and other beautiful Christmas music is playing in the background as I sit and enjoy twinkling lights and a tree all trimmed and waiting for wrapped presents. For now I’ll savor the moment with some Egg Nog in a pretty glass.
On Saturday our mystery tree was brought in from the cold and unwrapped. We were pleased with it’s fine shape and it’s great price of $19.97.
Dear strung the lights on the tree and the decorating continued with the Angel tree topper added first.
It was fun to pull out my favorites with memories attached and enjoyed.
Baby’s first Christmas ornaments are getting a little tattered.
After the tree was trimmed it was time to set out our favorite things from Christmas’s past.
The kissing Santa salt and pepper shakers and 2 sets of angels are from Dear’s mother. The Santa Matryoshka is from my brother Leonard.
These mugs belong to our 3 kids. I might have mentioned before that this will be our first Christmas since our kids were born that we won’t all be together on Christmas Day. Katie will be in North Carolina and our son Dan has to work on Christmas day in Eastern Washington. Josh, Laura, Dear and I will enjoy the day together. I’ve had some “moments” since getting back home from North Carolina. Those out of nowhere teary moments that last for just a spell when it strikes me that things have changed. It’s OK that they change but I still get caught by surprise by the emotions associated with the changes. When I pulled these mugs out of the attic I stood on the attic stairs crying to think they all wouldn’t be used this year. Ahh…but then I move on.
This is my Christmas Card clothes card line. I love it because I can hang each card that comes our way and keep them where I can continue to see and enjoy them.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
You can read the whole Christmas story from the Bible in Luke chapter 2.
Hope your week, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day are filled with joy!
I’m linking up with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Yes, those little ‘moments’ happen and then we move on. I imagine that our mothers had those same little moments.
I, too, have had the odd little moment in this, the first Christmas season that will see our family celebrating on different sides of the country. I count my blessings, as you do, though. We’re all safe and healthy and with loved ones.
Your vintage angels are precious and I love your cards on display! I need to get a ‘line’! ♥
Gorgeous mosaics. Merry Christmas. V
Written as a “loving Mom” should…I think we all have those moments!!! Love your photos!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
A lovely post. I too have had those moments. This year we are celebrating in a different way than usual.
Beautiful Christmas decorations and so wonderfully photographed!
Beautiful decoration! Have a wonderful week and a wonderful Christmas!
Markus
Your decorations are all beautiful, Ellen! The tree is perfect!
I did not decorate a tree at all this year as I just returned home from celebrating an early Christmas with my children and grandchildren in Coloardo. My Christmas at home will be rather quiet.
As the seasons change so do our lives, but we can be happy that our children are happy and find joy in the times we can be together.
I have thought of you often and prayed for you…as I knew that there surely would be times that change would stir tears. Praying as He leads as you work through this season. Your tree looks so amazingly perfect.
I listened to Pete Wilson, a Pastor in the Nashville area, this morning and he spoke a good reminder. “It’s very possible during these days leading up to Christmas that we are enjoying the aromas, the tastes, the decorations, the gifts, the parties and the family get togethers but never really taste of what’s good. “O taste and see that the LORD is good”.
So as we approach this holiday no matter what our hearts may be missing we can look for Him…perhaps in a new way. He is enough…we sometimes just have to find our way to that good.
Beautiful tree and ornaments. It is nice to be done and feel relaxed and ready for the Christmas holidays. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
We all get caught at times by the changes in our lives. But on we go! Lovely home and decorations. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Good morning, Ellen! What a festive and beautiful display.
I am sorry that all your family can’t all be together. I am sure your away kids will miss you too! Hugs.
Have a blessed day.
I would be misty eyed too, I know how close you are to your family!
I have that angel too!
Love the clothes line, I don’t send cards anymore so the number gets less and less each year. I feel guilty to get cards as I don’t send!
Merry Christmas, Ellen, in case I don’t get back to visit again!
Change is a part of life, but it’s rarely easy. We will be missing our daughter and her husband this year, too. There have been tears, but then, I move on.
Hugs to you, Ellen, and Merry Christmas.
I could almost hear the Messiah…we had it on last night. Your place is looking lovely. I feel your mom heart as the dynamics in the family change as the kids lives move in different directions. I love the old ornaments with all the memories…..I have one of those baby balls exactly like the blue and white one on the left…a wee bit tattered as well. Great memories.
So pretty…what a beautifully shaped tree! Looks as if you caught up to speed mighty quickly. Hope that you have many hours of sitting and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Great tree…at a great price…with meaningful decor! Blessings to you on the ‘first Christmas of this kind’.
Ellen, Keep those mugs. I wish I had some for the hot chocolate the grands are asking for now.
Life is so full of changes…. but with them come new adventures and it’s all good. This Christmas you will not all be together but it will make the one that you will be together at … even more special! Hopefully next Christmas.
Over the years I’ve said, I’d rather not have my kids here and wish they could be, than have them here and not want to be together.
Your tree looks beautiful!
Merry Christmas blessings to you!
Your nativity set is lovely. I especially liked reading the passage from Luke, it always brings tears of joy to my eyes, no matter how often I read it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Beautiful..Ellen!
We are also having a small Christmas without family there. Season’s Greetings and a happy New year.
Just in case there are any doubts, Christmas is in the air! I even dreamed of singing the Hallelujah Chorus (in my alto part, no less)!