Red Flannel Tree Farm.

To me, the quintessential event that ushers in the Christmas seasons has nothing to do with shopping, or black Friday, or Santa's first visit. The center of our home during the Christmas season is the tree standing next to the fireplace. The REAL tree. The one that drops needles and smells heavenly of forest and fir. I know that we live in a day and age where many people are going to artificial trees out of convenience and allergen-free living, but I still insist on a real tree and don't foresee ever succumbing to artificial. It makes me think of Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura and baby Carrie trudging through the big woods with their tree. As an Up North Michigan girl born and raised, I feel that I must be loyal to all my community tree growers and keep buying those evergreens!

There is just nothing like the smell of fresh pine throughout the house in December. There is nothing like knowing that part of nature is part of your celebration. And it is worth the pokes when decorating and the constant need to water and vacuum up needles.

Today was the big day to pick out our tree for 2008. It was snowy and cold and windy, but we decided to make the drive 30 minutes north to Cedar Springs and the Red Flannel Tree Farm. Doesn't the name just shout "COZY" to you? The farm is owned by the parents of one of my former students, and this was our first time visiting. It was such a festive place, with lots of wreaths and antiques and trees of every shape, size and type. The first thing we did was hop onto a sleigh for a horse-drawn sleigh ride, compliments of 2 gorgeous percherons named Ford and Chevy. And the driver was a kind, friendly war veteran who actually looked like Santa!

We basically spotted "our tree" from the sleigh and jumped off to claim it. We certainly didn't dress as warm as we might have, but we braved the snowy conditions and went to work with our saw.
Everyone got a few swipes in with the saw........

And Kennedy took the honors this year of actually felling the tree. Hayden made sure that I took a photo so that we remember that next year is HIS turn to make the tree fall!!

Then began the trek back to the barn. Matt drug the tree with help from the kids.

They have quite an operation out there. The kids had fun watching the men shake all of the fluffy snow off the tree, drill a hole, and bale it. We also bought a new tree stand called the "Answer Stand" which is supposed to be the magic answer to the quest for a tree stand that actually works. We have bought at least 5 tree stands in the 8 years we have been married, so we are hoping that this will end our frustration with getting the tree straight, having trees fall over, etc. The jury is still out on that one, so I'll let you know.

After warming up with a cup of complimentary hot cocoa and homemade chocolate chip cookies, we jumped back in the truck and headed to a local pizza place for dinner. We have made the habit of trying out local pizza places whenever we are in a new small town, and this one--Stein Brothers--was not disappointing.

Now, after a hot bath, I'm settling in to edit some photos and hopefully watch a good Lifetime Christmas movie. Tomorrow brings church, a big VIP sale at a local scrapbook store, and then we are making dinner for the Renucci Hospitality House....oh, and continuing to make progress on laundry and grading. Stay warm!