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?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful scenery Jenn ! Even my part of the country doesn't look like that (yet) !

The's snow, then there's rain, then there's snow, then there's sun, now it's raining...

Love the look on that doll ! The details on her lips are beautiful. How much was it ?

Jenn Thorson said...

Jaffer- Directly in Pittsburgh, we haven't had that kind of snow, either. It's only about 45 minutes away, and it still gets different weather than we do.

The doll was $8. I'm sure she had to have been more than that originally. She even came with a matching stand.

Carrie said...

Lovely snow scenes...thanks for making the effort to record these sights and to share them.
Just as your trees are all covered in snow, I found my world covered in ice when I awoke Friday morning. I just found out that my refugee-status will probably continue until Wednesday morning. I and my 90-year old mother are at my sister's house fifty miles from my home.
Carrie

Jenn Thorson said...

Carrie- Oh, you poor thing! What a way to spend your week. I hope you're able to get back to everything soon. I'm sure you're thinking, too, about all the things you have to do during this time of the year, and you're miles from it.

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

You are so brave Jenn! You take wonderful scenic photos just like my son. He has hundreds, if not thousands of photos that he has taken. He loves to travel and he goes everywhere by himself, so he has made taking scenic shots a hobby. He's not crazy about snow, but he has lots of pix of the California and Florida shores!!! I could stand a little of those warm rays of sunshine right now!
Can't wait to see your tree when it's decorated! Stay warm!

Jenn Thorson said...

Andrea- Photos get to be such nice, inexpensive souvenirs... It's wonderful your son is able to capture his travels for posterity.

For me there was nothing brave about it, though-- I was nice and warm in the car. It's my clever digital camera that gets the credit on these. It's remarkable the pics it takes.

Anonymous said...

Is that real smocking on the doll's apron? As a sometime smocker, I would consider that a real find. I enjoy visiting your site very much, it is like having a chat with a friend.

Shopping Golightly said...

My family goes chopping instead of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We live in Denver so we hunt wild Douglas Firs. They’re not that hard to catch.

Here! Here! Stopping at the thrift store was a smart move. I have loads of holiday finds a la thrift but I am holding out on posting them in The Thrifty Chick’s 2009 Holiday Guide to be released on January 1, 2009. The Thrifty Chicks want to ensure this recent “surge” in thrift store shopping continues to build a stronger re-use/re-purposing market. Our holiday guide will teach people what thrift stores have to offer. Hopefully people will wizen up and shop year round instead of finding themselves in lines at Wal Mart at 4AM in the bitter cold.

Godspeed kind thrifters!
Ms Shopping Golightly
http://thethriftychicks.blogspot.com

Rosemary said...

Hi Jenn,
Beautiful, and Christmasy!!
It looks like a winter wonderland.
Love the shiney brites!!
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary

SongRoarsPease said...

Oh, I miss having a live tree! We always used to head north to get one- we used the same farm for almost 20 years. Hubby has allergies now, so we have an artificial one- and I really doubt that we could afford a 9 foot live tree, much less get it home! Hope you enjoyed the snow- gonna be 50+ degrees tomorrow! Might just get out the umbrella and sun on the patio. ;-)

Cheers,
JennyfromAspinwall

Jenn Thorson said...

Gail- I don't know much about smocking, I'm afraid, but the clothes on the doll really do seem to be well-made, and the material the apron is made from is a very light, soft cotton or linen, very like real aprons. I'm so glad to hear you enjoy your visits-- that's really what it should be all about.

Shopping GoLightly- Well, I think the truly thrifty-minded will always turn to thrift stores once they experience the surprises and fun associated with thrifting. You do not get the sort of never-know-what-you'll-find serendipity at WalMart that you get with shopping thrift.

Rosemary- Well, it's getting Christmassier inside as well, finally. (Phew!) So I hope to share that with you on Wednesday!

Jenny- I don't mind a bit of that sun and 50 degree weather, as I know we're also supposed to get snow in a day or so. We're really all over the board this season so far when it's come to weather, aren't we?!

Lana Gramlich said...

1. Congrats on the win!
2. That bowl is gorgeous!
3. Eeeeeeew, icky snow! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Photography!! Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas!!
Marilyn

Protector of Vintage said...

I just stumbled across your blog and enjoyed browsing through your recent posts. I love your recent thrift store finds! Take care~

Mariecel said...

Snow!!! Where I am in Germany, we haven't had a decent snowfall in over two years. =(

Love the vintage ornaments as well!

Anonymous said...

I love the photos and the thrift finds too. Have a merry Jenn :)

Anonymous said...

Lana- Well, I'd be worried if you were getting snow in YOUR neck o' the woods!! :) I imagine it has to be rather pretty at Christmas there, though, given all the great architecture of the homes!

Marilyn- And thanks for visiting!!

Protector of Vintage- Glad there's someone else out there protecting the old, the slightly worn and the interesting. :) Thanks for popping by.

Mariecel- I loved the Christmas photos on your site-- I think there's plenty of room for non-snowy Christmases as well. :)

Timethief- To you, as well. May it be filled with the things you enjoy.