The Wild Side of Christmas
Editors Note: I realize it is “Wordless Wednesday,” but due to taking a week off of blogging for family visiting and the holidays, I had a lot of pent up words in me!
I am a pretty traditional person when it comes to Christmas – I have a homemade advent calendar that I made for my boys, I have BOXES and BOXES of ornaments, collectibles, and holiday baubles that have been passed on for generations. We have a favorite Christmas CD (Vanessa Williams), “must have” cookies to bake, and a holiday marathon of watching A Christmas Story over and over. When you have seven cats, tradition takes a back seat to common-sense and this year we have started a new tradition – we have embraced the “wild side” of Christmas compliments of my completely obvious obsession with my beloved Zoey who allowed my inner leopard lady to reign supreme!
My wild-child Zoey. She figures if I won't let her climb the tree currently in the house, she'll climb the one outside!
It really was a practical decision in the beginning – we have a small faux tree that we take out each year that we beautifully decorate with shatterproof ornaments in your typical reds, greens, golds, and silvers. While it is not a real tree and the ornaments are not my family heirlooms, it is still pretty and I have made peace with the fact my cats are more important than my breakables. The house still manages to look festive and that is that. Until Dan and I went to Wal-Mart one night a couple of weeks ago and saw “it.” It went against everything I stood for in years past – a tall, white, fake giant of a tree and it was love at first sight for me.
My mind instantly reeled and decorated this tree in full leopard regalia in my head! When we brought it home I proceeded as any rationale leopard obsessed human would – I spent an entire weekend decoupaging plain colored ornaments with a leopard tissue paper that I coincidentally already had and made them into unique, one-of-a-kind keepsakes. I made hand sewn ornaments in shapes of hearts, circles, and diamonds in a leopard print fabric I already also coincidentally had. We (Dan jumped in on this one) painted glitter on miniature letter “Z’s” that I had found in a craft store and I also tied pretty leopard print bows on the tree boughs. Best of all, I even found a gorgeous butterfly in a leopard print to top the tree! It was a very different look for us, but somehow purr-fectly suitable for the life we now share with our cats.
Our leopard tree was surrounded by presents, as we had a full house with family visiting from Boston, Upstate New York, and Florida
I was a bit worried when the kids (even in their 20’s, they will always be our kids) arrived. Would they be upset at the new tradition? Turns out they had already known long ago that I had gone off the deep end, so it all seemed 100% normal to them and they loved it!! As the below picture will attest to, it really is all about family and the memories that are created….
By nights end, clearly it was evident no one was concerned with what color tree we had! Everyone is completely relaxed and happy! You will note Harley to the left, moving clockwise is my youngest son, Joe, then my step-daughter Crystal on the couch, and my oldest son, Chris, with Peanut on the far right of the couch!
The tree looks fabulous, but we need a bigger picture so we can see some of the ornaments close up!
I love that you went against tradition and followed your heart.
Thanks Ingrid! I agree about the pictures – I’ll have to see what I can do, because the ornaments really did come out nice!
Fortunately it’s a slow day due to the holidays, so I’ll be working on my Zee Zoey Christmas tree photo essay prior to be assigned the task! 😉
Thank you Ingrid!! Now I don’t have to ask Dan!!
Well, I was also going to say we need more detail so that we can give a proper considered opinion! It is now becoming imperative 😉
I want to be able to agree with you Deb, that you have officially gone off the deep end 🙂 xox
LOL Carolyn!! I appreciate your diplomacy – wouldn’t want the men in white coats coming to get me until a final and clear concensous has been made!!
I think it looks great. I love leopard print and the Woman always gets me stuff in it. Perhaps I should have been your cat as I look fantastic in leopard print…
Chey – glad you like the tree! The Woman appears to have great taste if she keeps you in style with leopard things! I have no doubt you look fantastic in it – I think I remember a marvelous pair of leopard glasses you were sporting!!
your tree is beautiful!!!
Thanks Rumpy!
Gorgeous tree!
TToria
http://ttoria.blogspot.com
Thank you TToria – I appreciate you stopping by to say hello!
We think your tree looks awesome! We are glad you followed your heart. 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas, and THAT is something we love!
Thank you meowmeowmans! We did have a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too!
Beautiful tree! Merry Christmas!
Thanks Michelle!! Merry Christmas back to you!
We’re all for creating new traditions and love yours.
I’m glad you love our new tradition Layla!! Life changes and so do people… always good to follow your heart!!
Beautiful photos. Like your blog:)
Visiting for WW! Here’s my share- hope you can stop by..
http://www.mommys4seasonsjourney.com/2012/01/wordless-wednesday-the-sky-clouds-and-trees.html
It just won’t be Christmas in my mind anymore with the red, green, tinsel, and leopard! Best Christmas by far… Must be the leopard tree!
LOL Crystal!! Just took the darn tree down today… took longer to take it down than put it up!! It must have been me prolonging it to remember the great time we had!! xoxo