After 17 years in our old house, it has been fun getting ready for Christmas in our new house. Finding where to put our Christmas treasures has been a bit of a challenge, a fun challenge though! The mantle in our den with holly from our garden.
We are so lucky to live in Lunenburg County, known as (the highway signs declare it so!) "The Christmas Tree Capital of North America". Our trees end up in homes from Florida to California and across Canada too. We have been going to the same tree farm for over 30 years to chose and cut our tree. We have had warm, sunny days, we've had pouring rain and we've had snowy days. This year there was not only snow on the ground but it was bitterly cold, about -20 with the wind chill. It sure made for a quick decision! From the time we left home to when we got back it took an hour Now it helps that we live 10 minutes from the tree farm!
We drove up over the hill, Mike had warned us that the bigger trees had been well picked over but we soon saw just the one, a good 10' tall and not too far off the road. Luckily, just as Peter cut it, along came Mike with his pickup truck and he drove it back to where the baler was.
The problem with the very cold temperature was that when the tree is baled, the branches can break and we didn't want that but there was no way we could drive it home not being baled. So we kept our fingers crossed as it slowly went through the baler, it worked, no branches were broken.
Peter cut a couple of feet off the tree and we were good to go. Up it went, perfect height in our bay window with just enough room for our angel!
Peter does a great job decorating the tree, it is something he has gradually taken on over the years. This tree had to be decorated on all sides since it is in the window.
Good thing we have kept all our ornaments that we have collected over the years. They all bring back such wonderful memories.
An ornament from way back in the 60's! Who knew someone could turn this into a commercial success (known now as "Elf on a Shelf"!). My Mom gave me this when I started skiing! It has always been on our tree, not on a shelf!
Our grandsons have given it their stamp of approval and they have found the pickle. it was quite a hunt this year!
From our home to yours, wishing you a very Merry Christmas!