Category: Holiday

Pewter Tree & Sock Tree

January 3, 2022 / Hughena MacDougall / 0 Comments

The Pewter tree is the latest tree we have added. I think this is the fourth year. Once again we found ourselves acquiring a collection of likenesses. They seemed to be getting lost on the traditional tree, so we thought they needed a tree of their own to be properly displayed.

This tree is about 4′. Some years I put two sets of mini lights on it, but other years it remains unlit. The tree topper is a plain silver star.

Santa and two of his reindeer take up residence under the tree.

Santa and two reindeer under the pewter tree

There are Seagull, Amos and Piper pewter ornaments, as well as other silvery ornaments that aren’t pewter but blend nicely.

You will notice, in the above pictures, that I put ribbon with snowflakes on it, as garland on the tree.

There is a set of six ornaments depicting the nativity.

There are tiny ornaments that hang near the top.

Some have a bit of colour incorporated.

We like the idea of having a tree just for these ornaments, as we can enjoy their beauty on their own.

As an avid knitter and particularly a lover of knitting socks for myself, as well as others, a sock tree only makes sense. There are over 120 socks on this 3′ tree, which is pre-lit with white lights. This tree remains up year round and gets moved around to various locations.

The socks on the tree are all hand-knit by me. There is always a bit of yarn leftover from a pair of socks, so I knit a mini sock after each larger pair is completed.

At the top of the tree are three very special items. Two are socks and one is an angel. One sock is made using red yarn that had a slight sparkle in the wool. I made two mini’s from this yarn. I gifted one to my late, dear friend, Alayne, when she was battling leukemia. I keep the mate to hers at the top, so I can quickly find it and think of her and because she was ‘top’ notch. The other sock is multi-coloured and is from a larger pair I made for my late cousin Norma Billard. The third item is a handmade angel created by my dear friend Judy Guptill of New Hampshire. All three of these have special meaning and deserve to be at the top.

Alayne’s sock (l), Judy’s angel, Norma’s sock (r)

As you can see there are socks of all colours. Each mini sock reminds me of the pattern I used and who they were knit for, if I didn’t keep them myself.

The tree skirt was made by Mom and the material has stockings/socks on it.

Another tree skirt made by Mom. The material is perfect for the tree.

This tree is getting overloaded so I may need to find a larger tree in the near future. But what will I do with this smaller tree then? Oh, I have plans. 😉

That ends the tour of our trees. I hope you enjoyed reading about them, as much as we enjoy having them.

All photographs taken by me.

Sports Tree

January 2, 2022 / Hughena MacDougall / 3 Comments

As I mentioned in the Traditional Tree blog, we ended up with quite a collection of sports ornaments. Mom and I are avid sports fans and particularly follow the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. We have been lucky, as all four teams have combined to win numerous championships in the past two decades, and many more prior to that.

Boston Red Sox – 2018, 2013, 2007, 2004

Boston Bruins – 2011

Boston Celtics – 2008

New England Patriots – 2018, 2016, 2014, 2004, 2003, 2001

That’s 12 championships in 18 years. That’s a lot of parades for Boston. Not too shabby.

Our tree is funky and quirky. It is an artificial tree, approximately 6′ tall, that I purchased at an after Christmas sale for less than $20. Is is a pre-lit tree, but the lights don’t seem to be evenly distributed, thus having some dark areas. I thought it had coloured lights and this year I was going to add a couple of extra sets but when I plugged it in to check it, I realized the lights are white.

We purchased many of the ornaments on our yearly trips back to the U.S. Many others were given to me by my cousin Norma who was always looking out for unique ones to add to our collection.

Red Sox Mini Bat & Ball and Mini Bruins mug

Hand painted Fenway Park ball (compliments of Norma) and a Red Sox Snowman.

There are ornaments depicting championship.

2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Champs Keychain & Boston Celtics Candy Cane

This one is made by an Indigenous lady from Waycobah First Nation.

Incredible beadwork. One of my favourites

There are Celtics and Red Sox candy canes.

