Monday, December 22, 2008

Bird Nerd Christmas Greeting

When everyone is posting their snow events and making me squirm for my own, I offer this.

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My new ornament from a friend at the office. Tina thought of me immediately when she saw it and purchased the last one. Does that mean Bird Nerds are HOT? Thanks, Tina. I’m proud to own it. It’s hanging on our hodge-podge Memory Tree which lights up the dining room and one of the front windows in the house.

Memory Tree is loaded with ornaments that make me laugh or tear up a little when I’m in a soft mood.


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Gina came home from school, dug deep inside her book bag, and placed it on the kitchen table. From her second grade, it’s my favorite ornament. Macaroni. Beautiful.


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My first grade inferior and struggling self offered this pink, plastic, sparkly ornament to hang on the live tree inside a four-room Catholic school house back in 1961. From my seat, one of the front desks in the third row (yes, I do remember), I admired my sparkling ball often as I used crayons and fat pencils without erasers. I believe this one ornament from my first grade Christmas season raised my confidence level for years... Specially when I got a singing part in the dopey Christmas play :o)

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Mom made me take her 1950’s glass ornaments about ten years ago when she downsized and bought a smaller tree and new ornaments. I didn’t want them. Now, I gently hold them in my hands for a few minutes, feel them, and smell them before I hang them…

A tall, formal tree lights up the family room.


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It sparkles with crystal, silver and gold.

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When I lived in Delaware, I found the best nursery-turned-Christmas shops I've ever visited on Route 1 in Smyrna, Felton, and Rehoboth Beach. There came my Silver and Gold tree.

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Michael brings home bird ornaments often. That Stinker.

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Since 1996, we've lost about a dozen ornaments each year.
A spiteful pup was responsible.

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Young Chloe, very annoyed with me on Christmas morning.

She spent her first and second Christmases behind baby gates. Does she look like a piece of work eleven years ago? Yes, she was. Oh, she was!

My old Chloe ate and destroyed about 120 Memory Tree ornaments during her witchy years and I’m grateful she didn’t devour the Macaroni Bell. For the last two years, all is calm. Sigh…

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Chloe, Christmas 1997, Bel Air, Maryland.

Have a Blessed, Peaceful, Merry Christmas.
I wish you many wide grins.

49 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your ornaments are beautiful Mary. Your tree sounds like mine, chocked full of meaningful ornaments. I especially like "peace". My wish for the world.

Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Oh Mary, how you make me laugh and cry all at the same time. I only have the energy to decorate one tree (I used to do two) so all of my old and new ornaments go on the same tree. I cherish each and every one I hang. They all have memories that I am truly grateful for. Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous said...

Mary, Mary, Mary! I love this Christmas post! And the young Chloe makes my heart melt. My tree is also decorated quite differently now that there are three all-too-curious cats. Thanks for sharing your memories through these ornaments. And Merry Christmas!

Ruth said...

Memory Tree...well named and a great idea. Often it is the memories that make Christmas so special. Lovely post.

Corey said...

Oh Mary, you're not the only one with bird-nerd ornaments. My favorite ornament of all is a little wooden Kingfisher my wife and kids gave me. I look at it every day and it makes me smile.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

May, reading about your memories squeezed my heart and embraced me at the same time.

Good Lord! That Chloe's smlie is nearly bigger than her head! I'll just bet she was a devil.

Merry Christmas to you and yours too Sweetie.

dmmgmfm said...

I haven't even put up a tree this year, and I'm not planning to. My son won't be home for the holidays...he is working so that his co-workers with children can take the day off. I'm so proud of him.

Your photos are wonderful, Mary.

Cheryl said...

What a beautiful post Mary.....I love the memories that you hold in your heart......I never realised you could make something so beautiful with macoroni....I shall see it in a different light now.
I understand you holding your mothers ornament in your hand and smelling it......you will I am sure feel her with you......

I see Mary in this post.....the deeper side of Mary.....I like what I see.....

And that beautiful pup.....and now a sweet old lady........

Blessings and much peace to you Mary......

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic tree, and a great post. Happy Holidays, Mary, to you, the family, and especially those adorable pups!

NCmountainwoman said...

Great Christmas post, Mary. So full of memories and love, and isn't that what it's all about? Have a wonderful Christmas yourself.

Carol Michel said...

Merry Christmas, Mary! Your ornaments are beautiful. I also enjoy mine each year, which tend toward tiny wheelbarrows and gardening tools, but there are some birds, too.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I really, really like the Bird Nerd ornament!

Merry Christmas, Mary!

