Blog Hop ~ Day 7

Ornaments!!! Today, I get to talk about ornaments and I'm so excited!   I even went up into the attic and got the box of ornaments down.....

Ok, so I never claimed to be organized.  This is really the way I put away the ornaments.  Sad isn't it?

But, there are so many that I like, it's hard to pick a favorite.  Could it be the really old Pooh Bear? No, that one was Tom's. 

 

 

Tom's nickname (that would be my husband) when he was little was Tiger Tom, so we have lots of tigers, this being one of them.

And do you notice a theme with the surrounding ornaments?  Yes, we are both graduates of Purdue University.

Then, there is the Chatty Penguin that is not so chatty any more.  Tom gave me this ornament on our first Christmas together.  He was so cute because when he was bounced up and down, he made this fun chatter box sound.  The penguin that is.  Now, 23 years later, he's all chatted out from the kids playing with him too much.

 

And who can't resist Opus?!  Bloom County was really popular during our years at Purdue, and I could always relate to Opus.  Tom used to lovingly tease me about waddling like a penguin, (maybe because I'm only 5 feet tall and have short legs), so when he found this ornament, he just had to get it for me!

 

And no tree is complete without a few tissue paper wreath ornaments!  Can you tell that both of the kids had the same kindergarten teacher?!

There are so many more, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the Bendies (more about those on the day we talk about Christmas crafts!), but my favorite has to be this santa, and let me explain why....

 

When I was at Purdue, I had my own little desk top tree that I put up in my dorm room and decorated with the few ornaments that I had accumulated.  One year, my Grandma Conaway came to visit me and we were looking at my little tree.  Not even thinking, I was talking about the different ornaments, and when I came to this one, I told her that I wasn't sure why I put it on my tree because I thought it was such an ugly, weird looking santa.  And with a hurtful look on her face, she reminded me that it was one that she had given me. 

Ouch. 

I was mortified. 

I tried to back pedal, and apologized over and over, but I don't think I will ever forget the look on her face, or how bad I felt. 

Grandma passed away several years ago but every Christmas I put this little "Humility Santa" (my own little nickname for him) on my tree and wish that she could come to my house, just once, to see her Santa still hanging there.

This is one of the few pictures I have of my Grandma Conaway.  Every time she came to visit, she brought her doll, Emily with her.  She loved this doll so much because it was the only one she brought with her when she immigrated to the United States at the age of 12.  She was such a special lady and so full of love. 

Ok, I didn't intend for this to be a weepy time, so....

On with the Blog Hop!!!  Make your way over to visit Kari at New Leaf Stitches to see the project she's sharing with you all.  Then, check out what great stories the other designers have about ornaments....

Linda, Roseann, Carrie, Sherri, Kari, Pam, Heather, Pat, Terry, Sandy, and Gudren.

We're having a lot of fun with this and hope you are too!

Oh, and Pat Sloan has set up a Flickr group for you to share pictures of your projects from our blog hop.  Just click on this link....    http://www.flickr.com/groups/1256651@N20/  

Until tomorrow!!

Comments

[Linda Lum DeBono]

Love the ornaments!

[Wendy]

I'm sure she knows how much that Santa means to you. And it's special because it came from her rather than an ornament you find especially cute. That would touch her. I like his name :)

[lovetostitch]

I think we have all blurted out a bloopers before, and voila' you have made another memory!! ...and yes, I have seen some of those crazy looking Santas before, but she probably didnt see that when she gave him to you, just wanted you to have a Santa.... Humilty Santa is a good name for him, but hey, he was probably just tired....You have a great collection of ornaments there, but also I must say - funny you do put them away like that, mine would be a tangled mess. lol

[SewLindaAnn]

Thank you for sharing your memories.

[tHE]

Every year I make a homemade ornament for everyone in our immediate family, even for our daughter who is in Heaven. They range from cross stitch to sewn and stuffed to embroidered. They're each signed and dated. When our son and other daughter left the nest, they had many ornaments to start their trees.

To this day - yes - I still do them - of course, there are a few more in the immediate family and I think I get "more out of it" than the recipients.

Each year, at Thanksgiving, the homemade ornaments are placed on the dinner plates and that's how they know where to sit. Our grandson is tickled he can now read..LOL Yes, even guests who share Thanksgiving with us get a homemade ornament. (LOL - I just found out two more highway patrolmen will join us this year - in years past it's ranged from Marines to the kids' single friends).

When I open the box(es) of ornaments each year, the tears start rolling down my cheeks - happy tears of such fond memories.

Terri - it's okay to get weepy - it's good for the heart. It makes us who we are.

[Cindy]

Every year I make a homemade ornament for everyone in our immediate family, even for our daughter who is in Heaven. They range from cross stitch to sewn and stuffed to embroidered. They're each signed and dated. When our son and other daughter left the nest, they had many ornaments to start their trees.

To this day - yes - I still do them - of course, there are a few more in the immediate family and I think I get "more out of it" than the recipients.

Each year, at Thanksgiving, the homemade ornaments are placed on the dinner plates and that's how they know where to sit. Our grandson is tickled he can now read..LOL Yes, even guests who share Thanksgiving with us get a homemade ornament. (LOL - I just found out two more highway patrolmen will join us this year - in years past it's ranged from Marines to the kids' single friends).

When I open the box(es) of ornaments each year, the tears start rolling down my cheeks - happy tears of such fond memories.

Terri - it's okay to get weepy - it's good for the heart. It makes us who we are.

[Melody]

Thanks for sharing from your heart. We all learn life's lessons in similar ways. Humility is a very important one. I am sure your Grandma would be proud to know that you cared so much to remember her and the valuable lesson learned that day. Big Hugs to you!

