GIRLS, CORKS and FORKS

Because Cork n Fork parties are fun!

I begin the preparation November 1st

when I put up a wine theme tree in my kitchen.

I absolutely LOVE this tree!

I use wooden wine boxes as the tree collar!

2022 was spent collecting 'bunches of grapes' at thrift stores.

And I covered this tree every color of grape possible.

I also needed lots of texture...from grapevine wreaths

to glittery ornaments.

And lots of corks wrapped in fabric as ornaments

And a topper fitting for any winery tree!

Grapevine leaves and all.

This is the 3rd year I have hosted (as one friend stated)

 the G.O.A T. holiday parties, with my girl friends.

All creative souls, from quilters, to gardeners!

It begins with lots of wine and food...cork and fork!

I make a Red Holiday Sangria..that disappears before the ice melts

And oh these appetizers are amazing.

I made jar-cuteries

instead of one big charcuterie board!

A huge success, enjoyed by all.

We milled around chatting and eating.

Until everyone arrived, there were 19 of us this year!

An annual Christmas sock exchange...

with packaged fun under the tree!

Squeals of delight in what they opened...

Until theivery and sock pirates appear!

Vikki had her socks stolen 3 times!

and of course, wine appears wearing ugly sweaters, 

cause an ugly sweater contest is about to happen.  

The best heartwarming guest is Cheryl Kaye.

After a dreadful year full of chemotherapy,

and a double mastectomy, SHE beat her 

breast cancer and joined the fun!

 Her new hair looks amazing.

And lucky me...this wine was unopened and 

LEFT BEHIND!

More on this party and the ugly sweaters coming soon!

This is the gift I give myself, time with my girlfriends.

A

CLAN GORDON TREE

Welcome to my Great Room and

The Clan Gordon Christmas Tree. 

I have many trees each year,

My Scottish Theme Tree and Mantle

transports Clan Gordon to Scotland each year.

Even Santa has a bagpipe!

It all begins with the tree.

Much to my chagrin...this is what happened

when I plugged in my pre-lit tree. Once lights begin to go...

I don't trust them any more.  

I love this tree as it has many kinds of branches

so, I opted to do a crazy thing.

I took wire clips and cut off  ALL the lights. 

I have done this before if I love the tree.

A timely and hand scratching effort, but I don't mind.

I added 5 brand new strands of 100 lights!

Every tree needs fattened up a little.

I use pretty flocked branches on this one.

I want a forest of Scotland feel.

Make sure they stick out from the shape of the original tree.

And I fluff the original branches as I go.

Many people put the star on the top of the tree last!

Nope...I work from the top down.

First I place two 'real' deer antlers, securing tightly as

they are very heavy.

Phil and I bought these on our honeymoon in Breckenridge, CO

Dec 4, 1999 (21 years ago today)

Then I place the star between them.

Tree topper ribbon is next.

I like texture, so there's a red shiny and a plaid flannel ribbon.

Both are wired which makes it easy to shape.

Then I add the ribbon strands throughout the tree.

This year I draped and tucked it down the tree.

I make sure each ribbon tuck is secured by a tree branch twist,

keep them fluffy...not to tight against the tree

and allow both ribbons to show, alternating them.

Next is a huge bin of ornaments.

I should count these, but I am pretty sure there

are close to 200 ornaments.

I may not use them all and some will go on the mantle.

See those big glitter balls on the right.

They go on first...inside the tree to fill in holes

The glitter picks up the tree lights.

Here are a few close ups of the ornaments.

I have lots of shapes, sizes and textures.

Lots of owls and stags !

And there's my only Scottish Santa on the tree.

I need more bagpiping Santas!

He is close to the top of the tree and 

you can see some glittery pine cones pics I added.

More fun ornaments and a bit of white for some pop!

The mantle has many layers.

There are two types of garland...all that look very real.

White lights and ribbons from the tree.

I added some ornaments and 2 stars.

The Stag canvas is beautiful and I added a flannel ribbon

to make it pop.

I have a Bag Piper Santa and he gets his special place here.

A different view.

And so the corner went from this.

to THIS!

This picture of Phil and me,  is a couple years old.

You can see the tree was decorated just a bit different.

Antlers higher up, ribbon goes around the tree horizontally.

Merry Christmas...from Clan Gordon

TOPPING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS!

I am a bit "over the top" with my collection of

antique tree toppers

I usually display them on brass candlesticks with 

a string of white lights and greenery.

This year...I put them ALL in a tree to

light up a corner in a dark hallway.

I began by wrapping the branches to hold

the toppers in place

 and added my collection of Faeries

and butterflies

This obsession began with this 50s 

red tree topper stuffed with white fiber and little bells

 It belonged to my mother-in-law, June Murphy

Let me share a few more of my faves!

Look closely this blue topper has a gold scene

of Bethlehem and the Wisemen on their Camels

My BFF Shirley, gave me this antique Santa...

(and I still can't believe it because she collects

SANTAS and TOPPERS)

Look at that face!

Shirley and I were antiquing when I found

this gold harp topper...wrestling match ensured

...it's on my tree!  

This glass topper, newer in age, was a gift,

but oh how it glistens

This red topper reminds me of one we had

when I was a little girl

I wonder what this faerie is thinking?

My Christmas Bargello Wall Hanging 

makes a nice addition to the corner.

 Next time you see a beautiful tree topper...

I hope you think of me!