Monday, December 9, 2013

Christmas trees and 1st anniversary

 

Good morning Friends ~ It is a sunshiny morning, almost 9 a.m. I am thankful for this new day. A year ago this morning at 10:12 my dear husband, best friend and soul mate, Mark, went home to be with Jesus. What a year it has been!  Full of grieving, growing, loving, living.  Each day is new.  Each day is an opportunity to choose despair, or joy.  I choose joy.  I know where Mark is and that is part of the reason for my joy.  I know that we will be together again and that is something to look forward to. Trusting in Jesus to work all things out and leaning on Him is my greatest source of joy.  Without Him I would be nothing.  Through His strength I can do anything. I wrote a piece for my other blog “The Continuing Journey” and you can read it by clicking here, if you wish.

This afternoon is a staff meeting for my widows’ group, Friends Needing Friends, and I’m planning to bake and take some heart shaped cookies. These ladies and the whole group of widows have been a tremendous help to me this past year.  I am thankful for them.

I want to thank all of you at this time also for your continued love, encouragement, your prayers and thoughts, your gifts, your friendship.  You all mean a lot to me and you’ve been a big help in this part of the journey in my life.

Yesterday I decorated the trees and a little more in the cottage. I was exhausted when I finished.  It is well worth the effort though.  I love decorating for Christmas.  I love the lights, colors, the sparkle, and seeing all of the ornies, collected and given through the years.  They bring back a LOT of memories. I did shed a few tears, mostly I smiled and love filled my heart.

Here are the photos. I apologize for the blurry quality of some of the pictures, I was tired and not ‘focusing’, pun intended.

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I crocheted these ornaments many, many, years ago.

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Taken last night

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taken this morning

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A long, long time ago, I got the idea to hang ornies along the ceiling, and Mark liked the idea too.  So, little nails were nailed and spaced about 4 inches apart along the ceiling. I used to hang ornies around the whole living room ceiling, but not anymore.  Some of these hanging from the Swiss boy right, are Mark’s from when he was a boy.  Every year his Mom would give each of her children a new ornament.  When those kids got married, the couples got an ornament.  It was always a wonderful treat each year.  Some are very special!

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This one is a little quail’s egg from Mark’s Mom.

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She made this one in ceramic’s class, I believe it is porcelain.  A favorite of ours.

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This was made by a friend.

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I bought this one at the flea market many years ago, I am a little part American Indian.

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These were made by a friend.

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Mark’s Mom made this also and the first year we got it there were 2 chocolate kisses in it.

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This is one of my all time favorites made by Mark’s Mom.

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This was our last ornaments from her.  They are a sweet lion couple.

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Here is the tree I did for our bedroom.  I call it the ‘Love’ tree.  Since there is ongoing plumbing work and wall paneling not up, I covered the walls with a huge sheer curtain.  It works for me.

This is the Charlie Brown tree, our last curbside find together in Sept. 2012.

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A friend gave me this ornie with Mark’s photo in it.  I love it.

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I crocheted this stuffed little heart many years ago.  The heart garland was ‘found’ in some Christmas stuff one year, more curbside shopping. Smile

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I bought the quilted heart, and made the lavender stuffed M ornament for Mark.

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I made this needlework heart for Mark last Dec. 1st. The little heart below it was made by the same dear friend who gave me the photo ornament.

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The heart in the middle was created for me by another friend and sent at Valentine’s day this past year. I’ve had it hanging ever since over the arch between living room and kitchen.  I always hang this Swiss couple over the arch each Christmas and this heart works just right between them.

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May you all have lovely holidays,

filled with much love,

thankfulness,

kindness,

forgiveness.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

 

37 comments:

His Sparrow said...

Decorations are beautiful - as is your sweet spirit!
Praying for you today as you remember your beloved.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Can't believe it has been a year since your DH passed, FL! You have done so well and will continue to heal. The Herbal Husband and I are thinking of you and glad you are decorated for the holidays! xoxo Nancy

It's Just Dottie said...

Just beautiful and so is your spirit Lorraine.
Hugs,Dottie

Gardens at Waters East said...

Memories are so important as we move along the paths of life. You are doing well. JC

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Beautiful
and love your words
and describing all.
If I went up to the storage
area and started bringing down and decorating
and recollections of so much
I would be crying.
Less is best for me at this
time.
I am finding
everything is changing
and that is alright with me.
Nothing remains the same...

Val said...

How sweet seeing all your trees and ornaments up. ♥ I'm sure Mark is--always--sending you, and surrounding you with, so much love.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I well remember the one year mark. I felt like if I made it one year I could keep on going.God provides and I know you feel that strength daily. Your home looks lovely with all the decorations.

Darcie said...

Thoughts have gone your way so much today. Hoping that all your lovely Christmas decorations will bring cheer and joy to your heart. Love you my friend.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Your place is looking quite festive! You sure have some lovely "ornies". I got teary when I saw the one from your friend with Mark's photo on it.

Gary said...

Good morning Lorraine,
It's the 10th over here, so missed you by a day because of time zones and things, weird isn't it? I love the way you have made your home ready for Christmas. Every in so personal to you and Mark, and also, by the way you have felt through getting it ready, personal to the new you now. There is so obviously so much love that you two shared, but also coming in buckets at the pair of you from others. We are getting the tree and stuff up this week, so a bit behind. Have a good and peaceful week.

KathyB. said...

A bittersweet anniversary for you friend. Sad, and joyful.

