Christmas Tree Hunt

We knew that there was a potential for storms the week of Thanksgiving and we didn't want to get up to the Mirror Lake highway to find it or the side road we like to hunt Christmas trees on was closed because of the snow (like last year - where we then had to detour back to Evanston and over to Mountain View - it was a long day!).  So we went out early.  Super early!  November 23rd early, to be exact.  There was just enough snow to make it look Christmasy, but not enough to prevent us from getting to Christmas Meadows (fitting name, huh?) and off tromping through the forest to find our perfect tree.  We finished up our adventure with lunch at Wendy's, as per tradition.

When we got home, we gave the tree some water and stashed it in the corner where it wafted its strong firry scent through our house.  (This one is so smelly!  In a good way, of course.)  Callie dubbed it Firb.  And we went on with our Thanksgiving week activities.

I was adamant that if we did get a tree this early, we would not decorate it until after Thanksgiving.  Callie held me to that deadline in the literal sense (ie "day after Thanksgiving") so we went out on Black Friday (luckily the hardware store in Huntsville carried lights so I didn't have to brave the madness of Walmart) to buy new Christmas tree lights since all our strands from last year were dead and tossed at the end of the season.  It's now sitting in its place of honor next to the TV (we had to take down the Thankful Turkey a day early so it could go in its spot), lit and decorated and looking so festive!

On the hunt!

The cute single pine cone at the top and the size
of  this little tree reminded Cal and me of
Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

We found one!

Tag it before you cut it.

Sawing.

Hauling.

It was such a gorgeous day for a tree hunt!

Readying.

Holding.

Wrapping.

Gazing.

Strapping.

Ready to roll!

Six days later . . . fulfilling its intended purpose!