Monday, December 22, 2008

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!

21 comments:

Diana said...

Your tree looks GREAT!!! I do not think I have seen that my penguins on one tree since..well never:)
Merry Christmas!!!

A Beautiful Mess said...

Love the sparkly candles:)

the tree looks great! and very real to me!

Ava's family said...

VERY pretty! When I first saw the tree I thought....Man, it looks like she has A LOT of penguins on that tree! I didn't realize it was ALL penguins! Too cute!! We upgraded our stockings a couple years ago and I believe I heard Santa might have upgraded the stocking holders THIS Christmas!

M and M said...

Nice tree! I am a fan of the white lights too!

Glad you are out of your funk this year.

Marla said...

That looks so pretty!! I think your penguins are fabulous too!!

Merry Christmas!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Everything looks beautiful...love the penguin ornaments...they are so cute...and what a clever idea for your mantle!!

Merry Christmas!

Lisa

t~ said...

Penguin compulsion? Naw, not you. ;)

Love it and it looks beautiful!

Pug Mama said...

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas!!

"M" said...

I am glad you are not in a funk this year. I have to agree that the penguin tree is FABULOUS!

Kayce said...

Beautiful Krista! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

kitchu said...

can i come over? cuz i am so thick in the depression this year... part of it is missing mom, but part of it is coming up on 5 years of wanting to be a mom (yes, started the process almost 5 years ago when married) and being finally at that place where i am done waiting and I physically ache for E...

your place looks AMAZING krista... absolutely gorgeous, warm, inviting.

and i want TO COME OVER. :O)

Anonymous said...

That is a whole lotta penguins ;-)

Love it!!!

M3 said...

Beautiful, and I'm still lovin' that pink wall. Makes me smile!

Michal said...

WOW! First of all I am glad to see that you conquered the Adoption Depression and put up a tree! You are stronger than I was during my wait for Evelyn.
The penguins are awesome. I had no idea that there were so many penguin ornaments made in the world! I thought I was a bit off because we have an octopus on our tree but I think that an entire flock of penguins outdoes me. Cool!I am going to have to keep my eyes peeled for penguin ornaments now. Maybe next year I can have one on my tree in honor of you and Mia!!
Merry Christmas!!!

Kim said...

Love the decor...
Looks very nice..
And I really like all the penguins..
Happy Holidays..

redmaryjanes said...

Your house is just beautiful! Love the tree an ornaments. Merry Christmas!

Sam said...

It all looks so pretty!!! Now, where are the penguin jammies for this year's photo?!

Michelle said...

Your decorations are beautiful. I love that you have a Penguin tree. So cute! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Suzie said...

I love the penguin tree! Glad to hear that you are in a better frame of mind this year. I wish I could say the same. This long wait stinks :o(

Have a Merry Christmas and many blessings to you in the new year!

Suzie

Briana's Mom said...

Your home looks AMAZING! Love the tree, stockings, everything!

Merry Christmas to you!!!

zenpenguin said...

Wish someone wouldve spoken up about where to find that penguin foursome in the Santa outfit.

just a random person googling ornaments and that picture (naturally attached to this blog) came up in an image search.

would love to hear about it at joeyfree@gmail.com if anyone gets that information. love the tree. (from the past at this point... :)