Sunday, December 14, 2008

Treasured Family Heirloom

This antique tinsel tree is a vintage family heirloom that has been passed down for generations to the third daughter of the first son of each Ehlers family for as long as anyone in my family can remember. It was lovingly brought from Germany by my immigrant ancestors who traveled by boat to America in search of a new life and new opportunities. Even when times were tough and my penniless ancestors almost starved on the mean streets of New York, they never ever sold the tree. Ahahaha! Gotcha!!! I totally made all that nonsense up. The sepia photo of the 'vintage' tinsel tree is courtesy of Photoshop. I'm not sure who those immigrants are, but I am pretty sure that my ancestors would be the sort of people that would sell not only their tinsel tree but their children as well for a hot bowl of soup. In reality, this hideous lime green holographic tinsel tree was purchased last week at Micheal's. It came pre strung with Grinch green lights and when I saw it, I just about died. Be still my heart, it was one 0f the most hideously wonderful things that I had ever seen and I knew that I had to have it for the kitsch factor alone. Thankfully it was on sale and marked down quite a bit because for some strange reason no one wanted to buy them! It also came in barbie doll pink, put I opted for the grinch green one. When I took it from it's box, Adrian's first words were "Oh......My". But I do think that it's growing on him. When the heat comes on in our house it blows on the tree and the tinsel shimmers and flutters. It's only four feet tall and in no way will it replace the lovely fragrant live tree that we get every year. It's more of an addition to our existing holiday decor. I am not sure how I want to decorate it yet. It completely clashes with my naturey Christmas theme that I have going on in my house. Lime green holographic tinsel does not go particularly well with pine cones, acorns, greenery and mushroom birds. I think it needs a theme of it's own. Maybe I'll make up a bunch of kitschy vintage ornaments for it. It's bare nekkid right now with nothing but a length of neon green 'Cat in the Hat' fabric to adorn it's base. Does anyone have any good decorating ideas?

6 comments:

Penny said...

It almost looks like it doesn't need decorating, sort of a 'what more can I say' kind of thing. But you could always go to the local $ store and find the shiniest blink they have and drape it on. Loved the immigrant story - thanks for the early morning laugh.

Anonymous said...

Oh Miss....... The winter cold and darkness is making me mental, but a LIME GREEN tree?? Clearly you have snapped! I think the best place to start decorating it would be down in the basement! Surly Emmers needs a tree down there.

Shouldn't it be decorated with buhrds and stahs?

Sue Thomas said...

hehehehehehehe!!! Love your grinch tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh Pammie,
The long Minnesota winters are getting to you!!!! You NEED a trip to sunny Central Oregon and soon....
The lime green tree must be decorated with a vile village underneath!

Angie said...

I agree with Penny, it looks kind of nice all by itself, although if you must decorate it, it screams for old fashined kind of ornaments.

Alex said...

pammie! you haven't posted on your blog for a while! :(