Vintage and Present: Beautiful Women and Their Christmas Trees

 I shared on face book a series of photographs of women with their Christmas trees.  They were from the 50's, 60's and early 70's.  So many of you loved those photos that I asked my sister, that is a Snapsister, Jodi, to help me bring it back. 

First, let's take a look at some of the beautiful vintage photographs of women and their trees.  Oh, the dresses are gorgeous and the tinsel is used with wild abandon.  Just how I like it!

The Lady in Red

Her dress is so pretty and I love the fir bough above her window. She looks like my Mom or her cousin, Janet.

 Can We Be Friends?

This woman looks like we could be besties.  She has paper whites, tinsel, a dog and a cocktail, absolutely, my kind of gal! Her taste is impeccable! She looks comfortable in her gorgeous dress and shoes and with herself.  Confidence is beautiful.

Come Hither, Darling

Speaking of confidence, she's got it!  Wearing her baby doll nightie, she loses her scary, school secretary look that she wears during the day.  You go girl!

On the Floor and Not Happy About It

Her tree, her red dress, her red shoes, the lamp shade, the wreath in the window, the dog, her side table with an espresso and ashtray and lastly, her pearls, are perfection.  She has impeccable taste and style, just no smile.  Looking happy is beautiful, my friends.

S.T.Y.L.E

 Sweetie, I have more style in my pinkie than you'll ever have in you whole, miserable life. 

I know what she's thinking and honestly, she's not wrong. I am coveting her dress and gloves and possibly her eyeliner.

 JustWhatIAlwaysWanted

Who wouldn't be happy to open that stunning jacket on Christmas morning?

Hey Santa Baby

 Her elf outfit is cute and she looks like she'd be fun.  Her dishes and stemware are beautiful as is her tree.  Those ornaments are huge and I haven't seen them before.  What disturbs me is the chamber pot next to her feet. Ours is not to wonder why.

 One More Perfectly Wrapped Package

Mad wrapping skills, pretty tinsel and a red dress, she nailed it. She looks like my Aunt Shirley.

 Give Me All The Tinsel

For a shy gal, she sure knows how to put on the tinsel.  It makes me wonder what she's really like.

 On Friday afternoon Jodi and I hit the road to capture women and their beautiful Christmas trees. I asked some friends and family to send me their photos.  Ladies, I am proud of you!  You out did yourselves and everyone one of you is gorgeous, talented and fun loving!

KrisMas

Kris sent me her photo. Just another day in the life of a spiced rum swilling cat lady.  Kris is a lot of fun and this photo proves my point.  hee hee

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Our first stop was at Holly's house.  Christmas is her jam.  She has many trees, a lot of beautiful decorations, yet it isn't overdone.  I always feel like I just stepped into a County Living magazine when I visit Holly at Christmastime.  Holly chose to wear a classic look. She looks just as beautiful and timeless as her tree.

Merry Marjean
Marjean has a sparkling personality.  Her joy is infectious.  I love how her dress caught the lights from her Christmas tree. It's a tall, gorgeous tree.  Everything about Marjean and her tree reflect happiness.

Oh Rosie

Leslie is a berry farmer's wife, so we went out to the farm to take her photo.  She loves animals, we included Rosie in the photo shoot. Leslie came to the door in a gorgeous cocktail dress, sparkly jewelry and heels.  Wow! 

I've heard Leslie say, Oh Rosie, many times because what else can you say about a naughty dog?

MoM

Janna is a busy Mom of three little girls. When I asked her if we could stop by for a picture, she was game.  If you have small children then you know that not only did she have to get herself ready, but she probably also had to herd toys and girls to the play room.  She was working on her Christmas plans and drinking a LaCroix when we came to her house. Janna was meeting girlfriends that evening and was ready to celebrate Christmas wearing the prettiest plaid shoes ever. Janna lives on Front Street so her tree is in the front bay window for everyone to enjoy.

 Beep Beep

Doreen's tree is on top of her VW bug.  She uses her car to go to her beach cabin in the summer and in the winter it is a perfect prop for some front yard Christmas decorating. Doreen has an outfit for every occasion and she didn't disappoint. A fun, hip Grandma, Doreen wore a Christmas sweater that she wore when expecting her girls.  Vintage fun! Poinsettia leggings? Yes, indeed!

