...because there is a little country living in all of us



Sunday, December 18, 2011

Homegrown Christmas Tree

One more week!  How is everything coming along?  All your shopping done and your presents wrapped?  Or are you a last minute person?  I understand completely, we just put up our tree last week and I still have a bit of shopping to do.  The last couple years we have been cutting our tree out of our front yard and oh how easy and fun it is!  After cutting it down, Karl hauls it inside and we spend an evening decorating it together.  I look forward to this special time every year, and I want to share our homegrown, country Christmas tree with you.  Can you smell the fresh pine yet?


I wrapped our country tree with grapevine and stuck red sticks and berries into the top.  Last week, I walked out to the woods and cut these berries for my homemade pine garland and I had a couple extra twigs that look perfect in our tree.









Our tree ornaments are very special.  Every year, at Christmas since I was born, my mom and dad gave me an ornament with the year written on it.  On our wedding day, my mom surprised me with all of them as a wedding gift.  Come to find out, Karl's mom had done the same thing for him as well, so our Christmas tree has never been empty and bare.  I have continued on the tradition and still buy an ornament each year to add to our tree.




My little sister, Carla made me this ornament out of toothpicks many years ago when she was in grade school.  It is one of my favorite ones.




My dad was very sick in 2008 and spent the holidays in a far away hospital.  My mom gave me this ornament that Christmas.  She attached the small round hang-tag with Mark 9:23-24 written on one side.




Growing up on a dairy farm, this ornament is very appropriate!



I just received this wonderful feather wings ornament from a new friend and blog reader sent with a Christmas card all the way from Washington!  Thank-you so much, Sheree, you are so sweet!





Since I don't have all my presents wrapped yet, I put my collection of antique children's sleds under the tree.  Each one is different, some out of metal, some wood. 






This wonderful wooden sled came from a friend's garage sale.  She said it came all the way from Germany.  I told her it was going to a good home!  I love it!










I am so glad I was able to share this year's homegrown Christmas tree with you!  Thank-you so much for stopping by and taking a look. 


Happy last minute Christmas preparations,


Maria ~Rusty Hinge


I'm joining these parties:







 



 
 
 


Ivy and Elephants


40 comments:

  1. It looks so totally gorgeous!!! I love the sleds! I am going to have to keep my eyes open for one when I am out fleaing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Maria,
    You had me at "go out to the woods and gather!" How I wish I could do that. Your tree is lovely...I adore the sentiment behind all the ornaments. That's exactly what a Christmas tree should be about.

    I've looked all over for antique wooden sleds this year...couldn't find one. I see where they all are! ;)
    Merry Christmas!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your homegrown tree with all it's treasures from years gone by!

    Have a wonderful Christmas.

    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh sweet girl it's just lovely!! You had me tearing up hearing that you and your husbands mother had ornaments for you each year, what wonderful memories!
    Hope you have a wonderful week my friend, I'm off to finish my shopping tomorrow.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a gorgeous tree. Love the berries and grapevine. Very natural.

    ReplyDelete
  6. it's a lovely country christmas tree full of your sweet memories!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your real-live country tree! What a good idea to put your sled collection underneath until the gifts are wrapped. And how neat that you have so many special ornaments. Thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Maria~ How wonderful that you are able to get a tree from your own yard!!! That makes the tree so much more special. The decorating all looks so pretty and I love the old sleds!!
    Have a great week!
    ~Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love how sentimental and beautiful it is! I think I met Sheree from WA! Does she live in Tacoma? I met her and she purchased a vintage bucket from me~ small world~ xoxo Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Maria,

    I truly love the special story behind the ornaments on your Christmas tree - such beautiful treasures from Christmas past - I love it! :)

    And you are so lucky to be able to grow your own tree and cut it down! What fun is that!!! :) And of course, the vintage additions to your home during the holidays is just so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! :) Hugs & Happy Holidays from here!


    XOXO's,
    Jessie

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's all so lovely, Maria! And I can see that your ornaments hold a special significance for you. Each year I contemplate cutting our tree from the multitudes of those surrounding our little farm...then chicken out. Maybe next year! ;)

    I would love to have you join me for my linky party, Time Travel Thursday. The current link is still up and a new party will start this Wednesday night. Hope to see you there!

