get real.

so, it is the weekend after thanksgiving and what else to do but set up for christmas. i did think ahead and brought our stockings (all 4) with the stocking hangers, and a couple special ornaments. i sacrificed precious packing space for a few christmas decorations to make our apartment feel like home. scott thought i was crazy at the time, but i know that he appreciates it now. i went out shopping today at a store that is somewhat similar to a walmart (at least as close to walmart as morocco can get). i am headed there with a friend because they have christmas trees, fake trees, but nonetheless, christmas trees and some ornaments, too. i was excited to go get it because i should be thankful that they even had christmas trees here. as i buy the tree i am a little sad at the fact that this will be my first fake tree in i think forever. for as long as i can remember we have always had real trees...sometimes flocked with fake snow and sometimes so massive it took up half of our living room or bending at the top because it was too tall for our ceiling. for the last two years we have cut down our own trees in elgin so i was missing that, too. i purchased the tree and a couple ornaments and was truly happy just to be getting what i could. well, wouldn't you know that on the way home, my friend pointed and said, "look! they are selling REAL christmas trees!" and yes, oh yes they were! i flipped a u turn and went to look at them. i was so happy. i almost cried when i stepped out of the car and smelt the sweet smell of christmas. there is nothing like the smell of real chirstmas in the house. another blessing delivered from God. they never have real christmas trees in morocco, and if they did, they were really hard to find. i bought a tree that was small enough to fit in our tiny car, but big enough to make it feel like christmas. when i got home, my good husband set up the tree and even turned on my josh groban christmas music while i decorated (as is my tradition). so, here i am, living in morocco, with my stockings hanging over the fireplace and small, but beautiful real tree in the corner. christmas has officially come.

our cozy living room


the tree i will never forget


stockings hung by the chimney with care...