happy holidays

For me, a huge part of the holidays is about the tree. I can do without the stress that's often a huge part of the season, and I can take or leave many of the other traditions, but there has to be a tree. A balsam fir to be precise.

When we were kids, our whole family would trek out to my uncle's tree lot in the woods and pick out and chop down our trees. This process could take a while. Finding the perfect tree for three or four families can be a challenge. Especially when there's a foot of snow on the ground. But it was also more fun that way. Afterwards, we would go back to my aunt and uncle's house for hot chocolate. Some of my best and favourite childhood memories are from those annual trips to the woods late November or early December to pick out the tree.



As years went by, as the tree selection diminished and as everyone was more dispersed, the annual trek to the woods just wasn't possible. This year, for the first time in recent years, I was happy to get out to the woods in early November to pick out a tree.

When December gets a bit too stressful, as it always does, I like to sit with only the glow from the lights on the tree. And, for a few minutes at least, all seems right with the world.



Oh, and it smells divine.

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Happy Holidays if you celebrate. Hope you have a safe and peaceful week.