CrazyMike's Christmas in Canada 2013 [Archive]

Crazymike1965

10-20-2013, 11:45 PM

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10714;110/st/20131115/e/Decorating+Begins/k/cf17/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

*Snowflake*

10-21-2013, 11:28 AM

that's cute:elf3:

ChantelleJoy

10-21-2013, 01:04 PM

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_S-y7-UCNxTc/TPaKrevDh8I/AAAAAAAAELA/DtOmBjIX3Wo/s320/santa_thumbs_up.gif

MinnesotaMike

10-21-2013, 09:52 PM

Hey Buddy!!! How's the year been treating ya?? A good friend of mine is going to be in Toronto for work tomorrow and Wednesday. What's the weather like?

ChantelleJoy

10-21-2013, 11:01 PM

Hey Buddy!!! How's the year been treating ya?? A good friend of mine is going to be in Toronto for work tomorrow and Wednesday. What's the weather like?

I think I can field this one as I live in Toronto (Mike lives *near* Toronto)!

:) It's cold and gloomy. BOO!

olga

10-22-2013, 09:37 AM

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10714;110/st/20131115/e/Decorating+Begins/k/cf17/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

Waiting for your photos, friend.

Crazymike1965

10-26-2013, 08:15 PM

Hey Buddy!!! How's the year been treating ya?? A good friend of mine is going to be in Toronto for work tomorrow and Wednesday. What's the weather like?

Hi Mike,

All is well up here. I hope things are good with you. As Chantelle said it is starting to get cool up here :)

I am really looking forward to the Christmas season. One of the local stores out here that I have bought a lot of decorations from over the years has their closed door sale this Friday and they have already put away some items for me including a slim iced Balsam :

6323

This is going to be the new purple tree. The store also new alot of cool ornaments so I am looking forward to next Friday :)

steph535

10-27-2013, 01:13 AM

YIPPEEE!!!! I CAN'T WAIT to see your progress and finished pics, Mike!!:presents1::christmastree::home:

Papa_Christmas

10-27-2013, 01:56 PM

Looks like a nice tree Mike looking forward to seeing when your done.

MinnesotaMike

10-27-2013, 02:48 PM

Hi Mike,

All is well up here. I hope things are good with you. As Chantelle said it is starting to get cool up here :)

I am really looking forward to the Christmas season. One of the local stores out here that I have bought a lot of decorations from over the years has their closed door sale this Friday and they have already put away some items for me including a slim iced Balsam :

6323

This is going to be the new purple tree. The store also new alot of cool ornaments so I am looking forward to next Friday :)

Always cool to have a connection at a store like that! I'm jealous.

Penny Berry

10-29-2013, 03:54 PM

Looking back at the picture on older threads im really looking forward to seeing the progression this year :elf3:

ladyice

11-01-2013, 04:54 PM

Can't wait to see your display this year!

Crazymike1965

11-02-2013, 03:37 AM

Well the Christmas season kicked off for me tonight. 2 hours work of christmas decoration shopping made for a very expensive night. It is going to be a very interesting few months :)
2 weeks to go !!!

Crazymike1965

11-05-2013, 02:44 AM

told my wife that I was not going to start any decorating until Nov 15th but I was bored and I really wanted to see what the new tree was going to look like out of the box. I have been experimenting with using clear lights in addition to the purple lights and here is what it is going to look like:

6335
6336
6337
6338

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/xmas20134.jpg

steph535

11-05-2013, 04:46 AM

tinkerbell2

11-05-2013, 10:47 AM

Papa_Christmas

11-05-2013, 01:31 PM

That's going to look great Mike.:elf3:

Penny Berry

11-05-2013, 03:17 PM

Wow your tree looks really beautiful

ornamentmaven

11-05-2013, 05:59 PM

Looking great. I love purple. I just set up my doll tree which is a white tree with multi-lights , purple ribbon, purple ornaments and purple topper (and of course my doll ornaments). I still need to add my daughter's 4 doll ornaments as well as most of the purple ornaments

gingerelf

11-05-2013, 09:20 PM

I love all of the different trees!

olga

11-05-2013, 11:06 PM

Reminds me a lot of my decoration!!! (joking, of course..) :tree1:
Great job, really jealous of you, apart from your decoration, you also have a great house! Looking forward to the final pics of your Christmas home..

