Monday, December 1, 2008

A nice Thanksgiving here ..............a  beautiful day filled with gratitude for all wonderful blessings of this year.  Our second annual gathering with cousins Eric and Mary Ann who we are so fortunate to have living here in Seattle.

 

And of course the mandatory group shot.

 

Charlie's brother Lenny was also visiting from North Carolina.

 

And best of all I didn't have to cook a thing...............I had the dinner catered from a wonderful gal in Issaquah.  All we had to focus on was enjoying each others company, football, and washing a few dishes.

And I was over the moon with my floral arrangement from Maxine's Floral and Gifts.

 

I purposely didn't hit the malls the day after Thanksgiving.  I am trying hard to purchase handmade items and shop local shoppes.  So, instead on the day after Thanksgiving  Charlie, Lenny, and I ventured out to find the perfect Christmas tree.  This was the first year that we cut down our own tree.  I thought it would be great fun; but instead we encountered rain and  lots mud.  You can bet Charlie wasn't that excited about going looking for a tree when it was raining and there were football games on.

  The first Christmas tree farm we went to didn't have the greatest selection of trees.  So, I bravely asked Charlie to drive further North to Stanwood to another recommended tree farm.   Once there we didn't see the best selection of trees or the type we usually have; but, happily we were able to settle on a tree.  Here are the boys cutting down the tree.

 

This kinda looks like a Charlie Brown tree.

 

   

So, we tucked the tree inside my SUV and headed home.  Last night I finally got all the lights on the tree which was also a struggle.  With the branches not close together it was difficult to add the lights and not have the cords show.  But, the tree its done.........waiting for the vintage ornaments that I will decorate with this year.  I am keeping my decorations simple.  I am not taking out all my decorations since our house will soon be up for sale n and I don't want the hassle of all the clean up.  So this year at our house, Christmas will be a little simpler.  But, as my friend Karlene says "less is more."

Comments

[karlene]

Less is more!!! good job!!!

I LOVE that tree!!! it is so gorgeous and so healthy, unlike our trees here that we have a 50/50 chance it might have been spray painted. :-)

[Jen @ The Cottage Nest]

I really admire your pledge to buy handmade and local. I've done much more of that this year than ever before but still have some progress to make. It's hard with young kids.

By the way, that pink coat picture was one I found on someone else's blog and not exactly like the coat I had seen. It turns out they are both from Anthropolgie though from last year and the year before. Now I'm just watching ebay hoping to find one in my size.

Love your cheery Christmas music this morning! Jen

[britt- sparkledvintagecharm]

looks like you had a fun time with your family!! :-) I hope you have a fantastic day!! hugs!! xo Britt :-)