Merry Christmas....

When I say Merry Christmas, I am wishing you the very best of all I know and believe. I'm not concerned if you believe the same or not, I'm still wishing you the very best of everything and it's meant from the heart.

It's Christmas Eve, early evening. The sun has just disappeared from the sky. I have all my treats and presents ready for the celebrating tomorrow with some of my family. It's going to be fun!

This is my new artificial tree this year. It is the first year I have had a green semi-traditional tree since 2016. I had one up when my brother was ill. He left his Christmas decor up till he passed in May of that year. I left mine up too in symbolic support. After that, I bought a white tree that I never thought I'd buy and used it two years. It was still pretty, but not the same. I think I was avoiding "the same". After that, in fall of 2018, I began to buy vintage aluminum trees to satisfy a desire I had for years to own one. I have 5. Only two are full sized. I love them and they met a long time heart's desire. Now it's been enough time though, so I bought a new green one. I have enjoyed it so much this year. I have lots of ornaments on it that I have collected over many years. Most have barely seen the light of day since the aluminum trees showed up. It was fun getting them back out and enjoying them again.

I didn't tell that in sadness of the loss of my brother, that was just the catalyst to me going off to alternate types of trees. They all still made me happy.

A fun reflection. The cookie Santa ornament looks like he's looking over at the tree reflection in the mirror.

I've shown this a Christmas or two I think. I call it The Ancestor's Tree. Some of the ornaments were my Great Grandmother's, My Grandmother's and my Mom's who is now 91. There are even two or three that I bought in my later 20's. Since I'm 68 now, that makes them vintage too.

I'm vintage! 😄

My Forever Tree.... or that is what they call it. It is tin and handmade. It is much prettier than it looks in this photo and I have since changed the star light to green. Although I love it a lot (in a thing kind of way) .... mine has faulty wiring. The first year I got it, I turned it on a lot during the season and thought I was going to leave it up all year, but a couple of months after Christmas, it stopped working. Later I took it apart and found a place where a wire was not connected well and I corrected it. The next year it did the same! I also had to rewire it before this Christmas Season too. sigh... what can you do? One day I will find someone who can totally rewire it for me that knows what they are doing.

The reason for the season sculpted in handmade pottery. Adorable, right? I probably showed this another Christmas too.

My front porch. The front of the banister had a double string of lights when I put it up. Shortly, one went off and although I did a quick connection check (quick because it was really cold at that time) I could not see why they no longer worked and I believed at that time I would add another later, but I never did.

Ornaments..... this was a very cheap one I got one year, but it had such great shape and color. I have always loved the the reflector indents. I am not sure the proper name for that, but.... there it is.

Of course there can be no proper Christmas without the tacky cookies from my childhood.

More ornaments.

Mr Bubbles!

My only new ornament this year. I can start collecting again can't I ??? Mrs, Clause. I didn't add a photo of the back of her, but the bottom of her dress has a very sassy swish. She fits right in.

There it is, the annual fruit cake. LOL!! Claxton brand. My Dad's Mom used to love these when I was a child, I wouldn't give you two cents for a bite or a whole cake back then. Now.... I love them too.

Sweet.... right?

...... and of course, some Christmas Card playing at the art desk. Since I have everything done pretty much, This is where I will probably be the rest of the evening after my shower, watching Christmas movies and tearing up paper!

I hope you are all doing well and that your hearts are happy and that you have a wonderful season of celebration.....however YOU love to celebrate.

Merry Christmas & Love you!

Jacey