Christmas Spirit

Mine is sorely lacking.

Christmas has always been my favorite of all holidays. And not just because of the presents. But let's be truthful. They are nice.

I love to give presents. I love everything about shopping for that special something that someone will treasure. Or stitching something that I hope and think they will love. Over the years I know I have succeeded in getting someone something that they will love and use and those memories I hold in my heart.

But shopping, wrapping, hunting for that perfect gift is not in me this year. I have gone through some of the motions. The wrapping and sending part and even a little shopping. But it just isn't the same this year and my heart isn't in it.

I also went out and bought a tree. Now not just any old tree. I decided that if I were going to put up a tree this year I wanted something I could plant in the spring. In honor of my Mom. Well, I found not one but two!

I had gone to the nursery to pick up cut greens to decorate the family graves and saw two trees. When I went to ask about the price I told them why I wanted the little trees. They aren't big. Maybe two to three feet tall. The saleswoman said "Ten Dollars" and I said "Sold."

Here they are decorated.

This one has the few stitched ornaments I have. I have joined the 2009 Ornament Challenge and hope that by this time next year I'll have enough to fill at least a tree this size.

The second tree sits on the floor in front of the other. This one has a few of my favorite ornaments on it. And if you look closely you can see Rosie, my Mom's kitty, checking things.

Here is a better photo of her inspecting the Nativity set to make sure I set it up properly.

Until next time...........

Love and stitches

Kathy