Our Tree | Chickens in the Road

Dec
21

The trimming of the tree!!! A couple pizzas, a pan of brownies, and some gingerbread decorating later, the teenagers set to work. Ross was the man on the ladder, getting ornaments up to the tippy top.

His girlfriend was here for the party, adding to the hormonal throng. I love the girlfriend. I’d adopt her, but I think her parents like her, too.

Here’s the girlfriend’s gingerbread handiwork. Everybody had to decorate several of their own to add to the tree. I was amazed at how enthusiastic they were about a seemingly childlike task. Sometimes teenagers are as much fun as kindergartners.

But wait–

What are you doing, you scurvy dog?!

That’s better.

Miss Princess found my mom’s old holiday apron in the ornament box. She put it on and hasn’t taken it off since.

All of the ornaments and balls are either home-baked, made by a child, vintage, or handmade (including the angel at the top of the tree, which is part of a set of embroidered felt ornaments I made when I was 20).

The only new ornaments on the tree are these beautiful balls sent to me by blog reader Jane. Aren’t they pretty? (See the pretty handmade holiday dish towels she also sent to me in today’s Daily Farm Photo.)

And THEN THE TREE FELL OVER.

So we decorated it twice.

I’d have photographic documentation of this event, but it was too traumatic.

Then Buttercup and I took a couple Xanax and curled up under the tree.

I’m just kidding. I don’t have any Xanax. Why don’t I have any Xanax?

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45 Responses
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12-21
1:29
am

It looks like y’all had a lot of fun! It makes me want to have a homemade tree myself. I mentioned popcorn garland to my husband, and he looked at me like I had two heads and said, “Do you know how long that would take?”

Also, he pointed out that our dog loves popcorn.

That’s a good point.

AndiK - Reply
12-21
2:19
am

Your tree is beautiful ! My mom gets depressed around the holidays and we haven’t had tree in years.. I miss it. Thanks for sharing your decorating story.

Wheezay - Reply
12-21
5:23
am

Love the felt ornies… What a wonderful way to spend some family time.

Stephanie - Reply
12-21
5:26
am

You tree is lovely. I love handmade ornaments. My tree contains many ornaments made by myself or friends. I also have some ornaments inherited from my mother. I have one dated 1900 and some others from the 1920’s.

Kathleen in Michigan - Reply
12-21
5:38
am

Now that is what I call a perfect Christmas tree and decorating party! Had a rough night with animals around here but knew I could pop in for a visit here and leave with a smile.. Thank you now go sit, relax and enjoy that tree!

Peggy - Reply
12-21
5:55
am

Hi Suzanne! It looks wonderful! We did the popcorn a few years ago and though I loved it, it took so long I’ve stuck to a string of gold beads since. :-)

When I grew up we had a vaulted ceiling and the trees were always huge. We always anchored the tree to the wall. It doesn’t take much, just a thin piece of twine attached to a nail in the wall. We kept the nail there (small) year round. Now we had paneling (didn’t everyone years ago? ;-) )but you could hang a small picture there the rest of the year. Just a thought. Especially since you have cats and cats love to climb trees. At least they did ours.

Have a Merry Christmas!
Cole

Nicole Reising - Reply
12-21
5:58
am

Wire the top of the tree to the ceiling. Otherwise, with the cats climbing it, it’s sure to tip over again.

Sheila Z - Reply
12-21
6:48
am

Your tree is beautiful. I’m living vicariously through everyone’s Christmas tree.

Dru - Reply
12-21
6:49
am

I had several of those Santas that you had in the first photo. I think I have a few left from my childhood tree.

My kitty loves the Christmas tree. He never tried to climb it. But I swear he thinks we put that tree up just for him to hid under. lol.

Your tree triming party looks like you had fun.

Diane - Reply
12-21
6:54
am

Everything looks so nice and Christmasy. My mom has the first ornament posted. That santa on a drum, its a set. She has had it over 30 years. You have created memories that will last a lifetime. I love it! Merry Christamas!! :weather:

MissyinWV - Reply
12-21
7:04
am

Nothing says Christmas like handmade ornaments and a tree crashing event ….. or TWO. Most of our events involved a cat climbing up the inside of the tree.

- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife - Reply
12-21
7:27
am

yes – ditto. I too have one of the vintage santa’s and the same vintage ornamets you have. I love them. they are quite pricey at antique stores but I got mine at the thrift stores. never had a tree fall over before though. Mine does lean every year. I love the felt ornaments. My sister made a felt wall hanging in the 70s of a santa. I put it up every year and she did some needle point ornaments too and some other hangings of embroidery.

