Getting a tree has always been a fun experience for us. When we were in California we use to drive to a tree farm. There are so many choices, Noble or Douglas fir, Blue Spruce, Austrian or Scotch Pine. We would look for that special tree, the one that had it all, the perfect shape, height, color, and uniformity.  While we walked around the farm, we would ask each other “what about that one, or this one?”. When we spotted the perfect tree, I would run over to it,  to beat out and avoid having to deal with that uncomfortable confrontation of who spotted it first. After we determined we found the perfect tree, my hubby would bend down to start sawing, and just before he started he would turn and look at me and ask “Are you sure?”. You know you cut, you pay.

Once we got home, our lovely animals would come over and check it out. They would sit nearby as we brought the tree in the living room, we would determined which side of the tree should face out and then get it situated in to the tree base. After we were done, we’d take a break, make a cup of tea and have lunch before we started decorating. The Kitties would go over and check it out, they actually liked hanging out underneath the tree. My tree skirt, that I spent over three years making (I was busy, ok?),  now has plenty of cat hair and puke stains from them nibbling on the pine, and then upchucking. We would be eating dinner or watching TV and then start to hear the familiar cat gurgling sound, and I would start screaming, “go pick up the cat!”.  In the meantime I would  run to find the water bottle and paper towels to clean the area. Every year, without fail it is the same thing with them. You’d think they would learn. (I pity the lucky owner of this family heirloom, but it is a really nice tree skirt). When Terry and I were first dating he told me one Christmas, that their family tradition is Christmas decorations go up 12 days before and then are taken down 12 days after. When I first heard this I remember thinking “what up?”. Funny enough, I am usually so bombarded during this busy season, that holding off to decorate 12 days before ends up working out.

We decided that we would go green with our Christmas tree, as there are no tree farms in our area, the nearest one is 3 hours away. Plus, I also have a brown thumb. Unfortunately, a potted option would end up dieing before we got to Christmas, so we won’t go there. Starting this year we are going green, by going silver. Stay tuned, it is not quite 12 days till Christmas.