I’m not doing much holiday decorating this year. Now don’t go feeling all sorry for me or anything. Believe me, there’s no direct correlation between my self-esteem and how pimped up my house is this time of year.
When we moved in April, I got rid of pretty much all our holiday stuff except our ornaments. This will be the third year in a row we don’t have a tree. In December 2012, we sold our home and moved just days before Christmas. Last year, we were in a rental that I never quite warmed up to and I didn’t feel like decorating. This year, we won’t be here for Christmas, so that’s that.
The last time we had a tree it looked like this:
I like my men lean but my trees fat. Fat, and decorated in white, silver or gold. Or all three. I think it makes everything stand out more against the dark green of the tree. That year, I used very few ornaments, and now that I’m looking at the picture, I see the lights look like the cat had at it…except we didn’t have a cat.
Now back to feeling sorry for me. Don’t. I’m still getting my holiday fix.
Case in point: a few weeks ago I went to a holiday display celebration at a nursery with a friend. So there. If I was wallowing in self-pity, would I venture out to such an event?
This nursery always has such cute things, so I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos to share.
I think if we had a tree at the cabin, these would be just about perfect for it…
and so would this!
In my last post I mentioned I would be putting together some wreaths with a couple of friends this past Monday for a fundraiser. It was held at the Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge and they supplied all the materials, which were primarily nature inspired.
On Friday they will have their ‘preview’ fundraiser. The tickets are $150 each, and I’ve been told that most of the wreaths sell for more than $100! Well, it’s good to know our time will be put to good use. How many tickets do you want?
In other news…
The drama never ends. The night that we went to the nursery event, I purchased a cloche to send to our daughter in Singapore. (She needs something to display the brooch bouquet.) I liked that the bottom on this one is clear. They’re pretty hard to find in the size that she needs (a height of at least 18″ and a width of at least 10″) so I was thrilled after searching on line for weeks to find this one for $140 which was a pretty decent priced compared to many others I’ve seen.
So I go to UPS to send it and they wanted nearly $400! Seriously??! I was sending a 13 lb cloche, not the Titanic. I ended up sending it via the Post Office, which was around $170.00. Surprisingly it reached her in a few days, but unfortunately, this happened:
In case you’re wondering, I did insure it, but it’s difficult to ever get reimbursed, especially when you’re dealing with an overseas government. They want her to bring it to the post office, but that’s not happening. The box needed to be brought to her via a hand truck, and she’s in a city without a car. They’re just trying to make it difficult in the hopes we’ll forget about it. Guess they haven’t met me.
Now aren’t I just a little ray of sunshine today??!
And how was YOUR day??
Julie says
Hi Doreen, your Christmas tree from the past was so pretty! I will nit be putting out as many decorations this year. We are also putting up a real tree this weekend. We usually do a 7 1/2 foot fake tree that looks so real and is beautiful and I would normally have finished by now. My house still looks a mess since boxes are all over the place! I know it all get done! I love your wreaths you made! It’s too bad about the present breaking. Good luck with that whole situation. Take care and hang in there.
Julie
Cyn says
Ugh. I had a feeling it ended up being shattered! So disappointing!
Which wreath did you make? All of them? Beautiful wreaths are a bear to make, I think, and some of mine end up looking like a 3rd grader made them. lol I tried my hand at a square one (ribbon wrapped) and a rectangular one (wood picture frame) and let’s just say they are back to their original condition already.
Chin up, Buttercup. You have a nice respite to look forward to, and I might be a little bit jealous!
cynthia hankin says
Not unexpected about the glass….so frustrating. I send gifts to all the nieces in college for halloween, etc…and this year, all the shipping has cost more than the little goodies I purchased. I haven’t decided what I will do in the future.
This year, in our new house, exhaustingly and reluctantly,I have decorated almost as much as ever. Hubby is recovering from a tick bite which blew out his diabetes control, and he was a bit blue, and THAT is what he wanted. Because after moving, who wouldn’t want to unpack more? But he is happier, and I am already dreading my electric bill.
Change is good.I don’t think we need to do every tradition every single year. I hope you are enjoying your new home. Sounds like you are settling in with new activities and friends very nicely. I hope to get out and meet more people and join more things after the holidays. Be well!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Oh I sold almost all of my Christmas stuff at our garage sale when we moved and I was just sure I would make all new stuff by now! LOL! I’m not sure I could have passed up that cute log cabin church ornament. Your wreaths are so pretty and how nice to have the botanical garden supply all the goods! I bet that was fun! So sad about the cloche! Enjoy your holiday and I hope you are going somewhere fun!
