Don't laugh but this is our tree. It's actually a limb cut off an evergreen in our garden. I'm telling you we are pulling out all the stops around here.
It's been a sort of busy day with work and this rain slows everything down, rain really throws us. The garden is loving every drop though. We are about to watch This Property's Condemned with Robert Redford and Natalie Wood. And we will both probably fall asleep before it is over. x
Perfect.
ReplyDeleteSleep well, and sweet dreams:).
We haven't had a tree in years. Stopped sending Christmas cards a few years ago too. Stopped exchanging gifts with adults two years ago. Christmas isn't about being in crowded shopping malls spending money you don't have to buy gifts for people who probably don't want more stuff anyway! We string up a few lights, enjoy a lovely meal with family and friends, grateful that we are all together. That's our Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love your tree. It's adorable! And truthfully, I had to force myself to put up our 5ft. tree this year. I live in a suburban area where some of our "friends" get a little crazy this time of year and put up - not one or two - but 3 or 4 large trees and shop till they drop. So I am having a little trouble finding some like-minded minimalists this year. Always good to see your posts. Thank you! They are always an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, you can do a lot with your tree, its really sweet. Enjoyed your photos, it all looks so cozy!
ReplyDeleteJanet, like Michelle I had to force myself to get our tree up this year, the task just seemed so daunting. We bought it on Tues. night and I'm still not done decorating it! 5 bins of decorations to cram on a 7 ft. tree. I miss the days when my daughter helped me...I can tell I am getting older too because after just doing the lights, ribbon and garland I had a sore back yesterday! Too much bending and twisting I guess.
ReplyDeleteI think you have the right idea. :)
Linda
xo
P.S. Love your chandy!
I wrote this earlier today to a friend:
ReplyDelete"I'm beginning to think we decorate for others and if there are no "others", what's the point?
I'm absolutely certain that I decorated our house for my husband. Now that he's gone and it's only me, it's very difficult to muster up any enthusiasm for decorating.
Other aspects of Christmas...buying and wrapping gifts...still brings me joy so I do that. Just the other day I found this lovely little Christmas card that featured an original watercolor of a gold star with a red ribbon. I knew in an instant it was going to a little 14 year old girl and I was on a quest to find a tiny gold star charm. Rosemary, I could not believe my good fortune. I found one and you guessed it--tied it with a small strand of red satin ribbon. I was on Cloud Nine. THAT is Christmas for me now."
Would you decorate even minimally if it was only yourself, Janet?
I encourage all my single friends to do the tree and I ALWAYS did it when I was single through my 20s and 30s.
DeleteIt's pretty calming and soothing and takes the edge off.
My 2 cents worth anyway x
I was on my own till I was 35 and always had a little tree just for me, it's very cheering and the glow of the fairy lights at night is so warming in dark December.
DeleteI hate to disagree with two ladies I admire very much, especially FF--what if she sends the maFFia after me and chops off my Standard Issue Queen Hair? But Christmas trees are really just symbols. If it's a symbol that feels more like a knife in your heart, who needs it? This coming from the most cracked out Christmas crazed person there is. A tree should be a labor of love and pleasure, not a chore out of guilt and "I should have one". Maybe if the gifts are your favorite-wrap your gifts absolutely beautifully and arrange them on a table. You can use platters and stands for some height and interest. I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying Christmas on your own terms. This would allow you to enjoy the good feelings you have about finding the right gifts for the right people a little longer. But if I'm totally off-base, it wouldn't be the first time. :) Merry Christmas!
DeleteI agree with Stephen. There comes a time in your life when less is best, especially when your nest is empty. Gail, you can always go with a simple greenery type candle ring, and candle. Even if they are of the faux type. Very little with which to fuss, and a seasonal location to display your gifts, as Stephen has suggested. :) Merry Christmas!
