Memory Tree....

Well...again...my Tree didn't get done... but... I got a Memory Tree done, for a Dear Friend... I was trying...and trying to figure what to get for him...{I have another thing for him...but... it didn't seem to be enough...there is not 'enough' of anything, in this world, to thank all of my dear friends....}I have been trying to do one of these for each of my friends.... so far...in three years... I have done three.... I had this one done, in short order... it's for my Dear Friend, Dale... I sat down, at the shop...with all of the fragments I have collected for these, strewn all over the table....These are 'Memory Trees'...so..each one, is personal... I sat, and pondered.... What does Dale Love... hmmm... better than Antiques... ahhh...Chocolate....Candy.... Sweets... oh, yes.... so... I went to my candy jar... and pulled out handfuls of Dove Chocolates... Bells, and Hershey Miniatures....well...I sacrificed...and ate handfuls....why? For the beautiful aluminum wrappers, of course.... I covered the base of the Big Bottle Brush Tree...with torn fragments... {the Doves had wonderful motto's, on the inside, that were perfect, to use as a ribbon, on the Reindeer's neck... and banding vintage ornaments, stuck into the tree!} I made Swag Garland, Ornaments, Tiny Candy Canes... and even the Star, on the top, with the candy wrappers!

I started thinking about Dale...What else, do I see...when I see Dale...Well...here are a few things...

I made a make-do topper, from old, old Garland, and a broken Tree Topper, I saved...because Dale, always, always finds me, the most Beautiful Toppers...and gives them to me...the Pink ornament, on the very top, is for his Granddaughter, Addie...{He is the Best Dad...and Grandfather!}

The clip on bird...well...Dale used to shoot at birds, on the farm...I was mortified, when he told me this... and scolded him...grrr....I think I have rubbed off on him, tho... he feeds a pet bird, at work...nearly out of his hand...during his 'dinner'....and...looks so forward to seeing him...{ he says I rubbed off on his Mother...Coletta, too... she saved numerous little frogs, this Fall, at the Farm, while cleaning the Barn... and wanted Dale to be sure and let me know... She is an Amazing Woman...Dale is very Blessed to have her!} 

The Old Toy Wooden Pin, looks like a Bowling  Pin... it reminds me, of how much Dale loves to Bowl....{and, the day he pinched his finger, while helping me unload a Massive Cupboard... all I heard, was 'MY BOWLING FINGER!!!!"...I gotta tell ya...I lost it....sorry, Dale...}

I found a vintage ornament, of a Choir Boy.... Dale is Catholic...and..I'm sure was a Choir Boy...{He still is...he just doesn't know it...}

A Tiny White Porcelain Mouse.... Dale stopped by, just after I found my pet Mouse, dead...in the shop.... I was inconsolable...he scooped him up...and buried him, behind the shop for me....

A vintage, Toy, Cast Iron Skillet... Dale has become quite a good cook, since his divorce... and, I think enjoys it... He's come a long way...

An Old....Old, needle, and thread... again... he has learned much more, than even he knows... and keeps everything together, much more than he gives himself credit for....

A Vintage Toy Orange...Dale Loves Orange Pop...

An Old Horn Christmas Ornament... Dale Loves Horns...{inside the horn...I put a sprig of Bittersweet, originally from my Sister Chery's Farm... Life is Bittersweet... but...we are still here, and have another day...Today...{that's more, than Chery has....lets make it the best, we can...}

and, last, but not least....a Gold Heart Charm... Anyone who knows Dale, knows he has a Heart of Gold...and would do most anything, for anyone... He is Loved Much...

I couldn't Love Dale more, if he were my Brother... He will always be one of my Closest Friends...
Barb C.
{shhh... if you know Dale... please don't mention this... I haven't given it to him, yet!}