Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas at our Home --Part I

Ornament talking about our beautiful flowers
This will be my last week of blogging in 2013 since I'm taking two weeks off after this week to celebrate the birth of Christ.    SO---I'll spend this week sharing our Christmas here at home with you.  I am one who absolutely loves Christmas ---so I hope you enjoy seeing my posts this week.

Today,  I'll  share with you one of George's and my favorite traditions ---the collection of ORNAMENTS.   When George and I got married,  we had 'his' and 'her' Christmas decorations.. So,  we decided to exchange ornaments each year as part of our Christmas to each other.  We give silly ones,  romantic ones showing our love,  ones from trips we take,  and ones portraying interests that we have.  Opening our ornaments is definitely a highlight of each Christmas.

It's hard to 'pick and choose' since there are SO many great ones.  So---this year I've divided the ornaments into three groups (Favorites from 2012,  Favorite Special Ones through the Years,  and  Favorite Trip Ornaments).   Hope you enjoy seeing some of our memories...  Be sure and click on the photos for enlargements.  The first group shows some of our 'funny' and/or 'unique' or 'special' Ornaments.  The above ornament shows a HUGE part of our lives ---our love for Roses and all of our beautiful flowers.



Funny Ornament I gave to George one year since I am ALWAYS dieting --and he doesn't always get his CAKE or special desserts!!!!! ha



George gave me this adorable little 'hot house' one year since I have such a huge love for our flowers.



I gave this one to George one year since I always give 'my' Santa a LONG "Honey-Do" List... ha




This is my "Kissie-Kissie" Fishie ---since I love to beg for kissies from my Sweetie!




George LOVES to cook (and he's a great cook),  so I gave him this ornament one year since he is my special Chef!




Cass Railroad in West Virginia
The second group I chose to feature this year are from some of our many, many trips through the years.   Above is one of our favorite trips---to West Virginia, and a trip on the Cass Railroad.



King's Arm Tavern at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia




Biltmore House and Gardens,  Asheville,  North Carolina




One of our favorite places,  Ocean Isle Beach,  North Carolina




From our visit to Mt.  Rushmore,  South Dakota in 2012




Bird House Ornament
And the third group includes four ornaments from last Christmas!  Above is a great ornament which George gave me since he knows how much I love my Backyard Birds!




I gave this little Ladybug to George --expressing my special love.



Showing our LOVE of MUSIC




Two Lovebirds----that would be US!!!!




I'll close showing a collage I did a year ago showing two more special ornaments of ours,  a computer and a cellphone... Aren't they cute????  AND--they are sooooooo  US--since we use both of them ALOT.  ha

As you can tell,  ornaments are very special to George and me.  When we decorate the tree each year,  it is so much fun just re-living the memories.   Our Christmas tree is definitely a 'hodge-podge' tree FULL of MEMORIES... We love it!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our little ornaments today.  There are many other special ornaments such as my bird collection and the angels... BUT--that will have to come in another post!!!!!

Have a wonderful day.

We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ And a Happy New Year!!! Seasons Greetings to everyone........

Hugs,

61 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

You and George in the header are the most beautiful ornament of all! But if I HAVE to choose from the other ornaments, no doubt about it....the little hot house wins hands down!!!

Annie Jeffries said...

What a lovely tradition. That's the wonderful thing about ornaments; each has a story.

eileeninmd said...

I love the header shot, Betsy! And your ornaments are all adorable. Great post. Have a happy day!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

You have some sweet and fun ornaments.

Have a great week before Christmas.

FlowerLady

Beatriz said...

So sweet!!!
You're very creative, aren't you? I wish you the best Christmas in the world!!!
Kisses and hugs from the South

Bia

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely selection of ornaments Betsy. I love the special sentiments for each one.

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
what a great festive post! your Christmas decorations are all so lovely, and each one with great sentiment, they must be so precious - the hot house decoration is beautiful, I haven't seen anything like it before - have a wonderful week x x x

Faye said...

