Christmas, Finally...
Over on 35th Ave NE, around NE 80th, we found it - the neighborhood Christmas farm outlet where folks from Northgate, Maple Leaf, and Wedgewood get their trees. Barely a week out from the big day, we roused the kids out of bed, folded down the back seat of the van, and headed out, looking for the magic none of us yet felt. Last year, the tree excursion was memorable, coming on the heels of watching The Return of The King. We found a tiny seller in the middle of a nearby block who was almost out of trees. On a lark, we stopped and found just the one, happy beyond reason to find a neighborhood guy to buy from.
Yesterday, the sun was glorious as we and the rest of Seattle gathered at the tree lot, eyeing trees as if any of them were one whit different than the rest. Oh, I guess they are - you've got tall ones, short ones, fat ones, skinny ones, and of course, the ones that are just right. Douglas firs, noble firs, pines...odd little exercise, the choosing of a tree.
We were successful, nabbing a shorter than usual specimen that was nearly perfect, shapely and green. After we got it home, Amy said, "It doesn't look like a Christmas tree." I thought, "Does the girl have something in her eye?" A more Christmasy Christmas tree has never been seen! Well, maybe not. It doesn't have lights yet, or ornaments, or packages underneath, so just now, it looks like a tree's sprouted in the corner, functioning mostly as a barrier to the bookcase.
Today, after Life Group, we'll get down to the serious business of decorating. Maybe get some cider going, maybe sing a carol or two, maybe catch a glimpse of the Christ child before the day's over.
Hope so...
9:11:01 AM
