tree hunt

Great day yesterday, the first day I've actually felt any real twinge of enthusiasm for the Christmas holiday this year. Having some snow on the ground helped; Toronto got hit by a mini-blizzard recently...there is actually snow still on the tops of buildings as I look out of my office window! Everyone tends to have mixed feelings about snow. I'm the type who LIKES snow around Christmastime, especially since Jeff and I live in such a concrete-and-asphalt area...the snow covering helps cover up some of the dreary grey, at least until salters go by and everything turns into grey slush instead.

Gorgeous weather when went tree hunting with my sister and her family yesterday in the country...clear blue skies, icing sugar snow on the trees, Christmas card scenery. It's been an annual tradition ever since Sara was first born. The tree hunting takes more time these days, though, since Sara and Annie actually do care about what the tree looks like.



After Sara cut the tree down (it took about half an hour for her to finally saw through; I had to admire her determination), we bought some hot chocolate at the nearby hut, then went back to my sister's place for tree decorating.

I know some people prefer the designer-type trees where the style and colour of artificial branches match the carefully-chosen decorations in exquisite detail, straight from the pages of Perfect Homes and Gardens. I've always preferred the hodgepodge type, clashing colours and styles of ornaments, where practically each ornament comes with its own set of memories, and the act of decorating a tree becomes much more like flipping through a well-loved photograph album than a relatively spiritless seasonal chore.

New Year's Resolutions!

I've created a New Year's Resolutions board for those who want to be brave and post at least some of their resolutions in a public forum. Always wanted to read "War and Peace", for example, but never seem to get around to it? Post your resolution here, and then let us know when you've done it! I've already posted my resolutions, but reserve the right to tweak them before the end of the year.

Added incentive: Anyone who posts resolutions by the end of the year and manages to follow through by the end of next year will get a SUPER-SECRET EXCLUSIVELY SPECIAL BONUS BLATHERINGS PRIZE!! I have no idea what, but I'll think of something (and don't bug me about your prize until the end of the year, even if you do finish your resolution beforehand :)).



Today's Blatherpics (from yesterday):

-- Annie, yesterday.

-- Jeff, Kaarel, Annie and Sara just after Sara finishes cutting down the tree.

-- Sara and Annie gang up on Jeff in a pillow fight.

Today's Poll:

Do you already have or do you plan to have a Christmas tree (live or artificial) this year?