Crazymike1965

11-06-2013, 12:44 AM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/xmas20133.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/xmas20131.jpg

I figured out what I did wrong and why the images were so small :)

MinnesotaMike

11-06-2013, 01:53 AM

That's a really unique effect with that color combination! Nice!

Crazymike1965

11-08-2013, 12:26 AM

Thanks Mike :)

The major influence for my Christmas decorating, my mother, passed away yesterday morning. For the last 12 years, following a car accident she has been bed ridden and in constant pain.
My mother was a wonderful and kind lady and she touched many people’s lives in her 81 years and she will be deeply missed. It will be hard to decorate this year but I am determined to celebrate her love of Christmas. She will finally be able to see my trees from above. I love you mum.

I love you mum and you will be forever in my prayers and my heart.

Merry Christmas Darling

11-08-2013, 12:50 AM

In deepest sympathy, Mike. I'm sorry she had so much pain. My late husband had a lot of pain for years, too. Yes, I decorated last year after he passed away --- I think it helped to hang some ornaments in his memory. God bless you.

BTW, your new tree is beautiful!

ornamentmaven

11-08-2013, 02:43 AM

Oh Mike - so sorry - may she rest in peace

steph535

11-08-2013, 06:57 AM

I am so very sorry for your loss, Mike.

Papa_Christmas

11-08-2013, 12:28 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss Mike.
Nothing can easy the pain of such a loss and while it will make this Christmas an especially sad one,
I hope in the future you will be able to celebrate her life and love of Christmas with fond memories of all that she meant to you.

Penny Berry

11-10-2013, 03:33 PM

So sorry for your loss

Crazymike1965

11-10-2013, 07:37 PM

Thanks for your kind comments everyone. My mother lovd Christmas and I am determined to do all of my usual decorating in her honour. She loved the crystal, red, and purple trees. She can now see them in person.

olga

11-10-2013, 10:59 PM

From the bottom of my heart, I wanna tell you that Im really sorry and that Im thinking of you..:elf2:
Your mum is gonna love your decoration this year, which I think, as youve already said actutally, thats it will be very special..
for a special person, your mum..

MinnesotaMike

11-11-2013, 03:20 AM

So sorry to hear, my friend. I lost my grandmother on the 6th too. Truly a sad day. Like you, I find it uplifting to remember those we lose at a time of the year I know they enjoyed so much!

ChantelleJoy

11-11-2013, 02:20 PM

Both Mikes,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having your family members in your memories and hearts will obviously be extra special this year.

ladyice

11-12-2013, 12:40 AM

I am sorry to hear of your loss Mike.

Crazymike1965

11-12-2013, 10:54 PM

Thank you everyone for all of your comforting comments. My Mum really loved Christmas and I was her favourite son.... her only son :)

Crazymike1965

11-13-2013, 02:02 AM

The Purple tree is done

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas201310.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas201311.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas201311.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas201312.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas201313.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas20137.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas20138.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/2013xmas20139.jpg

steph535

11-13-2013, 02:16 AM

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

MinnesotaMike

11-13-2013, 03:21 AM

What the heck!!! I don't know how you do it, man, but your house at Christmas should be featured in magazines!!

Merry Christmas Darling

11-13-2013, 03:45 AM

What the heck!!! I don't know how you do it, man, but your house at Christmas should be featured in magazines!!

I agree and I'm starting to think that it probably is. His profession must have something to do with interior design. His style is very sophisticated.

Merry Christmas Darling

11-13-2013, 03:48 AM

Thank you everyone for all of your comforting comments. My Mum really loved Christmas and I was her favourite son.... her only son :)

:elf1: My only son is my favorite son, also. But I love all four of my children equally.

olga

11-13-2013, 08:13 AM

Amazing tree, amazing job, you ve got it Mike!!! :santa:

ornamentmaven

11-13-2013, 03:59 PM

love that purple tree Mike and the peacocks!

Penny Berry

11-13-2013, 04:30 PM

Your decorating skills are truly inspiring!

