And so it Begins

The boss went out on Seven-county Hill yesterday to find and procure our traditional home-grown White Pine Christmas tree.

The tradition began back in the day when we really couldn't afford a purchased tree and our artificial one had been donated to the library. Alan wanted a tree so he hied himself up in back and brought down that first White Pine. It was a seriously Charley Brown kind of tree, but we loved it.

Buried it in ornaments and enjoyed it muchly.

Other years he brought down other trees, one that reached half way across our huge living room. He bought a couple of nice ones too...he has fine taste in all things Christmas. Then he married and moved up west and we were on our own. Last year was the first time the boss had to play Paul Bunyan. The tree he brought was pretty nice, except for the whole four trunks thing. We liked it just fine though.

However, this year.....this year....he outdid himself. Tree farms don't sell White Pines as Christmas trees very much here in the East, but if they did you would swear this one was purchased. It is that perfect.

We decorated it last night with the also traditional ornaments, including ones made by aunts, grandmas, and my dear and much-missed mama. (The kids whine about how creepy the clothespin clowns are every single year, but I like them). We now have four of the cloth leaping horses I made years ago, as we inherited two of Mom's.

And one of our good friends who lives up around Rochester may be interested to know that there is a tiny rubber ducky in the nativity this year. 

*Disclaimer: it wasn't me what done it!

Anyhow, living with someone who is seven offers a grand excuse for playing Christmas, traveling elf and all. It will be our first one without the folks, but there is enough love here at Northview to see us through the challenging parts. I wish you all a wonderful season. 

Nuttin' creepy about this little cutie
AmIright?