Merry Christmas from the Pidgeon's

This was Mark's and my second Christmas together as husband and wife and our first year having a Christmas tree, thanks to my sister Bonnie.  As I contemplated how to decorate it, since all my decorations are still in storage in Utah, I wanted to do something to try and spark a little Christmas joy in my "Grinchy" "Bah Humbug" sweet husband of mine.  I was at Michael's Crafts store one day and had seen some beautiful angel tree toppers.  I found one that had kind of a woodsy look to her so I decided to do an outdoors theme.  Since Mark is a great outdoorsman I thought this would appeal to him...maybe.  As I started thinking of different things to put on the tree, that wouldn't be expensive, I was also trying to figure out a way to fix a problem I was having with a very old Santa that had belonged to Mark's mom.  At one time the Santa lit up, had a sleigh and reindeer, and had held the reighns in his hand.  Well the light is gone, and the sleigh and reindeer have long since gone the way of many other old Christmas decorations.  All that is left is Santa with a hole in his belly.  My perdicament was how to cover the hole.  I recalled that I had a small American flag that we had gotten after making a donation one evening to the VFW, who had a group of high school students collecting supplies and money for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I thought, hmmm I wonder if I could attach that flag some how and have it look like he was holding it.  It didn't work.   But the angel that was atop our tree caught my eye and it seemed that the flag was the perfect size for her to hold.  I took her down and placed the flag in her hands...it was perfect and she looked as if she had always been holding it.  Thus my theme took a turn, and one that I am so thankful for.  My husband is one of the most patriotic men I have ever known, and with our son-in-law Mark in Iraq and our son-in-law Virgil serving stateside at Ft. Polk, Louisiana I wanted to do something to honor them and the country that I and my family so dearly love.   I used red, white and gold glass balls; some had belonged to Mark's mom and some were brand new.  I made yellow  'Support our Troops' ribbons sewn together with red, white, and blue stars.  Then I set it off with American Flags like the one the angel was holding.  I think it is one of the best; if not the best tree I have ever decorated, and at a time when so many negative things are taking place in this country and this world it almost breaks my heart to have to take it down.  I look forward to next Christmas and many more to come because it will be a theme that will remain in the Pidgeon home.

So from the Pidgeon Coop to you and yours, Mark and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a

Blessed New Year!

Our love to all!