Diane Massey says
Oh no Doreen! I can’t believe the glass globe! OMG. I was there when you bought it. So perfect. Don’t give up on the post office. I sent my friend a 50th birthday present priority and it got there a week later. I’m still ticked over the extra $5 I paid to have it get there by her birthday! This is way bigger of a deal.
As for holiday decorations, I hear ya! No party this year at my house, away this weekend and the following weekend for a wedding. I dragged out 8 large rubbermaid crates and said the heck with it. I’m not sure I’ll even have a tree! I need to practice what I preach and this isβ¦don’t kill yourself over something you “think” you should be doing!
I hope the globe issue gets resolved. I feel so bad.
Cecilia says
Mine was a little ray of sunshine too. We found out our water pipe had broken at the farm and had been pouring gallons of water down the drive…thankfully not in the house…but we are looking at a very steep water bill. Fortunately I had a boxing session with my personal trainer and was able to hit my frustrations out. Ha. Today my hands are sore. Sigh.
Good luck with getting the cloche fiasco resolved. I love the cabin themed tree! π
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint says
Beautiful decor, Thanks for linking up at Project Pin it! It’s been been to the Project Pin-it board on Pinterest.
xoxo
Denyse
Denise says
So sorry about the cloche. Postal insurance is a joke. I’ve gone through trying to place a claim and it is exhausting. As for Christmas, I am not yet in the mood! I hate that! Some years I am ready right after Thanksgiving, some years I’m not feeling it until February. I need a little Christmas spirit…now! xxD
Sue says
I am so enchanted by the decorations like the skate and bears. The wreaths you made are stunning! We always hear about how things might not make it to the receiver unbroken, but often don’t see the result. Very sad that is broke and hope you do get your money back. I am not sure we will be decorating this year either, so there, too!
Carrie@Northwoods Scrapbook says
Oh Doreen – you’re a hoot! Your writing always cracks me up!! π
I’m glad that you’re getting your holiday fix in many ways, so I promise not to feel sorry for you without a tree. I love the nature inspired holiday dΓ©cor pics and I definitely do touches of that in my decorating as we live in the north woods, so it just “fits”.
So sorry about your daughter’s cloche mishap. I hope you will be able to get it resolved tough lady…sure sounds like you’re on it! Lol
God bless. xo
Luanne says
Doreen, I just love the wreath you put together with friends, the pine cone with ribbon is my favorite (I just love anything rustic). That is just awful about the cloche, it is frustrating. And you are right I think they make getting reimbursed so hard that you will give up. Hang in there and show them who’s boss.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Thanks so much for your visit, Doreen! You brightened my day. : )
I love all the wreaths, so pretty. You’ve got some great ornaments. I love finding ornaments that make me go “ooh”. I actually need to go through our Christmas decorations (again) and weed out what I’m not using and that is just taking up valuable tote/bin space. I went through quite a bit when we moved three years ago, but some stuff I wanted to “wait and see”. Still haven’t used it, so I think it’s time to say goodbye to it!
Cindy says
$400 is robbery, I can’t believe that. Some great pictures of the garden center.
Gorgeous wreaths, they will sell fast
Cindy
Jane says
The whole cloche mess makes me sick. You’re a smart cookie…I bet you already asked if the shop could ship, For some reason they always come in lower than the PO or UPS.
Those wreaths are gorgeous. They are so lush! I get so disappointed seeing the terrible ones in stores and I’m all thumbs. I bet it was a ball chatting and creating.
If you aren’t going to be home, who care about decorating? I went overboard last year and this year I am keeping it simple. I sort of go back and forth like that every year. I think having a little sparkle and some candlelight goes a long way.
Thanks for your comment…you are always such a doll! π
Jane xx
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
How was my day? I had a thirteen hour day at work and a hell of a headache! But really, I love your simple white and lit tree! I think those are always the best looking trees!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I forgot! I vote for lean men and fat tree as well!
Poppy says
Very pretty wreaths, Doreen; each one has its own Christmas charm. Of course you wouldn’t decorate if you’re going to be away. It’s not decorating when you’re home that can be tricky – (midlife mood swings and missing family back home is always my miserable motive). Having said that, your fat tree is festive and fabulous. I’d better get my butt down in that basement of mine to those boxes marked ‘XMAS’, but when it’s 70 degrees out and sunny, I just want to be sipping cappuccino with the gals!