Dreamy

Vonda wore a little black dress with teal heels for a pop of color. I always love a little black dress paired with bright, pretty heels.  It's unexpected and pretty.  Every time.  Just like Vonda's Instagram account.  If you don't follow @vondavhoef you are missing out on a pretty flowers, yummy desserts and her sweet family. Vonda is pictured with her pup, Ferris.

Wishing Everyone a Groovy Christmas
My little sis, Jodi is a Bond girl in her other life.  The velvet dress, boots and her bouffant hair do with a Christmas corsage are groovy. Of course, her corgi, Duchess, was in on this photo shoot. Holly helped Jodi flock her tree this year and it is pretty. Can you believe this Bond girl is a grandma?

Beautiful Christmas Sweater Winner

 My sister, Kathi took home first place at an ugly sweater contest this year so she knew what she wanted to wear for her picture.  There is nothing ugly about it. She looks adorable in her Christmas dress!  And she's ready to pop the champagne for guests at her beautiful, new, waterfront home.  Let's all pop by for bubbly, shall we?

Honey, I'm Home

Jodi caught me right at 5:00 when I am ready for Hubby to walk in the door. I've freshened up, put on my Christmas apron, mixed drinks, dinner is in the oven, his slippers are warming by the fire and I've turned on the Christmas lights for the evening. Just your typical week night at the Stone House.

I don't think I have posed by a Christmas tree by myself since 1961.

Thank you to all the beautiful women that agreed to my crazy idea. Women are usually behind the camera instead of in front of it.  The vintage photos were so fun to see and the women were beautiful, I knew we needed to bring it back. It was so fun to see everyone dressed up standing proudly by their trees.  Every tree was beautifully decorated by the women that stood next to it.  It made me sad when they apologized and seemed unsure of themselves when we came to their homes.  We are so hard on ourselves. 

 It was heart warming to celebrate some of my beautiful friends and sisters at Christmas.

Special thanks to Jodi for photographing.  It was a really fun afternoon.

Jodi and I  talked about our Mom, we don't have any pictures of her next to her tree.  It would have been unlike our Mom to have a photo by herself.  That and she had three of her children in December so she was often pregnant or had a newborn at Christmas time. It's our first Christmas without our Mom and we wished we had a photo of her standing next to one of her beautiful trees.

I'd love for more of you to send me pictures of you by your tree.  I'll add them as I receive them.
Merry Christmas!

Decking the Halls

 We've been busy decorating for Christmas.  I need to put together a centerpiece for the dining table, decorate the front door, finish upstairs and then stop the madness.

 I put one of our aluminum trees in the kitchen this year and filled it will Putz houses and churches.

I've picked them up at estate sales and didn't realize how many I had collected.

 I went back to red and aqua in the kitchen sink window this year.

 The tree doesn't have tinsel on yet but but I am hoping to have the energy to finish that tonight.

I'm subbing a lot right now.  It's good though because Christmas Vacay is on its way!

And y'all know just how much I love it when the house is ready, I have no where to go and I can just look at my tree or run past it and watch the tinsel sway.  It's a thing.

Some of This Hurts Me to Say It

My birthday is coming up and it's a biggie. When an article popped up in my news feed, regarding fashions that make a woman look older, I felt compelled to read it.

Since I love all of you, and many of you  all of you are also getting older, I am going to summarize and add my own opinion.