What a great tradition. Merry Christmas to you and George, Betsy. All the best in 2014.

Arkansas Patti said...

That header is perfect. Maybe make into a tree skirt??
Wonderful idea about the ornaments and you have such a delightful selection.
My sister fell in love with those kissy fish in we saw in the Keys.
Have a wonderful Christmas Betsy.

Lynda said...

We collect ornaments from our trips, too. Lots of times, I will get a keychain since some places don't have ornaments. They look pretty on the tree, too.
I LOVE your header pics - - - especially the two of you outside in front of your house. It may be my favorite of all you have taken at Christmas!

linda m said...

That is such a lovely tradition. I stated doing that years ago and have kept it up with my family also. Your header is the best one - LOVE IT. Traditions are so important in our lives and exchanging ornaments at Christmas is a beautiful one. Merry Christmas to you and George.

MadSnapper said...

these are all a lot of fun, my pick is the hot house. soon you will need several trees if you want to use them all in one year...
Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫

Helen said...

Beautiful header, and so many sweet memories ornaments.

Out on the prairie said...

Some great ornaments. Have a great holiday.

pam said...

I hope you and George have a wonderful Christmas!

Sharon said...

Our main tree is decorated completely with ornaments purchased during our travels and representing significant events in our 36 1/2 years of marriage. Love seeing your ornaments. They are very special, aren't they? Thought of you yesterday as we drove by your exit. It was snowing and 28 degrees! Hopefully, soon we can grab a cup of coffee at that exit!

Barbara said...

Wow you do have a few ornaments Betsy, lol have a very Merry Christmas

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

What a fun post. So many memories contained in these little ornaments. Thank you for the Christmas wishes, and Doug and I send them right back to you. May you have a truly joyous Christmas!

Chatty Crone said...

A good post. I love seeing you and George there together - you two are just so cute. Love seeing your ornaments. I also liked the one with the list! I hope I am on it! lol sandie

Janice K said...

A wonderful post! I know the day I put up our tree is a day of memories also of special people, places and Christmas's past and also of the Reason for the Season.

God bless you both!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Merry Christmas to you both. You have an outstanding yard which reflects your love of nature and your enjoyment of gardening. It is a real credit to the Glade. I love your travel ornaments. Great memory refreshers. Have a super good week and again, have a wonderful holiday!

Jim and Sandie said...

I love your header picture. That is such a great picture of you guys. And I love your ornaments. Our tree when we had a house had ornaments from every year of our son's life.

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful holiday post, Betsy!! I hope you and George have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy!!!

David said...

Betsy, What a nice collection of ornaments. I know that it was just a sampling but it looks like a great representation of your collection. We too have hundreds of ornaments, with one family ornament dating back to the Civil War era. Another favorite is one our son made with beans and cardboard when he was 9 years old. Merry Christmas to you and George! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Our photos said...

Wonderful ornaments, Betsy!

Terry and Linda said...

This is what Christmas is all about to me...the story of the year, the love of the Christ Child and wonderful friends!

Merry Christmas Betsy!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”

Kay said...

You have the cutest ornaments and I love the way your front porch looks.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a lovely post, Betsy! I'm so happy to read about the holiday rituals of another Christmas lover! It's my favorite time of the year! Ours will be a little quiet this year because I have a book deadline looming in mid-January (got a contract to write a memoir about two cats who worked with me, from time to time, in my psychotherapy practice). So no big celebrations or cooking or decorating -- but still happiness over this new book and deep joy in the season! Hope your holidays are truly blessed!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I get the feeling that a 'tour' around your tree could take a while,but what fun that would be.I love seeing all the special ornaments you find.

Linda G. said...

Wonderful ornaments and all with special meaning!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Gorgeous, just lovely - and I'm so pleased you approved my borrowing of your amazing tradition for my friends who married last year at 12noon, on the 12/12/12. They have embraced yours and George's tradition and love it!
PS Your header is filled with so much happiness and love.
Enjoy your time off Betsy and George!
Blessed Christmas greeting to you both.
Hugs
Rose

camp and cottage living said...

