Kristy at Gastronomical Sovereignty (I have to double and triple check the spelling every single time; maybe she’ll change her blog name just for me, if I ask nicely enough) is all about getting goods locally whenever possible. In fact, it’s a prerequisite for participating in her weekly link ups. Some (not me, of course) might say she’s a link up Diva, but I don’t care because I’ve got local more than covered this week, and I’m not just talking about food. Yes, the food and fitness blogger is going to stray from both of those topics once again. Continue on at your own peril.
The Hubby and I celebrate Christmas, and while I was raised Catholic, I’m not particularly swayed by any one religion. They all have pros and cons in my book. My main thing is treating one another and ourselves with respect, kindness and love and letting the rest sort itself out. I’m also a big fan of “to each their own.” Your religion is personal and important to you, as it should be, although I don’t think you’re going to suffer a life of eternal damnation if we’re not on the same page. I could be wrong though, and in the end, who’s to say we don’t all move on to the big circus in the sky. Hell (not to be confused with eternal damnation), every time I lost a pet growing up, my parents said “They ran away and joined the circus,” so wouldn’t it be fitting if they were right….about this, because of course you guys were right about so many other things. The circus was the only sketchy thing. Well that and the dentist.
It sounds like I’ve digressed into talking about religion, an off limit topic, but the reason was to show you my Christmas tree because it’s the most local tree I’ve ever owned, and it was free, to boot. Free local goods; just try to top that!
This lovely monstrosity, and the complete opposite of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, came from in-laws backyard. Superstorm Sandy did a number on it awhile back, so my father-in-law chopped down the thirty foot beast and dropped the top eight feet off in my backyard one random day last week. I arrived home from work, and Bam!; there is one helluva a tree just hanging out. I smiled, chuckled, and rubbed my jaw line, all while circling this brute of a tree. He was ginormous, gargantuan, HUGE, and way too big (yes, it’s the first time I’ll admit to something being too big).
No matter, the tree was free and as local as the come, so last weekend the Hubby made several attempts to scale him back and gave him a fresh-cut (on the trunk), and then we brought him into the house. I must mention, since my “little” (she says while oozing sarcasm) tree came from the in-laws backyard, he was not bred for the life of a Christmas tree. Sure, he smells great, but his branches are all wonky (this is a technical term), patchy, and even balding in some places. There are longer limbs at the top of the tree than some of those at the bottom. And his needles…don’t get me started on his needles. Suffice to say, they are hard, pointy and painful. I bled for this tree, literally. Each ornament I hung was met with stabbing resistance. I did triumph, although I’m not sure it was worth the cost, since my hands look like they’ve been run through a meat grinder.
For better or worse, my tree is up and decorated. He takes up far too much space, but he’s growing on me, slowly but surely. By the way, the Hubby fell in love on day one and declared it his favorite tree ever (this might explain how we got together (a prickly exterior with the top outweighing the bottom)). Each morning and again at night, I like to sit in the dark with the tree and some soothing Christmas music and just be for a few moments. It’s really quite peaceful.
Without further ado, although we all know there’s been far too much ado already, I give you my animal of a Christmas tree.
As you can see in my dark and grainy pictures (I meant them to come out this badly), there are no matching ornaments hanging here, no perfectly coiffed tree and certainly no twinkle lights. Our tree is “Eclectic,” and it’s really how I like them to be. We have ornaments of every size, shape and color. There’s sweets (mmm sugar), girly ornaments, an entire sports themed section for the Hubby, sparkly ones and of course some Irish themed decorations because nothing says Christmas quite like the Irish. Erin Go Christmas.
We also have my favorite ornament, which can only be described as bizarre. Every year, the Hubby tries to throw him away, but I flat-out refuse. You see he was once a nutcracker boy, and has been with me for as long as I can remember. Years ago, he was injured in what I’m sure was a perilous accident. He lost his entire body and now remains an ethereal floating head. The Hubby says he’s creepy, but he’s my favorite, and I put him in a place of honor every year. Of course, my other half came along later and stuck him in the back of the tree. Keep it up, Hubby, and I may hold your precious basketball ornament hostage.
The lesson here is holidays are a time to be grateful for our family, our friends, and our many blessings. They are also a time to take care of those less fortunate than ourselves and those injured in some way, so I’m just doing my religious duty by taking care of my little nutcracker head.
What holiday do you celebrate? Do you decorate for the season, and if so what’s your favorite and most prized decoration and why?
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
OMG!! I cannot spell sovereignty either!
I think your tree is lovely and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this post.
I will not mock your tree like I mock all of the folks driving with their tree carcasses across the roof of the car like a successful deer hunter returning home.
Our tree (in which no trees were murdered to create the tree, but lots of environmentally bad things went into it I am sure) has ornaments from each place we’ve lived. I kind wonder what people who don’t move every few years do to achieve the eclectic look.
My most favorite adulthood ornament is a raffia and card stock garland of “oranges” cut and and tied onto the raffia with green yarn, from my friend Debbie (she of Salmon in the Company of Good Oranges fame). She donated cases of oranges to the food bank in her friends’ names, and presented her friends with the orange garland as a symbol of her gift. How cool is that?
Time to make pizza.
Meghan says
That’s right; it’s Friday. I’m about to jump in my car and come over. You’re only a couple of hours away. I could be there in time for pizza.
Our ornaments were hand me downs from pretty much everyone, and over the years we’ve started to collect a few of our own. Some of these ornaments go back to our grandparents so no way I’m giving them up.
That’s really very cool about the oranges and the garland. People are amazing.
Runner Girl Eats says
I love your tree! Very pretty and full of personality 🙂
Meghan says
Thank you!! It’s all about the personality, isn’t it.
Jessie says
Beautiful tree! Love the colors =) Have a wonderful weekend!
Meghan says
Thanks Jessie.
Luv What You Do says
Your tree is beautiful!
We do a little decorating for the holidays but nothing as fun as my neightbors!
Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition says
I just went to the farmer’s market today, and local/fresh produce really is a million times better:) Your tree looks amazing, too!
Meghan says
Thanks Sunnie. We always buy a fresh tree, but this year was the freshest posible.
Local produce just tastes better too.
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
Awww, your tree looks fantastic! So festive 🙂 I love seeing everyone’s trees!
Meghan says
Thanks Liz. I like seeing everyone decorations and ornaments too. Ornaments always seem to have a story.
Liz says
I love your tree. Reminds me of ours. No decorator tree at my house. Even before kids I dolled it up with a hodge podge of homemade, sentimental, and “where the hell did this come from?” type of ornaments. Merry Christmas to you and the hubby!!
Wayne W Walls says
Wow! That is a couple of really hard to spell words, back-to-back!
Beautiful Christmas tree!
I much prefer freeform decoration to perfect department store tree trimmings.
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