Monday, December 16, 2019

T stands for more gifts from friends and trees, trees, trees!


Sunday, when these photos were taken, it snowed.

Fortunately, there is no snow on this tree, or in my tree mug.

My tree is surrounded by gifts, some of which have been opened,

some not.

There's even a sweet treat card from my friend RO!

I've contacted both Eileen and RO! whose boxes have arrived and are shown here.  I wanted to let them know Christmas could be a bit lean this year, so I want to wait till the big day to open their gifts they kindly sent.

The perceptive reader will see the other two gifts RO! has sent, along with a gift exchange with a friend last week (who doesn't want her info on the internet).  I love this lantern for when I lose electricity.  It has a magnetic base, a hook, and a compass, so I'll always know which way is north (grin).

Now I'm not a country person, and I actually surprised myself when, in the late 1980s, I purchased this fabric to make this table topper.  At the time, I had no sewing machine.  Not that I would have the ability to sew a straight stitch around this fabric, anyway.  I used iron on stitch witchery that was the exact size of the hem.

I'm sure you can tell why I bought the fabric, though.

Because of the rocking horses on the fabric, of course.  Even back then, I had started buying a few trees.

Here are a few more trees I put out every year.

I purchased this one specifically for my cardinal inspired bath.  And, no, I didn't clean the room before I took these photos.  I'm just a bit anal, I guess.

Once I turned off the lights, I noticed how bright the cardinals and red birds looked against the white snow outside.

I keep my Christmas cards I've received in this ceramic napkin holder I've had for years.  I picked the little baking tin up several years ago.  It will never be used for baking, but I love the fact it has little trees on it.  And, it holds tea lights, too!

My tree that normally sits in this pot on my front porch, was lifted up and out of it during gale force winds last week.  I happened to see the tree skipping along my flower bed, so was able to retrieve it.

Consequently, I went with Plan B, these skates I purchased one year that now hold more of my holly.

Now it's time for you to share a drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, ATCs, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday, and not just this year.


25 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your place is already looking very festive with all your pretty decorations and the presents, opened and unopened that are piled all around - enjoy them all! The lantern is a great idea. Love all the cardinals, I wish we had them here. Happy T Day, Valerie

Sharon Madson said...

And more snow today! :). Love that gingerbread house card. And love the ice skates! How clever, Elizabeth! I feel like Bah humbug compared to your decorations! I finally bought a two foot fake tree on 60% clearance at Michaels. I put lights on it and our bannister. Since I can’t find our wreath hanger for the door, I put the wreath around some candles instead of hanging on the door. I will have show photos next time. Happy T Day, a day early!

Lisca said...

Your house is really very festive. Even in the bathroom! I never thought of putting decorations in the bathroom but I actually like how it looks and might do that one day. I like that little spiral tree in the bathroom.
Your cardinals are beautiful. I had never seen them like that.
The table cloth is sweet. Of course with the rocking horse you had to have it.
You are being spoilt with all those presents. It's perfectly normal to keep your presents wrapped until Christmas. If you open everything now, you won't have anything left for Christmas day.
I love those skates! I used to have a pair like that. Oh fond memories...
I'm travelling today so won't be able to get online until tonight at the hotel. But wishing you Happy T-Day!
Lisca

Divers and Sundry said...

I love the red spiral tree in your bathroom. And yes, that cardinal pillow looks familiar :) I love your table cloth under the tree. Perfect! And a festive mug is always a good choice.

We're having thunderstorms and rain but no snow in our forecast. Happy cozy T Day!

kathyinozarks said...

I really enjoyed seeing your home with all the festive decorations. I bought myself a small tree a couple years ago and I have lots of memorable ornaments, but with everything going on I didn't get it put up yet. The tree is just for me, and right now it feels like too much work-sounds terrible I know-I like to put things up thanksgiving weekend so I can enjoy it all for awhile.
oh well sorry I am rambling on lol. I loved seeing your home, and I always look for the rocking horses too-hugs Happy T Kathy

Linda Kunsman said...

oh how beautiful, happy and festive your home looks!! I especially love the tin you chose to use for tea lights and the skates holding the holly. No surprise about your fabric choice for your table cloth:):) So lovely all around.
We have a similar lantern and it has been used at least a few times- thoughtful-and practical!
Happy T day!

My name is Erika. said...

Your house looks gorgeous Elizabeth. I like all your decorations. Especially the skates on your door. That is really clever and perfect for winter. And nice tablecloth. I would never guess you used that tape to hem it. And I also have to mention your bathroom. I love the cardinal idea. When my daughter was young we had a dog bathroom, but now it isn't anything, but I bet if I had thought of it some holiday decorations would look nice. I hope you share what's in those boxes after the holiday. Have a wonderful pre-holiday week and hope you use that holiday mug for your coffee. Hugs-Erika

Mia said...

