It also means that it was time to help Erin choose, set up and decorate her FIRST REAL CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!!!!!!! Kind of difficult to come by evergreens in Queensland, Australia.
So, we (Erin Maree, Erin Clair and I) drove to Baumaxx (German DIY store) and headed directly to the Zahrada (Gardening in Slovak) section, where we were greeted by a decent selection of trees eagerly awaiting their fate. We chose one, and then had to help the attendant wrap it with string :) It was my first hands-on experience with Christmas trees, as my family used to go out to the farm and choose one, cut it down and carry it back, but this gave a whole new meaning to DIY. After procuring the tree we shifted to the decorations, and then to the checkout where one of us manned the front of the cart (so as not to impale anyone or any merchandise with our coniferous comrade)
We made it to the car, and had to open one of the windows to fit the whole thing in safely (Erin only has a little Peugeot), but evaded all potential problems.
Erin (Clair) and I setting up the tree in the stand! This stand was interesting. It was pump-style with a tightening rope...so no screws...probably wouldn't work with bigger trees, but really effective for this guy!
Erin (Maree) wanted to be really hands on because this was her first time
Some of the ornaments required a bit of construction and ingenuity
Whats Christmas without a bit of holiday spirit? Erin (Maree) thought that this meant chocolate strewn across the table in front of the tree. We also made mulled wine.
The tip of the tree was a bit too bulbous to fit the star, but we took care of that.
The finished product!
Not sure if the Cordell family will be doing a tree this year (if Bethany has anything to say about it we will) because we will be absent during the actual holiday. Either way, this was certainly fun, and showed me that I'll be able to do it next year when I quit my nomadic behavior!
3 comments:
That's a beautiful tree! And just the right size for an apartment. Certainly am glad you didn't impale anyone with your little coniferous comrade (needles rather than broad leaves, my dear - besides, the alliteration is better).
Yes, we used to venture out into the pre-winter weather to one of several tree farms located in Ashtabula County - Manner's and Henson's were our favorites. Armed with our little bow saw, we climbed onto a horse drawn wagon for the journey to the portion of the farm where trees were ready to be cut that year. Then we tramped through snow, mud or just tall grass in search of the perfect tree. Keeping track of three wandering children in a pine tree forest was a bit of a trick. When we had located and agreed on the tree, I would work my way under the wide spread lower branches to the trunk, saw saw saw away (they blades were usually rather dull - probably a precautionary measure), yell "timber," and load the tree onto the wagon. The patient horse would take us back to the barn, where there was music, hot chocolate, and the noisy tree-binding machine (a wonderful, single purpose invention). Then it was back to the house with the tree firmly twine-bound to the top of the car, anticipation building all the time.
The next step was to find the tree stand. I never seemed to remember where, exactly, I put it away the year before. As I struggled to make the tree perpendicular to the floor, you and your sisters would be arranging all the ornaments and lights, giving special attention to the ones you each liked best. Many of the favorites were the homemade variety, commemorating a prior Christmas or school project. My favorite, of course, was the one your mother gave me for our first Christmas together. With the ornaments and lights all around, we'd stand back and admire the handiwork. It was truly fun.
Glad you were able to share yet another experience with Erin and Erin. And I do believe we will have a Christmas tree in South Carolina. See you soon!!
I knew coniferous was the right one! Darn Wiki. Ok, I fixed it!
You are right about Bethany! Our favorite tree experience was the 15 foot Blue Spruce that required Bob and John to help dad lift and anchor it to the stair rail. A pasta celebration ensued with all the Leonbrunos and Bueschers. bethany and I tried to find a big one last year (while Hannah read her book in the warm gift shop. We did pretty well with the saw and roping to the top of the car. Is it okay girls if we go back to artificial this year? You and the Erins did a stellar job- who will vaccuum the needles?
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