Friday, December 18, 2015

Christmas Trees and Pumpkins

I could write about why I haven't written here at Dewena's Window in 28 days and what it has taught me, but that's a story for another day.... Except for this--


Know what you love to do and do it.

Without worrying if others will love it too.




I love this old green ice cream bucket that normally holds old newspapers. 

I've always dreamed of using it for a Christmas tree stand.

This year R.H. made it happen for me--the right watertight container to fit inside it, a bag of clean sand, a wood base to keep it steady, the tree sitting on screws to give space for uptake of water. 



And it was done. Thank you, my dear husband! I know it was a pain to do and you said you'll never do it again, but I am loving it so much! (It will be our secret that my first tree was a beautiful short one that became a lot shorter when you cut off 2 feet instead of 12 inches while the saw was hot but your mind was somewhere off in LaLa Land. Anyway, that second trip to the Home Depot was fun, wasn't it?)

Next, how to decorate it once it was up and magnificent?



Having indulged my taste for a touch of elegance in my dressing room with this skinny champagne colored Christmas tree....



With sparkly vintage ornaments...



And my desire for old-fashioned red and white in our living room...



My "Believe" Christmas tree.......



I wanted simple decorations for our fresh tree in the kitchen...



We can never get good nighttime pictures of our Christmas tree. 

This one is better....



This shows a little better the old orange Shiny Brites and the timeworn blue and purple ornaments from Poland, chosen from my collection of every speckled ornament that I could not pass up through 50 years of marriage. Our kids soon learned that Mama didn't want new stuff, only the tired and worn that somehow had managed to hold onto their glow.

Orange ornaments because of my love affair with orange that has grown so huge that I simply could not banish all the orange Fall pumpkins this year just because it's December and you simply cannot do that in Blogland.



But why not have pumpkins and Christmas trees? 

Why not have orange and green, colors that make me happy?



And pink thrown in for good measure?



Vintage ornaments, Christmas trees and pumpkins and old twisty candles that will never be lit.



Our choices should be all about what Home is to us personally, shouldn't they?



Even if it never gets pinned on Pinterest?

One of my favorite bloggers always says -- 



Shall we?



I've missed you wonderful friends; I've learned so much from you and treasure the friendship of those of you who blog and those of you who don't but keep in touch. And much love to those of you who are also on a bit of a blog break, especially to my dear friend Tam, and to one who has stopped--I wish you hadn't, Tessa. And I'm sending love to dear Poppy who is celebrating Christmas in Canada this year with beloved family. A special hello to a dear friend from the library of St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, PA who has stayed in touch since we met when I first began to blog. 

And my deep gratitude to those of you who wrote me encouraging emails during my hiatus, especially to Doreen, Benita and Tara.

And love to my family who sometimes read, at least when I remind them to, and to my three wonderful sisters who always read my posts but can't figure out how to comment--would someone please teach them how? Thank you!

And to all of you, from our home to yours, do what you love!





34 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas Dewena, I love all the trees. The one looks great in the bucket. I also adore the table cloth. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. The tree in the ice cream bucket is wonderful! Yes, we must decorate with what appeals to each of us. All our differences in decor is what makes checking out everyone's blog so much fun, and we can always get new ideas or be inspired by others.

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  3. oh!
    oh!
    oh i am the happiest quiet little mouse in the beautiful house that is valley view.
    the christmas that just keeps enchanting.
    you are a christmas elf. my mother was too. it was HER season. and i say LEAVE THE PUNKINS! they're perfect!
    i'm probably the ONLY mouse you could tolerate. LOLOL!!!
    i still laugh at your reaction to 'mouses houses.' :)
    i love you dearly.
    happy egg and nog darling sister mine! xoxoxo♥

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  4. Three trees?! Send one my way pweeze.

    They're lovely, and the bucket is perfect. I can see why you love it. You must remind me though, never to tell you a secret ;).

    Oh, and tell R.H. he best do it again for you, or he'll be off my very short stud meister list.

