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my hunt for a tree


"the best tree ever" he exclaimed!
It’s the same story every year.  I look, I search, I contemplate.  Trees have to be pirouetted around so I can see all the angles.  That’s the Christmas-tree-lot-version. 

This year, my fam is going out to cut a tree; very Griswald like.  In years past, this was our tradition, complete with a bonfire, thermoses filled with hot chocolate and mulled wine; hot dogs to roast on fresh cut sticks.

Mostly, we’d tromp around in the woods, giving each potential tree a once over, until that “Hallelujah Chorus” moment arrived.  

The only problem it was on the other side of an icy cold creek, with banks and drifts of equally cold and deep snow.  Well, hubby being the really swell guy that he is managed to cross the water without drenching himself.  He cut the tree, floated it downstream to a more appropriate place to bring it up the bank, to present me with my prized Noble Fir.  That was the story from an eon ago.  The 2015 tale is ready to be told…

We drove about 10 miles out-of-town and turned onto a well-used forest service road, all while dodging other vehicles piled with families who had the same idea to experience the “wilds” of Christmas tree gathering.

yep, hat, gloves and a cute guy to cut a tree
Donning our hats and gloves, we set off into the wilderness (a term used more tongue-in-cheek) in search of our best tree ever!  Bella Bird dog jumped over branches and bushes heavy with wet snow, while the littles slogged along knee deep and grinning.

I’d like to say some great escapade happened.  It didn’t.  We found trees straightaway; branches sparse with wide open for sparkling ornaments to dangle. 

What did happen - a great gift - memories were revived and created; seeking, sawing and sliding conifers to be tidily tied to the top of our cars, and giggles, frozen fingers and rosy cheeks…wrapped up with spinning cookies in the snow … now who’s grinning?


Missy





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Comments

  1. sewsavyDecember 14, 2015 at 5:32 AM

    AWWW! What a heartwarming story and happy memories. You make the rest of us a bit envious. It's more fun to do the tree hunt in snow than rain. Beautifully written and lyrical.

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    Replies
    1. Missy ADecember 14, 2015 at 11:44 AM

      Thank you, my friend. This is the first year in many, that we've been able to go out with family to get a tree. It was very sweet and special. Definitely picturesque in the snow, but cold. Happy Christmas to you!

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