December 15, 2008

Oh, Christmas Tree

Mom's back in the hospital, so I dabbled with the idea of taking you on a tour of the hospital. You know..."Here's the lavatory. Note the stainless handrails on either side of the commode. And if you turn your attention to the sleeping alcove, just beyond the vintage television (circa 1980) you'll spot the water stains on the cork ceiling tiles. Where's that handy Carter Oosterhouse when you need him?" At times like these we turn to laughter to get us through, but I thought better of my medical center tour lest anyone from Julia's Hooked on Holiday Houses Tour or Southern Hospitality's Deck the Halls 2008 extravaganza stumble over here and think I've completely lost my mind. :-)

Instead, I'm taking you on a tour of our Christmas tree. Yup; the mighty tannenbaum.

We decided the tree would go in our apartment (as opposed to the shore house, even though it's our first Christmas at the house) so you'll also get a little peek at "shore house north," if you will.

When we erect a tree we don't mess around.


This one, just about nine feet tall, is one of the smallest we've had (we've downsized). And there's nothing fancy we do to it -- it's strung with multi-color lights, and topped with a vintage sparkly star.




But it's the ornaments that tell the story. I know where each and every one came from, and every year when I open the boxes they are stored in...well, it's like Christmas! A whole slew went missing this year and I panicked. Did I leave them on the street in the migration to the shore house? Bring them to Salvation Army on one of my cleaning benders? Thankfully, they were found safely tucked away in the shore house basement this weekend (we're not use to having a basement and forget that one stores things there).

There's a dizzying number of ornaments.


But I figured I'd share a few.

I love the New York Yankees. L.O.V.E. So my man bought this one for me a few years ago. The little stadium windows light up. Which makes me happy.


I also played basketball...up until a couple of years ago, in fact (and need to start again. That sport whips your behind into shape quicker than you can say, "Pass the cookie."). My mom bought this for me the first year I lived on my own:


In college I was addicted to the TV show Northern Exposure (there could be much worse things to be addicted to in college) so my friend Emily (fellow addict and my first college friend) bought me this moose ornament from Maine.


We're skiers, so there's a few skiing Santas on the tree. Here's one from my mom:




I was born in Staten Island, NY. This is a replica of the ferry you'd take to lower Manhattan if you were a commuter from
The Forgotten Borough.


My grandpa was born in Glasgow, Scotland, so here's a tribute to my roots with a bagpipe playing Santa.


Oh, Elvis. The more Elvis, the better. For reals. We think this has something to do with the fact that I "saw" Elvis in concert in Las Vegas while I was in utero. I guess it had a lasting effect on me!

"Jump suit" Elvis was acquired this year on a road trip to Pennsylvania, so he's making his tree debut.


And Army Elvis, a gift from my brother, sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Swoon...


Two of my newest ornaments were hostess gifts at last weekend's cookie swap...



...which I'll talk more about in my next post, along with a holiday gift giveaway donated by one of my artsy craftsy friends. The hint is "bling," so if bling's your thing please come back.

And if the holidays are your thing, head back over to the Hooked on Holiday Houses Tour, or to Cottage Magpie's Virtual Cookie Exchange.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh my, oh my, oh my, love it, I wish I had a tree like that, it looks lovely...gotta just say my fave is Elvis...haha!

I hope your mum is ok, sending much much love over the oceans and healing vibes

S
x
x
x

x
xx

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laura, I just LOVE your tree! And it's live (sigh... mine has to be artificial because I developed an allergy to live ones!), and look, there's Elvis and all sorts of fun ornaments!

I'm hoping Shorehouse Mom is out of that hospital soon and back to her same fesity self. I'm praying for her. I loved her sweet, smiling face, even though I don't technically know her. But if she raised you, that's proof positive of how wonderful she is.

Much love...

XO,

Sheila... who finally got her tree up and promptly fell down the staircase! Don't ask!

heidi said...

Sorry to hear about Shorehouse Mom! Hope she's on the mend...
That tree is awesome! And I LOVE how the dog is watching the whole thing.
xoh

Joyce said...

I do hope your mom is doing better.

I love your tree and the pup watching over it!!

I too pull out each ornament telling the story or where it came from.

Happy Monday! xoxox

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, no, I'm so sorry to hear your mom is back in the hospital. A tour of various medical wings may have gotten you points for originality, but I liked seeing your tree in "Shorehouse North." Thanks for playing along despite everything going on in your life right now!

I was a big "Northern Exposure" fan, too, so I love your moose ornament. -Julia :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope she feeling better soon. Love your photos. Your ornaments are adorable! Thanks for sharing.

Sandra Evertson said...

Beautiful tree and love the Elvis Ornaments!
Sandra Evertson

Fifi Flowers said...

What a FUN tree!
Your description of the hospital was reminding me of a Scrubs episode... lol.
I hope your mother is ok... keep me posted... I want to hear she off to get her nails and hair done SOON!
Fifi

Ms. Tee said...

I'm sorry your mom is back in the hospital! I hope she gets well soon.

Your tree is so cute - the fact that you *saw* Elvis in concert cracked me up. I love your skiing and bagpipe santas, too.

I'll be praying for your mom! Have a great week :)

j.cro said...

Big hugs to you!!!
xoxoxooxoxox

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's a tall tree..., mine at 4 foot is tiny in comparison! Some cute ornaments you've got there too! Have a Merry Christmas and may your Mom be well...

