Christmas tree is completed

[genko_b]

Well it took two days with many breaks to rest, but the tree is decorated finally. Now I get to sit and enjoy! There are some pictures on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/genko_b/

Fortunately my daughter took a lot of ornaments for her tree this year, but we still had two or three boxes left over. When the kids were little, we used to have two trees, one in the living room and one just for them in their bedroom wing. I can't believe I used to do all that, plus work, plus bake cookies, plus find, buy and wrap presents, and so on. My hat is off to those of you who manage to do it, truly.

Take care,

Genko

[Carolina]

WOW Genko:

What a tree.

Thanks for the link.

It is stunning.

I am in awe.

Kisses

Elaine

[Blue Kat]

Your tree is beautiful!  This year is the first year I've had a tree since I got my two wonderfully crazy cats five years ago.  I finally just got a 4' tree and put it on a table, so it's much easier to decorate than a full size one and my cats have thankfully ignored it!  I did have to go up into my attic by myself and get all the other decorations and that really took it out of me for a few days afterwards.  I think after Christmas I'll swallow my pride and get my dad to help me put everything back up in the attic. 

[genko_b]

We used to have two cats, and they would climb up the trunk of the tree and just hang there, like bats. Also they would swat the balls off the bottom branches, so those were reserved for non-breakable ones.

A friend of mine finally put her tree in the playpen to protect it from kids and critters.

Genko

[Bucky]

Genko - what a pretty tree with some very unique ornaments.  That is awesome that you have some ornaments that are 100 yrs. old!

I think the oldest ornament I have is one from my third grade teacher . . hmmm, let me figure this out . . . OK, it's 44 yrs. old.     Boy, now I feel old.  LOL

When our son was younger I collected ornaments for him to give to him some day when he leaves home.  I have two totes full in the basement.  I haven't added anything to it in several years.  Seeing your pictures makes me think I should get some more current ornaments to add to our son's collection.  Do you get a new ornament every year?

I know what you can do . . . make a "Genko's garden" tree . . . take all those lovely pictures you take of your garden and make your own ornaments out of them.  I've taken Kerr canning lids and glued pictures on them, punched a hole in the lid and put a pretty ribbon on to make ornaments (and dated the back of the lid).

Thanks for sharing your tree with us . . it's beautiful.

Bucky

[genko_b]

Thanks, Bucky. I'm always looking for ornaments, so it is at least one new ornament a year. Whenever we travel, we look for things.

When my daughter came to get her ornaments (the ones we had collected specifically for her over the years) I put a bunch more out on the table for her to choose from. It was so interesting to see which ones she wanted - I never would have guessed.

Cute idea about using photographs and jar lids. I'm quite happy to have the garden stay outside and me stay inside this time of the year, though. I do wish everyone here could come over and enjoy tea in the garden in the summertime. There's plenty of shade for us Sjoggies, and even flowing water for thirsty folks, if you can get through all the birds who hang out by the pond.

Take care,

Genko

[Meld256]

Beautiful pics of your tree. Thank you for sharing them! 

It also took me 2-3 days to get our tree up and decorated (and it's a 4-footer) but I'm glad I did.
Hope you have a blessed and Merry Christmas, dear.

Melinda

[irish]

Your tree and ornaments are beautiful. Also, the pictures of the flowers and foliage are just gorgeous. Do you take pictures just of your yard or do you take your camera with your and grab a picture whenever something catches your eye.I would love to do that but I would not be able to get the hang of using the computer and the digital camera. Very good to look at. Irish

[newhorizons]

Genko... Thank you for providing such a beautiful tree for our enjoyment! It is gorgeous and it is evident you are a very creative person. This looks like a live tree; is it?


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to YOU and family,   Joy in TN 

[genko_b]

Hi Joy - It is a cut tree, a Noble fir - not plastic and not potted in dirt. Not sure if that is what you meant by live tree.

Hi Irish - the flower and garden pictures are almost all from my own garden, except for the travel photos and a couple of sets taken in our local Japanese Garden.

Thanks for all your kind words.

Genko