The Mantle is First

My mother-in-law is coming to visit us for three weeks (she's 89), and she loves that I "deck the halls". I enjoy her, and am looking forward to seeing her.
My husband wants to wait until this weekend to get a tree, although I am chomping at the bit, so in the meantime, it's the mantle. Then, tomorrow, the exterior, and a wreath...I have to pace myself!
We are on a tight budget this year, so I've not changed out the theme too much - which, as an old (and I do mean old) display lady for such stores as Bloomingdale's and Filene's, I try to start fresh with a new theme each year. This year, I've just added to it, and am making alot of my decorations, along with repurposing some. I did buy a swag (half-off Hobby Lobby), and used it on the mantle, along with the tiny lights, that fade in-and-out. They also blink like crazy, when I first plug them in, and I feel as if I'm going to have a seizure! Anyway, notice that our builder took it upon himself to put a stone, shaped like the great, state of Texas smack in the center. At first, I didn't like it, but after five years, it's fine. I love birds...and I have two of these little ones....I love the feathers....(no birds were injured in making this wreath).....

I took the pointsettias off a wreath that I had made six years ago, and put them on the mantle...I also switched the deer...He's facing in now...it's always best to have things facing in, so the eye follows it...(little display and art tip).

Off to make another wreath...cheerio...