Papa_Christmas

11-13-2013, 04:31 PM

As always my friend another excellent job.:elf3:

There are so many styles of decorating for the Holidays one of the greatest things about this forum is the chance to see so many of them in use.
I would classify my style as whimsical kind of what you would expect to see in our child's eye vision of the North pole.
Your style simply put is elegant, I absolutely love it and for my money you and Tink do elegant better than any I have seen and I've seen a bunch.:tree:

ornamentmaven

11-13-2013, 05:27 PM

Crazymike1965

11-15-2013, 04:16 AM

I agree and I'm starting to think that it probably is. His profession must have something to do with interior design. His style is very sophisticated.

Well actually I am an IT guy who loves to grow hot peppers, has a big star Wars collection, 6 pet bunnies, a golden retriever, loves to cook , an is audiophile and has a hot rod car....... and also has an slight interest in Christmas decorating :) My mum always said I was crazy lol

Crazymike1965

11-15-2013, 04:20 AM

Well I promised my Mum that I was going to put up all the decorations and it is time to start putting up the beast...

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20131.jpg

lots of extensions

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20132.jpg

one of 3 boxes that cotains the 200 pound tree

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20133.jpg

reinforcing the stand

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20134.jpg

30 dead bulbs to swap out so far

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20135.jpg

Getting the third section in place

The tree is completely up now and I have gone through all of the lights and attached the star. Round 2 will start on Saturday morning. More pictures to come...

Crazymike1965

11-17-2013, 11:57 PM

Working on the lights

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20136.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20138.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x20139.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201310.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201311.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201312.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201313.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201314.jpg

I will start to put ornaments on tomorrow.

MinnesotaMike

11-18-2013, 03:36 AM

Yep...there it is! My Favorite tree!!! :elf3:

HolidaySeason

11-18-2013, 11:43 PM

How tall is that tree? Looks a good 10 feet to me!

Crazymike1965

11-19-2013, 01:20 AM

How tall is that tree? Looks a good 10 feet to me!

It is 12 feet and the topper adds another foot :)

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201315.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201316.jpg

I have been moving very slow with the ornaments. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

MinnesotaMike

11-19-2013, 01:20 AM

Pretty sure it's more than that. 12 feet? I could be wrong though.

EDIT...I guess he answered and beat me to the bell by about a second.

Crazymike1965

11-19-2013, 07:45 AM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201317.jpg

Taken at 1 am :)

Penny Berry

11-19-2013, 01:53 PM

I love it...and your dog is gorgeous!

ChantelleJoy

11-19-2013, 02:50 PM

So, So Beautiful.
I say it every year - but as one of the largest and most popular trees - I like to think of this tree as ATC's official Tree.
(Although there are so many - I might be biased because I've seen it IN PERSON ;) )

ornamentmaven

11-19-2013, 07:48 PM

It's huge!!!

Crazymike1965

11-20-2013, 03:29 AM

I spent all day on the tree and I shoud be done by tomorow. My dad is coming for a visit in the next few days. He has never seen the tree or the house because he has being taking care of my mother for the last 13 years.

HolidaySeason

11-20-2013, 04:30 AM

I was actually about to type 'a good 12 feet', but decided that surely it wouldn't be that big, so reduced it to 10. Looks like my first estimate was right! That's a huge Christmas tree! :O

Papa_Christmas

11-20-2013, 02:06 PM

It's looking great Mike as always a top notch job.:elf3:

gingerelf

11-20-2013, 03:27 PM

These are all so beautiful. I love the purple one just cause I'm that kinda gal.

Crazymike1965

11-20-2013, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the comments folks :)

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201318.jpg

This is what I was left with to put on the tree yesterday

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201319.jpg

8 hours later and here is what I am left with

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201320.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201321.jpg

I am almost done. Another 4 hours to go...

Crazymike1965

11-21-2013, 02:36 AM

The tree is done

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201322.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201323.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201324.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201325.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201326.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201327.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201328.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201329.jpg

and the purple tree is complete

ChantelleJoy

11-21-2013, 01:51 PM

WOW - Better than ever. That purple tree really looks like a fancy display at The Bay or something.
Amazing Mike!

steph535

11-21-2013, 05:22 PM

absolutely stunning!! that goes for BOTH trees!

