Flowers In The Holiday House

In order fit even a small Christmas in our house adjustments have to be made.  GG's family trunk moves into the bedroom, the couch is moved closer to the door and our 2 chairs rest uncomfortably side by side.  Stacks of books and pots of succulents are moved first here, then there, finally into the bedroom while we ponder what to do long term.

In the meantime GG cuts a foot or two off the tree and all its bottom branches.  The tree is then placed into an old crock and the space around the trunk is anchored with bricks and rocks. We fill the crock with water and hold our breath.  The water stays, no leaks for another year.  The charm of an uneventful tree raising will never pale for me.

Then as I slide a pan of french toast into the oven and start cooking bacon, GG fills tumblers with champagne and orange juice for Blaise and Keeley who have arrived to trim the tree.

This is my secret: I spend so many hours decorating for others I will do anything to have the lights and ornaments put on my own tree.  I'll cook for you, watch your children, hell I'll weed your garden.  But put lights on my own tree? Never.

We have ornaments from my many past lives, GG's family, Blaise's family and others we have been gifted over the years.  There are vintage postcards stuck in between the branches and somewhere there's a pickle.

We're heavy on pine cones and birds, old German crystal pieces and my favorite, little Finnish elves from GG's grandmother Ami. I'll be moving them to them kitchen windowsill where they bring us good luck all month.

I pop a vase into the bedroom, still wondering where all the books will go.

By now it is dark and we turn off all the lights but the tree, pile on the couch and breathe deeply.

Ahhhh. Christmas is in the house December 2011.

Are you ready for a visit or a two?  If so link up, and we'll be by for a mince pie and a glass of something warm.

Ho. Ho. Ho.