I’m starting the holly jolly season early this year. In part because we seriously need a little joy this week, in part because this weekend is when Cousin Larry can come up & there’s no Werz family tree trimming without Cousin Larry. I think this is his 36th year! He’s helped us ever since 1989 when Daddy died. As of Thursday the Set Abouts are accomplished! The great room is looking quite festive at the moment!

The very first Nutcracker is in the middle. Mom & Dad gave him to me in 1978. The fat Santa Nutcracker on the left was given to me by mom on her last Christmas in 2012. The Beekeper Nutcracker was a gift from Josh & Jack last year!

The holiday lighthouse is new this year! A fabulous $4 find at the thrift store, it’s upper light blinks like a real lighthouse! Seems a practically perfect addition considering we “collect lighthouses” on our travels!

Mrs Mawyers Santas are ready to celebrate!

When Cousin Larry arrived on Friday for tree trimming weekend we had a feast awaiting him! A huge pile of Alaskan King Crab legs, butterfly shrimp & hushpuppies!

Chris’s holiday tradition of pre-decorating the tree with lizards began almost 30 years ago when he put Blue atop moms Christmas tree as the Angel! Mom then hung Blue (using festive holiday ribbon, of course, as a noose!) from the ceiling fan in the family room. LOL!

I’m totally rocking the Grinch jammies and socks!!! Time for an adult beverage or two!

Saturday is Tree Trimming day!!! We start off the morning by fortifying the troops with western omelets, sausage, maple bacon, and biscuits! Then comes the main event – decorating our tree!

I found this fabulous ugly sweater at the thrift store (25 cents!). I laughed out loud when I saw it so I HAD to buy it! Geansaí na Nollag (gan-zee nah null-ag) – mo gheansaí gránna Nollag! Christmas sweater, my ugly Christmas sweater!!!

Many college football games later I broiled up crab cakes as a tasty little snack! Then jammified and popped open a frosty beverage!

Sunday morning I put up Moms Special Tree! She put this little pure white & silver confection on top of her tv cabinet in the family room, so she could enjoy it and be cozy by the gas logs burning in her fireplace as she sipped her morning coffee or evening cocktails with Ed! Our holly days decor is now complete.

What better way to end this festive weekend? First up a matinee performance of Dracula at Blackfriars playhouse! I mean, if you’re going to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving you might as well toss in a throwback to Halloween, right?!?

After Dracula we’ll return home to close out the Werz family tree trimming weekend by watching the redskins play some football!