Howdy !
It's nearly noon, but feels like earlier morning to me. I slept in and have done nearly nothing since I got up but play on my computer! I did empty the dishwasher while I was in the kitchen getting coffee and grabbing a bite for breakfast, but that didn't take but a few minutes. I'm having a lazy Sunday morning.
Yesterday, I thought I was going to Mom's today like normal, but late yesterday afternoon she emailed me and said she had been invited to a birthday party for one of my nieces and wouldn't be there, SO... here I am with another whole day for myself.... oh boo hoo hoo....right ? ha ha I love going to my Mom's, but having a free day too isn't a bad deal. Maybe I will do some of what I should have done yesterday, but didn't.
.....or maybe not.
This photo shows the little grouping on the back corner of my art desk. It makes me happy to see my fun little things as I play at my desk. The paper star lamp isn't just out at Christmas though, although it does fit in with the other fun decor. It is usually on another console table during the year. The clock is always on the art table.
The ceramic tree was made by my older sister back when she was in her 20s. She made a lot of ceramic things for a while back then. She is 71 now, so it's vintage and very special because she made it. Not only that, it has more fun history. She originally made it for my Grandmother. When Grandmother passed, it went back to my sister as that is how we do in our family mostly, if you gave it and someone passes, you get it back. When my sister received it back, she already had one as she made one for herself too, so she offered it to Mom and Mom took it. After a few years, Mom found that she had so much stuff and didn't put this out, so once again, it went BACK to my sister, who then offered it to me! We didn't have one of these iconic ceramic trees in our home when I was growing up as many folks did at the time, but I always thought they were really neat and a time or two entertained the idea of buying a vintage one, but never did. Needless to say I was delighted when she offered it to me. It was somehow missing some of the colorful plastic light pieces that you poke into holes made in the tree, so I easily bought a bag of assorted colors and remedied that very quickly. The last few years I have put all colors in it, but this year I decided just to use red, green & yellow. I have multiple colors of stars that can be used with it, but somehow, since the light is at the base of the tree, it never really makes the star that bright. That's ok though, I still really love it.
Here it is when my art desk light is on and all the details show up good, including the star.
Back in the 40s and or 50s, The bubble light snowman came out. This is not a vintage one, but a replica. I bought it a few years ago from the Vermont Country Store. Although WHO needs a reason to buy such a cute thing, it happened for this reason.
In the early fall of 2015, my older brother was diagnosed with cancer. By the time it showed up it was stage 4, but he didn't tell the extended family that. Oh... and I am not telling this story as a sad thing, just a sweet thing. He and I have always been Christmas Crazy and loved sharing things and stories about it. So....once he was diagnosed, I found this fun bubble light holder (and who doesn't LOVE a bubble light???) and I ordered it and had it sent to him. Once he received it, he put it on the edge of a counter between his kitchen and living area and left it up and bubbling every evening for the rest of his life, yes, from about September of 2015 to May of 2016. Isn't that a warm-fuzzy? So, the next fall, I ordered one for my Mom and the rest of my brother's and sisters and gave it to them before Christmas with the story of "why". I don't know if any of them love it as good as me and that doesn't matter, but it is a sweet thing to me that marks a particular time in my history. There is no sadness to the thought and memory, just very warm memories.
Here's a few steps back. Sweet decor on the edge of fun Chaos!
...and here's a B&W for the fun of it.
And now I will end with a photo I took the other night on the way home. I had taken a bag of Smoked Butterscotch coffee to one of my sisters that does not live far from me. A couple of families on her street really whup it up with the outdoor Christmas decor. I stopped, rolled down my window and took a photo or two there in the dark. I do so love tacky outdoor Christmas decor. I can also appreciate classy Christmas decor too, although most times it just doesn't quiet have as much fun factor to it.
After another cup or two of coffee, I will see what will come next for my day. Do I want to do another chore or two?.... or play at my art desk all day? I'm not sure which it will be, maybe both!
Hope you have a happy day, however you choose (or chose) to do, wherever you are.
Love you !
Jacey
I love that your sister made that ceramic tree! I inherited one from my grandma’s things when she passed last year. I love it so much and left it on display all year. But how fantastic that you have one your sister actually made.
Also… bubble lights are cool. We
Never had them but a night or did growing up. They are so kitschy and fabulous. And also special that you shared you love of them with your brother.
I hope you and your family have a fabulous Christmas.
Thank you ! I hope you are yours do too.
Of course the tree is more specialer... ha....since my sister made it, than it would be if i just bought it. I do label the boxes as such, in case one day I perish fast without warning (funny, huh?).... so that when others go through, if it would mean something more to them than if it didn't have family history, then maybe another family member will want it.
The only time I remember bubble lights growing up was on my Great-Grandparent's tree. They had other lights on the tree, but there were still a couple of strings of bubble lights winding through it and it fascinated me SO much. I still remember just standing there and staring at them for the longest time.
I keep a bubble light nightlight in my kitchen, one of the plugs above my counter top, but below the upper cabinets. When I am going to be in the kitchen for a while, I turn it on. It stays out all year long too.
Thanks for stopping over.