While in my holiday spirit-run amok mood this weekend, I pulled out and set up our Christmas tree. I’d forgotten how much I loved this tree…purchased before we moved overseas, stored at my parents’ house, returned and kept in storage by us for another couple of years. It’s a lush, lovely artificial tree. And, despite battling the furballs and the endless fluffing of branches, I fell in love with it all over again once it was set up.
The love-fest was slightly dampened when I realized that I didn’t have any lights for the tree. I’d purchased lights years ago, then sold them when we moved to the UK. I bought new lights for a new tree in the UK, which I then sold when we moved back to Texas.
Don’t get me started on irons, sewing machines or blenders, either…
Anyway, two somewhat-quick trips to Michaels later, I had fantastic twinkling fairy lights and was ready for decorating.
The only problem was that it was already the work week, complete with many projects and 5 – yes, FIVE – holiday parties.
So I’ve been doing what I can, when I can.
The Niece helped me install the lights Monday evening. Last night, we hung the ornaments.
The Boy and I have long made a practice of buying an ornament on our yearly vacations, as well as ornaments whenever we travel somewhere for a meeting (etc). As I unwrapped each ornament, I’d shout to The Boy: Do you remember…?!? and I’d forgotten all about this one!
It was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Both of us would tag-team telling the ornament’s history to The Niece. She, I think, enjoyed hearing about where we’d been and why we had selected each piece.
Sighing, I mentioned: Gosh, I should have written a story about each of these to keep a record.
Her: Well, you do keep a record of sorts. You have a blog.
Excellent point!
So here are a few of our world-hopping, vacation-going ornaments. I’d show you them all, but who has the time?!?
Belgium: We picked up this lovely lace ornament during a quick day-trip to Brugge. We’d gone with a group of international women (NATO and embassy wives, mostly) that I was involved with in London. I convinced The Boy to take a day off to travel with us. We thought Brugge was a fantastic mix of picture-book village and tourist-over-the-top. And, believe it or not, I ran into a long-lost friend while at immigration control in France. She was going into Europe. We were leaving. (Small world!)
Boston: The Hayley Vacation 2001. We drove east, camped out and endured terrible rainstorms. I don’t think I’ll ever forget The Boy’s ability to sleep in a tent in the pouring rain, while I was contemplating flood evacuation plans.
Canada: Our first ornament purchased as The Hayleys. The Boy took me on a honeymoon to Canada, followed by an Alaskan cruise. It was a wonderful escape – so beautiful – and would have been completely perfect if I’d not been sick. I should have called that vacation’s journal: Coughing Through Canada.
England: Ah…we actually have several ornaments from England, but I happen to like this one the best. I purchased it at Windsor Castle on one of our many Show-Our-Visitors-The-Sights jaunts.
Ireland: We took a very fun-filled vacation to Ireland with my in-laws. A friend’s aunt owns a vacation home on the West Coast, allowing us a very reasonable stay for a week of driving and exploring. There was something about this shamrock made of peat (really!) that just said it belonged in the Hayley collection.
Jamaica: After returning to the US, we were completely overwhelmed by the fast pace of American life. We took a much-needed retreat from life, where for two weeks all we did was snorkel, play golf, snooze and read books. Bliss!
Kyrgyzstan: A work meeting took us to this Central Asian country, on the border of China and Kazakhstan. The Boy had actually been to Kazakhstan while in college, to speak at a local university about business and capitalism (and share his faith). To be honest, I think this ornament is actually from Kazakhstan, but I bought a nativity in Kyrgyzstan that looks exactly like this…so it counts! The design is a yurt.
Kenya: I lived in Kenya for two years before moving to Dallas and meeting The Boy. This isn’t actually an ornament, but I liked it and thought it would work (and it does!). It’s a miniature version of sisal bags that are used for toting all manner of goods throughout Eastern Africa.
New Mexico: Our first vacation (apart from the honeymoon) as a married couple. We drove from Dallas to California, camping and touring all the way. We loved our time in New Mexico, actually camping on one of the reservations!
Paris: Ah…need I say more? It’s a wonderful thing when Paris is just a few hours away by train.
Scotland: Our last vacation while living in the UK. We drove throughout southern and middle Scotland, visiting villages, touring the highlands, exploring cities and watching The British Open at St Andrews.
I LOVE your ornaments. I must start collecting ornaments on our travels as well – you've inspired me.
I think it is a great idea that you've collected ornaments from all over. What a wonderful way to look back at where you've been together (mostly). I wish we had done that through the years. As it is most of our ornaments are gifts from various people, including our children as they grew. That makes for nice memories, too.
I never can quite understand THEME trees where the ornaments all follow a particular color or style scheme. I find the hodgepodge approach more meaningful.
Thanks!! I have to confess, it was Kelly's idea. He's far more sentimental than I – and I'm enjoying the benefits of that.
Kelly and I were just discussing the other day how much we dislike THEME tress (and home decorating for that matter) as well. They seem to be lacking the randomness that comes from living.
Thinking about Christmas tree trimming, are the little wooden riding horses made by grandpa A. still around. I thought those would be neat to put by a tree.
I believe they are still around. I'm thinking of the rocking horses – and Tami still has hers (safely in storage). If there were smaller ones, I'm not sure where they are but I would be shocked if they were gone. Likely safe and sound in storage as well.
I'm talking about the rocking horse that was large enough for a child to ride. Tami as well as Michael had one I think. There were a no. of small horses that grandpa A. made. You may or may not have been a recipient…can't remember!
Ok, well I was thinking about the right thing, then. The only horses I could remember were the two for Tami and Michael.
Tami's is definitely safe and sound in storage waiting for her to have enough space to display it.
Michael's rocking horse is safe and sound at our house. Gabe has tried it out, but he needs to be just a bit bigger.
Since it is Mike's we've not passed it on to Gabe.
[…] certain things are up. Sylvester is in his Christmas finery as usual. Our Christmas ornaments from our many trips are displayed on the tree. And…to fulfill a 101 Goal, I hung lights on the outside […]