How Can I Love This Christmas Display So Much?

But, I do, I do love it!

It all started with an old door I saved from the dumpster when we were clearing out the general store that had belonged to my parents.  It had been the entry door to a long gone upper porch.  I angled it in the corner of my family room.

I didn't want to obscure this wonderful view by plunking a big Christmas tree in front of the corner windows.  The old, angled door has the most wonderful bubbles in the glass! ~

I rigged up a small spotlight behind the door, stood back and admired all that natural chippiness! ~

It's love at first sight! I'd already given away two designer trees and bought this little cedar trunk one at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $5.99.  It's perfect for some simple wood and rusty metal ornaments. ~

Did you know a bird in a nest is supposed to bring prosperity in the new year?  At the very least, it makes me happy right now. ~

This snowlady angel means a great deal to me.  The first year of my divorce, I found it too difficult to use our family Christmas tree decorations.  My daughter had just started her family and didn't have money to buy any, so I packed them up and took them all to her.  That Christmas she gave me this angel to start a new collection. ~

My vintage wagon serves as a dandy tree holder.  I can roll the whole thing out to vacuum.  If I ever get around to vacuuming that is. ~

What's a tree without some toys?  The doll belonged to my cousin and my dear Auntie Kay made the Anne Of Green Gables costume for it.  A folk artist friend made the wooden soldier many years ago. ~

Miss Piggy is a thrift store find for $4.  My girlfriend Liz says she's the epitome of thrifting run amok because I have no earthly use for it, no matter how great the bargain.  But, the pig did find a use as mascot for our monthly craft sessions. ~

The berry wreath is so old that the berries have all dried out and cracked.  It should be thrown out but the burlap bow and dollar store bird are giving it a reprieve from the landfill. ~

The only theme I'd planned this year was simple country, but another is creeping in.  After putting the stills from some favourite black and white Christmas films up in the kitchen, I had to add some to the family room.  Do you all love Bing Crosby in White Christmas as much as I do?  I downloaded four stills and added picture corners and a frame in Picmonkey and taped them to the glass. ~

The putty on the windows is crumbling and I couldn't clean up to the edges without the panes falling out.  That's a repair job for January!  Now, the next pic is not edited.  Don't the murky edges look like one of the Picmonkey boarder options? ~

The rusty bucket I made from a shiny $ store pail held a small pine tree last year and makes a great, country container for a white poinsettia this year.  It's a silk plant until they settle on whether or not the real things are poisonous to cats.  If you are not supposed to eat it, Mauve will!  The image is from the Graphics Fairy and you can click on the button on my right side bar to access all her lovely, free images.  If you want to make your own rusty bucket, you can read how to do it here. ~

 I wish I had the photography skills and equipment to show you how lovely this looks at night! ~

I've done hundreds of trees for stores, churches, restaurants and homes but none of them have stolen my heart like this one.  Before I'd draped the last string of red beads I was saying, "I can't wait to share this with all my friends in Blogland!".

The bins of decorator ornaments sit unopened and simplicity rules.  I thank all the great bloggers who have provided the inspiration and all of YOU for being there to share!

I'm partying over at:  Under $100 Linky Party, Make The Scene Monday, Wildly Original Link Party, Open House Party, Creative Things Thursday, Link It Up Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, Rustic Restorations Weekend Linky Party, Fantabulous Friday, Inspiration Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Thrifty Things Friday, Holiday Home Link Party, Saturday Nite Special, Creative Bloggers Party & Hop