Our Live Christmas Tree

The Saga of the Live Tree

Last year our artificial tree gave out.  I thought this would be a great year to get a real one.  After all, the tree farm is right over the hill.  No one else wanted a real tree.  They all wanted an artificial tree.  But I was determined to get my way in this!  So, we went.

We picked the tree.

Shawn sawed it down.

We took it on a wagon ride back to the barn.

The kids enjoyed some hot chocolate while we talked with the tree farm owners, who knew Grandpa and Grandma Ely.  It was about this time I was thinking I might have changed everyone's mind.  Choosing a real tree was a lovely family outing for one and all.

That is, until we got it home.  The tree was so crazy, ridiculously crooked.  It went straight into the wall!  It was really, really bad.  I thought Shawn was just going to throw it outside.  The picture does not even show how truly awful it looked.  But, Shawn saved the day.  He cut off several inches from the bottom and drilled a crooked hole in it to counteract the extreme lean.

And now, amazingly, we have a beautiful tree that smells great.  I really like it and I'm very glad we got it.

Day After Thanksgiving Feast

We had our usual day after Thanksgiving feast at home so that we could enjoy the delicious leftovers for a few days to come.  We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and corn.  I did the turkey in the cast iron dutch oven rather than the crockpot this year.  I browned each piece then put them all in on top of a layer of onions and celery.  I deglazed with vermouth and added stock just to come up to the top of the veggies.  I baked it in the oven. We all loved the crispy skin!

Thanks for Our Ornaments, Aunt Mary!

Biscuits

I made biscuits a couple days before Thanksgiving.  Marion was talking about having biscuits for breakfast and I got so hungry for them.  I used the recipe in my checkered cookbook.  They were so delicious.  Paul loved them.  I haven't made them in ages because I've been so involved with baking bread.  But there's something to be said for homemade biscuits too!

Thanksgiving

I started the day with the Turkey Trot.  I was unsure how I'd do.  I hadn't done any of my 3 mile runs at Wash High track in under 30 min, and I was concerned.  But I was very thrilled to do it in 26:42.  And I enjoyed walking up the hill for the second time with my dad.  And then a post race selfie with my dad!  Maybe his first selfie ever, I don't know.  I'm still quite sore from the race.

 We were so, so excited to meet baby Mira!!!  I am so glad Pokie and Mike were able to make it in.  We had a lovely time visiting with all three of them.

 Two girls in a basket

 Joy reading to Arianna

 Joy had to try on the new dress Grandma got her.

 Grandpa rocking Joy

 Lots of love from Nini

Latest Lego Creation

Pie Making Party with Grandma Ely

We made pumpkin pies with Grandma Ely on Wednesday.  The pies came out yummy.  We had fun.  I did buy the wrong kind of pumpkin and had to leave our party to go get the right stuff, but it all worked out.  Paul loves doing word searches with Grandma.  We better get a printer so I can print some off for them to do.

Ninjabread Cookie Making with the Woods

We had lots of fun making our ninja gingerbreads with the Woods.  Paul talked me into buying the kit at Walmart.  They were cute and we'll have the cookie cutters for the future.  I learned that I might be best off buying gingerbread cookie kits; I've had some big time failures making them from scratch. 

 Joy drinking the icing out of the bag; yes, she was crazy for the rest of the day.  They both were!  They ate lots of cookies and candy.