Simple Christmas

As many out there can relate, we plan to spend a very simple Christmas this year. We've pared down the gift list and sent fewer Christmas cards, yet to me it seems like a far more relaxing way to spend the holidays without shopping myself ragged at the dreaded mall. Instead, we're concentrating on family and old memories.

Some of those memories came rushing back today as I decorated the Christmas tree with mostly handmade ornaments created by friends when we participated in ornament exchanges. One in particular I have such a fondness for and I keep him in my curio cabinet so that each year, he can be the first one to adorn my tree: Vella's Nut Boy.

Vella was someone very special to me and a group of special ladies. We literally hung onto her pearls of wisdom and adored her positive attitude towards life. We were all so sad when she sudden passed away. You couldn't ask for a nicer person to be in your corner...she sent this darling little Nut Boy as part of an ornament exchange that we had, and I just cherish him. So simply made with felt, fluffy wool, and nestled in a half walnut shell.

Vella was also famous amongst us for her unusual way of celebrating the season with an upsidedown Christmas tree! She'd have her husband hang this thing from the ceiling by the trunk with heavy wire so that the top of the tree would be pointing towards the floor. She did this to save space in their tiny home...before it was the trendy thing to do.

The first Christmas after she passed away, I was thinking about her while I was Christmas shopping...we were window shopping when we came upon a pure white Christmas tree...hung upsidedown!!! "Now, who would do a silly thing like that?" said the person I was with. "Vella!" Chills ran down my back since I had just been thinking of her...I took this as a definite sign that she was doing ok wherever she was...

Merry Christmas, Vella...I still miss you.