Deck the Halls

My favorite time of year.....

On Saturday we went to Pine Hill tree farm near Freeport, IL and cut down our Christmas tree. She is a beauty. My niece Ella helped us choose the lucky tree this year. We decorated the house Saturday afternoon.

I just love ornaments! They all have a story. I have collected them for many years. My oldest is a glass horse given to me by my Auntie Gene (Hey Gene). This has always been my favorite. When I was little I would get excited to see it again and place it in a nice location on the tree - so the lights would hit it just right. When Christmas was over I would carefully wrap it up in paper so it would be safe all year long.

Then there is my App State ornament. I bought this one my junior year in college and was so excited about it! I think of my friends and the fun times we had every time I place it on the tree.

My oyster angel from Emerald Isle. My mom made this one out of white oyster shells. What a pretty little angel!

When Jimmy and I got married we started a ornament tradition. We choose a special ornament for each other each year. Our first year - I got a fairy ornament and I gave Jimmy a golf cart ornament -for his love of golf and for the infamous golf cart birthday fiasco.

Then there are ornaments from trips. The NYC ornament when Sara, Keith, Jimmy and I went to New York a few Octobers ago and then there is the thistle ornament from Scotland from our trip this summer.

I love the ones that have stories and I remember them each year.

I made cookies and Russian Tea for our decorating extravaganza. Then Jimmy and I snuggled up and watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I do believe I have finally caught the Harry Potter bug - it only took me 13 years. I am buying the box set this week and will start reading.