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I just love this time of year!

The day is just about over. It began quite early with an early service at church. What a wonderful time of the year. The Christmas music is so glorious and our church choir sang a cantata this morning. They did very well and the string quartet from the NC Symphony was awesome! I sang all the way home in my car. No one to hear me!

After preparing a late breakfast for Mama and Daddy, the Sabbath became a not so Sabbath Day! I worked at finishing the Christmas tree! It's beautiful. While ornamenting the tree, I listened to music of the season on CD's. Everything from the Robert Shaw Chorale, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Renee Fleming, the Three Tenors, Il Divo, Kenny G, Josh Groban, to Bing Crosby. Eclectic, I guess! Something to please everyone, for sure.

Some of my ornaments date back over 40 years. I've been collecting for a long time, and can hardly believe I just admitted that! As I hung each ornament, I remembered the person who gave it to me, or the actual Christmas I bought it. Many are treasured as they bring to mind those loved ones who are no longer with me.

There are funny ornaments and silly ornaments. There are delicate and precious ornaments. There are handmade, plastic ornaments from daycare projects.

The topmost portion of the tree is always reserved for the angelic host. There are about 50 of those. Some are crystal, porcelain, pottery, paper mache, silver, pewter, and cloth. No two are alike!

OCD person that I am, I have a special location for some ornaments. Of course, as I wrote above, the angels occupy the top; closest to heaven I suppose. Just below the angels are the musical instruments and bells. I have always thought that made perfect sense. If you don't get it, then let me know. I will explain.

Then, there's the bird's nest, which is always hidden on an interior branch, just below eye level. Don't want to frighten the mama bird! Into the mix are fishes and shore creatures. Well, I do live at the beach now!

Santa's are all over the tree, except at the top. Interspersed are toys, and glass ornaments of all types.

I love my tree! It's colorful, it's never has a theme, but it is full of memories, character, and once it is completed, my Christmas season can begin.

And to all, a great night!

Posted by Brenda Ballard on 12/07/2008 09:38 PM

Comments (9)

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9 Comments on I just love this time of year!

DEC

I am so jealous. Today was tree day for us, but I had showings that went late and a spontaneous client that by the time I got to the tree place I could not even see a tree that I liked. There is always tomorrow.

Ellie,

Back at you! I would have loved to have showings and a spontaneous or otherwise client. Yes, there is always tomorrow, for a tree, or improved markets! Thanks for the commenting.BB

PS I have loads of Women's Council friends in Maryland. Are you in WCR?

I am with you! Ornaments that have been on my tree for the 27 years we have been married and others that my Mother gave to me from my childhood. I remember where all came from, when they became part of this memory book. Some from the birth of my daughter and those she received thru the years. She built her home last year and by the time I gave her all of her special baubles, my tree didn't quite seem the same. This year, the ornaments added last year, are beginning to take a life of their own! Glad to know someone else is as sentimental about their tree as I!

Building memories is an important part of life, along with the special touches we share with others. Holidays are an important part of my family, with many traditions...like our tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving. And how the youngest in the home is the one to turn it on for the first time. and I have special ornaments given to me by my grandparents that will be passed down, hopefully. Thanks for sharing - Carla

DEC

Brenda, Thanks for sharing your traditions and spirit. And I did chuckle that you shared the number of years you've had some of your ornaments! Nice to bring in the holiday spirit!

Brenda, I often admire trees with a theme and all the harmonious colors but my own tree is a hodgepodge that goes back for many years just like yours. I have ornaments made by my daughters when they were little and now I get to add those made by my grandchildren to the mix. It is like a crazy quilt tree and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Brenda, you're tree is gorgeous, but I have to make a Gen-X comment about your selection of music...Kenny G? I personally like Bruce Springsteen's Christmas Album, A Beach Boys Christmas, and of course the Chipmunks.

Amy,

Thanks for the comment! Now girl, you know I'm an oldie goldie. Kenny G is great with a good bottle of wine, and nobody around! Try it sometime. Springsteen is good - I have some of his stuff, but it's not exactly restful. That would be my ironing music! I will totally pass on the Beach Boys, sorry. I'm OK with the Chipmunks - have an LP, believe it or not from the first time they came around! That would be before you were born. So...let's try for some for musical commonalities - Rod Stewart? Bon Jovi? I can take those in limited doses. What fun! BB

Hello Oldie but Goodie, I can even get into Bing Crosby. Gosh, I do begin to sound like my mother but the old stuff is so much better!

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