Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Trash to CHRISTMAS Treasures ~ Two

Come on into my husband's home office, for today's Trash to CHRISTMAS Treasure post, hosted weekly by Diane, at A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.
We'll start with the Christmas Tree...

First a little Christmas History...

Eleven years ago, Kevin's dad sent me to purchase this Christmas Tree for him. He loved Christmas! He was a wonderful cook, and hosted Christmas dinner with all the fixings, traditionally on Christmas Eve each year. He spent the entire week previous, preparing for the meal. He made chicken and pastry from a hen special ordered from the meat counter at a local country store, homemade chicken salad, his famous butter beans and okra, greasy rice, collards, etc...

Along about that time, I ended up as the Family Tree Decorator. Probably not so much due to skill, as willingness. "smiles" Year after year, I put up Bill's, and my Grandmother B.'s tree, as well as my own. Bill would sit in his recliner, and Grandma, at her home, would pull up a kitchen chair, and they would both watch me put EVERY ornament on their trees, ...supervising. And they both believed in lots of balls/ornaments and lights. Such a fond memory for me, and I miss them both!

I won't go into the long story of why, since I seem to be veering off the subject quite a bit already, Bill decided that he needed a NEW Christmas tree the next year. So, Kevin, who throws nothing away, put this one in storage. This year, the tree I previously used for Kevin's home office, was sent to the company office, and I needed a tree. I remembered this one, drug it out, plugged it in, and all the lights, but those on just a few branches worked. So this eleven year old tree is certainly someone else's trash turned treasure for me!

Below, part of Kevin's "T to T" treasures, a sign from his vintage gas station memorabilia. This sign is approximately 5' in height.



Silver Ice Bucket, found on Ebay, filled with a festive live poinsettia.



We have been collecting John Deere, farm, and tractor ornaments for the MAN tree for a few years. Thought I would share a few....
I found the cute "reinDEER" ornaments at Big Lots.

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Santa



The Christmas ball below reads, "Farmers are Outstanding in their Field!"

To wrap up this "T to T" post, I have one more contribution.

See the greenery sticking out from behind the stairs, outside the office?


The fresh greenery is held in another second hand treasure.
The greenery itself, was excess off of my neighbor's live tree.
As soon as the sun went down, I swiped it from the curbside trash pile! :)
My MIL found the beautiful silver container at either the Goodwill or Salvation Army a few years ago. I LOVE it and have found many uses for it.

Who gets rid of this kind of stuff ???"

A closeup view of the moose handles on each side.


If turning Trash to Treasure is your passion, be sure to visit Diane.

~Rhonda :)

32 comments:

Amelia said...

Love all the John Deere items...so manly!

Always enjoy how you (and others) use their trash to treasure items...today was a great new way of using "old" items.

Merry Christmas!

mysteryhistorymom said...

I love EVERYTHING and wish that I could come for a visit.:) Your house just looks and feels like Christmas, my dear! Like something out of a movie... sigh... Lori

Becky said...

What a wonderful story! I love the John Deere airplane! I've never seen on before!

Kristen said...

You did a great job...thanks for sharing all the special ornaments and story

Deb said...

Hi Rhonda! Everything is so lovely! I love the fresh greens and the tree is beautiful! Deb

Missy Wertz said...

Rhonda, very nice and lovely! I love the fresh greenery in the bucket. I wish that stuff would not give me a rash. I would have it all over the place. I do plan on stealing some holly out of the neighbors yard and we have an old variegated holly bush in our yard I plan to raid as well. :D

Lovely job!

onlymehere said...

My husband would love Kevin's office! Some day I'd love for him to have his own space in the house and me to have mine! LOL! Some day. I love how creative you are and that you're brave enough to take something from the trash and repurpose it to be beautiful! You have such a beautiful eye. Oh, and I love your French doors! Cindy

Michelle said...

Great "trash treasure" and a much more meaningful tree. I always love the stories behind the trash turned treasure...

