Really not exactly what I expected on Christmas morning.

 

I remember the days when I would get up early Christmas morning with eagerness to see what Santa had left under the Christmas tree.  

Joyful tree ...  but forgot to take pictures after Santa came.

Well, I did get up early Christmas morning, not to see what Santa had put under the Christmas tree, because I was Santa and knew what was under the tree. 

 

I was up early to start preparing food before everyone arrived.  

What I found was not exactly what I was expecting this Christmas morning ... 

  

As I approached the fireplace to turn on the Christmas lights, I stumbled over something on the floor. I finally reached the remote for the lights and found that our huge Christmas wreath had somehow fallen from the fireplace was laying face up on the floor with the string of lights still attached. 

  

Now this is a pretty tall fireplace. How it got off that very secure nail and ended face up on the floor; I will never know. 

Lucky that it only took one small snowman down with it. 





Then something was wrong with my camera and this was the best picture I got.  I was beginning to wonder what was going on. 

Is there such a thing as a "Christmas ghost"?
 
 I got the wreath back together as best I could and put it back in place. Some of the red birds are still misplaced but it looked presentable.

 Love my little antique wagon, bottle brush trees and snowmen.

I think this big Snowman is laughing about all the strange things that have happened this morning or maybe he is just happy that it is Christmas and he gets to come out of the closet. 
 

 Hope your Christmas was exciting and happy.

Happy New Year too .... 

Audrey Z. 

My $10.00, scrawny little Christmas tree that I have used the last three years is decorated with thrifted and Dollar Tree items. 

More about the scrawny tree can be seen HERE.

Dollar Tree decorations:  
White Reindeer, Red plastic balls, white slinky toys, Joy ornaments. 
Little snow covered bird houses were a Thrift store buy 23 for $5.00 ... new with tags. 

linking to Vintage Charm Vintage Charm
 

Decorating with Bottle Brush Trees

I am sure most of you are 'done' with seeing Christmas decoration but here are some I did not get time to post before Christmas.

I have a sizable collection of vintage bottle brush trees but this year I enjoy bleaching and dying the new ones. 

Pictures will speak for themselves. 

Trees inside a tree.

... in a birdcage with ironstone and silver ...

... old metal cogs anchor this tree

new bleached trees ... love how they turned out. 

antique mercury glass deer ornament 

and $ Store white trees. 

With these last two pictures, you are getting a peek at the antique, re-purposed kitchen cabinet that I put in our remodeled bathroom.

Reveal coming soon. 

This old Snowman loves his bottle brush tree and a happy snowman on the right that has just gathered a wagon load of snowballs. 

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus took their old beat-up Tonka truck to the tree farm. 
(no cab, so now it is a convertible)

I have had these figures for years and did not realize they were knee huggers until I was stuffing them in this truck.

Looks like she is flirting with Santa. 

 

 This vintage car is about 12" long 

This had to be the worse tree on the lot.

This little car is only about four-inches long but he can carry his tiny tree in his rumble seat. 

I asked our grandsons (21 and 23) why this back seat, out in the weather, was called a 'rumble-seat'.

Both whipped out their cellphone and Goggled it.

Very interesting, at least they thought it was. 

Went back in time ... a bench/seat on the back of a carriage for footmen or servants.   

 Also, in an automobile ... called the mother-in-law seat 

or honeymoon seat.

Too long to go into details here ... 

 

This vintage, crinkle-wire-wrapped, 

mercury glass tree topper hangs upside down on the chandelier over the dining table.

 

 Happy New Year 2015 

Linking to: 

Make it Monday

Kathie with an E ... You are gonna love it Tuesday

Snowmen are hanging around so Let It Snow

This fat little Snowman greets you at the front door and is hanging around in hopes it will snow. He has his presents and an old red lantern and hopes to find ice so he can go skating.   

Hanging out just inside the door are Clyde and little Earl dressed in their finest for Christmas.

They are happy here with all their Snowmen friends and the pretty lights and decorations.

The Welch Hutch is decorated with bottlebrush trees, pinecones, pine branches, birds and snowballs.

The tall one is Cotton and he lights the way for the parade. Shorty is Styrofoam and Whiskey is papier mâché.

  

Vintage Mercury glass deer would love to play in the snow too.

Yarn snow balls covered with Epsom Salts.

This little guy is happy because he has dug up the perfect Christmas tree with his little shovel and he has his little Hy-Speed wagon to ride in.

May your new year be Blessed

Audrey Z.

Linking to: 

 Knick of Time

Beyond the Picket Fence

Common Ground

At The Picket Fence

Somwhat Simple

The Shabby Creek Cottage