Ooh, the holidays. There is so very, very much that exudes wonderfulness about this time of year and it is a moment to let your creativity spark then shine. But somehow both Remi and I were feeling the itch to do something simpler, more scaled down. Especially for the tree. Remi had been repeating that, “We are talking about a live tree that has grown for years and years, then we cut it down to enjoy it for a few weeks only to throw it into the garbage after. I don’t know…” I listened to him even if my initial reaction had been something akin to shock after having growing up in a family where the bigger the tree the better. Last year, we had brought home one that scraped even our very high yee olde ceilings. But while I was in the States, I thought about it. And no matter what, I had to appreciate that he had that initiative. So when I came back, we set about exploring our other options. Well, after I had declared that, “Alright, we can have a fake tree but only if it is a super fake tree…I want a…” “White one,” Remi finished my phrase as he has a wont to do. “Exactly.”
But now, will someone explain to me why PVC Christmas trees are not only so crazily unfantabulous but also ridiculously expensive? Anything that was even vaguely worth considering was in the 150€ Euro range and folks, we do not have that kind of money to spend on a Christmas tree, most especially as we do not have room to store one for use, year after year, anywhere. We did go take a good looksee though and while in Truffaut, France’s largest garden store chain, Remi picked up a branch that was taller than he is and we joked that it could be an option. It was closing time and he was feeling off with a toothache so we left.
But by the following Wednesday, it was Tree Day. Either I was going to go by myself and pick out a live one from our sweet vendor from years past or not. My Flower Guy had recently reminded me that he only bought trees that were grown responsibly for the purpose, I tried to justify that France is a rare country with a tree surplus but still, I brought up the branch again. We went back to get it that afternoon and yesterday I broke out the Diana Krall Christmas album and went to town.
Just my vintage abandoned chandelier parts, white lights and some sparkly pine cones…
…plus the one ornament that Remi had chosen, akin to a baby bird or an aspiring Muppet.
The result is utterly féerique or fairy-like but even with multiple tries, I admit defeat in photographing it. Sigh. Some things don’t share well.
Tired of not having a real fire, we put a little thought into our candle-lit fireplaces. I had a little click with a memory of the beautiful Sheesh-Mahals in the palaces of Rajasthan so Remi put down some glimmering tile. It is a work in progress…
Just a few pine cones on the lustre…
…plus branches around Marie in the hall and a tiny angel in the alcove.
For the first time ever, I have succumbed to the kitsch of spray snow on the windows! Bah, it made me happy. What I wouldn’t give for the real thing…
And so with our little branch and our wee doodads, we have piffed and poofed up our bit of Christmas happiness for this year. And it has done its magic. As my friend Nancy Kate so charmingly has reminded me in her post at Bread is Pain, it is all about creating then spreading the joy.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!! Try to make sure that you enjoy this season and don’t let it enjoy you!
Just after I hit publish, I read of the terrible shooting in Connecticut. I am horrified and will be sending prayers for peace and strength for this horrific act and that in Portland.
I think that a lot of the sentiments expressed in that video run deep in both Remi and I. And that goes beyond Christmas. Don't forget Remi was drawn to Ben because he was the puppy set a part from the others with a bandage around his tummy. Do you know that story?
Will listen for the buzzer of the mail delivery with impatience!
And thank you as always for the compliment, David. You always surprise me with the bits you like.
xo,
h
Thank you so much, Laura! Coming from a professional like yourself, that means even more! Remi and I started our lives together with nothing and had the good fortune to travel a ton for work in those first years so we were able to make our home exactly in the way that felt right to us.
I love your Christmas branch.
Heather, I can't imagine the sorrows and heartaches in the hearts of those who lost their children and loved ones today in Connecticut. This song came to mind while I sit here thinking of what to say. Sung by Al Green, it's one of my favorite song:
HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART
I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.
I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, no one said a word about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.
XOXO
Heather your home is so warm inviting, and I love your white branch!
I am keeping it very simple this year. White lights, Candles, wreaths, pinecones, special pieces I forgot that I had.
Come and visit when you have time!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
IT is so pathetic its GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!JOB WELL DONE!Was the branch FREE?HAPPY HOLIDAYS to YOU all……….love MARIE!Is she outside by the frontdoor?Your candles always look good!MERRY MERRY…………….xoxo
"Oh Christmas branch, oh Christmas branch, how lovely are your decorations…:)" Well done Heather. I'm thinking maybe next year, I'll do a tree branch instead of live trees. Love the decorations you have on the branches. Look very art deco. You have Ben's approval. He's laying down keeping watch over the tree. Love the white pine cones, look perfect hanging from the chandelier. I know, I know, I know…we've talked about it before, but I'm just saying, we need smell-a-vision monitors so I can enjoy the scents from your candles. Your house looks lovely!
XO
Amelia
typo – tortured Willow branches…
Heather, Spreading the joy…I love your light-as-air tree, with its fairy, nature-like decorations! A couple of years ago, I wanted a change of style and decided to decorate our living room with some white painted tortured Willow braches, which I then decorated with some Scandinavian, naive style decorations. I thought it looked wonderful, but this year by 20 year old daughter put her foot down and said "we're not having some ratty old sticks! This year we're having a real tree again!" I must say, I love the smell of pine when you open the front door, and there's something about bringing nature inside, that lifts your spirit. However, I do feel sad seeing all the brown trees lying forlornly in the Australian heat on the nature strip waiting to be removed after Christmas is over. So whether its some "sticks", or a real living tree that helps spread the joy, perhaps that's the important part. Thanks for your sensitive post! I always look forward to reading them when I see that one has arrived in my in box! Wishing you a content and peaceful Christmas with your two loves! Ben counts, doesn't he? Deborah from Melbourne
Heather, I love your Christmas decorations. What a lovely idea, the white branch. I like it so much I may be a copycat next Christmas. Love white and silver decorations; so magical and ethereal! And what a lovely space you, Remi and Ben occupy. Tell Ben that Valerie and Kris send their Christmas wishes!
Sanda