Trim the Tree Part 3

This is the tree my sister gave me.  She spends most of the holiday here or at her daughter Kate's house and has not put a tree up for several years.  (Then it snowed so she bought one anyway to put up while she was stuck in the house!)  This one is a nice slim shape that fits well behind the little Victorian sofa in the living room.  E was so happy to have another tree to decorate.  We used all the White House ornaments that we've collected over the years...starting in '81. 

Love the starry sky back on this one.  Each year they get more complex.

Then E added our bird collection.  E said this eagle belonged front and center because the tree is about America.

The cardinal is the state bird of Virginia and gets the place of honor on the top and again in the branches of the tree.

Christmas Cats

My Mom always had a cat, but she always had a mouse or two.  The cats would hunt and leave the little critter outside the bedroom doors in the dark hall.  Nice image I know.  One Christmas the tree was up and decorated.  The cat was on the prowl trying to get under the wall unit when she shifted gears and direction and sprinted to the top (or as close as she could go) of the tree.  Just like a coon dog she had treed a mouse.  Pandemonium broke out among the ranks!  Brooms in hand the mouse was flushed from the tree and the cat pounced.  Done deal.

Here's my son's cat....

Click here to see a larger picture ...no mice just thinks the tree is nice!

Vintage Toys Come Out To Play

I love old toys and find them hard to resist at sales.  I try to bring them out to play at Christmas.

This little doll is quite old.  She's one of the things I have from the summer of 1948 when Bea was clearing out her Aunt Carrie's house in Asbury Park.

She sits in my desk all year, waiting for Christmas.

She likes this sampler from 1815 and the little vintage seed boxes from a Virginia nursery.  This is her friend c 1950 made by my Nana's friend Elsie.  I like to think they enjoy the pictures of children that surround them.

The little lead figures in two sizes come from PFS's Aunt Martha.

I also like boxes, books and mini furniture.  This little cupboard  is a favorite along with the tobacco boxes, the mini pinball and the old irons.

We have some other old games hanging downstairs.

 

 

The truck belonged to my FIL.  It is carries: The Nutcracker, The Velveteen Rabbit and two diaries from 1910 and 1915.  The book in front is The Little Fur Family.

 This rocking horse lives on the hearth year round.  My Dad made him c1944.

The wicker carriage is old, but semi restored.  It cost $20 at a sale here's a before and after.

Here it is for Christmas.

This swing I had as a child.  We had a big one in the yard that we rocked to the moon.  Raggedy Ann and Hail Growlie are much calmer swingers.

Raggedy Andy is riding the bike bought in State College in 1969.  My son's first purchase at auction.

Not quite vintage, Stephen Bear (in green) is 1971 and very well loved. "Bebe" in her red pjs sitting in an old cradle from a yard sale.

The toys all like to play at Christmas.  After we unwrap presents they live under the tree.

Be sure to visit Anything Goes Here for more Vintage Christmas Monday #5 treats.  Happy Christmas to all.