Oh the Lights on My Tree I Wish You Could See..

I was telling one of my friends today, I wish I had a program that would record all the thoughts I was thinking throughout the day, then when I came to sit down here and write, I could just plug into one of the ports and download and edit everything.

Yesterday before putting any decorations on the tree, I started opening some packages that had come in the mail. The first thing that popped out was from my friend Stephanie.. and I could hardly stand the cuteness. One of her Famous Flannel Pillowcases.. and it was the OWL fabric!

It is so soft and beautiful.. and I absolutely adore these owls. But also there was a gift bag.. I had seen these once before lined up in her blog waiting to go in the mailbag. Inside were gifts that I know Stephanie chose just for me. She really has a knack for remembering what people like. There was a bar of Mary Engelbreit lavender soap.. one of my favorite scents. And Chocolate Truffle Hot cocoa mix. Oh man.. I can't wait to have this in my Christmas mug some cold morning.

What a thoughtful and wonderful gift with such a darling card. Thank you so much, Stephanie!

The next box came Royal Mail. And it was gift wrapped in Christmas paper so I hesitated to open it now. But I did anyways! A gorgeous fabric covered sewing box came from Melanie. Melanie lives in Southport which is in the UK. She takes us on all kinds of wonderful trips, and I don't think there is anything she doesn't know about plants, insects, birds, buildings, poetry.. you name it. Plus her home is gorgeous, and I am sure filled with the most beautiful aromas. Everything in the package smelled wonderful. The inside of the sewing box was packed with things. On top was one of these amazing shopping bags made from recycled plastic bottles by Cath Kidston. I just love it!!

There were also chocolates.. which I have been nibbling at so there aren't many left. And at the bottom folded up was a quilted table topper made just for me by Melanie! It is Mary Engelbreit's "Isn't Christmas Jolly".. and yes it is! Look at the cute black stitching around the edges. And it fits perfectly on top of my little table that I have standing beside the tree.. did you notice it in the first picture?

Thank you Melanie. I don't know how I got so lucky to have made such wonderful friends. There was one more package, but I'll save it for tomorrow..

Then I started on the decorations. I really don't have many. And the past few years I've been just using vintage glass and plastic bulbs. So I got all of the little boxes out of the big box and laid them out on the table..

Just a side note.. the coffee table is one that we had at home when we were kids. It is so smooth and shiny.. from the 1950's, and was always what I played on. So now I have it.

Some Shiny Brites.. a set of a dozen small blue ones.. and some bigger red ones. And a lot of little odd bulbs.. not sure what they are. I keep them in an egg carton.

Those long red ones I got last summer at the flea market.. and some glass beads. Mom had these on our tree when I was little. Actually.. we had an exact set of these red ones too.. but I remember people dropping them and also my little brother kicking the tree once and watching some fall and break.

The big old tin is full of bulbs too. They all look so pretty on the tree. Tomorrow I'll show you some more.

Hope you are having a cozy evening..