The tree photos in my Advent post were from 2010. I was hoping we'd have a little less trouble with the felines if we built a tree out of books, but let's face it . . . cats, trees, lights, gifts. They just don't mix. This one's blurry because I had to shoo Fiona to get her to stop trying to eat the bulb.
I didn't mind her untying ribbon, though, till she came away with a chunk of it in her mouth. 
Here's a close-up of our tree-top. I haven't read the tree-top, yet. But, I've seen the musical and it's definitely on the agenda.
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What a fun tree!!
ReplyDeleteI love your book tree! I have cleared the space to make our book tree, but I haven't put it together yet. Best wishes on your tree not being toppled by a cat -- or two.
ReplyDeleteLove the tree! Great job.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteVery fun! But, I had to get help from the engineer hubby to get it past about 12". I was using books that were too thin and it took me days to get that far. He sent me for thick books and it was done in minutes.
Bonnie,
Yay! Aren't book trees fun? Husband claims it's stable. I guess we'll find out. Good luck with yours!
Marie,
I'll let my husband take the thanks. My plan, his execution. If I build trees, in the future, I think I'm best off digging out the Duplos. LOL
OMG I love this!!! It is so adorable!! And Fiona just cracks me up to no end…that picture with her with the light in her mouth…priceless, lol.
ReplyDeleteAlso glad that your package arrived safe and sound :D Hope you enjoy it!!
Chris,
ReplyDeleteBoth cats are such fun, but Fiona was the one who went completely nutty over the tree and gifts. She had us in stitches (when we weren't trying to save her from herself).
Enjoy it? You give the bestest best gifts EVER!!! Thank you so much!!! Yours will be soooo late, but I'm going to go ahead and send you a copy of the Christmas card because I think you'll love it. Also . . . please don't buy any books for a couple weeks, 'kay? :)
that is so our cats! we don't even bother doing a tree because they would just destroy it or what's on it. everything is a toy (or to eat) for them.
ReplyDeleteDebi,
ReplyDeleteYou're obviously in good company. See the comments from my Advent post and you'll do a whole lot of nodding. :)
What a great idea! With the new addition we haven't put a tree up... She is in to everything as it is, so we imagine it wouldn't last long...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tree! Our cats have destroyed our tree twice already now I have Ssscat canisters pointing at the tree from 2 directions.
ReplyDeleteEdgar has also been difficult as I've tried to wrap presents, but they stretch out and enjoy listening to Christmas music.
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteThat's why we waited for such a long time. We were afraid the cats would just get into trouble. So far, we're okay. We've had to do a bit of shooing (especially Fiona) but I think I may have finally gotten the back of the tree blockaded. I was concerned about not being able to see what Fi was up to with that electrical cord.
Jenclair,
Ohmygosh, your three are naughty! I've never heard of Ssscat, but I hope it works for you.
Mine seem to enjoy Christmas music, too. They haven't been too troublesome when I wrap, but they do like to watch! :)
What a cool tree! It looks like a stack of presents (the kind of presents I like, too!)
ReplyDeleteI love your tree! And that pic of Fiona trying to eat the bulb made me laugh out loud. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteLove the book tree, and think it's such a creative thing for you guys to have done! I also worry a little bit about Fiona eating the lights, though she probably wasn't hurt. Cats just seem to get into everything, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome!! I wish I could do something like that but I "need" a traditional tree and just don't have room for two! Plus I know I'd be heartbroken when it toppled!
ReplyDeletePS I mentioned you in my IMM this week:) Thanks again!
My IMM!
♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
LOVE it!! I want one of these in my classroom along with a bookmark tree I saw on Kittling's blog! I could leave it up all year and be happier for it. Now, what could be the 'star' book???
ReplyDeleteThanks for ideas!!
Happy Holidaze....
Jeane,
ReplyDeleteLOL That's a good way to look at it! Amazingly, it took no time at all to fill the gaps in the shelves.
Amy,
Fiona was hilarious. That curiosity is one of the things I adore about cats! Now, if only they'd stop tasting the wrong things.
Zibilee,
It was both funny and worrying when Fi tried to chomp down on the light bulb. Fortunately, they appear to be pretty thick plastic -- the LED kind that don't get hot -- and I've blocked off the back of the tree to keep her from munching out of view. I think she'll be okay, now that the initial excitement is over. Fingers crossed. I got the idea from a photo that I saw on Twitter, so it's unfortunately not an original idea on our part.
Rhapsodic Jill,
Thank you! :)
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI miss having a traditional tree but we always have to put ornaments and such away in the attic, where they're hard to get to (no basements in our area, thanks to clay soil) so we don't always do the traditional thing. Sometimes, I've just put mini trees on a stool. It varies pretty dramatically, from year to year.
Huz claims it's stable and safe from toppling and I've pressed on it a bit to make sure. Looking good. Thanks for the shout-out!
Gaye,
I'll have to see if I can find that bookmark tree. I've never seen one of those! A book tree would be an awesome thing to have in your classroom!!
The star book has to be a little 'un. The top 4 books on ours are from a mini classics collection that either Barnes & Noble or Borders used to sell. Extra cool factor: they have gold-edged pages!
That's so cool! Well, not Fiona snacking on the lights and ribbon. But the tree...way cool!
ReplyDeleteFizzy Jill,
ReplyDeleteThanks! As to the kitty munching down on everything . . . just a fact of life. We let them know when they're being troublesome. :)
That's awesome! I should try this next year, though my kitty isn't bad with trees.
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteApparently, troublesome cats are a problem regardless of the type of tree you choose, so I suppose the opposite is also true. It's pretty fun (and very cheap if you have a lot of books) to build a book tree. You should give it a go, next year. :)
Hahahaha!!! The tree looks awesome, but those kitties. :) What joy they must bring you (when you're not trying to keep them from being electrocuted).
ReplyDeleteLove how Phantom is the shining star on top.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Nancy.
Trish,
ReplyDeleteLOL Yes, they bring me plenty of joy and they can be a total nuisance. Love the kitties. They're just like toddlers, really -- into everything but the give you so many good belly laughs.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Trish!
LOVE the tree!
ReplyDeletecrazy kitties...
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's really fun to have something such a different tree.
As to the cats . . . yeah. They're nutty. At least Fiona's behaving better since I blocked off the Extremely Fun Secret Tunnel (the back of the tree). :)
I love the book tree, especially the stripey covers of the books on top!
ReplyDelete