Beautiful story...memories are treasures too ☺

Your home is just beautiful...we need the complete tour sometime!!!

Kim's Treasures said...

Oh so beautiful! Love John Deere and the bucket with the greenery!

SmilingSally said...

I love your "MAN" tree and your T to T story.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda
I enjoyed seeing all your Christmas. That Texaco sign would really attract J's attention.

Everything is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! That tree is just gorgeous! I love a full tree like that; the silver with the greens is just perfect; and yes, who does throw out a beautiful bucket especially with the moose handles????lol their loss your gain! So nice that you do a man tree for hubby! Loved the pics - Sincerely, Jeannette

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Everything looks absolutely gorgeous Rhonda ! Love your music. I wish I knew how to make just one song play continuously on my blog.

Love the Texaco sign,hunny bunny wants one for his big garage.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rhonda!

Such wonderful finds, and that tree is WONDERFUL!!! You do good work, girl! :-)

XO,

SHeila

Beth at Aunties said...

I loved you trash to tresure! Both of them.
I loved the story of the tree and feel this is the time of year to celebrate those lives who have gone on with love. Thanks for sharing♥
The urn is gorgeous and a wonderful find. Your home is beautiful!

Merry Christmas my new friend,

Beth

Rue said...

Rhonda... your house is AMAZING, but at Christmas it's even more so. The new railing looks GORGEOUS!!!! I know how happy you must be and I can't imagine straping garland to it either LOL

Hugs,
rue

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Rhonda...that tree for your hubby is so cute. I also love that big gas sign. Great room!

Bo said...

Hi Rhonda...I loved reading your story about your FIL & Grandmother B...Your hubby has quite the collection going on "his" tree... That silver container is incredible and like you said...who gets rid of great things like this????...;-) Bo

nikkicrumpet said...

Now that is a tree for a REAL man!!! And the container of pine sprigs is beautiful! I can just see you sneaking over to grab em!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Rhonda I just love coming here and seeing all your great treasurer...now my Len would love your DH office as he also collects car stuff plus the cars..we do car shows all summer long...and that silver bucket is just lovely who would ever toss it out ?? glad it found a good home..hugs and smiles Gloria

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda,
Looks like everything you touch turns to gold!

Seriously, everything looks great and expensive! You know how to make anything look great!

Love that idea of a poinsettia in a silver ice bucket!

Darlene said...

WOW Rhonda,

EVERYTHING is absolutely beautiful! I love it all! The poinsetta in the silver bucket is so elegant looking. LOVE the greens in the bucket...I bet the house smells great too from them, I can't believe they were throwing them away!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I can't imagine those treasures ever having been someone's trash! That bucket is so neat! laurie

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! What a great tree! Your ice bucket is very pretty. I think you should take it and keep it for yourself.lol
Be a sweetie,
Oh, is that your tree on your header? It's gorgeous!
Shelia ;)

Dawn said...

You certainly do WONDERS with things no one else wants. I was laughing about you going out and getting the greenery from your neighbors trash pile. It looks great in the silver bucket. You are amazing at decorating.

take care,
Dawn

brettinsky said...

There is nothing "trash" about that tree! It is beautiful! I would have kept it too!

Suzann said...

How cute is that tree! I love this idea!!!

Monogram Queen said...

We hang a mini John Deere Flag on the FIL's grave for every season. Bittersweet...

I love that Texaco sign! Retro is so very cool!

Windy said...

I love the story about the back window in the car!
Everything looks beautiful in the office - he has the best dressed office ever!

Gone said...

Rhonda...All of your decorating and stories are fabulous!

Thanks for the visit,

Jan

Nancy Rosalina said...

Cute tree! I love it! I have that same ice bucket, girl! Merry Christmas, nancy

Kathi said...

I have been away from blogging for awhile. I thought I'd come and visit to see all that's been going on. I certainly love the way you decorate. I really enjoy the beauty and artistic talent you have. Happy New Year Rhonda. Kathi