A Haven for Vee

Friday, December 2, 2016

'Tis the Season

The tree is decorated, though I shall continue to tweak it until the day it comes down...

Gold by day...

Silver by night...

I enjoy different sorts of "tree stands." Last year the tree was in a bucket, the year before in a trunk, this year, it's in a barrel.

~gifts spread across buffet~

Thanks to Abby at Little Birdie Blessings for the delightful gifts. She has some for you, too, if you follow the link or click on the sidebar button. I am using some of my gifts as ornaments for the tree. The tree has itself become an Advent calendar. I won't be getting down all the ornaments this year. Phew!


↑My hometown niece came by today with this entire herd of turtles! Yikes! Three of them were just too delicious and didn't make it. I had to get the rest out of here. One to my tenant, one to my sister-in-law, two saved for some special peeps. My niece can come by every day, but it would be best for my svelte figure if she'd not tempt me so. 😉


ETA: Penny told me that she couldn't see the barrel so well so I took another photo and am popping it in here. Gosh there's a lot going on at my house with color and pattern and general busyness...just the way I like it! 

47 comments:

  1. "Gold by day and silver by night"- how lovely your tree glows, Vee. Your turtles would never make it in my home. They are one of my favorites, though I do seem to have many! Have a nice weekend. ♥

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  2. Your tree looks lovely nestled in between the bookcases. Gold by day and silver by night... I need to see if that holds true here too. I'm really liking the bucket tree stand. What a charming idea.
    Those turtles do look mighty tempting :).

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  3. Your tree looks beautiful and will brighten your home for the holidays. I can never stop decorating...I do a little something every day! Pass the turtles! lol Hugs!

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  4. such a lovely sparkly tree ..
    the turtles look delish.
    one will do ya but your taste
    buds want more! ♥

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  5. It is beautiful and cozy around your house. I like the barrel for a tree stand. I just want to visit you for a cup of tea and a sit in all that loveliness!

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  6. Your home looks Christmas cozy with your tree up and decorated. I can't see the barrel in the picture, but I bet it is a great stand!

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  7. I just love your home Vee. It is warm and cozy! I love your tree and the festive atmosphere it evokes! Home for the holidays! Hugs!

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  8. Good morning! Goodness that is soo me too. I tweak the tree and change positions of ornaments sometimes at least once a day, and then just as it's perfect, it't time to come down. I love yours! Everything looks warm and cozy. As for those turtles well they don't stand a chance over here either. I am sooo weak. I keep nothing sweet in the house during the holiday's anymore. I had lots here when the kids were here, but sent it all home with all of them. Enjoy your week-end Vee!

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  9. I so admire the way you are forging ahead with life, Vee, knowing the ache in your heart that is still so very raw. Your tree looks beautiful and your living room cozy. Those turtles look delicious and irresistible. I'm sure the recipients enjoyed them very much. Have a good weekend.

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  10. I love the barrel idea!! I also love your header. Very sweet. Praying God gives you many sweet memory moments with joy and courage. My Christmas decorating is happening in baby steps. Dagnabbit, my kids have thrown down a Biggest Loser challenge from this past Monday until January 13th to see which of the 8 of us, well 7 of us since our DIL is pregnant and won't join in can drop the largest percentage of pounds before a wedding we are all attending on January 14th. Sheesh, all of that to say I can't help you out with those delicious looking turtles...one of my many weaknesses. I do plan to eat strategically with no guilt on key days like the MGCC Christmas dinner, our anniversary, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day etc. etc. Mercy me, the child of ours that came up with this challenge just might get coal in his stocking. :) Happy December to you dear Vee!

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  11. The barrel is such a charming idea. The tree looks beautiful, I love the idea of different coloured lights. Those turtles look delicious, I seriously need to lose a few pounds before I turn into a barrel....

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    1. Don't want to mislead...the lights look different from day to night, but they are just the same old plain lights. 🎄

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  12. Hi Vee~

    What a gorgeous tree!! I love that it is gold in the daytime and silver at night - it's beautiful, and I adore the barrel, what a fun idea!

    I love homemade candy, and plan on making some of my own this year. I hope it turns out as beautiful as the pieces you received - nothing better than homemade candy during the holidays...yum!

    Thanks for sharing your tree with us!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  13. Your tree looks great! I am a fellow tree tweaker, I have been known to undecorated and redecorate them!

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  14. Pretty tree. Great idea using the barrel. Still haven't gotten my up yet.

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  15. Hi Vee, Oh I love the tree and the barrel is great. I always miss the light from the Christmas tree once it comes down. Those turtles look so delicious. I splurged on a coconut ice cream from the Amish Bakery this week; so good!
    Have a lovely weekend. xo

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  16. Your tree is amazing.. golden light by day and silver light by night.. and I love those yumyum cookies..

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  17. Beautiful and it looks great on that barrel!

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    1. Hi Cathie,

      Not sure that I could balance the tree on the barrel so it is in the barrel and is stable and secure.

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  18. Your tree is so pretty. Love that red plaid throw at the base of the barrel. Everything looks warm and cozy and I am so thankful for how God is giving you the grace to go on so triumphantly. What a wonderful testimony of His goodness!

    And how wonderful do those turtles look!? Is there a candy shop near you or did your niece make them?

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    1. Wow! They look as if they came from a candy store. This should inspire me to try making some...😊

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  19. The barrel - how clever!!

    And the turtles -- I want one!!!

    As for the Advent pictures from Abby decorating your tree, what a good idea!

