An Update.... with more decore!

So Halloween is long gone. And my Mantel has once again been switched up. Although I don't have a picture of my Christmas mantel yet, my poor Nativity suffered some fatalities during storage and is in need of a bit of glue to repair a few wise men and a shepherd. Once they have been repaired I will take some photo's.

In the meantime I did put up my tree and once again my niece and nephew were such good helpers. I hear they have been bugging their mom to put up their tree ever since. Too bad my brother (their dad) won't put the tree up before whatever he deems as appropriately close to Christmas.... bahumbug!

The tree we have is one I adopted from my parents, it is at least 18 years old and is really doing pretty well considering. It is starting to lean giving the appearance of a heavy star on top. I assure you this is just our old tree getting a bit of a hump in it's old age.

without further ado, here it is!

I think it has character, don't you?!!?!

I always have such a wonderful time decorating my Christmas tree. Something I started on my many travels was to collect a Christmas ornament or something I could hang on the tree from the lovely places I've visited. It is such a fun time walking down memory lane as I pull out the ornaments from all over the world. I have had friends purchase ornaments for me on their travels as well and I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family in my life. I just look at my Christmas tree and am reminded of the rich blessings of people and experiences I've had in my life.

Another pre-Christmas tradition I have is making Christmas chocolates, this always makes me think of my lovely momma who makes the yummiest chocolates every year. I have not yet attempted to make chocolates by myself and am thankful for having willing helpers. Some years my mom makes all the hundreds and hundreds of chocolates and goodies all by herself and often with just a bit of help, it blows my mind as I know she does it for her family and friends who she loves to share them with! This year I have made (with plenty of help) Turtles (my favourite), Cuban Lunches (another favourite), Strawberries, and peanut butter balls (although I still need to dip these in chocolate).
I'm still planning on making a few different chocolate barks, when I told my husband I was planning on making white chocolate peppermint bark his face fell.... SO I promised I would make another white chocolate bark with NO peppermint and just nuts for him! I'm going to take pictures of all my goodies and will post about Christmas chocolates soon!

What a fantastic time of year! Now if only I can get motivated to finish making the few handmade Christmas presents I have on our Christmas giving list this year.

Merry Christmas!