Lovebirds at Heart and Home

The theme of my posts this month: the Holiday transformation here at our home in the Redwoods! . Because I'm so sentimental, almost every ornament on our Christmas tree has a story or memory associated with it.  I've added to our decorations year after year, and am lucky enough to have some favorites from my childhood that I love. But, when asked to share my favorite Christmas decoration, I knew right away what it would be.

No, not the Eiffel towers, though they do remind me of our honeymoon in Europe, our last few wonderful days spent in  Paris.....

No, not the mermaid with the long red hair that is cherished by my first-born mermaid daughter,

...nor the smiling man-in-the-moon, who holds special significance to me as a reminder of  a very wonderful first date....

...and certainly not the sparkly deer, which is much more elegant than the ones that turn my garden into their own personal salad bar every year!

It might be this bee's wax wreath, the last remaining of two dozen that I made years ago, while my newborn baby watched me from the safety of her baby seat on the kitchen counter....

...or this transparent golden butterfly, which represents the thousands of monarchs that migrate to our coastal town every fall.

No, although they are all lovely, not one of those is my very favorite. I didn't even take into consideration all the handmade ones my dear girls have made over the years, because each one holds a special place in my heart, and it would be impossible to choose among those! But rather, it's this one:

It has no sparkles, no shine,  and it's not very fancy. These doves in the basket (or are they lovebirds?) sat on top of the cake at our impromptu wedding party 21 years ago,  a week after Mr. HandH and I got married. We eloped , and this is the only memento I have of our "wedding". (Well, unless you count him, and some grainy photos.)

Every year I carefully unwrap them from their storage box, and place them in a place of honor on our tree.

This is always the first ornament to go up, and the last to come down. (and, like everyone else, we've had our ups and downs, too!!) Each year more and more, to me these birds represent the heart and soul of our home, and the reasons I dedicate so much time and energy baking, shopping and decking the halls:   Love, family, hope, and faith.

My favorite ornament, and my favorite reasons to celebrate!

Thanks, Beverly, for hosting Pink Saturday! For a look at more home trimmings, scroll down, or go here    or here, or for my favorite holiday memory take a look here.  Thank you for stopping by, I hope you'll come back soon!

Until next time,
XO
Heidi