Simple

We put up our "skinny" Christmas tree yesterday. The children were so excited. I remember that feeling... the excitement of seeing the tree. The rush of "Christmas spirit" you feel as you pull out all the decorations from their hiding places.

I love the "rediscovery" of all those old ornaments from season's past. The sentimental ones, the delicate glass ones from special trips, the "crafty" ones created by little stubby hands busy at school. Each and every one of them are so special, with a special memory or story closely connected.

This year- my children surprised me.... although they were interested in looking through the boxes of ornaments, and they wanted to reminisce about what that glass ball or figure means to them...

None of them hang upon our tree this year. Not a one.

It all started on Thanksgiving when Emily decided to use some scrap Christmas material to make homemade garland. She cut out strips of material and carefully tied them to the shiny red ribbon she had found. When it was time to decorate the tree, she carefully wrapped her homemade creation around the tree. It was quite beautiful. Jake joined in and the two of them began to tie the remaining "ribbons" to the tree. After adding several "Christmas Bows"...and ONE single string of red beads.....

They both stepped back and pronounced that the tree was finished. I asked if they planned to add the ornaments from the boxes. They spoke softly and secretively to one another...and proudly said...

"No. We like it like this. It is beautiful... we like it ....SIMPLE !

And that is how it will stay. And I agree.

The tree is SIMPLY Beautiful!