Just Barely Making Do

We have always cut down a tree, but this year, it is out of the question because of John's recent open heart surgery. So I broke down and popped into the Salvation Army after our monthly "class of '62" breakfast, and there, hiding behind some stuff, was this poor little tree, not pre-lit but strung with lights. 

One string had a bulb missing.  I didn't have much hope that the lights would work.

I put the tree in the back of the van.  It is only 3-4 ft tall, but it was pretty heavy.

When I dragged it through the back door, I wasn't expecting a very warm reception, because John had not wanted a table top tree.  His feelings were better no tree than having no real tree, and certainly not a table top tree. Good thing for him, he did add that he was sure I could make it beautiful.

Lo and behold, the lights did work and I didn't have to add lights to our mini tree.  I replaced random white bulbs with color ones since John has to have some color. I describe it as colored jewels among diamonds. 

simple round ornament with band

I really didn't want to go up to the attic in this cold and bring down the ornament boxes when I needed so few ornaments. I did have a few vintage ornaments I had picked up at an estate sale, so decided to use just those. 

A really worn glass bell

glass grape cluster

Santa in fiber oval with flower and large tear drop

And, then I wrapped the stand in a bit of a skirt with a bell on it, to which I added another old bell and a small train engine.  Does it suggest The Polar Express to you?  It does to me.

Vintage tin Ohio Art tea cup

tree on top of tea table

The tree itself is sitting on the grandchildrens' little tea table, so I thought it only appropriate that there be some Ohio Art tin tea cups hanging on the tree. 

 

We did top it with our traditional cross.

But, all in all, there are not many more of our own traditions on this tree. However, for this year, it is our tree, and it does warm up a little corner of our living room. (John says it looks nice - for a nursing home)