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  20. Hi Vee,

    I can't tell you how glad I was to read that you'll be tweaking your tree until the day you take it down. :-D I do the same thing here, and everyone thinks I'm nuts. My husband loves to tease me about it. Your tree looks so pretty -- merry and bright -- and I really like the barrel you're using as a tree stand. I remember you having your tree in a trunk last Christmas.

    The turtles look delicious; I just can't seem to stay away from sweets these days. ;) I hope you have a good weekend, my friend.

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  21. Your tree looks GREAT!

    I have been so busy and so tired that I haven't even put away the Thanksgiving stuff yet. I am a hot mess these days. I am praying tomorrow I am more productive.

    Seeing your tree brings me such joy!

    I may not even decorate this year, haha, shocking, right? Me? The Seasonal Overachiever? Hubs says I shouldn't if I don't want to. Youngest daughter says she's bringing baby over late tomorrow afternoon and motivating me while she gets it started while I hold Vivian. (She is an angel for even thinking of me when she has her own things to do.) I may have to give her a paycheck if she does! : - )

    Have a blessed Advent, dear friend. Hugs. ♥

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  22. I constantly tweak, too, Vee. In fact, I'm seeing a spot on my bedroom tree that needs fixed right now! Your tree looks beautiful in the barrel, and those candies...dangerous to have around, but I'd be enjoying them!

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  23. I'm a tree tweaker too. All the time. It drive my husband nuts. I don't like turtles, so your candy would be safe with me. Don't have me around Hershey's kisses or Peeps though. Then I would be in trouble.

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  24. Thanks for sharing your tree with us Vee, it's beautiful. I'm going to the use the same ornaments on mine. Appreciate the link back. ~ Abby

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  25. Your decorations are pretty and festive...and creative! Love the tree in a barrel!

    The turtles...mmmmm...

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  26. I agree with one of the other commenters. As I read your blogs from day to day I admire so much the way you are moving ahead through life in spite of the deep heartache I know you must be feeling. Please know you are an inspiration and a living example of how we can and must go on with life. I pray God's continued blessings as He holds you up and leads you on day by day.

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  27. Vee,
    Your tree looks beautiful! I love to sit at night with just the glow of the
    Christmas tree lights. Those turtles look pretty delicious! they happen to be one of my favorites and someone in the family always gives me a box made at our local candy store!
    You really cannot eat just one! At least I can't! Enjoy your lovely tree!
    Linda

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  28. Your tree looks beautiful Vee!!! Love the barrel idea. That turtle herd sure looks good! Have a cozy weekend.

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  29. I just love your home, Vee! Cozy, warm, full of delights.

    Just like you....

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  30. Oh, Abby is such a sweetheart! I loved seeing your pretty tree and I am the same way...I continue to "tweak" mine until it comes down :)

    And what a wonderful idea to put it in a barrel. I rememeber when you put it in a trunk and simply loved it! Hugs toy ou!

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  31. Thank you Vee....and I don't want to upset you, but thank you for John (in your header)...truly friend...

    Keeping you in prayer...been meaning to email you...but as usual, time got away...my hubby hubby has to have esophagus surgery on the 21st (cancer polyps and a tear in the lining.) All is good, Vee...God has this...smiles

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  32. Your tree is so pretty..a traditional tree...just my kind.
    Like you, I rearrange things on mine almost every time I walk by it....

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  33. So envious of your beautiful tree; we haven't had one since moving into the house and "being blessed" with 3 more cats! I will have to live my holidays through your posts, XOXO

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  34. Your tree looks so rustic and pretty in that barrel, Vee! Wow, your niece makes some beautiful turtles. Can I send her my address? :)

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  35. I love the tree in the barrel! It's fun to try to find something unique to use as a base each year.

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  36. Love the pretty tree and I think putting it in the barrel was a splendid idea! Your home always looks so warm and inviting, Vee. The turtles look so good that I wish I had one for a midnight snack right now.

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  37. I also keep tweaking my trees! Love the barrel and those turtles look delicious. Beautiful tree....

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  38. I love the barrel tree stand Vee! It looks great. And turtles are so yummy. Purdy's Chocolates out of British Columbia makes a divine 'hedgehog' treat about the size of the palm of your hand (sold separately) and I ordered one from my sis in BC for Christmas. I hope she sends it!! I noticed your beautiful header photo and it brought a lump to my throat. So much sorrow this year that overwhelms me. Hugs. Pam

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  39. You did a fine job of decorating and I like the rustic appeal of the barrel. I would have no will power if pretty turtle chocolates turned up at my door. Our oldest daughter was bragging to me recently she's had no sweets/chocolate for two months now. Her loss, personally I like my square of dark chocolate before breakfast. lol

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  40. Love your tree. I never thought of hanging Christmas cards on my tree. (although I know Abby's are Advent cards) Good idea! Love turtles. I wouldn't have been able to resist!! Speaking of tweaking. I totally re-did one of my trees. It is a skinny silver tree and I had hot pink and turquoise ornaments on it. Didn't thrill me like it did. So I stole some red and silver traditional and homemade ornaments from the big tree, and like it much better! xo Deborah

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  41. Wish I could stop by to admire the tree in person and nibble on a cookie. So nice.
    Amalia
    xo

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  42. Love your tree and decor... so warm and welcoming and cozy! And, I love that you use different stands for your trees... what an artist you are. (No, you don't have to use paint and paintbrushes to be an artist.) That barrel! I am glad to know I am not the only one who does not get everything up in an instant. Slow, but somehow things get done, or if they don't then I try to just not stress about it. I am praying that you will have a deeply blessed Christmas season and that you will know Emmanuel, the God who IS with us, in a new and deeper way.

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  43. Oh...I do like that barrel! Beautiful tree and yummy goodies!

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