Betsy
Your Christmas tree is truly a memory tree!
Merry Christmas.

Ann said...

so many adorable ornaments. Your new header looks great too

Nellie said...

You have some really unique, special ornaments, Betsy! It must be a joy to add them to your tree!

Hugs,
Nellie

Big Dude said...

We hope you guys have a great Christmas.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

So many great ornaments. I like to pick up ornaments on our travels too. Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love the slice of cake & the Cass Railroad ornament. so cute!! great ones to share. ( :

happyone said...

A very Merry Christmas to you and George.
See you in the new year. : )

Buttercup said...

What a wonderful collection of ornaments. I like them all, but I am especially taken with the green house. I've never seen one like that before.

carolina nana said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS Betsy and George.
I love all your ornaments,like most of mine they have such beautiful memories that make decorating so much fun each year.
May all you wish far this Christmas come true and may the Lord bless you always.
Marilyn

MTWaggin said...

Hope you have many more years to add to that collection! Happy Holidays!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I just love all your ornaments! They are so fun.

Catherine said...

Wishing you and your sweetie and your families health, joy and peace Betsy! Enjoy your blog break!
xo Catherine

BB said...

You two are so cute. Lovebirds. My late husband was a french chef. I miss those dishes! I still can't get over Little River! Such a hoot. I love your collection of ornaments. Great memories which is what life is all about making. Enjoy your holidays. So glad we met.

BB said...

You two are so cute. Lovebirds. My late husband was a french chef. I miss those dishes! I still can't get over Little River! Such a hoot. I love your collection of ornaments. Great memories which is what life is all about making. Enjoy your holidays. So glad we met.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

So many fun ornaments! I love the hot house, that is most unusual!
Take care and enjoy your beautifully decorated home!

Joy said...

That is a very nice tradition. I helped an old lady to decorate her Christmas tree today and her ornaments came from different people and countries and has different stories too:)
By the way, I love your ornaments. You gave me an idea:)

From the Kitchen said...

I especially love the King's Arms Tavern ornament because it is one of our favorite restaurants in Williamsburg! The other is Chowning's. I'm going on line to see if I can find one or the other!!

Best,
Bonnie

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful collection of ornaments! Wishing you and George a very lovely Christmas.

diane b said...

Your tree will sag with all your ornaments. They are very special to you and also bring back memories. A great collection.

troutbirder said...

Beautiful and interesting at the same time. I think you've sparked a gem of an idea in me. We have from our parents and our own almost fifty years a mountain of Christmas ornament. Enough to fill sever large tree. I think "organizing" them according to some plan would be a good idea....:)

Rose said...

I really did enjoy seeing these...that is such a nice tradition to have started.

Susie Swanson said...

I love these Betsy. I know each one has a special meaning and that is a very special love. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and love. Merry Christmas to you both.

Small Kucing said...

Thanks for sharing, Betsy. It's very meaningful. Maybe I should start one too.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Oh, my, Betsy, your ornaments are fabulous. I love all of them. I hope you and George have a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. I enjoyed this posting very much and I love your header photo, too.

Connie said...

So much fun seeing all your ornaments, Betsy! Wishing you and George a very merry Christmas!

Pat Tillett said...

Wow! that is quite a collection. We still use the ones we've had for years. Our cats seem to like to knock them off the branches. Not my favorite sound in the middle of the night.

Far Side of Fifty said...

You have a lovely collection! :)

Neal said...

You have some really nice ones there. We buy Allison a Precious Moments ornament every year.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love all your special ornaments, Betsy! Your new header is the best!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

It's a very lovely time of year. Many people are so much nicer at this time and that makes it all fun :)
Even with the storms that caused havoc here all stayed in a joyful mood and that's why we love this time.
I bet you and George have new ornaments and memories from this year.
Happy New Year!