Oh, Christmas tree....

                                             

Usually we put up an artificial Christmas tree and load it down with an enormous amount of lights and ornaments.  This year I wanted to put up a real tree, and I wanted to keep it simple.  We went to our local hardware store last weekend and they had trees that were already cut and we were set to buy one of those when I noticed that they had been spray painted.  I wanted a live tree, but not a spray painted live tree!  So, today we went to the local tree farm and hunted for the perfect tree and cut it down ourselves!  This will now be our new Christmas tradition. 

There were hundreds of trees to choose from, and we were on the hunt for the perfect one!  The Reluctant Farmer has had her eye on a particular tree at this farm for several weeks, but when we got up close the tree was over 10 feet tall, and that just was not going to work.

There were trees that were too skinny....

Trees that would have made Charlie Brown proud!

And trees that thought they were shrubs.....

Finally after walking for what seemed like forever, we found the perfect tree!  It was full on all sides.  It was the perfect height for our living room, and it was a brilliant shade of green.

After finding the perfect tree it had to be cut down.  I use a hand saw frequently, but not a tree saw and it was difficult to cut horizonally.  I made it though I will be sore tomorrow!

                                      

 After we cut our trees down and hulled them to the front of the lot the employees hooked our tree up to a machine that shook out all the dead needles, and then we got to take a horse drawn carriage ride around the farm.  It was amazing!

I love the traditions of this holiday and that is what I have been focusing on this year.  I hope that even though life is busy, you take the time to honor your family's traditions as well.  If you don't have a family tradition I hope you start one this year.  Remember folks, that it is not the end that matters, it is the journey it takes to get there!  The memories you make today will last long after you are gone.  The tradition doesn't have to be expensive.  It only requires that you participate with the people you love!  What are your family's traditions?  If you don't have one, what would you want your tradition to be?

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