O' Christmas Tree

This time last year, I was deep in the abyss of what we China PAP's like to call "adoption depression". I could barely drag myself through the holidays. I had absolutely no desire to celebrate or decorate so no tree went up. Thank goodness this year is better. Behold.... my beautiful (but fake) Christmas tree.I changed some of the decor this go round. Simplified some things. I didn't put out as much stuff as I used to. And I switched all my lights to white instead of the multi-colored kind I had loved for so many years. I really really like the white. It totally makes the red on the tree pop, dontcha think?I even put some garland and lights on top of my new china cabinet. It's so pretty at night.Oh... for those folks who started reading my blog sometime after Christmas of 2006, don't be shocked by my totally penguin tree. Yes... only penguin ornaments. Some call it a compulsion. I just call it fabulous. LOL! Here are some of the newest additions. An ode to my nieces and nephews affectionately known as "The T's".A gift from my cousin, Lisa B.A gift from my sister, Carla.I bought this last year at the end of the season for half price. My two favorite holiday things..... Santa and penguins.Another gift from last year, I believe. Didn't one of my cousins get this at our ornament exchange? Any of my cousins out there remember and want to speak up? My apologies for forgetting but I'm using that "I was really depressed and not myself" excuse .A gift from this year's exchange. I actually got two of these from two separate cousins, Missy and Debbie.I found these gorgeous sparkly candles to replace my pink and green polka dotted ones. But only for the holidays. I can't wait to put the polka dots back up. I love those dang things.Last but not least, my mantle. I put old Christmas cards and some wrapping paper in black frames for a cheap and easy way to holiday it up. Clever, eh?And check out my new stockings!!! I love these!Remember the old ones that looked like I made them in kindergarten? With the do-it-yourself glue and green glitter monogramming on a cheap drugstore stocking? Well, I finally invested in some real grown up stockings. And I think they're beautiful! They look soooooo much better.By the way, if you missed the last holiday decorations from 2006 and want to see the difference or just want to make fun of my insane penguin obsession, you can click here or here. LOL!