Friday Smiles 400: Trees and more trees

I realize I'm late sharing my Second Thursday Tutorial, but since I've never shared it with Friday Smiles before, I thought it would be a great time to introduce Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the wonderful ladies who share their lives and humor at Friday Smiles to one of my monthly tutorials.  After all, this IS a very special Friday Smile.  Congrats to Annie for 400 wonderful weeks of smiles.

Sadly, I've not had time to create this tutorial, but I PROMISE to create it next Friday.  Instead, today, I will share my trees. 

But first, let me put you in the mood with a bit of humor I ran across recently.

I hope this made most of you smile.

Let's start in my dining area, where I have the first tree I was ever gifted.  It sits on my antique fern stand this year, but it's been many places in the past, including my dining room table.

I've had it since I was 19 and it has held up very, very well considering how many times I've moved it. 

A few years ago, I added the rocking horse decorations.

We've now moved to the living area of this very large room.  Even though I sprayed it with sealant, the glitter from this tree often leaves its mark.

Moving to my front porch,

I have this tree that sits here.  I was surprised it didn't fall over, which it normally does, when the winds hit 50 mph, as they did this last week.

OK, it isn't a tree, but it's made of pine branches and pine cones.  I made this years ago and it is starting to show its age, especially the ribbon I failed to fluff before placing it on the hanger on the porch.

This tree started bare in a black plastic pot.  I bought it years ago at a nursery and added all the goodies and the burlap base.  It has been on every flat surface in my living/dining area.  It is also starting to show its age.

I feel sorry for the little angel who sits on the top of the tree.  How would you feel with a pine branch up your butt?

Detail of the tree decorations.  One year I added lights to the tree.  When the lights burned out, I ripped them out of the tree and did more damage than had I never added them in the first place.  Can you see the lamb that sits on the desk on my front porch?

This tree started life as a napkin holder, but I use it to hold my Christmas cards I receive each year.  I've already received some, which makes me feel guilty, since I've done nothing to date.  I haven't even finished my tip-ins, which should have gone out two weeks ago to friends overseas.

As you can see, I've now finally hung my birthday gift from Scott, the Hieronymus Bosch's triptych commonly called The Garden of Earthly Delights.

The final room is my main floor bath.  And, no, I didn't clean it prior to taking this photo.  My belief is, if you can't eat off your bath surfaces, it isn't clean enough.

I purchased this tree specifically for this space.  It fits with my cardinal/red bird inspired main floor bath.

 

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed seeing my trees I sprinkled in with my always present rocking horses that go so well at Christmas (at least here in the states).  It's obvious I didn't go all out like I normally do each year, but this year, NO ONE is coming inside my home.   I did this for me, because the cats could care less.  At least they don't climb on furniture.

Now let's head over to Annie's because she knows how to put a smile on everyone's faces.  And whatever you do, please don't forget to start your weekend off right with a few Friday Smiles of your own.  And remember, if you would like to play along, Annie would love to have you join us.