ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS..."REAL"

Is it just me or does it seem as if "fake" has taken over the world. There's an imposter for everything these days, especially when it comes to Christmas decor.  Fake pine wreaths, fake cedar garlands and most of all fake Christmas trees.  Everybody's got them and some of us have five or six of them....FAKES!  Well this year I am dreaming of real, wonderfully fragrant, Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths.

Fraser Fir---people's #1 choice in Christmas trees

As I child I don't think I ever saw a fake Christmas tree...was there even such a thing as a fake Christmas tree back then?  Oh sure, folks in California had tinsel trees but, well...those were Californians.  Folks in the Midwest decorated up real pine, spruce, fir or cedar trees for Christmas and I'm positive we had a real tree every year.  Some years we purchased one from a tree lot but most times we just went out into the woods and got our own...it was less expensive that way and we always made homemade ornaments.  Boy I miss those days.

Noble Fir

Sadly, in the 23 years that I have been married and out on my own, I can only remember having one real live Christmas tree.  It was a $4 Charlie Brown special and that was before the kids were born. Yes it's true, my kids have never known the pleasure of picking out a real tree or savoring their wonderful fragrance.  Heck, it's been so long since I myself have smelled a real tree that I'm not sure I remember just how yummy it truly is.

Fresh mixed winter greens

  

Well, all that is changing. This year all I want for Christmas is..."REAL". I'm canning the fake tree!!!...the fake garlands and wreaths.

There is not a single fake tree on the planet that can mimic God's handy work and that gives off that one-of-a-kind holiday aroma. I'm tired of the fake!!!...Give me the real thing, baby! This year we are going all the way....we will have a real Christmas tree, homemade fresh garlands and wreaths.

Colorado Blue Spruce

  

Saturday is the day and I can't wait.  Since we live in Missouri we will probably opt for a fresh cedar strait from the Ozark mountains (dad's back woods)...

Eastern Red Cedar

or perhaps we'll choose a nice little tree from Lowes...

White Pine

I vote for the cedar, they're a little prickly but they smell divine and...they're FREE! Besides, while i'm in the woods I will snag a few greens from some of the different evergreens out there for my garlands and wreaths.

A mix of fresh greens on a Christmas mantel
Sophia's Blog

  

I'm so ready for a simple and "real" Christmas. How about you...do you prefer fresh or fake?

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL IN OLD SAINT CHARLES...

Happy Holidays everyone!!!  Are you finished decorating for Christmas yet? Shamefully I have yet to even begin. I wanted to finish up painting the trim in the living room while it is void of furniture and before putting a tree up.  I hope to be finished by the weekend.  Crossing my fingers!

Speaking of Christmas, there is a wonderful little town here in Missouri that captures the very essence of an old fashioned Christmas at it's Christmas Traditions Festival every December. This year I got the chance to visit this magical place and there is still time for you to get in on the festivities too if you live in the Saint Louis and surrounding areas. 

Historic Saint Charles is a quaint little riverside town on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri.  The brick paved Main Street, where the festival is held, is lined on both sides with charming little shops, restaurants and other small businesses which have all been dressed for the season.  Town square is home to one of the largest Christmas trees I have ever seen.  There's offerings of horse and carriage rides, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Christmas carolers, dressed in Victorian attire.  There are other Christmas characters there as well.  Santas from just about every nationality, Mr. Scrooge, Jack Frost, Sugar Plum Fairies and even pipers piping.  It is truly a place strait out of a Dickens novel and a place that everyone should have the pleasure of visiting at least once.  I had heard about this place many times and I am so glad that I finally got the chance to go this year.  It's so special that I think we are going to make it a family tradition to go every year from now on.

Sadly, I was so busy enjoying my visit and it got dark so quickly that I only got a few pictures.  However, I grabbed a few from their website HERE to share with you...

There are more than 30 Christmas Characters to see

Okay, that's enough! I better leave a little of Old Saint Charles to your imagination...or,  a little for you to enjoy personally.

If you are looking for something extra special, and inexpensive, to do with your family and friends this holiday season, take a little trip to Historic downtown Saint Charles, Missouri for the Christmas Traditions Festival. I promise you will not be disappointed.

There is no admission charge to the festival.  Even the parking is free although you may have trouble finding a parking space.  The only money you will need is for food, drinks and shopping.   Oh, and of course...a carriage ride (around $5.00 per person) and some of Grandma's cookies.  A very inexpensive night out and if you go this weekend you may even get to enjoy it in the snow....so says the weather man.

Well, I'd better get going.  I need to finish that trim work so I can start doing a little Christmasifying at my house.

Until I see you next time, I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

CHRISTMAS AT SYBILL'S SAINT JAMES...

Hello everyone.  How was your weekend?  Ours was great!

Friday evening was a wonderful time for the hubs and I.  We were invited out to dinner at one of our areas finest restaurants...Sybill's Saint James...and, not only were we invited, but our entire meal was paid for. To show their appreciation for all of our hard work this year, our pastor and his wife took all the church staff members out to dinner.  Such a nice treat!!!

Now I will tell you, I am not one for FANCY, SCHMANCY restaurants.  I like casual dining best but Sybill's is a place that everyone should experience at least once, especially around the holidays when they are all decked out for Christmas.

I have only been to Sybill's twice in the 20 something years we have lived in Missouri.  Both times were near the holidays and, oddly enough, both times our meals were paid for by someone else...I am a truly blessed woman, no?

Anyway, this time I got a couple pictures of some of their awesome Christmas decor.  I don't know who does their holiday decorating but I can tell you they are good at what they do.  This place is truly magical and my pictures did not do it justice...

This beautiful, majestic fireplace greets you as come through the front door....

I would love to duplicate this scene on my mantel at home.  I could if I had a bazillion dollars as all the decor at Sybill's is for sale.  That's right, there is a price tag on literally everything in this place, including the pictures on the wall.  Not kidding!!

See, notice the price tag on the big ornament?

This years colors are silver, gold and white.  VERY ELEGANT!!!

The Christmas tree was no disappointment either.  It was chock full of some of the most unique, whimsical and beautiful ornaments I have ever seen...

Again, all of them are for sale...

and, since I didn't have to pay for my meal, I figured I could afford to buy a couple of them.  I got two of those cute little fluffy white owls.

Now I am super excited to get started on a little Christmas decorating of my own.  I'll be sure to show you where these little purchases of mine show up!