Oh, Christmas Tree-- Plus a Thrift Store Side Trip

I'd hoped to have some more decorating photos for you today, but I think I'll have to move that to Wednesday's post. Recent snowy, icy weather meant that the annual Christmas Tree Fetching trip brought a very lovely tree-- pre-decorated with a serious layer of ice. And since our little blue spruce buddy had to thaw out overnight in the kitchen, the guest of honor hasn't been trimmed yet. Nope, he's sitting in a bucket, dripping quietly and waiting for his moment of splendor.

That said, I thought you might enjoy journeying with me into our winter wonderland!


Blue skies and white snow made for some particularly splendiforous photos out the ol' car window. Don't mind the windshield streaks... it was a bit sloppy out, but lovely all the way...


Icy roads made the trip to the Christmas tree farm a bit slow going, but with the bright sun hitting the glistening trees, a longer trip meant more time to take photos...


Are those rays of sun, or streaks from the windshield wipers? Well, hard to say, but still pretty...


Every limb and fence and mailbox was absolutely covered in the white stuff...


Even an old fence seems more picturesque when covered in snow...


Same goes for this dead branchless tree...


The sky felt like it would go on forever...


And here, snow and clouds meet, bridged by an equally white barn...


But the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, Indiana County, wouldn't be right without its share of perched pines...


Here you can just see the orange hat and a bit of face peeping of my friend Scoobie's brother, who kindly did the honors in cutting down my tree...


He is a whiz, that kid, sawing through the blue spruce in no time. I get a bit spoiled with his help. Then when I am little brother-free and it comes to getting the tree into the treestand, it's usually a time of frustration and hilarity. Also some crying. :)


Now, a trip to get the tree doesn't just involve cutting a tree and shouting, "tim-berrrr!" Oh no. This is The Thrift Shop Romantic. So there has to be a bit of thrifting involved.

And TWO St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Stores were hit along the way. Let me show you what I found!...


Some fun vintage ornaments with little elves and Santas in them. Not to mention a nice box of glittered Shiny Brites...


Take a look at this nifty one with the cozy house painted on it in glitter. There's just something so wonderful about that patina...


I also found a really lovely doll, which I bought mainly because I could see writing a children's story with a little figure like this...


The name on the back of her neck is listed as "Shy Violet," and she's a "Kay's Clowns" doll. I haven't gotten to look her up yet, but I just really liked the way she was made. She's got the sort of face similar to the children in my early 1900s postcards.


Oh, and totally the opposite of snowcovered landscapes, I found this nicely-done painting at the thrift store. At just $3, I couldn't resist...


In other news this week, I won one of the giveaway prizes on Miz Smoochie's blog, Unabashed Repetition! I was so shocked and delighted-- gosh, until I started blogging I never really won anything. And Miz Smoochie sent me the following wonderful little Christmas scene...


It's sitting proudly on my mantle now, with the pink and green tree. Thanks so much, Miz Smoochie!

I also wanted to show you the thoughtful birthday/Christmas gift my dad sent me. Apparently the piece the other week on Carnival glass kind of got my dad interested in the stuff himself. And he came across this amazing green Carnival 1970s centerpiece bowl, from Indiana Glass...


Just look at the bottom of this and see the detail...


And you folks know me, old or new Carnival-- as long as it's iridescent, I love it. So thanks much, Dad, for thinking of me. You'll be seeing this on the table at Christmas dinner!

Well, that about wraps up today's post. Have yourself a cup of virtual hot chocolate and get warmed up.

And tell me-- how are you coming along this year in your Christmas decorating, if you celebrate? Almost done? Nowhere near done? I think having Thanksgiving so late, has made me a week or two behind, what do you think?