O, Tannenbaum!

I love Christmas decorations as much as the next girl, but does anyone else think its a little weird we bring a tree, into the house, for a month (or more) and hang things from it?

I'm just sayin'.

Regardless of my tree-in-the-house stance, I do love the sentiment and memories that go along with ornaments. The Casa's tree is not particularly full of sentiment. There are a few meaningful ornaments but I went for funk and color over memory and meaning.

Jojo's tree, however, has style, grace and overflows with memories.

Jojo's tree has evolved over the years through careful editing. The first Christmas Jojo and GWR were married, Santa (a friend in the A&M horticulture dept.)  left them a tree outside of their home in Bryan, Tx. They made all of their ornaments. The little pink heart was one of many hand sewn by Jojo and GWR stuffed them. The antique teal and silver bauble belonged to Jojo's grandmother.

The red and silver antique was also Jojo's grandmother's and the snowflake repeats itself several times on the trees' limbs. I can't remember if GAR or I made the clothes pin angel - but she's better for wear and refuses to give up her spot on a branch.

One year, over Christmas break, Jojo, GAR and I glittered a dozen or so clear glass balls with gold glitter. I think they look better and better every year. They have a unique patina now and GAR and I always laugh that Jojo still puts them on the tree. The ballet dancer has a twin who lives in my tree now. Those were my favorite ornaments to put on the tree growing up. Glitter, tulle, silver pointe shoes and red lips... was it any wonder why!?

Doesn't everyone have an egg carton "bell" on their tree? I made this one in preschool and loved it so much I made it with my kiddos when I taught preschool. That amazing pressed paper starfish came from our last big summer family vacay before I headed off to college; it was from the gift shop at the Seward, Alaska SeaLife Recovery Center. That brings back memories of one of the MOST amazing family trips ever (moose and whales and bears, oh my)! I think the precious cotton boll (yes, boll...not ball...those are the actual little leafy things that the cotton pops out of) angel came from Pioneer Farm where Jojo docented when we were little. It was a living, working, pioneer farming museum in Austin and the docents and staff made things for the gift shop from the fruits of the farm. I can't remember where the Santa came from but I love his sweet face. (Jojo? Where did Santa come from?) Santa was given to Jojo by Madge, her nursery school teacher at Kelly Air Force Base when she was three. (Where do you think I learned how to be teacher's pet?) Does that make it vintage?  Sorry Jojo.

Despite the weirdness of the tradition, I do love ornament memories and looking at people's trees. They tell such a personal and rich story - and I love listening with my eyes.