DeleteIt happened again, Stephen. Two dear friends, Bill and Joe, took me to lunch at El Mexicano the other day to celebrate my 70th birthday. They gave me a gorgeous scarf from Cat's Meow made of the softest wool I've ever felt. Before leaving the restaurant, I hugged them good-bye and explained I was headed for the ladies' room not the front door. A few minutes later I popped into The Book Juggler, a used bookstore next door, and there was Bill combing through their collection of used CDs. I heard him say, "Oh well, it was worth a shot." as I continued to browse the bookshelves. I said, "Good-bye, again.", left the store and strode over to JD Redhouse. When I was sure Bill was gone, I went back to The Book Juggler to ask the owner what Bill was looking for. Glory be, he remembered and told me, "Stephen Sondheim's 'Passion'. He wanted the cd but said he would settle for a dvd." Since I knew Bill wouldn't object to used copies, I went on line and found on Amazon the original cast recording on cd and the 2013 production on dvd. I ordered both. ;-) I can't bear to be in this house on Christmas day so I'm leaving next weekend. I hope they arrive before I leave so I can leave them on their doorstep to enjoy during the holidays ;-) Again, THAT is Christmas for me now. ;-)
DeleteYou're absolutely right, Mona. I have a dutch door on the backside of the house. I was able to use a push pin to hang a small 3" wreath. A gift from my daughter years ago for the Christmas tree and one of my most treasured possessions. As you suggested, I'll think I decorate the dining room table next with candles and some sort of red and green trimmings. Merry Christmas to you too!
Deletei've been thinking about you gail.:)
Deleteyes, i would still decorate if it were just me. the last several years have been very hard to get through the holiday season and i just pushed through even tho i didn't feel like doing it. today, i'm looking at Christmas through the eyes of my grandaughter and it is helping so much. i think giving at this time of year (no matter if it is a gift or time or something you've made) is the key to hapiness. much love to you gail. xo
Once at Christmas, I was so melancholy...I'd lost two back-to-back pregnancies after much infertility treatment. I could do nothing for the holidays because I was so grief-stricken at losing my babies. My husband didn't know what to do. So, he just hung holiday light strings from ceiling to floor on whatever wall space he could find. A forest of lights, in my own house. It brought a slow, unstoppable warmth into my heart, for his gesture, and to have the starry lights, like little beacons of hope and promise.
DeleteI never wanted it to be like this, that I am aware of myself pushing thru, getting thru Christmas. I'd had a different version of family Christmases at this stage of my life and it hasn't turned out like I'd dreamed...for awhile now, actually; so, I should be over it, right? Not. I've had to ditch the idea that everybody else is having 'the wonderful big family Christmas Day' except me. I've learned it's somewhat a myth, thanks to influence/perceptions, TV movies, Norman Rockwell; Hallmark; whatever. Yes, some people have that. Lucky, and I'm glad for them; I no longer feel envy. A lot of people, though, have something different at Christmas. Different can be okay! Maybe the rest of us don't get all of it, but we get some of it or pretty darn close. Nigella Lawson the British chef wrote or said, sometimes you just need to go ahead with the doing of it. Make the cookies and enjoy one for yourself. Listen to the carols and remember another time that was good or just plain listen to the soothing words and glorious music. Etc. I've said in recent years when I let myself get pretty down, that I want to escape from Halloween to Valentine's Day, like to a lost island somewhere where no one even knows about holiday traditions. But that's never gonna happen and I know in my heart that Christmas is what I make of it...I have a choice. I don't want to 'get thru Christmas;' I would rather ENJOY Christmas. Yet I have no miracle solution except to try to get out of my head and get busy. Sometimes I follow my own advice and sometimes I don't.
My neighbor, who is a widow and pretty much alone, has an inner/outer joy which is contagious Christmas wonder, and that's due to her faith because she has such gratitude for Christmas being about Christ so that all the rest, for her, has less emphasis. I know Mother missed having little children in her life as the years went by so she'd get a kick out of making little toy-candy-cooky packages for the neighborhood kids. She loved going 'round the block, delivering her holiday goodies and seeing their bright little faces. So we stumble thru and find our ways, you know?
To Gail, how fortunate for anyone to have you for a friend. You are so thoughtful. You have the true spirit at Christmas...the gift of giving, making someone feel happy and special. I've never forgotten people who gave me gifts with forethought, wrapped beautifully! I admire you! You realize there are people not like that, right? I have known people who get the cheapest thing for someone, that they wouldn't even buy for themselves, that has nothing to do with the recipient's likes or dislikes or needs...like, what can they 'get by with' buying or procuring for someone; selfish and cheapskate-y. And I don't even want to count how many times I've been re-gifted by somebody, which I think is insulting, like they think I don't know? Nobody wants to get a crappy gift! Where's the joy in that? Instead, Gail, you found the secret to unselfish and thoughtful giving; I think you're a Christmas angel!
