O Christmas Tree

Our house isn't one of those crazy "winning the biggest electric bill" holiday homes. It's pretty low-key. So is our tree. Now that the boys are older, the tree is becoming proportionally smaller. They are less interested in decorating but are secretly happy to see that it is decorated with their handiwork. A smaller tree means very few commercial ornaments. But there is plenty of room for special keepsakes and ornaments with some history.

Here is a sampling of what you'll find on our tree:

French lace, from my brother who worked in France

handcrafted acorn from a Japanese neighbor

We have several old painted glass ornaments that belonged to my 

husband's Danish ancestors who lived in Chicago. 

Some are over 100 years old. I learned from some of the

family that Christmas was a huge celebration in their home.

We are proud to have these.

Nothing brings smiles like the boys' handmade

ornaments from school. I've saved them all!

My happily eclectic tree.

© 2013 Sally Knudsen

Crazy Cousins

Last week, we were fortunate to be able to share Thanksgiving with my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews in Wisconsin. It is usually my brother's family that travels in from Wisconsin to Illinois where the rest of us live. Circumstances and good travel weather put this holiday in reverse. My brother and sister-in-law put on a terrific feast, and all we had to do was bring vegetables and drive. Not a bad deal!

Including my two boys, there are six cousins on my side of our family. We do our best to get photos of them all together, because it can be challenging. First there is geography: my brother's family lived in New Hampshire before moving to Wisconsin, and we lived in Colorado and Michigan before moving back to Illinois. Then there are the "activity schedules" of six busy kids (two college freshmen, three high school freshmen and a sixth-grader). When they are all in the same location, we take a picture!

 in 2002, sticking out their tongues was silly

in 2013, grabbing their tech was maybe not silly, but accurate :)

© 2013 Sally Knudsen

Tombstone Tuesday - Christmas Comes to the Cemetery

Christmas came to one of the rural cemeteries I photographed. Clearly, this family wanted their loved one remembered at Christmas time. I took the photos on a very mild December day a couple of years ago, when Illinois hadn't yet had a taste of winter. I love the contrast between the green grass and trees and the snow-anticipating decorations.

Seward Mound Cemetery on Find-A-Grave

© 2013 Sally Knudsen