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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Special Holiday Edition!

You all know I'm a "Monday Kinda Gal" with my postings, but I got to thinking about some things I wanted to share with you before Christmas.

Throughout the years we (the Hess clan) have run the gamut of Christmas trees, from the Charlie Brown tree when we were still in college and very, very poor ~ to the 10' Blue Spruce in our great room ~ to the the potted tree which we could replant ~ to the pre-lit artificial tree done with the vintage colored bulbs which was enormous (and now resides in the girls' living room) ~ to the "weight watchers" version we currently have.

I wish I had a picture of each one to share, but I will share our latest.  After living for 34 years in the desert and desperately trying each Christmas to sustain a cut tree, we've given in to the artificial tree, and now have pared down in size as well.

The nice thing is that this little tree is a snap to decorate and can be completed, from set up to finish, in less than 1 hour.  As I hung the ornaments I relished and reflected on the memories attached to each one...

The few remaining from my wonderful childhood...



One beautiful cardinal ~ a reminder of my Mom, her favorite bird...

A gift from a former student...

Sweet memory of a Christmas holiday in our favorite city...

And most precious of all....those creations that came from the hands of our children...


So, dear friends, the cards have been sent...

The cookies baked...



The caramels made...

But there is still "elving" to do ~ food to be made for the Saturday and Sunday feasts ~ gifties to be wrapped...

I will be taking a break from the blog next Monday and will join you again in the New Year.
So, I leave you now as we approach the most beautiful day in Christendom, our Lord's Nativity, with a simple message ~

11 comments:

Chris said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family...As we celebrate the Birth of our King we remember our many blessings.

JoAnne said...

Lovely post! Merry Christmas Karen!
xoxo
JoAnne

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Merry Christmas to your family as well!!

lynn said...

karen that is a gorgeous tree.. and small it may be.. but filled with the perfect amount of lights and memories.. how wonderful ... you worked hard now.. relax girl.. :)
have the best holiday ever. hug those daughters for me.. i am also blessed with two daughters.. the Good Lord is so wonderful..
happy holidays all
xoxoxo see you in the new year
big ladybug hugs
lynn

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Karen,
Oh, it's all SOOO beautiful!!! And I love your card~It is so special. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead!!!
XO
Cindy

Lori Anderson said...

The tree is SO pretty -- I love trees with lots of ornaments. And CARAMELS! YUM!

Tara said...

I think our tree generally fits into our life during any given year. The ornaments are always the best part! Merry Christmas to you and your family and Happy New Year!

~*~Patty S said...

Thank you for sharing some of your Christmas spirit with us...so much to delight us dear Karen!

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmastime and a New Year that is Happy and Bright!

oxo

Midir said...

Merry Christmas! Love the tree and cookies!

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Karen,
I want to wish you the Happiest New Year ever!!!
XO
Cindy

dkshopgirl said...

thank you for all your lovely posts Karen! I do read them and mostly too slack to comment, but they're great! all the best to you for 2012.

x Deborah.