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Mary! Thank you for sharing your Christmas trees. Hodge-podge trees are my favorite.
I LOVE the Bird Nerd Ornament.
That little rascal Chloe, but how one get angry with a face like that.
have a wonderful Christmas Mary to you and your family. Lisa

Angie said...

A precious, beautiful post, Mary. I would LOVE to see full length views of those trees of yours, woman, and since 'all is calm' this year, just MAYBE we could have a full view of each tree WITH the lovely Chloe and Bella, hmmm????? :) Merry, merry Christmas, dear Mary, and hold all of those you love close. (I do hope Santa put you on the 'nice' list (in spite of the copier note *sniggers*) and that he finds everything on your list---

Kathleen said...

LOL! Bird Nerd - I love it! Your trees are beautiful. I do love the idea of a memory tree. If you don't mind, I might steal that idea.

Not this year though. I normally put up a tree that only has bird and nest ornaments, but that won't go up this year either. Since I am running out of time, I'll put up a small tree tomorrow after work. I'l just make it in time to host a Christmas Eve party!

Wendy said...

What beautiful memories you stir up. Bird Nerd made me laugh. At least it didn't say bird turd! A favourite expression of my brother's. LOL
Little Chloe looks adorable behind th baby gate -"is it time to open presents yet?"
Have a Merry Christmas!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Mary, I love your memory tree. My guess, it grows more valuable each year--ours does.
And, though the charms may bend and curl with many hangings, they are no less beautiful than the day the little girl brought them proudly home--gifts given in love.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!

BJ said...

I love seeing all of your ornaments and how they came to be. I can't, for the life of me, part with any of the kids ornaments. You would think that as adults they would want them....they don't. And I'm glad. Cause it would break my heart to part with them. They date all the way back to them being babies.

I love the reference you made to Bel Air. Gosh Mary.....we could have been so close to each other. You may have lived around the corner!

Have you ever shopped at Willey's in Delaware? It's in Townsend, Delaware? What a place that is. They have beautiful things in there. They also have fresh produce that you can purchase too.

I do hope that someday we will be able to meet!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Rose said...

Your trees are beautiful, Mary, and I enjoyed looking at the different ornaments, all so meaningful. I remember the 1950's ornaments from our tree when I was a child, too. I'm not sure what happened to ours. Like you, I have two trees--the "pretty" one where I try to emulate Marth Stewart, and the other one a memory tree. I admit I look at the ornaments on the memory tree much more often.

Daughter called to inform me last week that her puppy, the Mastiff, "opened" several presents under the tree while they were out and ate some of the Christmas candy. Perhaps Chloe could give him a lesson in manners:)

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Mary!

Heidi said...

I love the name memory tree! I think I'll use that from now on. LOL @ young Chloe...

Have a wonderful Christmas Mary!

Dawn Fine said...

Loved the tour of your trees...and the pics of your sweet though devilish pup...

beckie said...

Mary, lovely trees bith. But I especially like the memory tree. I guess that's what you could call mine. My most precious ones are from my girls, too. loved seeing Chloe as a puppy. Bless her heart, she is still a looker(or licker!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jayne said...

I LOVE your Bird Nerd ornament Mary! It's just perfect! All the others are so special as well. Each one has a story... I love hearing them.

Peg Silloway said...

As usual, you've gone right to the heart with your post. My tree is all memories, including some ornaments that were my grandmother's. Instead of travel souveniers I collect ornaments from places we visit - and then have a "remember when" time each December when I bring them out again.

I can only manage one tree and am amazed at people with 2, 3, and more. Just finished ours last night...nothing like leaving it to the end! But with work and baking (everyone gets food this year) and just life, the tree stood with only lights for a week. That's OK - I love the look of a lighted tree when I've turned off all the other lights in the room.

Merry Christmas to you and all your family...including all your outdoor finned and feathered friends.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Mary, I love your 'memory' tree... Mine is definitely a hodge-podge memory tree. Those are the BEST kind for sure. I covet your nerd bird ornament with the binoculars. Where did your friend find that one???? I want one!!!! Too cute!!!

Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy
http://www.lightblog.com/member/slohiker/

Appalachian Lady said...

Thanks for posting your memory tree ornaments. They are great! Hopefully, your children will inherit your mother's ornaments.

My cats have broken a lot more ornaments then our do. They like to swat at the lower ornaments. The dog's tail did knock one off this year though.

Happy Holidays!

Mary C said...

We chose not to put up a tree this year since we have a pair of kittens and they already get into *everything*! But when we do put up a tree (and some years we've done 2), I ponder on the ornaments I'm hanging, too. Quite often, when we travel on vacation I find places where I can purchase ornaments that I can use for Christmas time. Love that puppy pic of Chloe - oh how sweet looking yet with that gleam in her eye, probably trying to figure out how to get on the other side of that gate. ;o) A blessed Christmas to you, Mary, and your family.

