We are two weeks away from Christmas. For those of you keeping score at home, I have finished zero Christmas present shopping, I have sent out not a single Christmas card, and I still haven’t replaced the strand of broken Christmas lights strung up in my apartment. Scrooge alert. Who wants to invite me to their holiday party?
But seriously, this is in no way indicative of my attitude toward this pre-Christmas, prep season. I love this season, it’s my favorite time of the year. There is promise of cheer and hot chocolate and fancy dresses and sparkling twinkle lights (hopefully fully functioning ones).
This past weekend we did our annual trek to the mountains to hunt out the perfect family Christmas tree. It doesn’t truly feel like Christmas until we’ve hauled a freshly cut tree down a mountain and placed it in the family living room. Last year I made a video of the conquest. This year, I opted to go the fancy phone route. For now anyway.
The Bailey joined us for his first every expedition. He tried to eat pine cones whenever Emily wasn’t looking. I tried to drink another shot of espresso whenever she wasn’t looking, but sadly, coffee shops weren’t as ubiquitous in the middle of the forest. Shame.
The Bailey is an easily distracted creature. Getting him to focus for a photograph is near impossible.
The Bailey is a proud creature however. Especially when he gets it into his head that he single-handedly took down this beast of a tree.
After we (hopefully) securely attach the tree to the top of the car, we feast at the nearby volunteer fire station. There is a generous pie selection. And chili. Not usually on the same plate. Though there was discussion of putting cheddar cheese on apple pie. I made a face.
Once we have returned home, the maestro goes to work. She’s a master decorator. Were I put up to the task, I fear it would result in several of those twinkle light nets bagging the entire tree like a bunch of fruit. Efficient, but not very pretty.
However, we’re going to put the maestro to a real test next:
Decorating the big tree out front.