Celtics Candy Cane and Red Sox Ribbon Garland

You will notice in the above picture that I have Red Sox Ribbon as garland. I also have Bruins shoelaces as garland too.

Bruins Shoelace Garland, Bruins LED Ball and Patriots License Plate

This year’s tree topper is a Red Sox Batting Helmet and a Red Sox Bow

The Red Sox mascot, Wally, sits under the tree along, with an Erik Karlsson bobblehead, that we got when we went to an Ottawa Senators game four years ago and a hockey player nutcracker.

Wally chillin’ under the tree. And another beautiful tree skirt made by Mom.

Eirk Karlsson bobblehead I got at a game in Ottawa. Live games are so much fun.

There are two mascots from the 2004 Athens Olympics; Phevos and Athena.

Although our favourite four teams make up the majority of the ornaments, we do have some others.

Colorado Avalanche Ball and Vancouver Canucks Snowman

I must not forget Mom’s curling rock, a sport she enjoys watching.

And Snoopy also makes an appearance. He is HAPPY just like we are as we enjoy our sports tree.

This tree is always fun to put up. It is usually the first one to be decorated and the last one to come down.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our Sports Tree of Fame.

All photos taken by me.

Traditional Tree

December 26, 2021 / Hughena MacDougall / 7 Comments

It’s Christmas Eve. Is there a better day to talk about Christmas trees? Yes, trees, plural, as we have several.

When I was very young, I couldn’t wait to see the Christmas tree come inside and get placed in its stand. I loved hanging the prettiest ornaments on the tree each year. The prettiest ones seemed to change from one year to the next. We had the traditional ball ornaments, with gorgeous designs, in many colours. Multi coloured mini lights were strung on every bough. An angel was nestled on the tree top, to watch over everyone. And then there was tinsel, lots and lots of tinsel. I can only describe the trees of my youth as being tinsel laden. The tinsel was saved from one year to the next. We very carefully removed it from the tree, draping it ever so delicately around a piece of cardboard, and placing it in a box. Some years, even new tinsel was added, but none ever seemed to be thrown out. Mom was the tinsel queen, slowly and deliberately placing each silver strand just right.

In this blog I will introduce you to our traditional tree. For many years we had a real tree, but it became more difficult to find one in the woods and get it home, and taking one from town in our small Corolla was difficult. I had to strategically place it in the car, leaving enough of an opening to see around the branches, as I drove home. We finally gave in and bought an artificial tree described as, a pre-lit Etna Pine 6′ 5”. It was indeed pre-lit for a few years, but gradually strands would stop working, but only after they were tested, worked fine, and the tree was decorated. How many times I had to un-decorate to try to find out what was wrong. After a few years of this frustration, I removed the lights and purchased new sets to put on the tree. We like the tree and although it is showing some age we don’t really want to get a new one just yet.

Several years ago, we noticed that we had many homemade ornaments that we had either made, purchased at community sales, or had been given to us. One year we decided to use only the homemade ornaments and not put any balls or tinsel on the tree. Twenty plus years later, we continue this tradition. For a few years, we were adding pewter ornaments as well, but we soon realized we had enough to do just a pewter tree. We had also collected many sports related ornaments, mostly the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins and New England Patriots, with a smattering of several other teams. A sports tree was then created. It is quirky and funky and we love it. There aren’t, and never will be, any Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or New York Yankees ornaments on our sports tree. I’ll introduce you to the pewter and sports trees in another blog.

Our traditional tree has white lights. It is topped with a gorgeous angel that Sandy (brother) gave us a long time ago. She is elegant and dressed in a Nova Scotian Tartan. We adore her.

