Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Finding Bits Of Christmas Past




Have you started decorating for Christmas yet? Somewhere in our garage and storage closet are Christmas decorations I need to find.



I've been trying to find the inspiration to get started in my search so I've been looking at photos from years past to get me going! 

I've got to find my snow boots for instance...it didn't snow at all here last year, but they're my favorite decoration for the entryway even if I don't need to wear them!



The year before last it really snowed here in NE Texas. My feet were warm every time I ventured out in those snow boots.


The View From Our Porch In Winters Past

I've been tempted to buy some new Christmas signs and pillows recently, but this year I've vowed to bring out all the decorations hidden away and use what we have and only keep what I love.



I'd forgotten about these Christmas pot-holders in floral and stripes. I love to hang them for Christmas decor...I'd never actually use them!



Last year I mixed the white dishes we use every day with this woodland Santa and faux Christmas greens. 



I like the look of the white mixed in so if I buy anything this year it will be white -- or black and white -- decor.

Somewhere these Merry Christmas signs are tucked away tight! I hope I'm not the only one who packs things away and then can't find them...


I bought this Santa last year (or the year before) at Home Goods. They had so many wonderful Santas it was hard to choose.



And last year Trader Joe's had these wonderful little bright green bushes. I bought 2 or 3 of them and loved using them on the kitchen counter and dining room cabinets. 


I've gone to Trader Joe's twice this year, but haven't found them for sale yet.

Though some of the Grand-Dogs are no longer with us, each year their ornaments (shown here from a past Christmas) will again remind me of those sweet canine grandkids!


Sweet Dee Always Loved To Celebrate, Especially If Food Was Involved!



I especially miss Dee (above) and Wrigley (below) whenever I see their ornaments and think of them.

Mr. Wrigs Was Afraid Of His Own Shadow When Adopted, 
But Became A Loving Party Animal



My own dog, Ginger, died over 27 years ago. I haven't been able to adopt a dog of my own because of her memory.



This picture of her makes her look white, but she was ginger colored just like this ornament, which reminds me so much of her...



Her favorite toy was a green squeaky frog, which we called "Froggy"...so original!



A few years ago, I walked into a store after Christmas in a little town in Illinois while visiting Middle Daughter.  

Right on the tree in front of me was this green frog ornament, and I promptly burst into tears! Twenty-seven years...and it still hurts my heart to think of her loss.

Thanks for joining me on this trip down memory lane. I enjoy your visits so much and your comments are always appreciated. I'll be by to see your decorations as soon as you get them up.




Thanks for dropping by!


Joining the party here:







26 comments:

  1. Well you have a great many beautiful Christmas decorations tucked away. I hope you find them all. We aren't entertaining this Christmas and I really can't (to use a horrid British expression) be arsed to do anything this year, but as my older daughter is back from Uni very soon, I suppose I'll have to drag my butt into the Loft and get out the tree and make an effort. Ho ho ho.

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    1. Mr. Cool, think of it as building memories for that little granddaughter of yours. She needs glowing lights and a shiny tree when she visits! If not you to do it for her then who?

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  2. I love your beautiful house. I was mocked mercilessly for my decorations yesterday. I erected them alone!

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    1. I feel your pain! My husband becomes "The Man Behind The Computer" when I start decorating. He barely comes out until I've finished, but that won't stop me this year. We've had far too much loss in the last 6 months...It's time to celebrate life!

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  3. Your home is lovely. All the decorations are so pretty. It is amazing where our memories take us and why.

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    1. Thanks Cheryl. I cherish all my dumb old ornaments as each one seems to bring back a good memory, even if there are tears involved.

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  4. The memories of Christmas's past are a treasure. Gerard and I had a lovely afternoon sharing memories of some of our treasured baubles, what fun.

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  5. Good gracious! You've made me cry over that little green frog. How sweet. Those doggie ornaments look so much like the dogs you bought them for, it's amazing. Your decorations are really beautiful. I'm not crazy about most Christmas pillows but that one on the bench is the prettiest I've ever seen...and I would drive to Texas for those boots! I going out looking for shiny twinkling lights today. :)

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    1. Thanks Henny. My favorite Twinkly lights are from Target and then next Walmart. Good luck shopping.

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  6. Yes! I'm using what I have and keeping what I love, too. No desire to accumulate any more.🎄

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    1. I'm with you! I have tons of large bins of my father in law's stuff to get through and give away before I can reach my decorations. Even tho we knew he wouldn't use the stuff my Mother in law left, we couldn't get rid of it while he was still alive.

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  7. Beautiful ornaments and décor. I have lost several things this year as I did not pack good last year and things are scattered in two or three places. I will find things later.

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    1. Carol, if you're like me you will find them in the spring and lose them again before next Christmas gets here.

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  8. I love your Christmas past decorations and can't wait to see what you use this year! I purged a lot of decorations when we organized our storage space and haven't accumulated too many other things. I'm trying to use what I have also and change it up a bit! Love and hugs!

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    1. Thanks Benita. Hoping you won't light anything on fire while you're decorating!

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  9. I would adopt a dog BECAUSE of Ginger! I've had dogs my whole life - life wouldn't be the same without them. ALL rescues:) I lost two this past year and I told the vet that came out to the house that it is never easy saying goodbye - and she said it's not suppose to be! Well said. It is heartbreaking every.single.time. But I think of what would we have missed NOT having them in our lives . . .

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    1. Luckily my daughters all adopt pound pups and one daughter fosters cats and dogs often. Ginger was a 2 year old when we adopted her and she was truly my best friend. I love all my adopted pound grand pups, and it killed me when the oldest 3 passed away in the last few years close together. Every year I think I will adopt myself, but just can't actually do it. After several years, I still cry every time I see a photo of Sweet Dee too. Even though she was my daughter's dog, when I visited she was my best pal.

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  10. I really love how you remember your dogs on the tree! Against my plans, I actually broke down and bought two Christmas pillows at (of all places) Kroger where they were half off. Nice tartan plaid and one is just plaid (the other has a reindeer on it so his season is limited!) Glad I did!

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    1. Would love to see your pillows and other decorations. I'm dropping by to get a look!

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  11. Our decorations are up and I actually did a post on them today.
    I love what you have, it looks very cheery and inviting! I've been thinking I need to go through my stuff too, and sort out what I no longer use.

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    1. Mari, I love your Christmas decor, especially the garden gate with the wreath. Hope others get a chance to go see it...
      http://marislittlecorner.blogspot.com

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  12. Mr. Wrigs looks like my Jack. I loved that dog. I'm so sorry about your sweet Ginger. I'm trying to use what I have too. I bought a few things but other than that I'm resisting new Christmas stuff. I really don't need anything else.

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  13. Katie, sometimes I think I've taken the easy way out and just bought more each year so I wouldn't have to disturb things that are packed away. This year I'm redoing our storage (have to due to my FIL passing) and donating Christmas stuff now while someone would want it.

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  14. I am using what I have this year, too, if I use anything at all. I haven't decided whether I am going to even put up a tree in the rental here.

    I am the same way. I lost my Misty about 8 years ago and I cannot bear to think about getting another pet. I thought I was the only one out there. It seems most people get another pet right away. I can't bear to think of Misty either.

    Have a great night and drop me a line when you get a chance. xo Diana

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  15. Lovely ornaments! I enjoyed seeing them, Happy Christmas!

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  16. I love your decor, especially the little green trees. Did you end up finding any this year?

    Thanks for sharing at TFT. Happy New Year!

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