    Merry Christmas!
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's a wonderful tree Maria. So filled with lovely memories

    ReplyDelete
  13. Maria,
    found you from Fresh vanilla for C, also saw you in Romantic Homes mag and had planned to visit! Your tree is gorgeous, love the ornaments and sleds! I have some sleds also, started collecting them when I lived in WI, also have 2 from when my husband's family lived in Germany in the 60's, his dad was in the AF.
    I'm your newest follower and will be visiting often, have put you under my favs on my sidebar.
    Would love for you to visit me!
    Merry Christmas
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your tree is simply gorgeous..from the ornaments to the sleds..I am in awe of the sleds..especially the one from Germany..
    Have a Blessed Christmas..

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love that you grew your own Christmas tree. How very special that is. The tree is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gorgeous Maria!!! I'm inspired....

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh...Maria! Did you put those wonderful zinc pots under the tree just for me..?? You shouldn't have! lolol! Your homegrown tree is so pretty and made so special with all of the memories hanging on it. Merry Christmas to you!!

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for sharing one of your traditions with us ~ I am loving the old sleds under the tree!
    Merry Christmas to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love your beautiful tree with all your precious ornaments. You're so lucky to have all these special ornaments to decorate your home grown tree with. Your sleds are the perfect touch. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So I'm pretty sure I did a good job of picking out the basket/crate thing for your birthday! It looks awesome for Christmas time too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Maria,
    I love your country Xmas tree with the grapevine garland and all those meaningful treasured ornaments. Your collection of sleds is fabulous too! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! Take care, Laura :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful tree ~ and your sleighs are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  23. maria,

    the sleds are wonderful! you did a great job. I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday. Thanks for the kind feedback about the pillows. Makes me happy!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. I absolutely love you wonderful decor and gorgeous vignettes. Your sled is the perfect touch for Christmas.

    Please share this inspirational post by joining our linky party, What's it Wednesday this week. I hope you can join us. Have a fabulous Christmas!

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think this is an informative post and it is very beneficial and knowledgeable. Therefore, I would like to thank you for the endeavors that you have made in writing this article. All the content is absolutely well-researched. Thanks... tree trimming Santa Maria

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is one awesome blog article. Much thanks again.Emergency Tree Service Round Rock

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tree services save homeowners millions of dollars a year by providing this service that removes trees that do nothing but add a dangerous element to an otherwise beautiful yard. professional digital marketers

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is very useful given the fact that a lot of mess can show up after your trees are cut off. Elk Grove Stump Grinding

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks again for the article. Much thanks again. Keep writing.Nashville Stump Grinding

    ReplyDelete
  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You need your home to be spotless and if conceivable, delightful to your eyes. tree removal

    ReplyDelete
  32. Trees are a priceless gift of God to mankind. Besides giving us the necessary food and oxygen, they enhance the overall health and beauty of your surroundings. Therefore, it's our responsibility to keep them in sound conditions all round the year. https://www.treethyme.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  33. It's my beyond capacity to use the perfect words to praise your amazing project. The homegrown Christmas tree and the beauty shape you nourished in your home look super super beautiful. The colorful items textured to the green leafs made the tree terrifically lovely looking. Now really interested to see how you managed your indoor trees and outdoor trees like Tree removal or trimming. Expect an update in your future post.

    ReplyDelete
  34. It's essential to consider the scene in your nursery and whether you can do it all alone. Tree specialists have been instructed in arboriculture to have the option to assist with trees, their wellbeing and the most ideal ways to eliminate them from your property. tree surgeon dunstable

    ReplyDelete
  35. This guide plans to let you know simply that yet it, first of all, will make sense of the possible issues with endeavoring tree a medical procedure yourself. tree surgeon stafford

    ReplyDelete
  36. t is very important to note that not all companies who offer a tree service operate identically so make sure that you are hiring a Tree removal company that is able to take care of the needs for the trees you are concerned about.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by! I love hearing from you and appreciate all of your comments. It's a treat to read each one!
Love,
Maria