I can't wait!!! Happy Holidays to you too and everyone else :)))
~Michael

P.S. Just set up my christmas tree today and decorated!!! :)

Amazing how fast the year goes by!

Wow, Michael, you set up your tree early. I haven't had a tree since I got cats - they seem to like to climb them. Maybe this year I can figure out some kind of decorations they will leave alone.

Avis, uploaded a photo today to Flickr which should tickle you!

Happy Holidays to all!

PV

pvick, my daughter used to "build" a Christmas tree on the wall using greenery and decorations because her cats would not leave a regular tree alone. She decorated it and hung tiny lights on it - very pretty!

Here is a pic :) and I plan on keeping it up till next month!! lol too much work for only a few weeks of enjoyment! I'll admit it's on the smaller side but I wanted to get a cheap one because our family has not had one in years!!

We use to decorate outside and inside and now it has become where there is nothing and I usually am the only one who affords gifts. I've decided to change all that(actually all the holidays!!) and I am trying to bring back family joy and the spirit of the holidays!!

Lol I also am demanding every family member is home on Christmas and we are not going anywhere! I am also making a good dinner and lots of cookies and desserts(my specialty!) :)

Also, 14 DAYS LEFT!!! :)

~michael

PVick, I'm worried for my tree this year because we got two unexpected kittens over the summer (feral, trapped near a dumpster) and kept them. They like to climb the one tree near my garden and I have a feeling the christmas tree will be too much to resist. We're going minimal decorations to start to see how they react. I think they'll be spending more time outside or down the basement where their bed, plates and litter boxes are.

Michael, the tree looks great.

PVick, I'm worried for my tree this year because we got two unexpected kittens over the summer (feral, trapped near a dumpster) and kept them. They like to climb the one tree near my garden and I have a feeling the christmas tree will be too much to resist. We're going minimal decorations to start to see how they react. I think they'll be spending more time outside or down the basement where their bed, plates and litter boxes are.

Michael, the tree looks great.

Can't wait to start sowing!!!

Re tree and cats. We actually have hooks in the wall and have a rope around the tree just be to save. However, we stopped hanging ornaments past the lowest branches and our cat leaves the tree alone now.

Pvick, it is soo cute! You are really talented! I luv it!

Michael, your tree is lovely! When I was a kid, we always put up our tree the week before Christmas and kept it up until after Three Kings Day.

Had a tree with my first cat, but came home from work one day to find her swinging from the upper branches. When I got cat number 2, he would just sit under it and sleep, or watch his sister climbing all over it. By the third year, I gave up on the tree, especially when I read that they can be dangerous - you know, biting/eating the branches, maybe biting the wires, etc. Plus trying to get that darned cat out of the tree was dangerous to *me* - too many scratched arms. That was many years ago and those first two cats have long gone to cat heaven. The one I have now - another female - is another climber, and fearless! But I still haven't gotten back into the Christmas tree habit. So I just enjoy everyone else's!!

Thanks Avis, but I'm not the designer, just followed a pattern! It is a hoot though!

PV

Happy Holidays to you all! I am anxiously awaiting the big day and have already completed 2 seed trades!

Michael, your tree looks great, and it's wonderful that someone like you goes all out for the holidays. I love to decorate as well and will find any excuse to help decorate for any occasion lol.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Josey, good idea on the wire. My husband put the tree up last night and when the kittens started exploring it he reminded me that we have a hook still in the wall from a long time ago when we had a slightly crooked, unstable tree. I think we'll be using it again, and I won't be putting out the more fragile ornaments just in case.

Happy holidays to all. And just 13 more days till the solstice. I've never sown on that day before, but I think I'll put out a few this year, maybe some lupine and hollyhock. Columbine is a nice idea too. Most of my stuff I do in late January or Feb. and I'll probably stick to that because it's tried and true for me.

Caryl

Eight more days until 'Winter Solstice' be ready to celebrate if but one container of the day.

We have two new kittens, and bought a "real" tree almost on purpose. My kids had never had a real tree before, and we wanted the fragrance and texture of a real tree. We hung only plastic ornaments, and planned for the tree to fall, but it hasn't so far. The kittens do bat at the lower branches and have knocked off balls to chase across the wood floor, but they haven't climbed the tree that I am aware. We have a "cat tower" that seems to provide them with enough climbing activity.

As far as sowing, I already sowed some common milkweed and other native perennials that I will plant at property my brother has that is very near Lake Michigan. The east coast of the lake is a path the Monarchs follow as they head south for the winter. So, I'm planning a Monarch Way Station that will have a variety of milkweeds as well as plenty of nectar sources. The property has some old corn fields that need to be converted back to native plants.

Martha

One more day to go. Time to get a container(s) ready and decide which perennial to do.

Wow!!! Is it today? Already???

What are the 4 things you plant for? Faith, remembering, ???

edited to say: Remembrance, Life, Mother Nature, and Faith.

Remembrance - Thyme in order to have more "time"
Life - Cardinal flower or cuphea...can't decide!
Mother Nature - Calamondin seed from the only fruit on my tree.
Faith - Lisianthus - very difficult to grow

This post was edited by missymoo23 on Sun, Dec 21, 14 at 12:57