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  5. Merry Christmas, Dewena, and welcome back!!! My pumpkins are still around, although not in ALL the photos these days.....just waiting to be cooked!! Your home looks wonderful - festive, warm, and welcoming. What more might one need? xo

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  6. Yay! You're back! I've been checking daily to see if you'd be here. Love your trees and your tree stand. The older I get the more I do what matters most to me, not what the rest of the world is telling me to do. My tree is up with lights but no ornaments. They'll get put on tomorrow but I've been enjoying the soft glow and realized that's all I've needed so far. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

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  7. Oh, how I have missed you! I am flying my freak flag proudly right along side of you--I have pumpkins scattered around the house and the backyard still. My kids will be home this week for Christmas and who knows, maybe we'll have a pumpkin carving contest just for kicks. :-)

    I'll be taking a bit of a break too this week...I'm leaving bright and early tomorrow to drive across the state to help my kids with a project, and then we're all coming back home together. If I don't talk to you before Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful time with your family! God bless!

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  8. Do what you love... exactly, my dear, sweet friend. This world needs a little more of that and you fit in right there. I'm just me and if people like it great and if not, who gives a damn. You're one of my very favorite friends and if you leave a little lamp will go out. Do you know that poem? It's one of my favorites and it's by Elizabeth Whittemore...

    “My friends are little lamps to me, Their radiance warms and cheers my ways, And all the pathway dark and lone Is brightened by their rays. I try to keep them bright by faith, And never let them dim with doubt For every time I lose a friend A little lamp goes out.”

    Be you, love, because that's all "we" can do.

    Love you, Dewena and I hope your Christmas is Merry :)

    xo,
    rue

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  9. "Do what you Love" and "Fly your own freak flag"...love it!!! Dewena, your house looks freak'n awesome, pumpkins and all. Love the old bucket tree stands and vintage ornaments - they're the ones that tell a story rather than shiny & new. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

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  10. I had just found you again when . . . POOF! You were gone! I was hoping it wasn't something I said!
    Love the tree stand idea. I've been looking for a large basket to hold my tree for years, and the only ones I can find are too expensive. I'll keep looking, because I love your attitude of, "do what you love!"
    Merry Christmas!

    Leslie Anne

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  11. Oh yes - do what you love! What a great lesson to learn. It was good to see a post from you pop up in my reader. Your trees look beautiful. Merry Christmas!

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  12. You made me laugh!! My sisters ~ and actually most of my friends ~ all read my stuff, but cannot figure out how to comment. These are highly educated, savvy ladies. Funny! That aside, I agree with you, do what you love. I hope that you have been away for good reasons and that you and your family are well. I wish you a Merry Christmas in your lovely home and a super 2016. :)

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  13. It's so nice that he made your wish come true and I love the old-fashioned ornaments and look of it. Yes do what you love; the pumpkins and orange accents look wonderful. I just figured that you were taking a break around the holidays, just like you said, and you'd pop up again when you felt like it. As to Pinterest I don't bother with it. I started boards a few years back and never kept it up. If I am researching something on Google it is nice to see Pinterest images show up but half the time they don't even show the original poster of the image anyway :) Merry Christmas to you and yours : )

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  14. So good to see you back girlfriend. Bless your hubby for creating for you what you had in your mind. The tree looks great as does the rest of your house. It's important that we stay true to who we are and show it I our homes. So it is not a surprise that your home reflects your love of vintage. I know you will enjoy your family and activities this season happy holidays.

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  15. Beautiful. I love your trees. I especially love the one in the bucket with the vintage ornaments. I really like how old ornaments are worn. Merry Christmas. xoxo Su

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  16. Dewena, you are such a treasure and I have missed you while you have been away! I think we should all do what we love! I love your beautiful trees and pumpkins...and why not combine the two? I left some pumpkins on my table last year, right up until we moved because I loved them so and it was my house, so I felt I could decorate how I wanted! :-)

    I love the ice cream bucket that was transformed into your Christmas tree stand...your hubby was ever so sweet to do that for you!

    I hope you have a most wonderful and blessed Christmas sweet friend...you are a special gift I received this year and I love you dearly!! Much love and hugs!!

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  17. What a gorgeous tree - and tree stand - Dewena. Is it possible that I've only discovered your blog in 2015? I feel like I've been coming here forever. Happy holidays.
    Amalia
    xo

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  18. Beautiful! I do love your style.
    Thank you for sharing your creative inspiration with us.
    I do appreciate your posts.
    Carla

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  19. Nice to see you back - and great reminder! I'll have to remember, "Fly your own freak flag". That's fantastic. Love all your Christmas trees, especially the one in the ice cream bucket. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Dewena!

