The Tree Is Up

and it went a little something like this........

Rolls of deco mesh (a.k.a. geo mesh). I usually use them straight off the spool without cutting them but out tree is hard to attach them to so I used strips ranging from 3 ft to 6 ft.

The tree with the mesh only

Next was the wired ribbon which looks a bit like web (a.k.a. fish net)

Close up of the tree with the mesh and ribbon

Mesh & ribbon on the tree with white lights

Mesh and ribbon with the tree in colored lights (you can switch between white and color with the touch of a button on our tree)

Next are ball type ornaments then followed by individual ornaments

It's up! Because it's a beach theme I used a straw beach hat instead of a star and a beach towel instead of a tree skirt - I later rethink them.

Close up showing my Margaret Furlong bisque seashell angels and Swarovski snow flakes. I have a collection of each. 

Close up of some of the beachier ornaments.  

I found, on sale, a star made of driftwood so I replaced the hat. I think when the season is over I will white wash it a bit to look more like that grey faded driftwood and I will add some sparkle to it. It's a bit dark for my taste.

I also changed out the beach towel to a lighter colored one but am still going to look through my fabric stash for something that will pass as sand.

So, that's Christmas tree 2017 for home! Next post I will share the office tree that I decorated.

Thanksgiving and It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's with family and friends.

On Saturday, I put up the office tree. It's a woodlands theme using burlap and red deco mesh.

The tree at home is beach chic. I used a beach hat as a tree topper with success (looks better in person) but the idea of a beach towels for the tree skirt wasn't as successful. Will come up with a different idea soon.

How We Keep Our Trees Warm in Florida on a Chilly Day

Photos taken in downtown St. Petersburg.

Marge's Tree

I believe I have put up my last tree for the season. Marge has a collection of cool vintage glass ornaments. Sadly, we loose a couple each year because they are so fragile. I added deco mesh to her tree this year which doesn't leave room for all her ornaments so I basically did just vintage and left off her newer stuff. She was very happy because she can see the lights.

You can see she likes a more traditional look with multi colored lights and ornaments The CNA said hers is the biggest tree they ever seen in the ALF, lol. I hadn't even considered downsizing her tree but maybe next year.

More Decorating

Over Thanksgiving weekend my cousin Lea and I went to her daughter's house to decorate her tree and mantle. Erica is an RN so she works holidays. Putting up her decorations is our way of saying thank you to the folks who don't get to attend Thanksgiving dinner because they are responsible for the health and safety of others.

Annual Tree Photos, 2013

The yearly collage

Declan Ratbone

Diamond Ratbone

 I couldn't decide which Eddie photo I liked better so I am posting both!

Green Thumb Sunday

My own garden is in way too bad of shape to share photos right now so I am sharing photos of a tree that I am fond of. It's in one of the busiest areas of town (US 19 & Hwy 60) and between two restaurants. It's an amaizing tree and a true symbol of survivorship.

A web links to this tree Waymarking,

Green Thumb Sunday on Tuesday

OK, I am not ready to share photos yet, but instead of doing a bunch of things I need to be doing, we have been doing something else we need to do. When will the to-do list be finished!?!

Our backyard was a overgrown jungle. I like it this way except that you could no longer walk around the pool and the dogs were having a hard time finding a potty space so...................we spent many hours over the weekend and yesterday working on cutting it back. But, better yet, we had two professional tree trimmers come help with the really big stuff.

I want to finish up before I share photos. The "before" photos are a few posts back and the "during" photos are in my digicam. Still working on the "after" photos. Hopefully we can call it done (or at least as done as it will get for now because I've learned you can work FOREVER in a Florida garden) next weekend and share photos.

It's OK friends and family. You can come over again. You won't be shoved into the pool by plants!

Earth Day 2008

Bit under the weather so this photo of my bottlebrush tree in my front yard is the best I could do for Earth Day.