Your Christmas decorating shows your heart and I can tell you loved ( and still do love ) Mark very much.

I like the idea of hanging the decorations along the ceiling , and your Charlie Brown tree is joyful.

This is what I love about Christmas, it brings back so many memories of special and precious times with loved ones or the hope of those times in the future.

Sunray Gardens said...

Very pretty decorations. Lots of unique ornaments with some wonderful memories.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Anonymous said...

You are blessed with such sweet and beautiful memories . . . and I just love your ornaments and the stories behind each one.

Love and hugs,

eli

Sallysmom said...

Lorraine, thank you for sharing your journey with us even though it is not one that you would have chosen. Just know that your strength gives strength to us as well.

Morning's Minion said...

What lovely little treasures you have, and your decorating is proof that it can happen even in a small house.
Anniversaries hold both joy and sorrow---the memories of life.

Barbee' said...

Love your header. You have your house looking like a little doll house.. love it!

Sheri - Creative Spaces Landscaping said...

Wishing you a most wonderful Christmas Lorraine!!! Your statement of how you "choose to either live in despair or joy" really struck a chord with me and I thank you for that! Wishing you all the very best this holiday season and hope your heart is always filled with joy!

Best wishes,

Sheri
www.pompanobeachgardening.blogspot.com

L. D. said...

You do such a nice job of decorating for the season. It is nice to have those things that bring back memories especially the homemade ones. I really like the trees.

Leslie Kimel said...

I really like how you've hung the decorations along the ceiling--and what beautiful ceilings you have! It was neat to get to see the ornaments up close and hear the sweet stories behind them.

lil red hen said...

I admire you so much and I'm sure today wasn't easy for you, but you've made each of us happy with all your sweet ornaments.

sweetbay said...

Your Christmas decorations are wonderful. Sending love and hugs.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Your cottage looks very much part of the season. You have so many beautiful decorations, each with their own history. I love the ida of hanging decorations from the ceiling too.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Lorraine, Your blog post is just so inspiring. Mark would be so proud of you.. Your little home looks AWESOME --and I love all of your 'memories' when it comes to Christmas decorations… That's what Christmas is all about.

Can't believe it has been a year. May peace surround you TODAY as you go through that hard day a year ago. God Bless You…

HUGS and Prayers,
Betsy

Susan said...

It is hard to believe that it has been a year already. You are a remarkable woman and an inspiration to all of us. Your home is beautifully decorated. I especially like the way you hung the ornaments along the ceiling edge...looks very festive.

I'm so glad that you found the widow's group and that you have all been a comfort to each other. The good Lord is looking over you and guiding you in the right direction Lorraine.

GRACE PETERSON said...

I love that you're still decorating your cottage. It looks very festive. I'm sure all of those sweet ornaments brought back precious memories. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year. I am praying for you. Love and hugs my friend.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

your home is lovely, all decorated for Christmas. I don't decorate anymore, unless one counts the tattered and worn wreaths at the front gate. the bows need to be replaced, that might happen, or not. grief is funny, I thought I was over it and mourning had set in but no, grief returned, unbidden.

Balisha said...

Thinking of you this week. I think that you have handled it quite well. We all have ups and downs...hopefully more ups. Wishing you a blessed Christmas surrounded by all your loving memories.I love the ornaments around the ceiling..
Balisha

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

The ornaments around the edge of the room are wonderful. Never seen that done before. You are very clever. I missed this post on Monday. Your Christmas decorations look amazing. Blessings!!!!

Jillayne said...

What a beautiful post Lorraine...memories are often happy and sad, and somehow Christmas just seems to be the perfect season for remembering... this has been a heavy year for you I think, and I hope you continue to find peace and comfort in the year that lies ahead.
Hugs, jillayne

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

The ornament border on the wall is such a charming idea - love the way it looks!

Everything is looking so festive!

Mrs. E said...

You have been on my mind lately, and I haven't had much time to read anything. (I can barely write without interruption!) I am so glad to see all the love in this post...and know that you are seeing all the love, too!

sharon said...

you made through a year...and they say the worst part..and I think it is fitting that christmas is so cherry and festive to balance that..your ornaments are truly unique..and I must say I covet some of the old glass ones..I have not put much up as we are leaving..so with this weather it hardly seems like christmas...isnt it wonderful that you are in touch with your feeling? ...peace to you

June said...

I love that you have Mark's ornaments from when he was young. I love the fact that you line the ceiling with ornaments too. It's so pretty! Your tree is a beauty all decorated up.
I love your beautiful joyful attitude in spite of the loss you have had this past year. It shows your love for your husband and your faith.
sending hugs...

suziqu's thread works said...

Dear Lorraine
You should be so proud of yourself how well you have arrived to celebrate the first anniversary without your dear Mark. I can see and feel how well you are doing by now in spite of so many obstacles you have had to deal with only with the help of your Beloved.
You have decorated your home so beautifully and thank you for sharing all your Christmas decorations with us.
Your strength and friends will help you through this difficult time of year.
Thinking of you with love,
Suzy

happyone said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Your have a beautiful blog and I will be a follower of it.
I was sad to read about your husband and it is wonderful to know he is waiting for you in heaven.

Anonymous said...

That was a lovely look at how you have been able to bring the spirit of Christmases past, full of love, into your challenge of this 1st year anniversary.

Barbara Barth said...

I love your Christmas tree and decorations, ornies. Want to wish you a wonderful Christmas - miss our e-mails. Hugs to you. Barbara