Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Eye of the Beholder

Last weekend the Nash family left the comfort of our warm, dry home and went on our annual quest to find the perfect Christmas tree. It's been our tradition since the kids were small, to find our Christmas tree on our own farm; and this year was no different. So off we went. We searched high. We searched low. We searched far. We searched wide. We searched north. We searched south. We walked miles. We braved the cold. We avoided angry beavers. We fought briers. We stepped in mud. We stepped in water. We got wet. We lost interest. We got desperate. We came home with a tree.
Any tree.
And this.......




......is why you leave the Christmas tree growing to the professionals.

Don't judge. It looked much worse before this photo was taken. Our poor little "Charlie Brown-esque" tree was a bit muddy from being dragged carried home. It was also noticeably thinning at the top and a little pudgy around the middle. After undergoing a little cosmetic tree surgery and some serious strategic nipping and tucking it looked a little better.

Anyway, we dried off, drank some hot chocolate and began to survey the situation. This sad little tree would simply have to do, so we cranked up the Christmas music and set to work. We added the lights, the vintage-style beads and a wide assortment of handmade preschool ornaments from Christmases past. We reminisced and laughed and laughed and laughed some more. When all was said and done, the tree was pronounced......
...... perfect. :)

At least it smells wonderful. And for the record, it looks a lot better at night.





[P.S. The pups got in on the Christmas spirit too. That's Cooper in the first photo looking for squirrels. The ugly plastic tree-stand is still visible because I had to remove our traditional tree skirt so Jude wouldn't chew it up. All the ornaments in the lower 1/3 of the tree have been removed for the same reason. Merry Christmas! ~cn]

24 comments:

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

I miss our real cedar tree. Your's is beautiful.

Lori said...

ohmygosh!!! i LOVE your tree...i really truly do...i think it is charming...and it sounds like you had a lot of fun decorating it!!!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful little tree Cathy! Oh! the sweet memories you are making!
What fun!

Alana Jo said...

I love it! Honest.

We had a Charlie Brown tree once when I was small and I cried until Dad cut limbs out of another tree and wired them into it and the Mom wrapped that fake garland stuff around it til it didnt look so bare.

After that we had a fake tree every year.

When I look back on it though. The Charlie Brown tree meant more to me than the fake one ever did.

Oh and BTW yours looks much better than ours did. LOL.

Michelle Palmer said...

Perfect tree... perfect memories! :) Thanks for the great post~
Hope your Christmas is fantastic!
Michelle

Unknown said...

I think it is great.
And what makes it even more so is the wonderful memories that go along with it.
Tam

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I really like your tree. It's very sweet.

The Paisley Studio/Sarah McNamara said...

It's a beautiful tree! i love the vintage glass beads -- I have them on my tree, too. The merriest of holidays to you and your family, Cathy.

Sarah

Tipper said...

I like it!

Suzanne said...

It is a very sweet tree...and the fragrance of a real tree can't be beat!
Sorry the pups are in the "Christmas spirit"!
When our boys were young and prone to tipping trees, I used to put bells along the bottom branches of our tree so I could come running and rescue the tree when I heard them ring. Not sure if that would work for curious pups?

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Your "found" tree is VERY charming! '-)

Have a great weekend & happy holidays Cathy!

CK (-:

XOXO

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

We like to think of it as an "altered art tree." At least it has character!

Samantha said...

The perfect tree!
BTW, I am also looking a little pudgy around the middle- are you available for cosmetic snipping and trimming of people, or do you just do trees?

Thimbleanna said...

I think it looks FANTASTIC! And the memories are worth SO much more than whether it's a perfect tree. What a fabulous time you must have had -- that's what it's all about!!!

Unknown said...

now that is what I call a real christmas tree Right form my childhood . Thanks for posting this it has done my heart good!!!

NeereAnDear said...

What a delightful story.... and that tree... just think of all the memories you have now on account of that tree....

I truly believe it.... "IS"....
perfect!!!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year

HUGS
JO

The Cutest Cottage Lamps said...

Hi Cathy, well, I think your tree is just lovely...in fact it looks a lot like ours! We hiked all over to find the perfect one - first time for us! But I guess we DID settle on the "almost" perfect tree too! Its a little thin, but it smells great and does its purpose! A blessed Christmas to you and your family!
xoxo
Marilyn

Jann said...

I think it's a beautiful tree! Primitive, cozy, and beautiful . . . I hope you and your family have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!!!!!!

......Thimblefolk.......Barb McNamara said...

Cathy,
I love your tree!
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year!

Barb

The Little Miss said...

oh this is cute..........I dont think its an ugly tree..

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thank you sweetie!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cathy! All it needed was a little love;) I just wanted to stop in and see how you were and to wish you and yours HAPPY HOLIDAYS:)

Cindy said...

I think it is very wonderful! :D The best kind to have! Hope your Christmas was Merry!

-c
yapping cat

About Me... said...

Your tree is beautiful because it is REAL...made my the seasons, the sun, the wind, water and the lack of it. I always cut a native Juniper such as what you have. They are lacy and lovely. The perfect tree isn't one that has been shaped and molded like tupperware. Your lovely tree was one of a kind...just like you. :o) shery jespersen

Nishant said...

...i think it is charming...and it sounds like you had a lot of fun decorating it!!!

Work from home India