Ornaments - change them a lot or stay true?

So do you?

Change out the look of your tree from year to year?

I never used to.

But then we had a fire and lost our home and all the contents.

I spent years trying to recreate what we had.

That didn't work.

So now, our tree is almost back to what it was...

 but full of precious new Memories.

Memories such as this one from a most dear friend. I cherish this hand-crafted piece because I treasure the special lady from whom this came. She has been a light in my life.

And these bought at Pottery Barn on Michigan Avenue in Chicago whilst shopping with some of the best buddies for which you could ever wish!

A darling gourd hand-carved, picked out by my sweet husband on a trip to Santa Fe. What a surprise!

 Mushrooms - this reminds me of growing up in Germany. We had no pickles on trees, much to the dismay of the retailers who want to sell them, but there were mushrooms on Advent wreaths, on packages, clipped to trees. Maybe this tradition dates back to when the Chris✞mas tree began?

 Purchased in Santa Fe last year when we were able to meet the artist. 

This is not an ornament, don't be fooled. My mother (now smiling down from heaven) purchased these sweet boots for our first son. To precious to be tossed, they dress up some wonderful Martha Pullen collector's dolls or our tree! Yes, they look splendid with heirloom dresses!!

There used to be two of these. The fire consumed one and God put this one in a special place so that I would have it to remember my mom long after she was gone from us. 

Big ornament from Pottery Barn this year, small Santa in the pewter VW bug also new this year. Do you notice the tinsel. How long has it been since you've decked out your tree with this stuff? This is metal tinsel, it drapes so beautifully and reminds me of the trees at my German grandparent's. 

A pewter angel from Germany.

We've done a lot of traveling to visit our youngest son these past 5 years. There is a shop in Mineral Wells, (on the way to Dallas) that we discovered. Of course the Talavera salamander jumped right into my arms.

Both of my boys wore Lederhosen (leather pants) as toddlers.

From a new friend.. beads and stitching - absolutely fabulous.

Have you been to Hershey? Pennsylvania? 

That is the home of this stout fellow who flew his Hershey kiss directly to our tree!

 I do so love the  charm of wooden ornaments. From Germany.

Do you T!m Holtz? He's an amazing artisan crafter. Followed some of his techniques and applied them to a -

hotel key!

Yes, the kind you get when you check in. Sand them well and then anything sticks with the proper adhesive. After nearly ten years on the road, I still have plenty of these.

Straw stars. Not my husband's favorites, but I remember these growing up.

A precious gift from a dear friend. When was the last time you saw someone tat?

And old chenille bedspread seems to be the beginning of this charming fellow! Another priceless memory!

I used to teach all over the country and met the most precious ladies and gentlemen. This was a gift from one of them. Signed and quite lovely. 

Made this one myself. Die cut the tree shape from a felted cashmere sweater.

Beaded and stitched. Silk ribbons. White. Just my style.

This is an Ukranian ornament. Given by another priceless friend. I remember when I received this. I was sitting on the floor of a hotel room in Chicago with the best ladies in the world. I was wearing a Neil Diamond t-shirt. Jill was sitting next to me. We giggled until we almost cried. 

A red chile Santa, another take home from Santa Fe.

Priceless pictures of children and grandchildren and our Sam who left us in 2005. Must do one for G3 (girl 3), Faith Madyson, born December 5th of this year. 

I do so hope that you have documented your ornaments. I want my children to know from where they came and why they were so special.