Tuesday, December 17, 2013

More Christmas Makes, and the Quickest Tree Ever

The Christmas project list is now shorter by two items:

1. A baby Scalliope hat for a new little great-niece...


...whose middle name is Rose. :)


2. A necklace-and-earring set commissioned by my friend Judy for her cardiologist's Christmas gift:


"I don't care what beads you use," she said, "just make something pretty."


Tiger eye, smoky quartz, and copper. Simple and elegant and warm-looking.


~ ~ ~

On Sunday I went to get a Christmas tree from the tree farm just outside town. First I headed to the owner's house (which is just behind that lovely white barn)...


...to pick up a saw.


"Good luck finding a tree," said the owner. "A lot of them died this year."

I headed back down the road (the owner's house is a mile past the actual tree farm), and parked near the first field, having a hazy memory of some promising trees glimpsed there last year.

Within 5 minutes, less than 30 yards from the car, I saw it:


Tall and skinny, my favourite shape - no flat spots or gaps in the branches - it seemed too good to be true. (Usually I tramp the grounds for an hour or more, comparing trees and agonising over a decision.)

So I putzed around for a few minutes, shivering and taking photos and going a bit farther down the field, thinking that this was just too easy, and wondering if there were an even more perfect tree ahead...



...until the brutally cold wind convinced me that I'd better head back and get that first tree before frostbite set in.

A few minute's work with the saw...


... then back to the owner's house to return the saw and pay for the tree.

"You found one!" she said.

"In less than five minutes," said I, grinning.

"That's good, 'cause this is a five-minute wind," she said. "Have a merry Christmas, and we'll see you next year."


The Quickest Tree Ever now graces the corner of the dining room, awaiting the lights and ribbon, the glass baubles and crochet stars....


But for now I'm enjoying it bare. :)

~ ~ ~

P.S. Thank you all so much for your kind wishes and prayers for my dad. He has been moved to a rehab center, and has agreed that when he is released he will go into assisted living ... IN WISCONSIN! We are very excited to think of having him only 10 miles away instead of 2000.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

23 comments:

  1. I'm so glad your dad will be near you soon.

    Your tree is adorable. You must post a picture after you get all the *bling* on it.

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  2. Great tree! And glad your father is doing better and will be getting the care he needs near you. Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  3. Good choice for your tree. It's so elegant! Good to hear your dad is getting better ant that he will soon be near you! Such pretty jewellery in warm colours and a cute little hat for a little girl whose middle name is Rose!

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  4. Good news, Sue! I am so glad you will have your dad close by! I think your tree and the gifts you made are each uniquely beautiful. How do you listen to the Christmas broadcast you mentioned last year: on Public Radio or directly somehow? I will try to go Google it because I know you are busy :)
    Merry Christmas to you and yours! xx

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  5. Nice tree! I'm going to look for one in a pot. A very small one.

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  6. Good news about your dad Sue, it will so much easier having him close by.
    As for your tree, its absolutely perfect! I love that you gt to choose and saw down your own tree, what a great annual ritual. I bet it smells beautiful too. Well done on getting more of your Christmas makes done, always gratifying to cross things off the list xxx Penny

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  7. I've been out of the loop for a while, but I am very glad your Dad is moving closer to you. That is just awesome. Love the tree...it's just perfect.

    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. :)

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  8. Great news about your dad. Your tree looks perfect - I'd pick that one too. And your niece has a beautiful new hat, I'm sure she'll love it (and name - Katie is really Catriona Rose)! Juliex

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  9. That tree could not be any perfect Sue!!!! Wonderful new about your dad. I know you were relieved about the news yourself! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!!
    xoxo Shari

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  10. So happy your dad will be close, Sue. The tree could not be more perfect!

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  11. The tree is perfect! Love the hat with the rose.
    So happy to hear that your Dad will be near you. I am sure he will be happy to see you more often as well.

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  12. That's great news about your Dad how nice that he will be so close. Love the gifts they are going to be so well received I'm sure, I love the jewellery. Your tree looks perfect Sue it was just sat there waiting for you to come along and give it a good home. Now you have the best part to come the decorating, enjoy. :)

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  13. Christmas miracles! Great news all around!

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  14. Beautiful!! And great news, to have your Dad so close to you!

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  15. Another Christmas miracle!! Such wonderful news! And I hope your beautiful tree is smelling up the place like crazy!!!

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  16. Sue, I am so out of touch - but am so happy to hear your dad will be coming to Wisconsin. Great news. And I love your tree!!

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  17. Beautiful tree Sue, I love the five minute wind part. Glad your Dad is doing better, that is so interesting because we have just moved my 95 year old MIL down from Wauwatosa to Florida to be moved into Assisted Living. She is not thrilled, but we are near and that is what is important.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  18. That tree is perfect! Wishing you a beautiful Christmas with your Dad! :)

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  19. What a gorgeous tree ... that's how I like them too ... almost willowy, elegant.

    Lovely news that your Dad will soon be close enough for you to look after him a bit x

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  20. You did find the perfect tree! I wish I had the aroma from a real one, but as long as I like to have it up, it's just not feasible. I do beadwork too! Looks like you live in a very beautiful place, that farm and barn are awesome. I love everything British too!

    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  21. That is the perfect tree! We used to have real trees, but I'm afraid we are with not one but two artificial now....actually they are both good trees, so I'm not disappointed.

    I'm so happy to hear your Dad will be living nearby, what a relief to you I should think.

    Merry Christmas!

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  22. What a lovely tale of beautiful tree. Merry christmas

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  23. That necklace set is beautiful! I'm sure your friend will be thrilled with the result. And congratulations on the new Great Niece!

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