Friday, December 30, 2016

Memory Tree - #SaturdaySnapshots

Our Christmas this year didn't work out exactly as we'd planned. In fact, we haven't exchanged gifts yet! That's because our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter have all been sick with a highly contagious virus. So we'll keep our tree decorated for another week and celebrate a delayed Christmas in a few days. In the meantime, here's a photo of our tree. It's artificial because of my allergies. [Click on photos to enlarge]

Our collection of ornaments has grown over the years and many of them represent a memory or were given to us by friends. This Käthe Wohlfhart brewmeister (and a couple of miniature nutcrackers) came home with us from Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, Germany.

This guard left his post at Buckingham Palace to perch on our tree.

A side trip on our Alaska cruise resulted in this ornament.

Closer to home, we picked up this moose while skiing at Steamboat Springs, Colorado. My granddaughter loves it because the moose jumps when she pulls his string.

Since we're both native Texans, we have lots of ornaments from our home state, too.

And for many years my sister-in-law Judy has sent us official Texas capitol ornaments, each one with its own history. Here's the one for 2016.


When my son was young, I did a lot of crewel embroidery, including these two ornaments made from kits.


My friend Nan created this ornament for me because we share a love of quilting.

And Sandra gave me a herd of candy cane hobby horses.

Add in a bottle of wine, some jingle bells, and much, much more and we have a one-of-a-kind eclectic Christmas tree full of memories!

I hope your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or other holidays have brought you peace and joy. Wishing you a glorious 2017!
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11 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry your family is sick and your Christmas celebration had to be delayed! Hopefully that will only make things merrier when you do get to celebrate!

    I love your ornaments! That first one reminded me of when the hubs and I went to Rothenburg ob der Tauber on our honeymoon!

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  2. I wish I'd collected an ornament from each place we've traveled, but I treasure the ones we have. Rothenburg ODT was such a delightful place. I'd love to go back and walk along the wall again.

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  3. I love that you have memories associated with each of your ornaments. My mom collects magnets to display, but it's great that you can reminiscence by the tree!

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  4. Being sick at Christmas is the worst. I hope they're all feeling better now.
    I love collecting Christmas decorations from our travels too - lovely memories revisited as you decorate & take down the tree again each year.
    Happy New Year!

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  5. I love to look over my ornaments and remember where they came from. It gives me a happy feeling.

    The Texas ornaments are a nice touch.

    https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/12/best-christmas-ever.html

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  6. I love all your ornaments. I think that's how a Christmas tree should be decorated, with memories.

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  7. Your ornaments are unique and lovely and I loved the history you gave about where you acquired them. Thanks for sharing, Sandy.

    Kelly Marshall

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  8. Your tree is very natural looking and love the ornaments that bring you so many good memories. Maybe we'll get an artificial one next year (same reason-- allergies) Happy New Year!

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  9. Oh, I hope the family will be feeling well soon! That's the great thing about artificial trees...you can leave them up for as long as you like. I have had artificial trees for most of my adult life. I'm terrified of tree fires...plus, the needles dropping drive me nuts. LOL

    I also love sentimental ornaments and eclectic design for a tree...or a home. Yours are great.

    Enjoy! Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  10. I loved hearing about all your ornaments and each history. It's fun to get a little snapshot of your life as well. I hope your family gets well soon.
    Kathy

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