A Very Simple Montana Christmas

My sister and I started a new life in Montana this past July. We live right on the Bitterroot River where I see the bald eagles fly almost every day and hear the grand chorus of coyotes singing at night. The glorious snowy mountains are right out my front door and I feel the presence of God all around me.

We have no Christmas decorations, no lights, no dinner to make. But on a whim last night about 7 p.m. we cut some sprigs of thyme....

placed them in a vase and found some pom poms, kitty beads and bells...

 I made a tiny tree skirt....

Mary Sue added this one little very old rudolph ornament that she brought with her (that she glued a shiny red nose on - and it even glows in this pic!) 

and voila!! A LOVELY tree - and OH SO fragrant! 

Here is the night version.

And here is the absolutely stunning kaleidoscope version that we almost fell out of chairs over when we saw it! (I use Pixlr - a free online editor and had never tried this effect before!)

Then we sang and laughed until our bellies ached. Only my sister and I would ever be able to have such a spontaneous joyful moment together. The love runs deep in our blood and we thank God we share the essence of Christmas together - a love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

When all is stripped away at Christmas, and you have nothing but the simple beauty and depth of relationships to glory in, it's not hard to see the importance of that One special baby born this day long ago. 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. And a kinder 2013 to America.