Christmas Tree Porch Canopy

I believe wholeheartedly in ‘better late than never.’  Admittedly, I was a little tardier than my normal tardy with Christmas decorations this year.  We have a tradition at Chez V of putting up the tree and decorations on the Friday after Turkey Day but this year was a different story.  And to think I had grandiose ideas for decorating this year with you lovelies in mind.  Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men…

But never you fear, I did finally get the tree up and I was able to execute at least one of my large marge schemes.  At long last!  I call her the Christmas Tree Porch Canopy.  This is the second time I have rocked this lil lassy and she’s even more fantastical than I remembered.  

The first time I did this was on a freezing December weekend back in 2004 when I was living with my sister.  mr. V and my sis helped me the first time – you know back when mr. V was still my fiance and up for anything so long as it impressed me.  Let me assure you those days are looooong gone.  So what took 3 of us one weekend to complete the first time, took me 2 weeks to do this time because I was Hans Solo and insanely busy with work.  I should say that this go ‘round mr. V did give me the go ahead, albeit begrudgingly (because I have been threatening to do this at Chez V ever since that first execution), and he did build my frame.  But no help for the labor intensive part which is weaving greenery, lights, and ornaments on a 20’ by 7’ porch ceiling.  Side eye.  

lots of this...

went into this - the frame with chicken wire

same view - completed

Not going to sugar coat it – this is a total pain in the arse.  It’s a lot like climbing up a ladder, bending in half backwards with a craned neck and up stretched arms to attach a sprig of greenery, climbing back down the ladder, moving the ladder a few inches and doing it all over again.  Times 50,000 times.

Pieti loves to photo bomb

I can not take one ounce of credit for the idea – only my execution.  I got the original idea from a 2004 feature of Lawrence Adkins and David Dempsey’s Atlanta bungalow in Cottage Living (RIP).

with lights on

Totally worth the shredded hands and herniated spine.  I walk out on the porch each evening and feel like I am under a huge Christmas Tree, dreaming of sugar plum fairies or red soled shoes…

kisses,  mrs. V