• Wearing skirts that are too long. It's true.  I've always thought above the knee is better.  Between the knee and ankle, not so much.  Obviously, no mini skirts though.
• Too matchy matchy, some women in my hometown may be offended and think I am calling them out, I'm not.  I am just passing along some good fashion advice for all ages. Remember, only one animal print at a time.
• If you have baggy on top, wear slim on the bottom.
• Too trendy.  I know, I know, it's cute.  It's cute on a five or twenty one year old, not someone my age.
• Dressing in all black. Ouch!  That one hurt just a little.  I love my black!  Changes will be made.
• Wearing something for sentimental value.  I break that rule every Christmas and wear my Grandma's fur coat. I plan to continue to break that rule every Christmas.
• No jersey fabric. The article suggested leaving jersey for bed sheets. 
• Not defining your waist. I had some panic here.  I am never going to tuck a blouse into my jeans again.  Can I get an amen?  That said there are ways to have a waist without a belt. Some of my black t-shirts are more flattering than others  because they define a waist.
• No turtle necks, but I like them.  I knew this rule though and I haven't worn one for years.  With the exception of snow shoeing. I did almost buy one this weekend on the sister's trip, I still like them.  I think they still have their place, in moderation and some aren't up to your ear lobes so they work.
• The right bra and panties.  Enough said. It is suggested that we wear a bit of shape wear on top, everyday. Good idea!
• Glasses that are too trendy.  Oops! I just ordered new glasses and I may have gone a bit on the trendy side.  For the most part, I wear contacts so I'll just have to live with this faux pas for two years. And honestly, I don't care.  I have seen some older women with some fashion fun glasses and I love it.
• Wearing chunky shoes can make you look old.  I am super self conscience of my feet as I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.  It is difficult to find shoes that look good, are comfortable and don't leave my feet out there for the world to see.  
• Say no to tweed.  It's back but really it will age anyone.  Hipsters are trying but it's goofy.
• Tying a jacket or sweater around your waist.  Buuuuut, I don't want to carry it around.  I won't do it again, but I am kicking and screaming all of the way.  Around your shoulders is best.
• Carrying a large, designer, old lady purse.  I carry a smaller bag but if I'm gone all day I keep a large launch bag in the car.  I like cross-body bags for shopping.
• Too much costume jewelry.  Coco was right.
• Tan pantie hose, no worries there. I don't ever want to wear those again. I wore them every day for five years at the bank, even maternity. Ugh!
• Make-up. It's suggested to lose the powder, this is hard for my shiny nose.  I have gone to a very light weight. minimal powder.  Wearing too much blush will add ten years.  Give up the black eyeliner ladies. Careful of your lipstick being too dark. I'm lucky just to get out the door, this a lot to think about every day.
• Getting a tan.  I wear a lot of sunscreen but I still love me a tan.  It takes off ten pounds, for crying out loud.
• Wearing too much floral.  That doesn't mean you can't wear floral.  Moderation.
• Not getting your hair trimmed and shaped.  I love my hairdresser, Hi Glenda!,  so this isn't something I avoid.  I am questioning the coloring.  When should a woman stop coloring her hair.  I see some older women with jet black hair and honestly, it looks funny.  Or a 75 year old woman with bleach blond hair.  It's not natural, folks.  I am hoping I know when to stop.  Is it 60?  Chime in!
• Sweatshirts and tees with logos have to go. No problem.  I am super cautious that my clothing doesn't look like PJs. I'm scarred by something I wore when I was pregnant and shouldn't have ever worn.  That's just my thing though... I guess you won't see me at Walmart in my pajama pants.  After 5:00 p.m. in my own home, all bets are off!

That's it.  You can do with it what you want.  It's just advice on the Internet that I gathered.

I think I'll take it all into consideration and then do whatever I want to do.  That's pretty much how I've gone through life, including fashion.

I did buy myself a Lily Pulitzer dress.  I thought it was time.

Chime in.  I want to learn more.  And then do whatever I want to do anyway.  It's how I roll.

Oh, and where do you shop? That's another blog post.

P.S. I always loved Barbie's dress and it can be bought in my size.  And that is the danger of the internet. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. But I love it!

Friendsgiving

On Saturday evening Hubby and I hosted Friendsgiving with my pie pals and their husbands.  I love to set a fall table.  I used my Grandma's wheat dishes.

 I got out my Mom's Thanksgiving salt and pepper set.  It made me realize that this holiday season is going to be hard.

I put together place cards.  Hubby and I prefer a seating arrangement.  It's nice when it's time for dinner, we are flying around the kitchen, and no one is asking where we'd like them to sit.

 The votive holders are from Crate and Barrel. I filled the bottoms with small fall bits.

Hubby and I took a selfie before our guests arrived.  All looks calm but honestly, we don't entertain as often as we used to and there were some issues.  We need to get our game on!

Since this was the first holiday party of the season we decided to start the evening with a Silver Bell.  We've enjoyed this cocktail at Oliver's in the Mayflower Hotel.  The Silver Bell was created for a Seattle hospital gala with festive in mind.

We served appetizers on the buffet.