Lovely Christmas decorations, Elizabeth!!!!!!

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful and festive decorations. I am certainly reminded of Christmas's past when I see all your vintage decorations. I especially like the vintage tree baking tin.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Powdered Toast Man said...

We should play scavenger hunt for all the trees at your house.

aussie aNNie said...

Wow talk about a Christmas house, love it all.x

Iris Flavia said...

A beautiful tree!
And pressies! How come you need a latern? We never ever had no electricity (but I could need a compass indeed!).
Not a fan of table toppers, but the horse is very, very cute!
I love your bathroom! Wow, wish I´d be so "anal" (just to make sure I had to look it up, in German this word has but one meaning, LOL). Sadly our bathroom has no window so we´re in there only for the shortest time possible. No big deco hence.

Well. If that isn´t the perfect candle holder I have no idea :-)
Oh, I had such ice-skates for rent back then!
A Happy T-Day, dear host!

Meggymay said...

Oh Elizabeth I would love to come and take a closer look at your beautiful decorations. The fabric looks lovely and your tree collection is amazing. Seeing your cardinals I can imagine how the glass ones must look with the light shinning through them.
I have looked at the photos twice already and something new caught my attention each time. I must mention the sweet lamb outside in the large pot
and a smile also as I see you retrieving a skipping tree.
The lantern is a thoughtful gift, I hope it won't be needing to to light your home to soon after all the power cuts you have had recently.
Its a lovely tree mug as well.
Happy T day wishes Elizabeth and to Bleubeard and Squiggles as well.
Yvonne xx

froebelsternchen said...

Your home looks so pretty and festive ! Wonderful Elizabeth! What a great gift this lantern is!
Happy T-Day wishes!
Susi xxx

Eileen Bergen said...


Your house looks very festive and lovely. I do something similar. Because there are no presents under the tree anymore, I use my tin can collection to give the look of Christmases of old. Your tablecloth is lovely and I can certainly see why you chose the fabric. I wish the gifts under your tree were gift wrapped. You'll just have to imagine that ;-)

Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

Anne (cornucopia) said...

I'll be back later to leave comments for everyone.

CJ Kennedy said...

Lovely gifts and your decorations are just beautiful. You even decorated your bathroom. I feel like such and underachiever. I didn't even put the Christmas nightlight in the bathroom this year. 😺 Happy T Day!

Let's Art Journal said...

So many beautiful decorations! Your house looks so festive and I love all your trees but it's those amazing ice skates and holly that caught my eye, they are stunning 😁. Wishing you a very happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x

Divers and Sundry said...

I get an error message when I click on Jan's https://www.craftyscorpio.blogspot/ link

J said...

Elizabeth it’s all looking very festive at your house, our DIL in S.F always has decorations in the bathrooms, special soaps and candles, it always smells beautiful.
We won’t be putting the pressies under the tree as our GS will be here, ha,ha, I’m sure they would all be tampered with as he’s very inquisitive, I’ve bought him some chocolates money but I won’t be putting it in his Christmas stocking as he would eat it all in one go I think.
Have a HappyT day
Jan x

pearshapedcrafting said...

I do love to see your Christmas decorations...and that you decorate your bath room - I have a special Christmas soap dispenser but only because it was a special offer!
I hope you don't need the lantern too often, but what useful gift! I adore the candleholder baking tin! Hugs, Chrisx

Sandra Cox said...

Very festive. I love everything especially the skates. Obviously Santa(s) have you put you on the good list. Must be cause you are such a keeper:)

Jeanie said...

I love that tablecloth and your tree. You do such a good job with ribbon. I'm terrible at it so I just don't do it~~ ! And your bathroom is enormous and so pretty -- I love the red and white! I could move in there! And the rockers, too -- I knew I'd see your horses and I love them! Merriest!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

I love all of your Christmas decorations Elizabeth. Your house looks festive and beautiful. I love Cardinals in Christmas decor. You have kind friends who send you gifts. Happy belated T-Day!

RO said...

I have a white tree that's exactly the same size at my house, decorated with silver balls and ribbons. Small enough to not take up too much space. A lot of people don't know this about me, but I'm obsessed with clean bathrooms and toilets, so seeing how spotless ours is, makes me do the happy dance. I've left relative's homes who had a dirty toilet.(lol) Ugh. I'm waiting to open up a few of my things too on the big day. I sure wish I had to skill to make a card. The Washi tape you used to make my card and that tree is so beautiful. Where in the world do you find all your cool washi tape?(lol) I can never find colors like you have. Sending some hugs and wishing that you are safe and not on any snowy or icy roads. RO