No Going Back Now!

 When we last "spoke" on Saturday, I was planning on enjoying my LAST night with this year's tree...until I woke up on Sunday to a COLD, RAINY, DREARY day that wasn't supposed to get any better and I knew that I needed the twinkle of my tree one more day. And so, this is what I did yesterday...

I was pretty proud of myself because I usually just use a Duralog when I want a fire. I love a real fire but I am not crazy about stoking it all day and usually only need it for a few hours in the evening so I'm better with "no fuss, no muss" but, it was cold and I had some firewood handy so I went for the real thing...and it was beautiful and just what I needed on such a day.

Of course I chuckle when I look in this direction because not only do we have Valentine decorations but the tree is still there! Never in all of my life have I ever had a tree up this long but I think the reason is that in the past I have had colored lights-which I loved and was sad to say good-bye to until the ease of putting this tree up sank in...and I was good. This tree can go to colors but they are more of the LED colors and not my favorite so I have kept it set on clear twinkle and I am in love. I truly didn't want to take it down-and it might still be up-except that I am such a seasonal decor person that I just couldn't do it any longer.

 And so, when I woke up this morning and had my first cup of coffee, I headed my still bathrobed self into the family room and started taking it down. That is what I always have to do to get myself motivated and knowing that I can not change my mind again. Lol I got this far and was feeling sad but I knew there was now no turning back.

Luckily, it doesn't take anywhere near as long to take the tree down as it does to put it up so it is all down now and the furniture is moved back where it belongs. The hardest part of the takedown was just lifting the pieces of the tree-that thing is HEAVY.

And, one last thing to show you today before we head back to our tour in the next day or two...

Yep. I'm still on this. Somehow in shopping the house for other things, I have unearthed a bit more gold than I ever realized that I had. I bought this beautiful tray years ago in a boutique no longer here in town. It was made in Italy and it is another of those things that spoke to me. I have used it in so many rooms of my house and I thought I would give it a try here. I like it but I still don't think I'm there. Not sure I like the tray and the doily-maybe the flower bucket would be better on the tray and forget about the doily?

We might have a winner-as soon as I go back and center the bucket on the tray. Lol This could be why I don't totally redecorate every year. This should be easy but.....!!!!

So, except for a stocking bucket hanging in the sunroom-that daughter #1 found when she was here the other day-everything else "Christmas" is now officially down and I am Valentine's ready-although I will admit that I'm already chomping at the bit to get out St. Pat's. No wonder time seems to go so quickly in my house. Stay safe and stay tuned.