 Dinner!  We made pork roasts, grilled turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, Jodi made the sweet potatoes and PW Nan's Cranberry Salad.  I don't have a photo of Holly's relish tray, trust me it was impressive!

 Shelly baked the pies.  They were beautiful and delicious!

 It was such a fun way to begin our holiday season.

 *Many of these photos aren't mine.

Thanksgiving Day is at Bill and Jodi's house.  Max and Kassie are coming and bringing Bo.  Sam will be at dinner.  Jonny too! Hubby has to work on Thanksgiving, so we're having dinner with Max and Kassie and Sam and Katie on Saturday evening.  I'm not sure if I am cooking or if we are going out yet.  On Sunday I am leaving for my annual sisters' shopping trip.  Sisters include cousins Melinda and Lissa.  I am shopping for stocking stuffers.

I have two trees up and I'll finish decorating after Bo leaves.  His tail is dangerous!

Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving! We really have so much to be thankful for this year and always.

Is It Monday?

I have spent the entire morning fixing things that really were no fault of my own. 

Banking issues.  Hubby went to theATM and it showed a zero balance.  What?

No one at our bank knows why that happened because clearly there is a balance.

Nordstrom order.  You have no idea how crazy this issue escalated.  I love Nordstrom customer service and online shopping, but I think they have some temps in shipping.  That is a half an hour of my life that I'll never get back.  And it's not fully resolved but I've grown weary for now and I'm taking a break.

Old Navy order.  Everything is en route times two. Don't ask.  Looong phone call.

I'll just make a return.  No problemo.

Dinner reservations that I made a month in advance had a glitch. Fifteen minutes lost.

I know, I know, all minor, first world problems.  I'll post later about the wonderful Friendsgiving we enjoyed this weekend!

November Rambling

This promises to be a rather random post. November is almost half over and I haven't posted yet.  Last November we were getting ready for two weddings and a trip.  My Mom wasn't doing well and one of my guys was going through a tough time. This year November came and I felt a little blah.  Not ready for Christmas busyness yet, but almost bored.  I started thinking about everything that happened last fall and looking back I realized how overloaded and busy I felt.  Much of it was so good! But some of it was hard and sad. I had to step back and look at what a normal November looked like for me this year.

As it turns out some reflection was good and I am ready for a grateful Thanksgiving and a Christmas season of celebrations and joy.

In October, Sheryl and I went to the Glitter and Glitz Vintage Show in Anacortes.  It got me inspired for Christmas decorating. 

I have been walking more again.  I feel so much better when I walk regularly but it is a slippery slope and any change can cause me to stop. Anywhoo, I am back in my groove and that feels good.

 November has been a busy month for substitute teaching.  There haven't been any jobs for Thanksgiving week because of conferences scheduled for afternoons. I am happy to have the week off to do some holiday prep and enjoy being at home.

I had an outing on Saturday to University Village on the Lynden Christian School Polar Express.  I won a trip! That was a first for me.  Karen went with me on the bus trip.  It was fantastic!  Their swag bags rocked.  We got on the bus and did some local shopping first and then went to Seattle for more shopping.  Karen and I enjoyed lunch at Eureka and shopped until we dropped.  Then it was back on the bus for a box dinner, more raffle prizes and fun visiting.

Yes, we miss camping.  We miss packing up and taking off with Annie, our '57 Aloha and we really miss our trailer peeps. Hubby and I were off yesterday so we decided to cook dinner outside.  It was cold but clear.  Sam came for dinner and it was good to see our favorite veteran on Veterans Day.

 We made our sauce first and then assembled a lasagna.

 While it was baking in the Dutch oven we were warming up inside by the fire.

 Success!  It was delicious and we'll take this recipe on camping trips next summer.

Today Hubby is at work and I am at home taking care of some cleaning and projects.  We are hosting a Friendsgiving on Saturday evening. The Pie Pals and their guys are coming for dinner.

I ordered Christmas bedding from Pottery Barn. Cozy. The plaid duvet cover is calling my name too.

Today I plan to put up one of the trees. I want to decorate and enjoy this season.  I have an idea for a ONEandDone gift for the kids this year.  I would like to try some new recipes.  I want to attend some local Christmas events this year.  

It's too early for some of you but not for me! 

Enjoy the season as you wish!