I bet it smells wonderful. That is the thing I miss most about an artificial tree – the smell. Nothing like it for sure.

Well the count down is here. This was the last weekend. I am going to the store on Tues, hopefully for the last time before Christmas.

jane - Reply
12-21
7:30
am

Yep, wire that puppy to the wall or ceiling. This is the first year in a long time we have not had to do that. I think its because we don’t have an 8 or 9 footer this year. One year (before we wired our trees in place), I was pregnant with little ones feet in my stone filled gall bladder. I could only lay at a specific angle in the recliner to be pain free. I watched the tree from that recliner start to lean and then fall on me. I could do nothing but watch! So, ummm, yeah. Wire, wire, wire! :thumbsup:

Ang. - Reply
12-21
7:31
am

And – it is your first Christmas in your new house too!!!

jane - Reply
12-21
7:48
am

That is a lovely tree and fabulous ornaments. It’s great that the children helped out. They’ll have great memories of that in years to come.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic year in 2009.

Winifred - Reply
12-21
7:49
am

It’s Lovely!!!!!!
Merry 1st Christmas of Your Dream!!!!

:flying:

wkf - Reply
12-21
8:08
am

That looks like it was so much fun! Your tree is so pretty! I love all the ornaments, homemade and vintage are the best. If I got a tree this year that is what I would want to have on mine…the only thing is they won’t let us go cut our own here (Like you did) We can cut our own, we just have to pay to do that!

Claudia W. - Reply
12-21
8:14
am

Beautiful!

CATRAY44 - Reply
12-21
8:20
am

Beautiful tree Suzanne. And that white and gold angel ornament? The ceramic one by the gingerbread and Jack-in-the-Box? I have that ornament on my tree! Except mine is purple. I painted it in girl scouts when I was just a wee child.

Heidi533 - Reply
12-21
8:24
am

Gorgeous – what a memory tree! I didn’t put one up – no place really – but my daughter, SIL, and their best dog Banjo (others had to stay in Iowa) are here for a couple of nights. Watching Banjo look for Emma (cat) is amusing enough without having a tree crash down! But I love your ornaments and the enthusiasm the kids had for decorating. Merry Christmas!!! :catmeow:

Nancy in Atlanta - Reply
12-21
8:41
am

Suzanne:

I love your home-made Christmas theme…tree, gifts, everything! You’re like a busy elf in your cozy home!

Decorating the tree has gotten to be so routine around here that it seems just like another December chore. (horrible, I know) Next year, I’ll invite some teenagers over, sit back and enjoy their merriment.

Also–can you believe how much more frugal a home made pizza is compared to a delivered one? It’s crazy! (not that you get delivery where you live, huh?)

Kris
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com

Kris - Reply
12-21
8:55
am

Looks lovely! We’ll be decorating our tree on 24th, as usual. It seems we are always decorating our tree while they are declaring the Christmas peace in Turku.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve#Finland
http://virtual.finland.fi/xmas/
http://virtual.finland.fi/

Minna - Reply
12-21
9:33
am

I have five Santas exactly like the one in the first photo of the post! They are from my childhood trees. I treasure those so much.

Tammy - Reply
12-21
10:23
am

I remember the tree falling over a couple times when I was growing up – and my Mom would just put it back up and start decorating again!

LOVE the tree, Suzanne. :clap:

Melissa Marsh - Reply
12-21
10:39
am

We wire our tree to the wall to keep it from falling. Falling, you know, with some help from the cats…

Kacey - Reply
12-21
10:40
am

Suzanne,
I love the tree! Years from now your children will cheriish the memories you are creating for them. Enjoy a blessed Christmas season!
Martha

Martha - Reply
12-21
10:42
am

Only a true novelist could climax a beautiful Christmas tree decorating story with a gasp. You had me right up to the end. Now, I’m laughing.

Your tree deserves a blue ribbon. It is beautiful.

Mary Lou Middleton - Reply
12-21
12:16
pm

Love the tree. I also love looking in this “window” at such a lovely family affair. It’s very heartwarming.

