Working On My Tree And Mantel For This Year

 

I have been decking the halls, and Falalaing all along the way at my home this week.

With the Christmas music playing in the background all day, and the cold rainy weather outside the perfect stage has been set.

Taking my time, and trying to, “enjoy the process,” is my goal, especially during this time of year.

 

I will have to admit I have to consciously fight against the way of todays world with the check list, and the, “HAVE TO GET IT DONE,”  attitudes.

I have learned over the years that all the truly important things DO get done, but it is the little things that we thought we HAD to have done that we finally let go. As much as the doing is part of this season, so is the letting go of the unimportant.

For me if I have food, gifts, tree, and the mantel decorated, we are pretty much good to go. Those three things are what seem to be important to my family when they come to visit. They kind of expect certain things around here.

So let me share what we have done so far……

First we arranged all the furniture so the tree could fit in the corner. Next, I cleared off the mantel. I find it easier to work with a clean slate.

Boxes came down from the rafters, Moravian star lights were hung and you can see Dougie, and I fluffing the branches for the tree.

We had a couple of hic-cups that involved the lights. 

Isn’t it always the LIGHTS?!

Only half the lights worked on two of the strands for the tree, and the garland for the mantel, none of the lights would work.

We laughed because this is pretty typical. So off Dougie went to the store, and came back with new lights in hand.

Back to decking the halls!!

I already knew the direction I was taking……

AND

The one last thing I needed to start was the white birch logs, and I had a good friend offer some to me from her newly trimmed trees. (Thank you Toy!)

A pile of logs to most, but to me the base for my Christmas mantel.

The tree now has lights, and the garland does too! 

Now we have our base to work with.

Let The Decking of the Halls Commence!!

I had a picture of what I wanted in my head. A winter wonderland with little snow critters.

Frosty whites, and natural wood, and greenery would be at the base, and the little critters would be the stars.

I did a post last year on a Woodland Christmas Theme…

This was my inspiration for that Christmas board and this next image is what I came up with……

If you go and read this post you will see the little critters that I found last year, that I wound up using this year. I love pinterest for keeping track of ideas for me.

You might be wondering why I am showing you this? It is a good idea to keep track of past and present ideas, you never know what you might be able to use, or what might jump start your ideas for this year.

With logs, and little critters in hand, I began my mantel….




Big decisions were being made …. Little critters on birch pedetals, or not…..

How tall should the logs be?

The tree was ready to decorate! Now another big decision, what color of bows should I do, cobalt, like last year….

After all blue is a huge part of my room, but for some reason with this years look it felt too much to me.

So white bows won. I love a nice soft flowing bow so I use good quality double faced satin ribbon. This years bows are a bit larger since I used 3in. wide ribbon.

Then the next big decision had to be made, remember it is all in the details……

 Should I cut the ribbon ends in dog ear ends or slanted. I decided slanted, but have since changed my mind, and I will be cutting all streamers with a dog eared end….

NEXT!!

Placing all the family memories on our tree. Every single year I cry, but they are sweet happy Christmas tears of years gone by.....

 Sometimes I wish I had my three little boys back, but then I remember we still have lots of sweet memories to make.

Now go and Deck YOUR halls and start falalaing!!

Remember who and why your are doing all of this...

FAMILY

 and 

To Celebrate the Birth of Christ!!!