§ I'll Take the 4th for 400 Alex...

For some time now, the dining room hutch, dining table and a bit of the living room, has had 4th of July trinkets to show my patriotism. Besides, I do have to be honest and say "I love the Red White and Blue"!! I have more, but only brought out just a few this year. The little Red Wagon is new. Shopping at Hobby Lobby for green felt several weeks ago, I saw that all Spring things were 90% off. The wagon was part of the sale priced items. Couldn't pass it up. Besides, I thought Isaiah may find it curious...but he made a liar out of me. He wasn't impressed one bit. At Home Goods, I found the gnome which is also new. The rest of the items are years old and packed away for the seasons. My figurine of Betsy Ross is a favorite...what better symbol for our Independence - "Old Glory". And who designed it? Why Betsy Ross, of course!

Troll Showcase will resume in following post

§ All My Eggs in One House...

St. Pat's Day was another rainy day. In the morning. I treated myself to hot chocolate and shamrock butter cookies. I also talked on the phone with my sister since this year will be our 28th year of celebrating sister's day. Neither one of us felt up to much fanfare this year. I think it's the fact we've done nothing but stay home and not been able to travel or do anything called normal. This covid could certainly cause many to fall into a deep depression. I know I, for one, am miserably  tired of the mundane days that seem to drag on. And the weeks pass all too slowly. Maybe that is a good thing; life isn't passing by quickly as I age with this covid lifestyle. But, boy, the boredom can sure set in.

By mid afternoon, the temps soared and the sun broke free from the overcast sky. It was all too muggy to work any outdoors with the foundation fern extraction, so I decided to take down the St. Pat's decorations and unpack something I haven't brought out in a couple of years...my Easter Egg Cup collection. They've been wrapped snuggly and safe from breakage, stored in a plastic bin, high on a shelf for a few Easters. This year, being that a lot are whimsical in style, I thought they just may lift the spirits. Once unpacked and some chosen that are especially cute, I then, got out the artificial Easter eggs and started putting all things Easter around the house. ...On the table, the dining room hutch, the coffee table, and a few on the fireplace mantle. Eventually, I heard myself humming "In Your Easter Bonnet". Easter this year is on the 4th of April. Just a little over two weeks from today.

I'll begin with showing off my wooden ball bunny I made a few years ago. Both front and rear views. And then, my double basket bunny that holds small salt and pepper shakers:

Then, just a few of the egg cups I set out:

Some extras brought out. The Gnome, the bunny napkin rings and the pink rabbit nutcracker are new this year:

§ The Big Tree!

I've read on the internet and in blogs that so many people are choosing to 'opt out' of decorating for Christmas. I for one wasn't sure I'd do much decorating.  And I used our kitty for an excuse to not decorate the big tree.  So many are in a Covid Funk!!  That's sad to me, knowing that  in the world today people have lost their jobs, no income, going hungry, not having any family members to celebrate with 'cause of the stay at home mandates, or loss of a life due to unforeseen circumstance. Why oh why, since I have so much to be thankful for, would I want to ignore the holiday season, and 'forget' about it just 'cause it's 2020...the year of Covid!?!! I'm privileged to be here on earth, celebrating the reason for the season, and I'm able to make my home shine with the spirit it's meant to have!! Sorry, but I for one said: "Bah Humbug Anni!  I see OTHERS have it worse!  Don't use the cat as an excuse to not be Merry and Bright! Get off your butt, and be joyous today; for tomorrow may not come!!!" [this is my personal opinion, not to impugn anyone's wishes or desires of their choices]

So....

Yes, I just needed to get it set up...the big tree. I realized I was trying to find an excuse not to decorate the tree!! And, knock wood, after it sat in the living room un-decorated for a day and over-night; Isaiah ignored it from then on. It's been up for about three/four days now, and he hasn't even gone near it to sniff or explore. I feel it's safe and no nuttin' will come of it for the duration.

I decided to do Candy Cane Colors this year. Red and white. In fact the tree topper is white ribbon with candy cane trim. I added red and white bead garland...red, white and silver ornaments [unbreakable!], frosted snow flakes, 300 white lights, and then draped it in red wired ribbon! I had some frosted angels from the dollar store, stored over the years, and added them to the bottom branches.  Once that was complete, I filled in the 'empty' spaces with real candy canes!! A white snow carpet made into a tree skirt, and two candy striped gnomes sitting on the "snow". In a basket, that is sitting by the fireplace year 'round, I have artificial poinsettias. And I added one more thing...Frosty the snowman. He's guarding the tree and keeping an eye on things when we're not around. Just in case Isaiah gets a burr up his butt and decides to make mischief!!

§ After Thanksgiving...On to Christmas

I started decorating the fireplace hearth and mantel first. Bringing out my newly purchased [and from last year, the initial year] stash of ceramic, poseable [posable], elves. They're hard to find around town since I try my best to patronize local stores to keep them from having to be forced to close in this economy. I know that just one person, like myself, isn't going to keep store shop owners from going broke, yet, still, I like to think I am doing something positive. I managed to find some that are dressed differently which is always my intention. A few times, that isn't the case, I like having look-a-likes to make them a pair. Also, I hope for their size. Small, Medium, and Large. Yes, size matters!! If you look closely, you may notice the one on the mantel, in the center, is Santa. But his face is elfen. Afterall, he IS a right jolly ol' elf. I'll share a better photo of him in a later post.