Julie Zickefoose said...

Well! Someone in our house who must go unnamed has twice suggested that we put Chet Baker in another room on Christmas morning. The Bacon has developed the notion that every present is HIS and therefore he gets to rip them all open. Which would be just fine with ME. Others differ. He has gotten more obnoxious about it as he gets older.

Chloe looks like a total devil! but such fun at the same time. She really put you through it in her day, didn't she? Probably a bit too smart for her own good.

We will be battling our uppity puppeh on Christmas morning. Peace and love to you.

SaraG said...

Wonderful post and photo's!! I just love the pictures people are posting of their trees and ornaments!!
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

KGMom said...

Merry Christmas Mary--and to your family--and your puppies. I love that disappointed puppy face.

jalynn01 said...

Mary,
Thank you for visiting my blog and giving me nice comments! I love your memory tree. Those are the things that mean so much at the holidays to us. I did the 'cowboy' tree this year and honestly I miss the old 'memory' ornaments that I did not put on. I just didn't have time to do TWO trees. But, as I was telling my daughter how sad I was I didn't put the memory ornaments on....she poo pooed me and said who cares. In about 10 yrs. or so SHE WILL!! A mother's wisdom tells me that. Have a beautiful Merry Christmas! I love your new bird nerd on your tree!

Dog_geek said...

Awwww, baby Chloe was so adorable! Merry Christmas to you!

Kathleen said...

I've had to come back and read this beautiful post again - and again. Your lovely memories bring back memories for me too. Enjoy a blessed Christmas with your family and your Chloe.

NatureWoman said...

OMG I *love* all of your special ornaments!! I wish my Mom had the ornaments I remember when I was a kid. I'm glad you have your Mom's. Those are so special, too. Have a happy holiday season, Mary!

Chrissy said...

I love your ornament photos. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Kathie Brown said...

I remember having a sparkling red ornament like yours on our family tree when I was young as well as that cut glass 1950's ornament. It almost made me gasp when I saw it because I was thinking of that type just the other day. Our parents must have shopped at the same stores! Merry Christmas Mary!

The Quacks of Life said...

love the ornaments but even more love the pics of a young chloe.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Happy Christmas Eve.
The snow has stopped and the sun is shining. I am thinking of family and friends. It is an honour to be friends with you. So many, "Oh, my goodness...and Dear me...and WOWS," when I come to Mary's View. I understand holding Mother's ornaments and sewing with her thimbles. I too miss my Mother. She loved Christmas.
You are teaching your camera new tricks! Fine photogragh of camera lens in the ornament. You are having fun with your camera.
May you and yours have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you for your friendship.
Looking forward to 2009!
Namaste,
Sherry

Annie in Austin said...

Cats are pretty good at breaking ornaments too, Mary - when our kids were young and kitties were around Philo put guywires on the trunk to keep the tree upright. But unlike your Licker Sister - never saw a cat actually bite them!

Thanks for sharing your tree of memories - and your readers know that Bird Nerds are not only HOT...they're also very cool.

Happy Christmas!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Minerva said...

I love your ornaments! My parents had those same sparkly plastic ones! I think my brother has them now. I have some other ones from the same era from my youth. Boy, that is one annoyed pup! How could you be so mean and keep her from the tasty ornaments? ;)

said...

Dear Mary, thank you for sharing your Christmas (ornament) memories with us. Very poignant. And I loved seeing young Chloe. What a treat. :o)

Kim said...

I am in love with your ornaments!! So pretty and diverse.

Merry Christmas Mary!!

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas Mary! Have a wonderful day.

Mel said...

Dear Mary,
Those ornaments are beautiful!
¡¡¡Feliz Navidad!!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Hugs from Peru,
Mel

Larry said...

Nice ornaments Mary.-Especially the bird nerd one! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.I'm glad I have a couple of days off so I can catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs. Yours always puts a smile on my face!

RuthieJ said...

Merry Christmas from one BirdNerd to another! Thanks for sharing your pretty ornaments and memories with us.

Tina said...

Oh what a wonderful post, Mary! Loved looking at your collection of ornaments and reading your commentary..love the bird nerd beauty...made me laugh! What wonderful pics of Chloe..such a cutie!! Thanks for sharing and I do hope you had a relaxing Holiday away from your busy schedule at work :)

Laurie and company said...

as always, your pictures take our breath away!

just got caught up on your blog...i've been staying away from my computer a bit...hope you had a marvelous Christmas and have a healthy, blessed 2009!

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