Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Finding Our Tree




We went searching for our Christmas tree yesterday. This year we had our hearts set on a live, potted tree. One that would grace our home for a week or two during the holiday season and then head outside to be planted on our property, reminding us for years to come of Christmas past. Well, our hearts were a little broken yesterday. Apparently all the reading I did online about this just doesn't apply to where we live. We were told at two different nurseries is just isn't possible for a tree to survive with the plans that we had. So with heavy hearts we hit the tree farm.

This wasn't just any tree farm though, it was one meant to bring joy back to our little hearts. This is the tree farm we have been going to since we moved into our home fifteen years ago. It is just down the road, owned by a lovely couple who started it many, many years ago. Each year we go, pick out, cut down and drag our tree back to the car. Then we stand around chatting with this lovely couple. It is one of the highlights of the holiday season.

As I decorated the tree with Reece yesterday afternoon, I wondered, maybe the live potted tree wasn't meant to work out for a reason...if we had picked up a tree at the nursery there would have been no need to visit the tree farm and those moments we enjoyed with them would never had happened. And really seeing them is why we choose that tree farm every year.



28 comments:

  1. Your tree is lovely and I do believe things happen for a reason. Lovely photo of you and your son :)

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    1. Thanks Karen. I do believe the same thing too :)

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  2. A beautiful tree and a beautiful story. Some traditions are supposed to be kept.

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    1. I guess that is what the universe was trying to tell us :)

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  3. It's so lovely. We just have an artificial tree we bought from someone for very cheap in the past and are sticking with it this year out of necessity, but I hope to start a tree hunting tradition as Isadora gets older as well, if only we could travel to your local farm, it sounds lovely. :) And, that picture of you and Reece is adorable. He looks so cozy in all of his hand-knits.

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    1. Oh Sara, I could just imagine all of us taking a trip to the tree farm together, it would be so lovely to share it with you guys. Maybe one day...

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  4. What a great idea for a potted tree. Without a windbreak here, I share your disappointment. Loved your advent calendar, and you have snow!? Send some to Iowa-my kids are whining for it!

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    1. Thanks. Past tense on the snow, we had it. The last three days have seen temperatures more spring like than winter, so it is all gone. We will the return of cold temperatures tomorrow so fingers are crossed for some more snow soon. I will send some your way if we get any :)

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  5. It's a beautiful tree Kim!
    I'm sorry you couldn't do a live tree, but
    still you managed to create not only a something of beauty for your home, but some wonderful memories too.

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    1. Thanks Tracey, and yes I do agree, wonderful memories were made.

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  6. Your tree is beautiful, Kim! So is your story. And another lovely pic of you and Reece :)

    We are hoping to get our tree this weekend...it's the first time we are spending Christmas here at Hilltop (we are either in Canada with my family or with my husband's family in Devon), so it will be different and special. Will keep you posted on tree progress...

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    1. Thanks Renee. Your first Christmas at Hilltop, how exciting! New traditions will be made this year, enjoy.

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  7. There is something to be said for tradition...and flexibility:-)

    The tree is beautiful!!

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  8. Beautiful choice of trees!
    We are going Sunday to a friend's house. They are thinning out the trees on their property and let people come and hike through the forest to find the perfect one.
    I too have thought about a potted tree, but Julien very sweetly said one year, "I don't think the trees mind being cut down Mama because they get to be Christmas trees and really there isn't anything more beautiful than being a Christmas tree!" He might have a point.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. And I think Julien has a very valid point :) Enjoy your hike searching for the perfect tree.

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  9. What a beautiful tree! My husband and I have the discussion about the tree each year, but I just can't give up the cut tree, the real one, not a plastic one. I think it is the tradition and the smell that I just can't give up.

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    1. Thanks so much. I could never do a plastic one, it is either a real one or nothing.

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  10. I'm really torn about this issue. Since we live in the desert I can't bare the thought of getting a live tree. But plastic trees all make me sad. I would like to have an out door tree maybe one day when we have a home in the east where there is water!

    Your tree looks lovely. I see the home made ornaments too!

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    1. I can see the issue with the live tree in the desert. An outdoor tree sounds like a great idea!

      Thanks, and yes the ornaments we made last year are gracing the tree again this year :)

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  11. Beautiful Tree! We are picking up ours this weekend. I can't wait to decorate with Bean!!!

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    1. Thanks Meg! Enjoy your tree hunting adventure.

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