Two More Weeks....

I haven't done a lot of posting lately.  We've been pretty slammed with weird, strange, and downright bad news over the past few weeks.  The loss of my mother-in-law last week has proven to be quite an emotional challenge, to say the least.

We have managed a little Christmas cheer, but nothing like our normal.  We usually buy a real tree, but pulled out an old, very artificial tree from the attic instead.  It's looking a little like A Charlie Brown Christmas around here.

The branches are a little flimsy, so I had to use my less sentimental ornaments.  I don't want to risk losing those special memories. (I wrote all about that a couple of years ago.)  Except for the kissing angels from our wedding cake.  Those are front and center EVERY year.  No matter what.  I used my filler ornaments this year.  I like them.  It's just a little....generic, I guess.  I added some plaid ribbon and some gold lame' ribbon I found at the thrift store.

Pretty.

In all seriousness, it's a nice tree.  I'm thankful for it and for what it represents to me.

Here's a clearer shot taken last week with a smiling, brand new 7-year-old.

This fun and sparkly snowman was found in the trash. (I am not above sending a husband or child on a little dumpster diving expedition.) All it needed was a new bulb.  The fiber optics add a nice touch.

I love nativity sets and have several.  I don't have room to display them all, so I choose a few each year.  I also have a collection of village pieces, but with all these boys and the new grandson to boot, I don't dare display them.  :)  I'm probably pushing my luck with these beauties...

  

Our mantel is Chrismas Central.  This is where the action is.  I'm ho-ho-hoping it is strong enough to hold the goodies in all these stockings this year!

I added a few of my Santas and some more plaid ribbon and a framed print-out I found on Pinterest.  (Don't you just love Pinterest???)

I planned to monogram our stockings, 

but I just don't have it in me this year.

  

Maybe next year?  

For now, paper tags will do the job.

And finally, I added some gold ornaments to my old wreath and jazzed up the front door.

You know.....it's not over-the-top, 

but it really is looking a lot like Christmas around here!