Judy - Reply
12-21
12:26
pm

A while back right after finshing wrapping the presents and putting them piled high around the tree at 2AM I heard a loud crash. And then it happened again! Cats were to blame the first time and I guess we didn’t get it up right the second time. The worst part was some cherished ornaments got destroyed – from my husband’s family who traveled the world. The funny part was the kids slept right through it, even with me getting the big sweeper out and their bedrooms were just down the hall. No sleep for me that Christmas! My husband has since nailed our tree stand to a large square piece of wood and there’s no way it will fall now (in case you don’t have somewhere to tie it up and you don’t see the wire this way either). Your tree is just loverly!!!!!!!

catslady - Reply
12-21
1:31
pm

whadda tree!!!!
Am new here, someone sent me a recipe for your black bottom pie and have been on your site nosing around ever since. Reminds me of the pioneer woman, well kinda. LOL

ProductofTupelo - Reply
12-21
1:41
pm

What a gorgeous tree! So special that most of it is handmade by you & yours! Great job!
d

kd (small caps) - Reply
12-21
2:01
pm

One never has Xanax when one needs it! I’ve had my share of trees fall over, too. It always seemed to be in the middle of the night – when only the cat was stirring! :cattail: We just got a tree up yesterday, but have yet to get it decorated. Last year it was Xmas Eve -about midnight, so I guess actually Xmas day when we decorated the tree. I love all your ornaments. Homemade ones are the best! AND thank you so much for your calendar – it will be the perfect gift for my special guy, 49, who is very hard to buy for. He has a real soft spot for your goats! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fran - Reply
12-21
2:08
pm

Your tree looks lovely! The only reason our tree doesn’t get tipped over is the stand we have. I inherited it from my Mother. Let us know if the kitties decide to redecorate for you. (I came down to a few ornaments off our tree this morning.) *G*

Brandy - Reply
12-21
2:52
pm

Your Christmas brings back times when my girls were home. It is a beautiful tree. And I think the felt ornaments you made are extra special.
Merry Christmas to all!

Callie - Reply
12-21
3:07
pm

I love your tree and all the decorations! Thanks for giving ua a peek of some of you family holiday time!

Leah - Reply
12-21
3:29
pm

It looks like everyone had a great time decorating the tree the first time. I wonder who it was that enjoyed it so much they had to do it twice!

Your tree looks beautiful!

Susan - Reply
12-21
9:31
pm

Very pretty tree! Your house looks so homey and festive. No wonder everyone wants to be where you are. You make the fun happen and I thank you for sharing it with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Tell Georgia to be good cause Santa is watching. xxoo

Carolyn A. - Reply
12-21
11:57
pm

I love your tree Suzanne! We talked abo ut doing a similar thing this year, but ran out of time so we are starting to plan for next year. We went to Williamsburg for the “Grand Illumination” two weeks ago, and we were really struck by the beauty of the decorations made from materials on hand. For instance….a garland made from stinging sweet gum tree seed pods (not sure what they are called-they look like a little spiky ball). My son had to do this when we got home-we have about a million of this nasty little things! We actually had to use a drill, they are so hard! Anyway, it looked neat when it was finished and we used it as a garland on our tree. So next year, we are going to make more things. I took a lot of pictures in Williamsburg for inspiration, and i will be using some of your ideas for gifts.

And Buttercup looks so sweet…boy do I miss having a cat around…. :catmeow:

Debbie - Reply
12-22
12:01
am

Oh…and one more thing…what a beautiful ornament sent to you by Jane. I collect vintage Christmas ornaments, and it reminds me so much of some of the old ones with winter scenes. Thanks for sharing a picture of it!

Debbie - Reply
12-22
8:23
am

The tree is beautiful! The decorations are fantastic! What a wonderful family-decorating party you had…
Christmas memories are the best.

I wish I had Xanax for Christmas….

Merry Christmas

Traci in GA - Reply
12-22
11:07
am

Beautiful tree – lovely ornaments. lol…Sorry to hear about the tree falling – twice – but that just adds to those great family memories! :weather:

Blessings from Ohio…

Kim W - Reply
12-22
11:00
pm

Love the ornaments. I used to have an apron like that but my mom got rid of it one time while she was “getting rid of old stuff.”

Such a pity.

Wizzy - Reply
12-28
12:09
am

What kind of tree is that? It’s LOVELY!!

Mokihana - Reply
12-28
5:10
am

It’s a white pine!

Suzanne McMinn - Reply
12-29
8:05
am

Were you watching HOUSE during your tree trimming party? I love that show.

Amanda - Reply