Sunday, December 04, 2011

A ranchwife's Christmas decor....

This is what I call a true Cowboy Christmas Tree.  You don't need a hatchet or saw to cut it down, and you don't need to tromp through the forest all day to find the perfect tree.  All you need to do is take a little walk on the prairie near a fence line and pick your favorite tumbleweed from among the many.  

One year when we were flat busted-broke and we were snowed-in-up-to-our-eyeballs, there was no Christmas tree to be had.  For some reason, I thought a tumbleweed looked something like a tree and I figured some white lights would make it look just right.  And that was our Christmas tree.  It worked beautifully.  The other day as Hubs and I were out feeding cows, there was a perfect tumbleweed caught in the fence, and I decided that I would take it home and it could be a Christmas tree somewhere.  Right now it's in the living room poked in an old white boot and perched on a backless, white chair.  It may eventually have to move over to another room when we get the Big Tree, but for now, it's basking in the limelight.  The tiny rice lights looks terrific on my Cowboy Christmas tree.  I might add a few white ornaments, but honestly, I like it simple with just lights.  That boot was not originally white.  I spray painted it.  Nobody was wearing that pair of boots anyway, so I thought, "Why not?"

This sweet, old Dazey Butter Churn belonged to my mother-in-love.  She gave it to me one year when the kids and I were reading through the Little House on the Prairie books.  Our Middle Child was determined to churn butter and when his grandma heard about it, she brought out this churn so we could take it for a spin.  It is about one gallon in capacity, and I cannot even imagine churning THAT much cream into butter at a whack.  Of course, you'd want some head room in the jar for sloshing about, but still!  I remember that we all took turns cranking the churn and  it took a long time before we had butter.  This Christmas season it's holding my favorite white glittered pine cone lights.  I tied some red calico onto the cord for a little extra color.  It sits on my kitchen counter making me happy.

Eldest Child dragged in this old, rusted hunk of barbed wire from the pasture some years ago and gave it to me.  How did he know I would love it?  It left it's former job of keeping cows out (or in) and has retired to hanging out as a  wreath-on-the door for several years now.  Sometimes I weave in dried grasses and pods and sometimes berries or evergreen.  

I'm still in the process of holiday decorating so there may be more fun things to share in the days to come.  I hope you are happily bringing out all those treasured Christmas things that have special memories of loved ones attached to them.  I'm so glad that God gave us memories.  What a gift!

16 comments:

  1. Oh I do have tumbleweeds. I think yours looks really pretty.
    I churned so much butter with those Daisy Butter churns. My Mom sold milk, butter and cream to customers. Gosh, I hate to think how much I used that. I need to ask my sister if she has my Mom's somewhere.
    I have a barbwire wreath too. I need to put some red Christmas berries on it too. I have sunflowers on mine I really like the red berries.
    I can't wait to see the rest of your decorating.

    You asked if Silkie's are good layers?
    They bantam's are my only hens who are laying right now. The only problem is that the eggs are tiny, I use two to make one of regular hen eggs. The go broody alot though and they do love being Mommas. They are the best sitters I have ever had. I don't have any roosters now though.

    I hope you have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pretty stuff, Jody!
    I love the cowboy Christmas tree!
    Did it snow?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your tumbleweed! I haven't started decorating, but believe you me, I have some plans for some sticks.

    xofrances

    ReplyDelete
  4. FarmGirl,
    Thanks for the chicken info.

    Pom Pom,
    Yes, it did snow. Last night a little and today a little. Not much to measure but it's SO COLD! Brrrr.

    Lefty,
    I hope you show us your sticks and stuff!

    Jody

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Christmas decorating with what's 'local'. You are clever my friend. I love the boot and tumbleweed tree.

    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
  6. G'day. Your Cowboy Christmas tree is just beautiful.As are all the other lovely Christmas decorations that you have shared with us. Take care. Liz...

    ReplyDelete
  7. The decorations at your house are lovely! And especially love that tumbleweed tree. Genius!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love it Jody! Unique, recycled and very beautiful! :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your tumbleweed tree is wonderful. It reminds me of my pioneer heritage. It speaks of a simpler life.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such fun to hear these stories behind your decorations. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't put up a tree in years but think I could do with a tumbleweed tree; it's really pretty.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your decorations!! Thanks for sharing!
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your decorations are PERFECT! simple, understated, just the kind I love. If you do move your tumbleweed tree, don't you dare take it out of the boot or off of the chair. It's wonderful.

    Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh I love your decorations Jody!! They're just perfect -- as are you ;).
    Blessings,
    G

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments. Thanks for stopping in. Sorry, but due to spam, only registered users can comment.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...