Tuesday, December 05, 2006

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Steve and I headed to Volunteer Tree Farm to pick out our tree this year--a huge step up from the podunk place we went last year. The firs weren't big enough yet and some of the other kinds had been picked over--but we were able to find something better than a white pine, which was the major goal. The difference between last year's tree and this year's is unbelievable! I tried to put the pictures side by side in one .jpg file, but can't figure out how (I'm sure it's simple...my brain just isn't geared up this morning). You'll just have to go back to last year's post to see what I mean. Notice how you can see the ribbon on the back side of the tree, right through the branches, because it is so scraggly. (It really was seven feet tall, though, same as this one--I'm not sure why it looks so tiny in the photo.) An added bonus is that this one is more fragrant. Still no star for the top--we're working on that.

I love how it looks when houses have a candle in every window--simple and elegant--so I was determined to do that when we got our own house. To my dismay, my plans were completely thwarted. Our house is squeezed in between two others so that the side windows wouldn't really be visible to passersby, which left two windows in the front. I put candles in those windows only to find that they were completely obscured by the unruly bushes out front. Alas. I bought a few other decorations on sale after the holidays last year and picked up a few more yesterday, but haven't put them up yet. I am procrastinating a bit because I'm afraid it will be like other artistic things I try--grand delusions of plans for stunning beauty, only to find that my actual skill doesn't match my imagined ability. We'll see.

10 comments:

Todd and Micah said...

Big step up from last year. She looks beautiful!

Kat Coble said...

I think it's a lovely tree. I imagine it's a treat in the new house.

Amanda said...

dude, you need some more ornaments!

Anonymous said...

It looks great!!

Amy said...

more ornaments...yes, well, we've only been married a year and a half :) we both come from families where the tree is filled with mismatched, sentimental ornaments rather than color-coordinated themed ones, and we want to continue that. but our collection is a little small at this point. it gets added to yearly, and we bought some gold balls to fill more space. I should probably buy some more of those when they go on sale after Christmas this year.

anyway, when you use a real tree and it's not a spruce, branches that will hold ornaments are harder to come by. you can't fill every nook and cranny like you can on an artificial tree (or a real spruce, I'd imagine) because the needles just won't support any weight!

Anonymous said...

keep it watered! (especially with the return air duct right underneath it)

looks great, the fireman in me just had to say something.

Amy said...

thanks for looking out for your big sister :) don't worry, we're keeping it watered and unplugging the lights if we're not home/in bed! I'm paranoid about fire.

The Chinlund Family said...

Your tree is beautiful!!! I don't know what you're talking about-- not having any to choose from, it looks perfect! I will try and get a finished one of our tree up soon :)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tree! =)

Bethany said...

Very pretty. I love the ribbon wrapped around. It is so plump and round your tree. Love it.

A fun tradition to start when you have kids...my grandmother and mother gave me an ornament every year and when I left the house I had a tree full of my own complete with wonderful memories. My mother and I have continued the tradition with my kids.