the lights on the tree. . .truly, heavenly!





During my sons college years funding for decor was non~existent, I gathered up all the faux fruit I could find, plus the left~over Christmas ribbon and made clusters to hang inside the branches. This past year, I purchased rolls of sage green embossed ribbon to use for garland.








Our old Christmas Tree is a traditional tree. Using three traditional colors of reds, golds, and greens. The ornaments are red and gold. Gold swirling spirals give shine and radiance to the branches. Newly purchased bronze and gold beaded spirals bring about a vintage flair.









The additional greenery sprigs, with a touch of twigs, gives another dimension to the top of the sparse pine tree. Notice how nicely it has filled out ?





Angel or star? It has always been an angel on our traditional tree. The smiles exchanged between Father and Son will always be pondered in my heart and mind as little ones were lifted high into the air to place the angel in her regal place.






From top. . .









to center. . .












to bottom. . .










our old Christmas Tree!












Until next time. . .







22 comments:

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

How could you ever part with such history!! Your tree looks lovely and I can't beleive it has survived so many holidays!!

Lynn said...

Beautiful! I just purchased a new tree this year, but since I have the space I'm keeping my old one:@)

Shirley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shirley said...

I love the way your "old" tree turned out. Using what we have and embellishing it keeps things out of the trash. Good job!

Pam Schroeder said...

Beautiful tree - you worked wonders on her. It couldn't be better if you got a new tree so I say - "Keep the old tree." PAM

Sonny G said...

I want to say first how very beautiful your tree is. Made only more beautiful by the lovely memories you choose to share with us. I could see the child being raised in the air to put the angel atop your tree..
thank you for adding to my holiday season.

Sonny

Roxie Armstrong said...

Why part with such a beautiful tree? As long as it is holding together, and you enjoy the memories it has given you, I say keep it. You have done such a lovely job in transforming it into a tree that you are happy with. That angel is beautiful.

Scribbler said...

This is a wonderful story -- I cannot believe that your tree has held up so long! The way you decorate it, one would never guess. I have used that trick of poking in "filler" in bare spots, too -- it works!

Arabella said...

I absolutely love it!

I'm dropping by from Metamorphosis Monday & am a new follower.

Hope you have a great week.

Marie
http://www.SallyLeeByTheSea.com

A Perfect Setting said...

Great story, and beautiful tree. The fact that it has a history just adds to the charm... I love Christmas trees and yours is lovely!!

Vanessa said...

Hi! I just found you through Met Monday but I see we share some of the same bloggy friends! I absolutely love this post and it just spoke to my heart! Not only is the tree gorgeous, but the history and meaning behind it is what gives it it's true beauty. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! :-)
Vanessa
P.S. I'm your newest follower!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh your tree is so full of history and love. Thanks so much for sharing. Thank you for swinging by from Pat's and saying hello. I look forward to getting to know you.. hugs ~lynne~

Sarah said...

Your "old" tree looks beautiful all decked out for the holidays. You can't beat a tree with history!
Thanks for stopping by HFTS and leaving such a thoughtful comment. Hope you'll be back soon. ~ Sarah

bj said...

I love your olden tree...it is very beautiful and I know a new one wouldn't be as pretty to you. I believe in hanging on to memories.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh it turned out fabulous. I am so sentimental about things, that I had a hard time letting go of our old one too. Then it just actually fell apart. So now I am on to the next one for the last 10 yrs. I hope it lasts like the last one. Your tree is stunning and I absolutely love all the traditional decor. Beautiful. Thanks for the visit and your gracious comments also. Hugs, Marty

Retirement... said...

Awww...that is such a sweet story. I know exactly what you mean - my birthday is 2 days before Christmas and I am allergic to trees too. My family makes me get a real one, though, so I spend a day at Christmas in the doctor's office begging for cough medicine. I'll show them your post!

You have adorned your special tree beautifully!

Janean said...

you just proved that the decorations make the tree...which is just the background. your clever *filling in* and abundant lighting make this old gal look like a million bucks. FAB job!!!

Jenny H. said...

Beautiful! You've made a real beauty out of a lovely memory that had started to show its age. Glad you're keeping it around and loving it back to beauty again! Merry Christmas!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

You sure brought new life into this treasure, Its so full of memories. The white lights are perfect, I think they help to show off the decorations.

I love old items from the past. We got rid of all our new furniture just to be able to acquire all the old furniture from past family generations. This keeps family alive all through the house.

We even have one of those old aluminum trees with rotating color wheel. NOW that... I refuse to put up for Christmas but we hold onto it.

Again, your tree is Awesome!

Marlis said...

So many memories. It would be difficult to part with those. I love your tree, it's quite fabulous. You did a great job. Thanks for dropping in.. hugs, marlis

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Thanks so much for telling me about Nell Hill's online store. I just browsed and such lovely things. Of course she has a couple of things that are now on my wish list. Thanks again. Hugs, Marty

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Pat...

I just read your sweet note that you left for me over on my master bedroom post, my friend...and came right over!

My...ohhh my!!! After seeing your beautiful "old" Christmas tree...I long for Christmas! It's my favorite holiday! So many fond memories and hopes for new memories to be made! My friend, your Christmas tree is just gorgeous! I would have to say that she has grown up to be quite the exquisite lady! You know, I never thought to add more greenery into the tree itself...that is a GRAND idea! I really enjoyed looking through your beautiful ornaments too! Thank you for sharing this Christmas beauty with us today! Hurry up Christmas! Hehe! I'm so sorry about your illness as a child...yuk...strep throat and allergies are NO fun at all!

Warmest wishes,
Chari