The bottom of the tree is finished in Mom’s beautiful tree skirt. She appliqued several patterns of holly leaves around the edge. Amongst the leaves are red holly berries, which are made of circles of red material stuffed and pulled tightly together to form a ball. She quilted the tree skirt in a grid and at the intersection of stitching she sewed a pearl looking bead. There are 150 beads and each one is sewn on individually. At the time we had two cats and she feared they may pull one of the beads off and then the whole string would come undone. It was a labour of love. She made a few of these and only very special people got them. (The cats never touched the beads but as soon as the tree skirt was placed beneath the tree, they would crawl underneath and lie down. )

There are many homemade ornaments but we’ve added a few others that have special meaning to us. I picked up a couple when I was in Ireland two years ago. One is a Belleek shamrock and the other is a snowman from Donegal. I also have a lovely shamrock in the colours of the Irish flag made by my friend Gina of The White Turtle.

We have several glass ornaments made by Philip Walsh of Island Crystal in Albert Bridge, Cape Breton. There are candy canes, a Cape Breton kiss and a colourful icicle.

Some of our ornaments are items made by people in the community. One is a teddy bear made by the late Marney Urquhart. Two that were made by Ina Marshall are a Santa Claus and a mailbox. The mailbox came with two Hershey kisses in it when we first bought it. When we hang them we think of the people that made them.

We have a crocheted bell that was used as a pew marker at my friend Susan’s wedding.

Crocheted bell and one of many bird feeders.

Mom has a ceramic map of Martha’s Vineyard, where she was born and brought up.

We have a reindeer made of jigsaw puzzle pieces. We enjoy jigsaw puzzles, so this is quite fitting.

There are plastic canvas and cross stitch ornaments that I made.

And many bird feeders that Mom made. We love watching the birds outdoors, so it is appropriate for us to have bird feeders, as well as birds on the tree.

Being avid knitters, no tree is complete without some knitting.

We also have lots of sea creatures too.

So many other ornaments as well. Here’s just a sampling:

As you can see, our tree is a trip down memory lane. It’s a chance for us to remember friends and family who made, or gifted, us many of the ornaments. Many are breakable and will be carefully wrapped and stowed away until next year. Every year we seem to add one or two new ornaments, but if that continues we’ll have to start another tree.

This is tree number one of four. I’ll try to do a blog on the others in the next week or two. I’ll likely combine two together, as they are smaller and basically self explanatory.

All pictures taken by me over the past couple of years.

Thanksgiving

October 11, 2020 / Hughena MacDougall / 5 Comments

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? There appears to be many reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada. Thanksgiving has been celebrated because a war has ended, because a Prince has recovered from serious illness, because a rebellion has ended, because of bountiful harvests and even special anniversaries. Present day traditions indicate it is a time to gather with family and friends to enjoy one another’s company, to share a gigantic cornucopia of awesome food, to raise a toast to good health, and to just give thanks to everyone, and everything, who makes us who we are.

On this Thanksgiving weekend 2020, while we are in the midst of a pandemic, I’m reflecting on what I’m truly thankful for, and there really are so many reasons to be thankful.

First and foremost, I’m thankful to have my Mom. Having been unemployed since February, I’ve had so much time to spend with her. To feel her love and support, during a rather difficult journey, has meant so much. Keeping her safe from Covid is my number one priority. We have obviously spent every day together, doing things like jigsaw puzzles, cooking, baking, gardening, house cleaning, culling out old magazines, clothes, and linens, relaxing on the deck, knitting, going for drives, and playing cards endlessly. It has been a very special time for both of us.

Right up there with my Mom, are my brothers; Sandy and Greg. Yes, Greg is like a second brother to me. I love, and admire, these two very much. They live a life that everyone should live. They work hard, but they relax and enjoy the best of everything life has to offer. They have a beautiful home, they are wonderful cooks, they love to garden and their yard is beautiful. They smart, and sensible, and they both have a great sense of humour. They have been my sounding board when I have been frustrated, and when I have felt defeated. They have offered advice and encouragement, and I always know they will be there for me.

I have so many other friends and family that I am so thankful to have in my life, but I dare not try to list them because I know I’d forget someone. I am sure there are several who do not even realize how much they mean to me. I’m also thankful for the wonderful neighbours in my community. I’m truly blessed to live here.

Strait Area Offsides hockey team. Love these peeps.

