From Base to Summit, Gay and Bright, There's Only Splendor for the Sight

No pre-cut frazier fur tree for us this year....the year has ended so differently than we ever thought it would so really, it's only fitting that we took a different approach to the Christmas tree too. And this particular change in plan -- well as it turns out, this was change of the GOOD kind!

We loaded the Grant kids plus our surrogate son Hampton and headed to Tomlinson's Tree Farm the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We were in a bit of a hurry as we had 2 boys anxious to return for some Gamecock football but once we arrived, all thoughts of the game faded as the kids loved running around the tree farm checking them all out in search of "the one". So many choices....lots of varieties including our traditional "go to" Frazier fur but after looking and looking....and looking some more.....we opted for a gorgeous and very large Leyland Cypress.


Joe commenced with the saw - each little person had a turn with Joe....and they sawed....and sawed....and sawed.....even the farm helper with the trailer offered to help finish the cutting job. Joe would have none of it -- he wanted all the satisfaction of a job well done.





So we loaded her up and brought her home and she is absolutely perfect, enormous and gorgeous. I LOVED hanging ALL of our treasured ornaments this year; usually we are choosing which ones have to be re-packed but not this year, the tree is so big and dense, there are still prime spaces for more.

Every year I forget how happy it makes me to start each day by turning on the lights...I love the way our family room looks and feels when the tree is lit. So cozy and happy. One of my favorite things about Christmas -- the warmth a lit tree can bring to a house.


The kids had big fun unpacking the ornaments -- they love looking at each one almost as much as I do. It's great to share stories with them about where the ornaments came from and why they are so special. I do love a Christmas ornament and the most special ones....the ones with glitter and glue overload....handmade by some precious little hands.




It was Winston's year to place the angel on top...he's getting awfully heavy for this job but Joe is no worse for the wear after some VERY heavy lifting!! Beautifully perched, this angel was purchased the 1st year we were married. She's made of cardboard and felt but she's worth her weight in gold. 14 years she's been watching over our Christmas trees and if you ask me, she has the best view in the house.




I'll have to dedicate a post to the children's little tree. They have their own that sits in the kitchen and this year, it was completely their project to decorate. Winston made a cardboard star last year for their tree and I imagine 30 years from now, I'll still sift through paper and packing peanuts to find that sweet creation of his.


And so it goes....it's here....Christmas is around the corner. I have lists a mile long of gifts to buy and wrap, sweet treats to make, and cards to mail but for now, I plan to sit for a minute or two and take in her beauty....cuz she sure is a keeper!!