Places We Go : Holiday Decorating with Friends, 2025

Hope you are enjoying the holidays! Every year, I love to see how friends are decorating. More than a few have decided no more fresh trees but I have two friends who still do, taking days to add lights and ornaments. I admire their spunk! Others use traditional decorations that make their homes feel just like Christmas. Let's take a look.

]

Ruthann & Bobby's traditional fresh tree in Sisters, OR. This year, she used playful ball-shaped ornaments.

At their house in Portland, OR, Bobby takes over with dramatic lights. The neighgbors love the green and purple combination. Me, too! And in the top photo, a metal chair designed by their son, sits in their Sisters' yard adorn with a Christmas bow.

Growing up, there was a special decoraton in Suzanne's upstate NY home. Suzanne loved when she was the one to assemble and place on their coffee table.

Over fifty years old, how cool to have the original box? Years ago, Suzanne's mom gave it to her so now it decorates her house in Livermore, CA.

At Jayne & Michael's San Francisco home, it's not Christmas until Bruce makes a festive appearance. Given by their niece years ago, Bruce is sometimes called "Who Goosed" based on a book of Donald Welter's poetry, ,Antlers in the Treetops or Who Goosed the Moose.

On day one, in Oregon City, OR Andy cuts down a special Spanish Fir. I can't imagine walking out your back door to find a choice of trees on your property.

Day 2. Connie and Andy bring the tree Inside and light it up.

Day 3. Some Norwegian flags, hundreds of ornaments, a thousand lights.

Day 4 - Connie puts on the final touches. Beautfiul!

And here's Connie (about1957) in the most coveted gift on Santa Lists at the time. She and her sister wear Davy Crockett coonskin hats. Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Sunday, go 49ers and see you next year!

PS ~ My mom died twenty years ago on Christmas Day in Portland, OR. When I was driving over the Ross Island Bridge to her house on the day of her memorial, I saw a big rainbow in the hills near the cemetery. I just wondered if she was sending me a sign.

This year on Christmas morning, there was a huge rainbow at my house. I could see the whole arch from different windows. I can't help believe it was another "hello" from my sweet mother. Thank you to my friends, John and Jim, for spotting it out the window and to Sally for helping her techless friend join two photos together.