For the past few years we have used an artificial Christmas tree. Earlier this fall I was complaining about this shrub/tree that has outgrown its space. I almost cut it down, but decided to save it to use for greenery for the winter decorating. Sam decided that we should get a real tree this year and save money while doing it...yup, we cut that tree down and it is now our Christmas tree!
It is shaped kinda funny, but we like it very much!
I like the traditional tree with the sentimental ornaments...this one is vintage--my grandma gave me about a dozen of them.
These are for present pets and past pets...
A few years ago Sam had a sock monkey thing, so we have sock monkeys, I couldn't get rid of those!
This is the ornament Mom gave me when I was expecting Sam.
and Sam's first Christmas ornament.
And his third grade ornament....
And a Precious Moments ornament a dear friend gave me when I was in nursing school years ago...
I made the festive quilted tree skirt--Santa faces all around!
I am posting this at Red Writing's Twelve Weeks of Christmas...come see me there!
The Saturday before Thanksgiving Ruth, my mom, Carol and Jane and I went to Jefferson City to 
This whole tree was covered with knitted ornaments...
So much to look at...
We were so tired after all the shopping that we HAD to go to 
Jane admiring Ruth's iPhone
This is the embarrassing before picture. I couldn't find anything I needed on this cork board above my desk. And there was a lot of stuff I didn't need there any longer. Like the Cub Scouts phone number list from six years ago and all sorts of jumbled notes and sayings...
After painting the frame a nice satin black, cutting the cork to fit the "new" old frame, and covering the cork board with this lovely Thimbleberries fabric (like vintage barkcloth in texture and appearance), here is the finished product. I will now have a smaller calendar and just put it on the board so I don't keep making holes in the wall with the thumbtacks.