[Debbie St.Germain]

My favorite ornaments as a child were the ones my grandmother made us. She had a ceramic studio in her house and she had made us each one, to fit our personality and put our names on it. We also had a big santa punch bowl and match cups with our name on it.

Debbie

[Jenny]

I love your humility Santa. Oh, can you imagine the tales that doll would tell? It just made about a hundred short stories run through my mind.

[Mary Ann/Ca]

But you must have loved him in your own way or he wouldn't have been chosen to make the trip to college. And funny how we learn these lessons along the way. Thanks for reminding us all about humility.

[marta]

Gracias por compartir los ornamentos, de eso se trata el salto de hoy, nadie se fija en el orden. Pero dejame decirte, que mi madre nos enseño a guardar cada uno en papel para que se conserve mucho.Finalmente uno se acostumbro y asi se guardan en casa.

[Margi Borck]

Love your stories, even the sad one. What would we do without those handmade wreath ornaments from the kiddos! Love them,

[Linda]

Yes, sometimes the "ugliest" ornaments mean the most to us. And do love the wreath picture frames. No tree is complete without at least a facsimile of those! LOL

[call me crazy]

LOL My kids always beg me not to put some of my 'uglies' up, but they don't share my sentiments... someday they will. :)

[Amy]

Terri, your ornament box looks just like mine!! I think there's alot less enthusiasm when taking down the tree than there was when putting it up! Your story about your "humility santa" touched my heart. We never know when a comment may hurt someone else, but we always have the opportunity to apologize and try to make up for it. I think you have more than made up for it and now this ornament is a special reminder of your wonderful grandmother. What a blessing!

[Jewel]

Awww I hate it when things come back to bite us like that. But it was a growing experience and it probably made you even more mindful of her feelings in later life.

[Jayne Honnold]

It was a sweet trip down memory lane, and, sometimes they do get weepy. Thanks for sharing! (PS: You store Christmas ornaments the way I do!!)

[Sheila Carita]

It is a funny little santa, almost looks like he is mad about something.
I love the pic of your Grandma.... is the doll still in the family?

THanks for sharing, humble pie and all!

SheilaC

[Wendy]

I don't know about everyone else, but I am LOVING this Christmas Blog Hop thing!!!
I love the memories ya'll are sharing, and the traditions and the projects and the mistakes. It's all so wonderful!
Thank you (*all* of you) for doing this for us!
=-)

[Kristi Van Os]

I've seen a santa face like that one - I wonder if my mom has one in her ornaments.

[Ruby]

Thank you for sharing your "Santa ornament" story!

[QUILTING CHICK]

I am enjoying this cross country Christmas
blogging so much and feel like I have new friends to visit with. Thank you for sharing so many of your favorite memories.

[Gretchen]

A great, touching story. Thanks for sharing

[Mary-Kay]

I think I have that same Santa. And those paper wreaths. We even have some plastic canvas ornaments-when you squeeze them, their mouths open. We used to put candies in there and my son thought it was magic. I wonder if he still thinks that?

[arlette]

It's a different Santa for sure, I think I have seen the ornament before

[Carol]

Go Boilermakers! I am from IN!!!!!
I made a Christmas wallhanging when I was in 4th grade and it is stil one of my favorite thinngs!!

[Cindi]

Grandma's are the best! I'm sure she knows how you feel. I miss mine so much, even if it has been 32 years. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Darlis]

Thanks for sharing your memory even though it was sad.

[Julie in WA]

Hey! I pack my ornaments pretty much the same way! And I thought I was the only one...

[Sue in Marion, IN]

Such a sweet story. I'm also a Purdue graduate, although I spent all my spare time at IU (boyfriend was there). DD Katie is a freshman at IU this year--she's getting a little tree for her dorm room when she's home for Thanksgiving!

[Jocelyn]

I've always loved the ornaments with the children's pictures. And yes I did get a tear in my eye when you shared about your Grandma Conway. I'm sure she would be so proud of you.

[Iva]

Thank you for sharing such a special memory.

[Sharon G]

Oh I think this was a wonderful Christmas story it has all the reasons for the season, thank you for sharing it with us... I am an ornament person too and each year everyone had to go on the tree that meant something special first.

Sharon G

[Kristi]

My husband and I both went to Purdue as well! We were actually born and raised in Lafayette. So glad to of found your blog. :)

[Kris]

I was delighted to see your Purdue ornament. I'm a Purdue grad too. I recently got to visit there for the Purdue- Illinois football game. I have lots of great memories from my time there.

Your story of your grandmother touched me. We all say things we regret at sometime in our lives. It's always hard to forgive ourselves, but we must and I'm sure your grandmother did too. She was a lovely lady.

[Mary Ellen]

What a beautiful Christmas story Thank-you for telling us it Mary Ellen

[Melinda]

Great story and wonderful project. Thank you so much.

[robin]

thanks

[Carol Sc]

I knew we had an "Indiana" connection --- didn't realize how close it is. I was born in Lafayette --- my Dad's three degrees were from Purdue and he took a job at Michigan State, when I was in first grade (so I pull for Purdue, except when they play MSU). My Mom was one of eleven children and her family home was on Grant Street. I only have one cousin living in the area, anymore, so don't get back very often, but, growing up, we spent a lot of time running around on Purdue's campus. I will definitely be reading your blog --- keeping up the Midwest connection.

[Kathy]

I love your story about the "Humility Santa"
A good lesson about think before you speak.
(but you were really young,and grandmas forgive all.)
What a good reminder to be more sensitive to others feelings. Thanks for sharing.
i really want to thank you for the pattern.
it's just the right shape for my table.
can't wait to make it. I like your suggestion to make it in wool felt.

[Mary Lynn]

How precious to have this photo of Gramdma and her doll.

[school_dubl]

Happy New Year! The author write more I liked it.