Riverdale Blues softball team. Lots of friends in this picture, taken sometime in the 80’s.

I am thankful to live in the Atlantic Bubble. For those of you from away, who may be reading this, the Atlantic Bubble is made up of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador and my province of Nova Scotia. Residents are free to travel between these provinces without having to quarantine for 14 days. Anyone outside this region, coming into these provinces, must quarantine for 14 days. Our leaders have kept us safe by keeping our borders closed. The Atlantic Bubble has been declared the safest place to live in North America during this pandemic.

I am also thankful to live in Canada. I may be bias, but I think Canada is the best place to live. I’m thankful my parents moved our family, to Dundee, many years ago.

I am thankful to live in a comfortable house, with a beautiful yard, which allows me watch mother nature at her finest. I love watching the birds and wildlife visit on a daily basis. I love to watch the ever changing conditions of the river and lake. With the stiff wind blowing today, there are beautiful white caps on the water. Other times the stillness provides some of the most amazing reflections possible. I’m thankful to be able to watch all the different trees bud, and leaf out, in the spring, display their various shades of green all summer, quietly provide a gorgeous palette of colour in the fall, before going to sleep during the winter, and remind us all that every season provides us with beauty.

Apple tree in spring with a cedar waxwing.

I’m thankful for the eagles that wake me almost every morning. How lucky am I to see them on a daily basis? I just can’t get enough of them. The coyotes sometimes wake me at night, as they did last night, howling. Oddly enough, I find it eerily comforting. I know I’m safe in my house and I know they are just doing what comes naturally to them. I’m thankful to see deer, fox, mink, otter, seals, lynx, beaver, many birds and other animals either in my yard or very close to my home.

I’m thankful for my creative abilities that allow me to…well…create. Pen and paper, and computer and keyboard, allow me to write, and although not all is worth sharing, writing is just something that brings me happiness. My paint brushes allow me to paint, and try to put into pictures what my heart feels. Unfortunately others don’t always see what I see, so that is a work in progress. I’m trying to decide if I’m an abstract or folk artist. My knitting needles allow me to create wearable items, that I can gift to special people, or wear myself. I spend many hours a week knitting and this is a true passion of mine.

Abstract or Folk? A road, a stream or a fallen down tree? You decide.

I love the shape of this rock and I love lighthouses. I felt they complimented one another. — I love the shape of this rock and I love lighthouses. I felt they complimented each other.

Hats knit during our isolation this spring. They are for the NICU at the IWK.

I’m thankful for my musical abilities, such as they are. I love dabbling with various instruments that I have, and working out a particular tune that I like. Like my painting, I’m not gifted, but playing music gives me great satisfaction when things work out, frustration when they don’t, but a feeling of pleasure regardless.

I’m thankful for the little things in life; a hug, a thank you card in the mail, an unexpected phone call from an old friend, finding a dime, chocolate, socks (oh how I LOVE socks), books, a compliment on my hair (letting it grow Covid style), a friendly wave, a beep of the horn as someone drives by, flying a kite, a full moon, a shooting star, Mom’s chocolate chip cookies (they are famous), farm fresh local eggs, song lyrics that just resonate, a special memory that comes out of the blue, lighthouses, wind chimes, sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, flowers, lakes, rivers, mountains, valleys, my bicycle, my kayak, waterfalls, a good joke, hearing people belly laugh….I think you get the idea.

This year I’m especially thankful for my health and happiness. They go hand in hand, in many ways. If we don’t have our health, we really have nothing. If we don’t have happiness, we really have nothing. If you aren’t happy, it can have detrimental effects on your health and vice versa. I am so very thankful to have both.

Yours truly, happy and relaxing, while kayaking and listening to music, and sporting the Covid hairdo.

If you have read this post, sit back, close your eyes, and take a few minutes to reflect on what you are thankful for. I’ll bet you will be surprised how long your list will be.

All photos were taken by me.

Category: Holiday

Pewter Tree & Sock Tree

Sports Tree

Traditional Tree

Thanksgiving

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