Gee I LOVE your house and garden. Thrilled you got the card!!! You've got to love the post office! I wish you could pop over and see my tree and the rain here has REALLY perked up my garden. Things are finally perking up.
ReplyDeleteAm binge reading Have some decorum and luffing it sick.
Take care J, garden hard xxxxxxxxxx
also I love that sequin top from Hong Kong!!!!
DeleteI think your tree is lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt's not me, but I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have a tiny home so a poinsettia and some bells and candles and I am good.
ReplyDeleteDon't change a thing! It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI just watched that movie about 2 weeks ago on Netflix.
Loved it! But who doesn't love a young Robert Redford? And she was so beautiful.
I love your limb! And I love the greenery on your chandelier. I actually have a duplicate of that chandelier. I found it at Goodwill and bought it during my wannabe Bob Vila phase. I was going to learn to rewire it (I had a flannel shirt, so I thought I had already learned the hard part of being handy). And it's still in my garage in the Goodwill bag. I no longer have any interest in learning to rewire it.
ReplyDeleteLove how you did the little tree and light...cottage looks gorgous!
ReplyDeleteSimple, elegant and lovely! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your tree....how creative and ingenious! I hope you are having a peaceful holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI think it's all perfect. I believe holiday decorating should be more about celebrating the goodness of the season with simplicity and warmth...not gobs of tinsely shiny things from the shelves of a big box store. I think it's a time to be quiet and humble, and your tree from your garden is just that. I may cut my own branch down today. I hope you and Larry have a warm beautiful holiday. xo
ReplyDeleteI love the greenery on your light fixture. As for the green leaves on the trees outside, I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI think your "tree" is lovely and very much in scale for your room...we have to push our furniture right back to the wall to make room for our 4 or 5 foot Charlie Brown tree. I love all white lights and we have vintage ornaments....the trouble we have is that our cats want to climb it and they think the glass balls are shiny cat toys so we lose some every year. We have very few other decorations so it is important.
ReplyDeleteThe rain seems to have stopped here but left a lot of flooding in it's wake....hope your garden enjoys the moisture and is able to soak it up rather than making your garden into a pond.
BTW I like the greenery on your chandelier!
Cheers and hope that you slept well.
Hugs,
Leslie
The first year that we were married, my husband and I put up a tree and decorated it with lots of bright shiny ornaments. Then we left for an hour or so to visit with friends in the apartment across the hall. When we returned, we found that our two kitties had knocked over the tree and had scattered the ornaments into all three rooms.
Deletekris
I had a dog who got 'turned on' by rubbing his back on the lowest branches. He knocked the tree over, got himself tangled in the lights and we even had ornaments in the fish tank afterward. From then on, we tied the top of the tree to a hook in the ceiling.
DeleteYou show just how beautiful simplicity is. Thank you ! Merry Christmas !
ReplyDeleteI love it! You've perfectly captured the spirit of the season with the natural 'woodland' look, utilizing the greens, burlap ribbon, and browns throughout the cottage. Oh, and look at your icicle lights on the outside! I'm curious, what scent is your glowing candle? Janet, may your Christmas be filled with peace and cheer. Blessings my friend. xx
ReplyDeleteyou obviously have everything you need! merry christmas!
ReplyDeleteSynchronicity, Janet! I've just tweeted this - http://annagillar.se/?p=6470 - Single Branch Xmas. I think you'll like :-)
ReplyDeletethat is so cool. what gorgeous photos! love your twitter page!
DeleteLove the greenery on your beautiful chandelier and the simplicity of your decorations! At the same time I love the whole panoply of Christmas - the tinsel, glitter, colour baubles, lights, beautifully wrapped presents, preparing all the special foods, listening to lovely Christmas music, drinking champagne. And specially the warmth and love shared - and more time with family and friends as we all make the effort to draw together. Also the Christmas cards and letters from friends, especially from those in faraway places.
