The Mantle

I have to say that the mantle, to me, can be more fun to decorate for Christmas than the tree.  I always start there, and it usually dictates what I'm going to do with the tree.

Last year the mantle was dark with flickering lights, so I wanted this year to be white and bright, and so the arctic theme began.

Some snow, a bear and Ikea snowball lights for starters.

I then incorporated the vintage tree toppers and used ice cub votive holders to place them in.

A snowy owl on the end to finish it off.

Then I thought about the moon!

At night, all lit up, it looks like we are in Antarctica!

Brrrr.

So I think you know the direction my tree is headed!

T-Day TIMBER!

When you live in a vintage home, the trees become vintage, too, and after 75 years start to die.  That is what happened to five sweet gum trees surrounding the house.

When half of one tree fell on the roof and crushed my copper gutters in the courtyard during Hurricane Michael, we had to get serious about getting these down before the winter winds start.  I have to say, I think the house looks much better with them gone, and in their place I will plant Black Dragon Kryptomeria conifers to flank the front of the house.

For over six months we have had three different tree guys here to give us an estimate and all were supposed to come and never showed, never returned a call.  The same happened with this group, and when they said they could do it on Thanksgiving day, we called their bluff and told them to come on over!

To our surprise, they showed up!  We had four huge trees taken down and one huge one that fell last year was cut up, and we could finally fix the fence.  We still have three to go, and they should be back in a week or so with the splitter so we can stack our wood in the wood shed.  Can't wait!

It was amazing to see how fast they can take down a tree.  The chain saws go through them like butter, they had a huge chipper that took care of all the branches and one guy climbed up each tree to get the limbs. They were only here four hours and it only cost $700~

Now that we also have the wood stove in the boathouse and guests that we have to supply wood to, this will come in handy and it's only the beginning!

I wanted to leave a lot of limbs on this one and take the chance on it falling since it is the only tree now close enough to my bird feeders to hold the suet, but they convinced me it had to be cut back to this, and I don't like the look at all, but the pileated was here this morning for his suet, so if it doesn't bother him, it doesn't bother me!

We had guests coming and going the whole Thanksgiving weekend, so with that and the trees, T-Day was just another work day.  

 I didn't even get my Christmas tree up this weekend as I normally do, but I did manage to get the paper lanterns down and put up snowflakes and icicles in the boathouse to make it festive.

Thank goodness I found another mink plush. Even with the wood stove, it is chilly, but no guests have complained yet.

Hoping this week to get my mantle dressed for Christmas and the tree up, maybe get some cleaning done?  We don't have guests until the weekend, so hoping to get some things accomplished since I'm way behind.  

A Thoughtful Guest

At the lake this morning to get ready for the guests coming from Maryland tonight, the water looked like diamonds and it was warm.

The couple from Asheville that spent the night left a gift for me, a Christmas garland strung across the lanterns and two big stacks of wood inside.  That was very nice and unexpected.

I ran home to get some lights so that it would look festive for the new guests.  They arrived late, in the dark, so this looked pretty and lit up the dock.

It was noisy from all the flocks of birds migrating.

In rescue this week, Hachi needed a ride from NC to GA.  It was a five-hour trip one way, but if we didn't do it, he was going to die.  He was said to be aggressive and needed to get to a trainer and was going to be transported in a large metal crate.

Bob wanted the task, I said have at it!  Next thing I know, Hachi is out of the crate on the side of the road with Bob at the GA state line where his Jeep broke down.  A nice Marine tried to help and actually got it started to where Bob could make it to Atlanta.  He never made it home for his birthday, didn't get home today, maybe tomorrow?  The transmission died.  UGH

My little senior named Alex made it from Maryland to North Carolina to his new adopter.  Two saved this week!

Church Sale, Part II

So Monday is half price day at the church sale.  It was a cold, rainy day, there was only an hour left, and I said, why not? I went in looking for two vintage tablecloths with stains that I did not want to pay much for, they were gone, but Sarah handed me a big bag of linens that had just been dropped off.

Two twin knitted lambswool Fleur de Lis afghans in very good condition, but they sure do need to be dry cleaned.

Because they were dirty, Sarah marked them at $3 apiece, so at half price they were $1.50 each.  WHAT??  Funny how people look at these old pieces.  I think dogs slept on these.

If used for a twin bed, they have seams to make side panels, but they could easily be sewn together to make a spread for a queen.

They have the same look as the angel afghan with a crosstitch look.

This afghan sold right away and is on its way to Montana.  A lady bought it for her daughter-in-law's birthday for $50!

I also found this large hooked rug for $1!  It's in great shape.

Have to wait until spring for the next sale, but Sarah is going to Portugal, that's where she is from, and they need help setting up.  I may just offer because workers get first dibs!