Rue said...

I'm so sorry to hear your mom is back in the hospital. I'll pray for a fast recovery.

Your tree looks beautiful and we have the same taste in trees and musicians ;)

Oh and ... we got the house ....

xoxo,
rue

pve design said...

Thanks for sharing and the history of each ornament.
Our tree is going up this week. I can hardly wait!

Free Art Printables said...

Love the tree!

Anonymous said...

Love your tree it's so pretty!! And you're a fellow quarter Scotch just like me :)

I hope your Mum is feeling better soon and home for Christmas

(((HUGS)))

Liz x

Anonymous said...

Bwahahahah @ the SI Ferry ornament. Lovin' it girl.

Hope shorehouse mom is doing better soon. I'll be thinking of her. The tree looks fantabu!

Anonymous said...

YIKES. Laura B. Wrote the above message.

Anonymous said...

Love the Army Elvis! I'm singin' along right here in California. Tree is lovely.

Jean Martha said...

Hope Mom's on the road to recovery.

I love love love the Elvis ornaments.

Lorrie said...

I just love seeing all of your ornaments. I rode the Staten Island ferry so many times as a girl with my Grandma to visit a friend who lived there.

Hope your mom is getting better.

Linda Lou said...

Great tree Laura, its fun to see everyone's different ornaments, they always tell a story of our lives don't they? Go Yankees!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Laura!
I love special ornaments and most of mine have special memories behind them too. Your tree looks lovely! I love your Elvis and the SI ferry!

I hope all will be OK with your Mom and that she'll be home for Christmas. I'll pray for her.

{{{{ Hugs}}}} Pat

sandra/tx said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Gotta love your sense of humor, though. Your tree is awesome. As I say, it's all about the tree. :-)

beachy in the burbs said...

Is your Mom okay? Hang in there - am sending a big hug and healthy wishes her way. Hoping she's back home soon!

And guess who else played basketball? Moi! I have a basketball ornament from my Mom too :)

Domestic Goddess..Diva sometimes said...

Sorry about your mom. :(

I do love your ornaments! So fun!

Leciawp said...

I love your ornaments and their stories, Laura! I'm the same way, as you saw earlier today. BTW I was also a huge Northern Exposure fan!

I'm sorry to hear about your mother and I hope things get better soon. xoxo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laura, I'm back again and wanted to say, "Thanks!" :-) How is Shorehouse Mom today? Just checking in to say "We love the folks at the Shorehouse!"

XO,

Sheila... who is NOW eyeing that mighty "shiny object" that happens to be an ostrich! :-) Cute!

Ang. said...

Finally!!! I found a blogger close to home!!! I usually and do enjoy reading about good things from ladies who are from the midwest, or the south, so when I stumbled upon your blog, ahhh...it was like coming home. (I am originally from Newark, now living in Beachwood for the past thirty years.) I would love to see photos of the inside of your house, I will browse some more, but I know how lovely those houses are in Ocean Grove, and I look forward to venturing out and about in the spring if you can give a good heads up on any flea markets or antique shops to browse around in. thanks!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, Laura, your tree is just charming, just like you! Your adorable doggie looks so cute sitting there taking it all in. All your ornaments must have a special meaning. Thank you for coming by to see me & for all your support this year! Merry Christmas!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wishes for a speedy recovery for your mom. We have so much in common...the Yankees, also born in NY, but a different Island.
♥, Susan

Maureen said...

Sending prayers for a quick recovery for your mom!

Love the ornaments... especially the Yankee stadium one. I was born in Manhattan, but lived in the Bronx, so the Yankees are close to my heart.

Lauren said...

Best wishes to your mom. I hope she is feeling better soon. I will keep her in my prayers. I LOVE the ornaments and the stories behind them.

please sir said...

Yay for Christmas tree - looks so pretty! Your Elvis ornament is so funny!

Anonymous said...

Dratted hospitals. :-( I'm praying for your mom and hoping she is outta there and completely well before Christmas rolls around!

Love the ornaments, too. :-)

HSingMama said...

Oh my goodness...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Yankees! :o) And I LOVE your stadium ornament...okay...I'm outright jealous. lol

Wishing your mom all the best.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Laura, how I loved the tree tour! As a Hanukkah girl I have distinct tree envy - and as an Elvis fan, this sent me over the edge.

Not to mention that smoochable pooch. Thanks for the fun tour (and hope Mom is better soon)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm thinking of you and Shorehouse Mom. Just wanted to come by and send some love to you today!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

Hope your mom is ok and will be up and about for Christmas. Love tall trees. Mine are always fat!!

Unknown said...

Precious memories and beautiful little treasures!

I enjoyed reading about your special ornaments and I trust you continue adding new members to your collection!

Blessings - Debbie

Anonymous said...

I love your Yankees ornament! My son is a big fan!

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your mom. Hope she improves soon.

Your tree is beautiful!

Jenny Holiday & Aaron said...

Such a sweetheart!! Thanks so so much for popping by the blog. You totally made us smile!

Yeah really...how totally unfair. Today's weather was the pits! Stinks!

I'm loving your tree full of happy memories!! So GREAT!

Maybe once we get our act together we can get together!! :)

Here's to a fabbbb 2009!!

Happy Holidays!
your neighbors...Jenny......and Aaron