ReplyDeleteBut looking through the comments touching on the spirit of Christmas, I was rather surprised to see no-one mentions what Christmas really means - that it's celebrating the birth of Christ. The Advent church services in the lead-up to Christmas Day and the Christmas services themselves are so beautiful and full of hope. I love the carols and the lighting of the Advent candles. There is such warmth and love. And members of the church community work on special care packages for those who need them at Christmas, including the old, singles and children. I can understand why Christmas may feel rather empty for those who have no belief or faith. It really then is a secular celebration without the heart of the message. It's so worth going to some Christmas services with an open heart and mind, even if you're a lapsed believer or a non-believer. It's also a time for thinking of those who are struggling, alone and lonely. One of my friends who is a widow and has no children always gathers together a group in similar circumstances and they have a lovely time enjoying each other's company. Our son once brought home an Afghan refugee he'd come across. He was young and all alone here, his family in camps or trying to escape from Afghanistan. He was Muslim and I was worried about what he'd eat as our turkey included ham in the stuffing. He just said he'd have the turkey but not the stuffing. He later wrote a little note thanking us and saying it had been the happiest day of his life. So sad that a day with strangers should be his happiest day. Best wishes Janet for a Happy Christmas to you, your husband and family and all your readers. Pammie
Haha I can relate to your tiny tree! Stop by and see my tiny bit of decorating. https://www.facebook.com/WesternReserveTheButlersPantry?ref=tn_tnmn
ReplyDeleteI love simple little touches. As always your home is lovely.
OMG, one of my fave all-time movies; always crazy about Natalie Wood, always. She left us 'way too soon. Give me Splendor In The Grass or Love With The Proper Stranger, let it rain, give me cocoa and I'm a happy girl.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks peaceful outside. Cozy and a place to curl up in, warm and comfy on the inside. I love the glow of the candle. I'm slow in decorating but have the fairy lights strung all over inside; always feels magical at this time of year.
One year my holiday tree consisted of fragrant boughs stuffed in an old watering can from the garden. Whatever works...
Ah, the rain, the rain, the rain...but we got hammered, Janet! Where's the 'happy medium' ??!! At the moment, hubby and I are mulling a leak on the living room ceiling which I say is new, he says is old. Hmmm. The roofer thought we had five more years on the roof; we haven't been in the house quite a year and it's never rained to know. Some damage occurred where my husband works in L.A. county...part of the ceiling fell in and he was mopping out two inches of water in the offices yesterday; coulda been worse but it affected some 'electrical.' Such a treat, though, to see the world washed clean again after so, so, so long. The landscape/skyscape looks so sharp and not dulled with dirt and other residue. Maybe people's lawns will come back in the spring; maybe grass will grow again!
Your tree is perfect! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is lovely...and from your yard. After paying 73 smackers for ours, I am so over Christmas trees. It seriously is not the reason for the season I tell myself. My frugal 26 year old son is still shaking his head. You know its bad when your children tell you, you spent too much...LOL.
ReplyDeleteWith all the rain yesterday, at least we had sunshine today. We headed up Highway 38 to check out the snow. My mountain man of a husband wore his favorite tank top. Thirty four degrees is warm he states. I may think he is a nut;-)
blessings jill
"Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope."
ReplyDelete— Pope Benedict XVI
I couldn't resist this from Pope Benedict. So much the reason for the season. Your little tree reminds me how God can make anything an absolute vision of joy and wonder, if we look through/with HIS eyes. Blessings of JOY and Peace to you Janet and all that you love during this Advent in preparation for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Beauty at its best...Simple
ReplyDeleteBetsy
Merry Christmas, Janet! I think your home looks beautiful! We are aiming for simple Christmas this year. With all the shopping and stressing of the season there is hardly time to keep Christmas. With our church's invitation to "Share the Gift" of Christ this Christmas our focus is on family time and identifying others in need. It is great to spend our time serving instead of shopping. I am loving the change already. It's not important that everything be perfect, just that we share love. Thank you for sharing so much love and joy through your blog! And for inspiring me to simplify. My other inspiration to simplify--He Is The Gift video--Enjoy!
ReplyDeletehttp ://youtu.be/uzjFEMmM0Xs
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas- an evergreen branch in an urn! This is inspired! I wasn't going to do a tree this year, since we're temporarily living in a shoebox, but a branch I can manage. Seeing your beautiful home is always like sipping a cup of tea after a hard day... I just go, aahhhh.
ReplyDeleteYou would have won my Christmas tree contest for sheer originality and simplicity. Loved it. Love your house. Ellie
ReplyDeleteFastidious replies in return of this difficulty with
ReplyDeletefirm arguments and describing everything on the topic of that.
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