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  20. So nice to read a post from you, Dewena! You've been missed. I sometimes think I should have taken a break weeks ago, it's been so very hard to find the time to write and to visit my loyal friends. I just keep plugging along.

    Your little ice cream bucket stole my heart---I'm so glad you were able to show her off this year! All of your trees are lovely and yes, go for it with the pumpkins, I have oranges in bowls and they say summer, no?!

    Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas. I'm so glad we met the year!

    Jane x

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  21. That old ice cream bucket is wonderful, Dewena. It kind of looks like a turquoise color, which is my favorite. It looks so nice with your little tree all decorated for Christmas. Love the pink ornaments.

    Oh Tessa, I miss her too.....and her delightful blog. But I'm glad that I still have treasured friends like you this time of year.

    Yes, we have to do what we love. And I love seeing bits of your charming home and your unique style. Sometimes I get ideas from you, my friend.

    Wishing you the Merriest Christmas, Dewena. May your heart be filled with love and joy in the new year.

    love, ~Sheri

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  22. Dear sister, your house is so beautiful, would love to be there to see it in person! Love you, Jennifer

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  23. Dear sister, your house is so beautiful and serene with the Christmas decorations. And I think I finally figured out how to reply ! Love you!

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  24. Dave once said to me, "I wish it mattered, just a little bit, that you care about what other people thought." I replied, "I do care what those people whom I respect think about me but the others, not so much."
    It's still true. As long as I don't hurt anyone, stay true to God, I do what I want. Dewena, there's a lot of truth to the statement, stay true to yourself, only I say, stay true to God and all will be well.
    Merry Christmas, Dewena, to you and yours.

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  25. Oh, Dewena, how lovely to finally get a glimpse of your festive Valley View, with more than a few(!) of its uniquely trimmed trees, each one decorated so prettily.

    I 'believe' you know where you'd find me, yes, sitting quite happily by the snowy white mini, dressed in rich reds, the perfect complement to an already ambient room.

    Hey! Here's an idea: why not hang some of those petite pumpkins on bigger trees? I can see them now, bending boughs in all their orange-y finery! Talk about an infusion of these two neighbouring seasons! :))

    Your home is full of heart, my friend, and I'm so happy to have visited it at this most wonderful time of the year! Thanks for decorating it as only you can do, à la Dewena, (and a little help from your hubby, too!).

    Miss you!
    Lots of love,
    Poppy

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  26. I do love the tree in a bucket. I keep thinking of postings I want to do, but just haven't had the solid, quiet time to write them. Hope all is well with you. And a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  27. Deweena, I must have missed you when your post (this) came up in my email.... I am so sorry! Your house looks wonderful for Christmas and RH... wow! What a great present he gave you. We have had our family Christmas, and tomorrow will be spent at church in the morning, and quietly at home for the rest of the day... hallelujah! :-) Merry Christmas!

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  28. Dewena, I absolutely love the tree in the ice cream bucket. So charming. I see no reason not to combine your pumpkins with the Christmas decor. I still have my white pumpkins as part of ours. I love them and have no intention of tossing them out until they're soft. Orange for Christmas? Certainly. In fact, the current post on my blog -- a stone cottage in Loire Valley France -- is decorated in orange for Christmas. It's beautiful! Hope your Christmas was filled with peace and joy. xo ~ Nancy

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  29. Hope you've had a lovely Christmas time ...
    All good wishes for the remainder of 2015 and a Happy New Year. Yes 2016 will be here before we know it!

    All the best Jan

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  30. Love your tree in a bucket! And the pretty vintage ornaments. And that beautiful vintage tablecloth in the last picture.
    Yes, let's do what we love. I'm still learning . . .
    I'm so glad to have met you this year Dewena. Looking forward to lots of visits in 2016. xo Deborah

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  31. Good to see you back here again, Dewena! Your tree looks just right in the kitchen in its ice cream bucket. And why not have pumpkins at Christmas? (I couldn't bear to toss mine until the other day). I couldn't agree more - do what you love!

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  32. Dewena, you know I do but I appreciate the encouragement. I failed, though, with my heart shaped pumpkin. Truly! A pinkish orange squatty heart shaped pumpkin. Although I wanted to leave it on the middle stoop with the greenery filled pots, I didn't. Glad you are back. It worries me when I don't see something from you.

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  33. i love your kitchen!!! and all those sweet trees - but especially your kitchen ..it feels so good just looking at it.

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