Oh Marda, this post brought back some good memories. My folks never saved particular ornaments. In fact, Daddy was so into Christmas, our family tree usually had the best/was the best they could afford and I inherited (then my daughter inherited) their older ornaments when they got new. I used to put my children's hand-made decorations on the tree for many years. But stopped it about five years ago, when they started disintegrating. One of my Daughter's was dropping macaroni on the floor. Really! You're a teacher, are the school systems so hard up they need to use macaroni for Christmas art? LOL. It gets packed away in boxes in our old house, and I can't think of more powerful invitation than food for the mice who come in each fall. Here, here is a box with macaroni it it......please stay out! Ha. So, I have gotten into using the same ornaments my husband bought every year. Very primitive and very fitting for a kitchen tree in this old house. Yes, our tree is in our kitchen. It's the largest and most popular room in our house. They're twenty five years go, so I guess they have sentimental value. We also have incorporated some really pretty little craft ornaments my deceased MIL made through the years, and gave us one each Christmas, and also some really pretty crystal beaded ones made by a blind gentleman (amazing)who was a customer of ours and given to us as a gift, one a season. Now, we do have some really old decorations we do or have dragged out each year. Two of them are faded, and shapeless candles. One from my side of the family and one from my dh's. Gross and dearly loved.

Oh my goodness girl, are you crazy? I was only the hostess, not your swap partner. WHAT A BOX!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy oh boy, did you jam pack this box and spoil me rotten! I received gold candy coins; an assortment of cocoa mixes; jelly belly Christmas mix; chocolate nut fudge; some mini candy canes and a Christmas pencil. There was also a package of pet greens - wheat seed and a dearly depotted (for the serial plant killer), this is too cool, I have never seen anything like this at all. Okay, this should have been enough, but theres more. A wall calendar; a set of Christmas tile coasters in a holder (these are excellent); a snowman candle and the cutest little bear that counts off the days until Christmas (there are 370 days until Christmas -- ARE YOU READY LOL); and the neatest candy stirrers another something I have never seen before; a magnetic santa notepad; two heresy chocolate bars and a set of candy cane lip gloss (which will feed my chapstick addiction). A wonderful keychain with a beautiful biblical verse on the reverse; a little mini game called "lot to love" (and its NOT a weight thang!); a charm bracelet; an issue of birds and blooms magazine; and the most magnificient smelling mason jar candle in the honeysuckle scent. I love it, its burning now - its smell is just so excellent. Im sitting upstairs and its lit sitting on the dining room table and the scent is just permeating the house. Honeysuckle takes me back to my youth and when I opened the jar, I had some fond, fond memories! I also appreciate the mini swiss army type knife that can go on a keychain. I had something very similar to this that broke off maybe not even a month ago and Im lost without it. This is GREAT!!!!! Wow Susann, you outdid yourself. The rules were "a little token to the host". You really put that over the top. This certainly qualifies as a swap box. I must say each and every one of my bloomin friends has been so kind, generous and giving to me as hostess. I feel so blessed and thank God for each of you. I enjoy our conversations and friendships, whether it is online, through mail or by telephone; and I certainly enjoy getting to know each and everyone of you a little more each and every day. You are all very special ladies, with such loving personalities and traits that rank very high in my book, with hearts of gold and green thumbs. It has certainly been my pleasure hosting this months swap but more so for the love, support and friendship you bring to this group. Ive been spoiled rotten by all the wonderful hostess goodies that I have already enjoyed or will enjoy soon or will treasure for a long time to come. Since everyone has received their swap box from their respective partner, THIS SWAP IS OFFICIAL CLOSED. Onward to fruitier things.take it away klick!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with gratitude, maryanne

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delayed response--been very busy with work. I do agree with needing to raise the tree up. I have a large box that should work and will see if I can procure some faux snow. I think I also have some old bricks lying around. HMMMMMM. I actually like red and white lights, as well as blue and white--but my neighbor has blue and white, so I think I'll stick with red and white for a candy cane look. I agree that the lights on the japanese maples aren't my favorite, and that they detract from my christmas tree indoors. I guess I could put them on the bushes to the left of the porch? (There are some large overgrown evergreen bushes to the left, though I'm not sure they show up well in the pictures...) I AM having fun--love decorating my new home for the holidays! Such a fun time! I still have work to do indoors--we're having a party in a week and I have a lot to do before then.

Bunnies are the worst. I literally gave them a buffet at a house we used to have in Bowling Green. After that one, we lived in the country and that's when we got cats. Never had a bunny problem. Not even a deer. I think reality is going to hit this spring here at the new house. Lol