Hubby Tony, Son Donald, and I put up the tree and decorated the house for Christmas today.
Our family room has a fireplace with a large mantle which is flanked by built-in bookshelves, and a large entertainment center on the other side of the room which all hold a collection of books, artwork, and mementos. I took many of these items down and dusted, then the men took charge of the room, filling it with seasonal items.
Over the years I've acquired more decorations than there's room for, so each year we pick and choose which ones to use. Everything has a memory. For example, there's a painting of a snowy winter scene that came from Tony's great aunt. The Santa and Mrs. Claus ceramic statues came from my Mom. I bought the batik painting of a dark red poinsettia from a craft show our ladies group at church used to organize.
Some of the items go back to the boy's elementary school days, although most of those things don't get set out. This year, though, Donald found three white athletic tube sock snowmen that have been around for decades. (The boys each made one of the fiberfill-stuffed cuties when they passed through kindergarten or first grade. They're now all in their 20s) As you might expect, the craftsmanship on those snowmen isn't the greatest but they were made with love.
Donald lined them up on the bottom shelf on the left side. They don't stand up well, so he had them leaning against each other for support. Ten minutes later I looked over and saw one of the socks laying on the ground. Upon further investigation I noticed there was only one left on the shelf. The other one was in the living room next to the tree.
Since I knew those snowmen couldn't walk on their own I suspected the cats has something to do with it. Sure enough, I watched Pepper come over and pick up the one on the floor in his mouth and start to carry it away. When he saw me he dropped it and ran out of the room. I picked up all of the snowmen and returned them to a decoration box. They aren't staying out this year!
Five years ago today: New Thing #332--Slumber
I used to have a cat who insisted on helping with the decorating. He often knocked down and broke ornaments within reach, so we didn't usually decorate the bottom part of the tree.
ReplyDeleteEvery year there are ornaments on the floor. We've learned not to put anything breakable on the bottom few branches.
DeleteNaughty cats, couldn't resist the socks!
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. I find it hard to select which decoration to use. I like having it all but room only allows for so many.
ReplyDeleteEvery year our house is decorated a little differently :-)
DeleteHi Kathy. I found you via the wonder that is Mo over at Mocadeaux who's my partner this month in our Pair Tree linkups. Love this post. My two are still away writing exams so I am l living the decorating and the tree setup through you. Initially I thought the socks were slipping down and rolling away on their own accord! So funny that it was due to Pepper. No cats here but we do have a dog and a rabbit. So far the advent calendar is unscathed. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteKelly, thanks for stopping by, and for the kind words! I've been reading and enjoying YOUR posts, too. Right now, though, there's just not enough hours in the day to comment on everything :-( Hopefully things will get better.
DeleteLife is never dull with animals in the house.
We have a set of three kittens (who are now very big cats) who love to play with everything in the house. They have destroyed the poinsettias (never have had a cat in 40 years do that) and they carry my slippers all over the house. The other unusual thing they "catch" and cart off is my Frida Kahlo doll. I've had to put her on a high shelf. Cats!
ReplyDeleteYou have very talented cats!
DeleteI hope the precious sock snowmen weren't damaged. The kitties must have loved them too.
ReplyDelete