THE Tree 2011

The Tree 2011 is different than our usual Christmas tree.    It's a fresh tree -- our artificial 9 footer is still in the garage in it's protective covering.     It's shorter by t least two feet!    It's not as wide around either.    And it may not have the "wow" factor of our normal big tree but I think it is a sweet tree!

We put it in the same place as our big tree -- it's the first thing you see when you enter the house.

Filled with amber twinkle lights . . .

There's something about a real tree.   There isn't an artificial that can come close to the real deal.

And our collection of mostly Shiny Bright "antique" ornaments.

Reds, blues and pinks coexist happily on the branches.

The ornaments we've had "forever" and some were even my mother's and my aunt's.    Years ago we decorated two trees -- the big guy downstairs and a six foot pencil tree upstairs.     That -- the pencil tree -- was my tree.    I had white twinkle lights, antique ornaments, real metal tinsel and a great angel topper.

One of my favorites -- a set of six (two of each style) bought at a Garage Sale for  50 cents for all six of them!

But one year husband Jim took the tree to our store . . . and sadly, it never made it's way home.    So the antique ornaments were put in a bin in the basement where they've lived for the last six years.

And then we got this real tree and . . .

I know why they're called "Shiny Bright" -- they reflect the tree lights so that the whole tree glows!

The ornaments were perfect for this simpler Christmas tree.

One of my favorite ornaments (I have another that is gold) and one of my first purchases.

We bought them mostly at Garage and Estate Sales before they skyrocketed in price.     It's nice to rediscover a much loved Christmas treasure.

It's Wednesday and I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.