Christmas Tree Hunting

Between my bouts of work, grad school, and life, I shall be moonlighting as a blogger here. My wife's writing tends to put mine to shame, but I shall do my best.

The Christmas season is upon us, and that means it is open season on all evergreen trees between five and nine feet tall. Just over a week ago we bundled ourselves up, obtained some coffee, met up with my lovely in-laws, and headed out to secure ourselves a beautiful tree.

 We were taking old-timey pictures - German and Ana's came out way better than my attempt.

I don't look old-timey at all, I just look like I dropped my ice cream cone.

We made for Ryzn Creek Farm, located just a few scenic miles north of North Plains. After a great tip from our good friend, Travis, three years ago, we have visited Ryzn Creek Farm for all our indoor arboreal needs.  After an arduous hunt (ten minutes), we made our selection.

So many trees to choose from!

I set to work violently hacking the poor thing down, smiling maniacally as I worked.

Next year I am bringing a plastic bag to kneel on.

No sooner was the tree on the ground, when three Girl Scouts appeared, offering to help us carry our prize back to the parking lot. I thought we had hit the jackpot this year, when the leader of the pack quipped, "Who's carrying the front?" I obediently grabbed the front of the tree and we began our march. Her only words of encouragement were, "Tell me if there any stumps!" German and Ana were saved from the bossy Girl Scouts, as they opted for the tree closest to the parking lot. The owner even offered to cut it down for them with his chainsaw.

Back at the in-law's house, we were treated to a delicious dinner of tamales, beans, and salsa. After dinner, we completed another annual tradition, the viewing of Love Actually.

The next day we were able to bring the tree inside and hang our decorations on it, thus providing our cats with two feline holiday treats: tree-flavored water and a large number of forbidden, shiny, and dangling objects to play with. Newton provided supervision the entire time, and kept trying to lend a paw in hanging the ornaments. Ampersand was nowhere to be seen during this process, as she was sure that the tree was sure to be her doom. Nonetheless, she was hiding under the tree and partaking of Grand Fir Pale Ale later that evening.

"You're doing it wrong," his look seemed to say.

All done!

Newest ornament addition this year - "Mr. & Mrs."

With our tree now decorated, the Christmas season is here in full force. Eight days and counting!

Evan out.