Tree Love

I can't imagine a Christmas without a Christmas tree. For many years I insisted on a real tree, and because we often traveled at Christmas, we put it up soon after Thanksgiving, usually the first weekend in December, in order to have time to enjoy it before we left. So by the time Christmas actually came, the tree was old and scraggly, and when we got back home from our vacation, there wasn't much beauty or freshness left. I eventually relented and to the relief of my husband (whose job it was to depose the dried up tree) we got a fake tree. Our tree has always been the more is more kind of tree. Every year we collect a few more ornaments to hang on it. There really is no rhyme or reason to the ornaments, no theme, and definitely no plan. Everything goes, as long as it's not very easily breakable. The kids decorate the tree, so the ornaments hang on three levels… But that's the whole beauty of it. Maybe eventually when the kids are all grown up we will have one of those very sophisticated and elegant Christmas trees..but until then..I'll just love our more is more tree.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin...

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

It's been a relaxed Christmas.. no need for last minute panic shopping this year.. and even the cooking went in stride (for the most part). It was immediate family only (with one guest for dinner yesterday), so that made it easy. Everyone was happy with their presents (I think). The 11-year old probably the most happy with hers. Here are photos she took with her Christmas present - Canon PowerShot SX50HS - lots of selfies, of course, but she has a good eye for pictures.. Can't wait to see photos she'll shoot tomorrow when we take the camera for a test drive outside.

The girls in pajamas all day long!