Picking a Christmas Tree

Buying a real tree is a family tradition steeped in memories for me. Since I can remember, every December I have participated in choosing the "perfect" tree.

Back in the day sometimes they were flocked, sometimes they were firs, but most often they were noble pines. Nobles are my favorite because they are full and yet they still have places for ornaments to hang down. This year at Happy Valley Trees, we learned that our preferred style is called a "tweener" because it's in between the natural growth pattern of nobles (tall and spacy, more like a Charlie Brown tree), and the highly pruned growth pattern (thick and full, looking almost like a Douglas Fir).

In our new house with high ceilings, we went for 9 footer! It was really convenient to have the truck this time... usually we are roping it to the top of my old Altima! 

If you buy a real tree, make sure they give you a new cut and trim off enough branches to fit in the Christmas tree stand. Then keep the trimmings and take them home to make a wreath!

 

Lighting a real tree is always the test... "Is it really worth it?" I ask myself over and over.Without fail I always have to buy more lights halfway through the process. But once it's lit, decorated, and filling the house with it's fragrance, yes it's worth it.

To make a wreath with the extra boughs, simply trim them to size and wire them in a circle, or buy an inexpensive wreath form and wire them on. Add pinecones, bows, or homemade ornaments and enjoy your fresh decor!

Eggplant

One night dinner was simmering one the stove and we were killing time till Daddy got home watching the Food Network. Giada was making this Eggplant and Basil Pesto Pasta and we were all salivating over it. I say "we" because the girls were watching as closely as I was!


The next day Maddie and I were working on her homework for preschool (she has to cut out pictures that begin with the letter she is learning) and she asked, "Mom, is this eggplant?"

Well yes, my dear, indeed it is.

So although I cannot back up either idea with experience, the recipe and the fresh way to sprout seeds both seem delightful!

The World Is So Lovely

My heart is full of thanks at this time of year. The autumn sun is brighter and clearer, the sky is bluer, and the trees are vibrant. It makes me happy.

These are views out my back windows. One day I was blow drying my hair and looking out the window and a children's song came to my head:

"The world is so lovely, I'm glad as can be, for all that the Lord has created for me.
The sunshine, the flowers, the stars up above, A home where I live and a family I love."

I also love this hymn... (reminds me of Little Women)

"For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies.
Lord of all to thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise."

I am so thankful for a kind Creator who made the world so beautiful.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

We watched 'The Unknown" last weekend so I have stolen identities on the brain.

Fortunately, this tree's identity wasn't stolen, just mistaken. When we bought it somehow we thought it was an 'Autumn Blaze' maple, but as autumn came along and there was no blaze, we checked the tags we saved to find it is actually an 'Emerald Queen'.

Mike was disappointed, but really I love the paper gold fluttering to the ground.

Fall Flowers

Once in awhile I get to do something flowery. I'm not very good at it anymore, but it's fun to arrange little beauties.

These are the flowers I used at an open house we hosted for Mike's mom. I got the mixed bouquet at Costco, which is always good bang for your buck. I loved the sunflowers, but I took out the carnations (not a fan) and added a small bunch of peach roses. The real cattails were a cool linear touch, and the eucalyptus berries made for a beautiful cascading feel on the bottom. The rest of the fall decor was dominantly orange and the bouquet felt lacking in that hue, so I grabbed some carrots from the garden and put them in the vase!

I love fall pumpkins and gourds. I added some clementines, leaves and seeds, and sprigs of eucalyptus and thought the the bowls turned out sweet and simple.

Fall Garden Checklist

Today is a beautiful sunny fall day, but the cool edge in the air reminds me that I have some outdoor projects to finish before cold weather sets in. The weekend forecast looks good for some last minute garden work!

Here's my list:
- Fertilize the grass (yes, it's really growing folks!)

- Round up/hoe weeds in flower beds
- Plant bulbs and pansies
- Move strawberries from garden to bed under fruit trees

- Harvest carrots and beets
- Return and replace tree that died
- Stain deck


I got this checklist in my email from Better Homes and Gardens. I like that it has 3 stages: early, mid-, and late autumn tasks. It's easy to lose steam in the fall, but if you just keep going strong and do those late season tasks, you'll be all the more ready for a great growing season next year.

Late Tomatoes

Is anyone else having a late harvest of tomatoes? I still have a bunch of green ones on the vine! I have heard that cutting back on water tells the plant to stop growing vines and start ripening the fruit, so I did that over the weekend and got this bunch! Unfortunately now it's pouring rain, so I can't control it for now.

A neighbor of mine grows amazing tomatoes and suggests 'Celebrity' as a great producer. I was happy to hear it because 4 of my 6 are 'Celebrity'! I love that they get pretty big and have a lot of meat inside. I second her recommendation!