Yesterday was our annual trip to the U-Cut tree farm. We don't go to the well known tree farm/theme park, but rather to another farm run by the same people. It is a couple of concessions Southeast. It is the same place we have gone for years. Which means there aren't many trees left for the taking. There are a lot of stumps.

Here is the tree EvieG thought we should take home-

She thought it was perfect. I laughed so hard, I almost peed my pants. I told her it was indeed lovely and that we should look for one with a few more branches to hang our bubble lights.

We ended up tripping over tree trunks as we meandered through the clear cut forest. I know it doesn't sound too environmentally friendly, but just so you know there is tremendous regrowth surrounding this particular lot of trees.

We found a perfect tree. It was standing alone- full, straight, strong. It was like it saw us coming and puffed out its chest a little more, to say, 'Pick me! I can be beautiful! Especially with bubble lights on me!' Hubby and I both saw it at the same time, stopped in our tracks and it was like I heard the angels singing around us, 'Ahhhhhhhh!' There it was!

I found myself saying to Hubby, "Quick, get it! Cut it down before someone else does!" There was no one else around. It was -10 degrees and windy. The guy minding the premises was sitting in his warm pick up truck, listening to the radio, and drinking a hot coffee.

Hubby and I looked at each other. We discussed and questioned why this tree was still sitting pretty and wondered why it hadn't been cut down long ago?

We shrugged it off and Hubby got down on the ground to start cutting.

Then I heard the, "Oh. Uh oh. Oh, I see! This tree doesn't have just one trunk! It's like, 4 trees in one! It's a mutant!"

I questioned him. "What? What are you talking about? A mutant? How can a tree be mutated? Let me see!"

I got down on the ground and peered in at the trunk. Sure enough, it was 4 trunks in one and couldn't be cut down because it was so close to the ground. A mutant indeed.

Disappointed, we kept moving. The Wee Ladies were handling the cold alright. I was carrying The Destroyer and Spark Plug was being carried by Hubby. She doesn't like walking through the snow. EvieG was having a great time trail blazing her way around the property.

In the far back left corner, we finally found our tree. And it was very similar to our first, failed attempt. Only this new one was fatter. Surprisingly, or not, there were clusters of uncut trees along the very back fenceline. I guess only the real daring folks like us make it back that far and make it out alive.

Hubby cut. And we all yelled, Timber! He ended up dragging it all the way from the back 40 to the parking lot with Spark Plug in the other arm, where he threw it in the back of the pick up truck. By this point, the Wee Ladies were freezing, whining, and waiting to go.

The whole expedition lasted about 10 minutes. The drive was an hour total. Had it been a little warmer, we might have lasted longer. But it was brisk.

We were so excited about our tree. And Hubby and I agreed that every year our tree seems to grow in height and in girth. We got it home and dragged it into the living room.

Before bringing it in, we decided we should change some furniture around to accommodate the tree. We are hosting Christmas and Hubby thought it would be a good idea to make our living room into the dining room and vice versa. We are moving anyway, so we got rid of some furniture and put it in the garage. It worked and looks pretty good.

When Hubby brought the tree in, we ended up putting it beside the fireplace. This tree ended up filling that space and then some. It is so big that it covers part of the fireplace. Good thing we ran out of wood because there will be no more fires. Too risky. The tree protrudes in all directions.

We made sure we checked for squirrels and chipmunks first. Hubby did find something though. A big bird's nest. In the middle of the tree. EvieG was so excited. It was massive! I thought that for sure a flock of birds was going to come flying out and start crapping all over my living room floor.

We vacuumed and decorated and vacuumed some more. And every year, without fail, the vacuum gets clogged with needles, twigs, and tree, even though I always make sure I get rid of the bigger pieces.

The Wee Ladies had a blast decorating. We only had one casualty. Only one broken ornament. And it was my fault. I dropped it. Not the 5 or 2 or 1 year old. Here is a picture of our tree in its completed state-

Notice the bubble lights about two thirds of the way up. I have to keep them away from The Destroyer.

EvieG says they are her favourite lights.

She has such great taste. With the exception of her first choice in trees.

All's I'm sayin's all.

PS December's Who's DDM is up! Check it out!

Labels: Family