Uh Oh, I did it! The Christmas Tree Chair!

 Well, there it is this year. The Christmas Tree Chair. 

To be fair, it is a very ancient tree I purchased in 1996 for about $19. It comes all apart and has 'dead' needles and green needles. By itself it sort of looks okay, but one year I decided I wanted a platform mixed in with the tree to put things on. 

So the tree this year is stuck in a corner and only branched in front. When it gets to the chair level, the branches come through the chair along with some garlands that are wrapped around the chair.

I use the white lights because at night it lights up the whole cottage with warm light. That makes me happy on long winter nights. 

The Chair becomes the center of action for the month of December.

My old jointed Teddy Bear I made in the 1980's always makes an appearance. [He is corduroy and I can say that I will never attempt working with that material again!]

I'd planned on snowshoeing. That did not work out. We had three Eagles hanging out in the trees near the house. Charlie could hear their chirping when we went to get the mail. I spotted them too and scooped Charlie up and tucked him under my arm. I think he understands that he'd make a nice little meal for Eagles and Hawks. 

I spent the day indoors finishing up things I've left undone.

Yep, I have a thing for old chairs. I finally finished this Painted Lady. I only need to coat it with some Satin protective finish.

Since Charlie didn't want to be outside, I moved the Turtle Stool in front of the chair and tossed a green blanket on it. Charlie hopped right up on the chair and sat down. I decorated him while he gave me this look.

I didn't expect him to stay there, but I grabbed my camera and started to shoot in case he changed his mind.

He didn't.

I took the ribbons off from him and gave him his treat. 

He ate it and then jumped back on the stool and stared at me.

Smart dog. 

We have done this every December since he came to us.

This is his first 'Christmas' photo. He was still not quite a year old in this shot. For the first few years he did everything he could to avoid eye contact with the camera or me. I then discovered if I balanced a treat on the lens he'd stare at it.

I just want to squeeze him all of the time. So darned cute.

My first iteration of things happening on the Christmas Chair.  

The Tree Topper.
Yes, it is a mule. It came from one of the trophies Rich won with his mule Opal years ago for having the State Champion jumping mule.

My 'workshop' and table that needs clearing off so I can start with the Lego Christmas Village design. 

Watch out as I go crazy enjoying setting up the buildings and creating scenes and stories both on the table and any other flat surface I can find!

Play. 

The secret to happiness.

Hot Hot!

Things to do when it is unbearable outside. Bring some outside into the house. Since I was having fun with the candle holders, I thought I'd expand to sticks and bark. Using glue, moss, and some funky crafty items, I got busy.

and then of course I had to imagine what would take place on this piece of bark.

and I took it a step further. 
Since my 'photo table' had to be moved out, I haven't had a good place to do indoor dioramas are creations. However I muddled through and had to avoid the concentrator and avoid stepping on the 02 lines...
but I made it work.

I ended up putting the items on a box and using a cutting board that was made from an Italian Olive Tree for the backdrop.

I kept messing around and finding more interesting ways of using my decorated sticks and roots.

I went out after the sun went down and decided to watch Fireflies. On the forest edge, they were abundant in the tall grasses.

You may have to click on the photo to see
the driveway...4 minute Livecomp
exposure.

...and on to the week of somewhat cooler temps but a lot of predicted rain....