So sorry to hear about the cloche, but knowing you, you will not surrender to such unfairness! Let us know what transpires.
xo
Poppy
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Oh you ladies did a wonderful job on those wreaths; they are just gorgeous!
So sorry that the cloche broke. All of that shopping online and the expense etc just to have that happen, ugh.
Feral Turtle says
Beautiful Christmas decor!! Love it all. Shipping is such a nightmare…
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Oh my! I’m so sorry about your daughter’s gift. Yes, keep at it. Don’t let the post office get away with it. If more people did that they’d be much more careful. I love the pictures of the ornaments. The ice skates and canoes are awesome. I’m pretty much in the same situation as you. We sold our house in 2012 right around Christmas. Last year we were away for Christmas and this year we finally found a house we wanted to buy but our closing is in mid December and there’s work to be done (new kitchen and floors) before we move in. So there it is. π You’re not alone. We’re still going to make the best of it. π I wish you all the best. I hope you’re going somewhere magical for the holidays. Have lots of fun!
Doreen says
Heading down to your neck of the woods Vashti. I’m happy you found a house :). Good luck with everything!! Moving is exciting, but exhausting too!
Alycia Nichols says
Pimped up? Pimped up??!?!??! Girl, you’ve been hanging out at my place for too long!!! I love that!
Those are great wreaths! I hope the preview went well today and that a lot of money will be raised for the cause.
I can’t even say here what I really want to say about the delivery mishap. The words would be far too harsh for a blog called Househoneys!!! π I hope you can get reimbursed after all that money and time invested. Go get ’em, tiger!!!
kelly says
Oh…..my……gosh!!!!! I would be just SICK about the cloche if I was you. You went to so much trouble to find it, and then ship it only to have it break like that. I hope you can get at least some of your money back. I wouldn’t ship anymore breakables though. I would worry that it would happen again. I can’t believe they would charge $400 to ship something! That’s insane! I had an accident happen to me today too. I bought a cookie cake for my son’s birthday celebration tonight and it fell on the floorboard of my car when I slammed on the brakes. Yep! It slipped right off the back seat onto the floor. I was able to salvage it but let’s just say that my backseat is now the proud owner of some of the icing. Those wreaths for sale are beautiful! I can’t imagine paying that much for a wreath though.
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
Love your PAST Christmas tree! I wish I had enough “courage” not to put up a tree..or decorate…since it’s all such a stressful time. Our Charmer is small and we use half a tree, the top for a tree and the bottom for window boxes. It’s funny I broke two cloches in the last two days, and of course my favorite ones! I love your wreaths and hope you the “shipping” mess cleared up!
Southern DayDreams says
Hi Doreen, nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by. Your tree from the past was pretty and I too love the silver, golds and white against the green tree. This year I added a pop of red to it however and it looks awesome.
Love your wreaths and the details. It’s too bad about the shipping breakage. I hope all gets resolved.
Have a wonderful first weekend of December.
Hugs from Texas!
Pat Cable says
Hey Doreen! Thanks for stopping by. I’m looking forward to viewing more of your post.
Oh ouch on the cloche! That sure does hurts my heart!! Hope you do get reimbursed.
Beautiful wreaths. Yes I do need one of those π I’m not decorating for Christmas. I suppose I’m a bit of a bah humbug this year π
Hugs
Cindy says
Hi Doreen…thanks for visiting my blog. Love your wreaths…so pretty! Sorry to hear that the Cloche got broke during shipping.
Hope you have a wonderful Chirstmas wherever you are going to celebrate it.
~Cindy
Katherines Corner says
So sad about the gift..but everything really does look wonderful. thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo
andi says
Well, CRAP!!!!! That broken cloche sucks monkey butt. But I did notice that last post you said “bang,” and this post you said “pimped.”
Yep. Your mind it totally gutter-fied. Yay!
-andi
Doreen says
I was thinking about you the other day. Did you know Aaron Paul has an app? He got tired of people asking him to say ‘Yo Bitch’ so he came up with it. Here’s an article, in case you want to buy me one for Christmas, bi#@h!
http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/5/7339525/breaking-bad-aaron-paul-yo-bitch-app-jesse-pinkman