Ho Ho Ho!

I love seasonal decorations - and this year I broke the rules and put up my Christmas decorations PRIOR to Thanksgiving. No lightning bolts struck me dead, so I figure the whole "rule" was a total crock anyway!

This was a tricky Christmas decoration year since I moved in the last year and I had to figure out where everything should go (and also make room for a Christmas tree somewhere!). I was also afraid to open up my 2 Martha Stewart wreaths that I made in the last 2 years in Toledo. They are basically straw wreaths that I wrapped in green ribbon and then glue-gunned Christmas bulbs all over it. Seems simple enough, but they take a LONG time to make.....but I love it! I packed them very carefully and delicately, but since they are glass bulbs, there is always risk involved in moving them.....The damage wasn't too bad when I opened them up - only a few casualty bulbs that I need to replace. Woo hoo!

And this year, I found a place out of Maggie's reach for my silver-painted pine cones. In previous years, Maggie has always been really good about not getting into the decorations or messing with the tree......but she has a fascination with chewing on these pine cones. I imagine that's not too healthy for a dog, so I solved my problem this year - put them up on the wall in my big star!

The decorations turned out great and I found a place for everything. I love my tree and all of the candles and fun stuff - I won't want to take it all down at New Year's!!!