The Tree is Up!

The tree is finally up, and a true Charlie Brown tree it is! We love it anyway, and the price was certainly right (free). I prefer the wild trees with their open shape because the ornaments are so much easier to hang and more visible. We decided to put the tree on the big table in the log room this year. That way no furniture had to be moved!

On the small red shelf in the log room is crystal, red, silver, brass and lace. The dreary rainy day outside makes it look even cozier. All of these items are flea market or thrift shop finds--even the shelf itself. The silver creamer and sugar I found this week, for less than $2.00. A little cleaning was all they needed. I'll add some greenery to them tomorrow.

On the fireplace mantel, I only changed out a few things to give a little Christmas-y feel. I bought the zinc bucket arrangements at a consignment shop, to use during our carols program; the brush tree cost a quarter at a thrift shop. The other items were already on the mantel. So easy! The washboard is the one I used when we first moved up here, before we had electricity. The kerosene lamps, cow bell and butter churn are from that time also, reminders of those early days at this place. Back then, of course, these weren't display items--they were tools!

A quiet corner by the couch. The hanging behind the couch has been there since we built this room 8 years ago. I love its soft red color. Someone put a lot of time into crocheting squares of red wool into this throw. The table by the couch is actually an old treadle sewing machine that used to work. I'd like to get move it and put something else in its place. I've had it for years, but maybe it's time to find it a new home. Behind the table is a screen that is old indeed. It is handpainted on canvas, probably from the late 1700's-early 1800's, and folds out into 3 panels. It has some bad places but it's just beautiful with its soft golds and reds. One day I'll need to look into restoring it. We use it to screen the doorway if we have visitors staying in the log room.

I've kept decorating simple this year; most of the things I usually put out were put back in their totes and not used. I'm not sure why, but I am happy with less this year. Next year, who knows? All of it might be out! One of the fun parts of decorating for this season is that each year it's a little different, and I don't know until I get started just what I'm going to do. I wonder if it's like that for everyone. Do you plan in advance what your decorating will be?

Time to get back to cleaning. A lot left to do and not much time to do it!