Penny Berry

11-21-2013, 06:12 PM

Gorgeous

ornamentmaven

11-21-2013, 06:51 PM

Gorgious - as usual!!!

Crazymike1965

11-26-2013, 01:54 AM

Sorry folks I have been slow to post more pictures. I set up the red tree yesterday and all the outside lights are up. The neighbourhood has already started to put their lights on as we here in Canada we already celebrated Thanksgiving in October so I have decided to put my outdoor lights on :)

*Snowflake*

11-27-2013, 06:58 PM

what can I say, incredibly gorgeous like always, love the purple tree too:elf3:

Crazymike1965

11-28-2013, 02:44 AM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201330.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201331.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201332.jpg

Merry Christmas Darling

11-28-2013, 04:54 AM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201330.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201331.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201332.jpg

My goodness! Amazing! Isn't that a third tree with the red lights?

I love everything, but especially the birds by the nest and the nest with the eggs.

Merry Christmas Darling

11-28-2013, 05:00 AM

I was referring to these birds:
http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201325.jpg

Papa_Christmas

11-28-2013, 11:51 AM

Everything looks absolutely magical Mike you've done a great job again.

HolidaySeason

11-28-2013, 10:46 PM

I think you might need to replace the light bulb just above the bird at the top of that photo. ;)

Crazymike1965

12-01-2013, 02:00 AM

lol it is a twinkling bulb. I had to replace about 50 bulbs this year :)

Crazymike1965

12-02-2013, 03:22 AM

I am sorry for not posting any more pictures.I promise I will in the coming days....

Crazymike1965

12-08-2013, 12:08 AM

I am having my annual Christmas party tonight so I will have pictures in the morning :)

Merry Christmas Darling

12-08-2013, 02:07 AM

I am having my annual Christmas party tonight so I will have pictures in the morning :)

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/DiademRose/Smiley%20Images/Smiley-animated-clap-large.gif (http://s774.photobucket.com/user/DiademRose/media/Smiley%20Images/Smiley-animated-clap-large.gif.html)

Crazymike1965

12-08-2013, 04:58 PM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201333.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201334.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201335.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201336.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201337.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201338.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201339.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201340.jpg

Crazymike1965

12-08-2013, 05:00 PM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201341.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201342.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201343.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201344.jpg

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201345.jpg

[

ornamentmaven

12-08-2013, 07:16 PM

Stunning Mike!!

Merry Christmas Darling

12-08-2013, 10:53 PM

http://www.mikestruys.com/images/Mike/x201344.jpg

I tried to log in several hours ago but after five attempts I left. I love those dark deer (they look black). And I like the faith ornament! And I like everything else, too, but wanted to especially mention the two that stand out to me! Great job as always, Mike! Thanks for sharing.

Papa_Christmas

12-09-2013, 06:51 AM

Awesome Mike, everything looks amazing:elf3:
Great job on the photos also, what type of camera are you using?

Crazymike1965

12-09-2013, 01:09 PM

Actually Papa all if the pictures that I have taken so far have been with a Samsung S4 as my wife was in England and took all of the camera equipmwnt with her. Now that she is back I am going to switch over to the Canon 50D...

Crazymike1965

01-09-2014, 11:38 AM

Wow finally after 4 weeks of having some strange issues with my computer, I am able to log back into the website :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. I hope that you all had a great holiday season. My wife and I had a quiet Christmas and New Years. I cooked up a traditional North American Christmas dinner for the two of us. I was not able to convince my dad to come over as he had lost power in his house because of the massive ice storm had hit the greater Toronto area 3 weeks ago. I have more pictures to post which I will do later on today. I have also started to take the decorations down but the purple and crystal trees will be up for another few weeks.

Crazymike1965

01-18-2014, 11:44 PM

Well it is one of the last nights for my outdoor lights unless several of the houses on my street do not switch their lights off this week. With everything that happened last year I seem to want to keep the lights on a little longer this year. I am going to start to take the big tree down next weekend and my wife wants me to keep the purple tree up for another few weeks.

Crazymike1965

07-26-2014, 03:32 AM

time flys and it is 5 months until Christmas and just over 3 months until I start to decorate :christmastree: