Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs: Christmas Trees

Showing posts with label Christmas Trees. Show all posts

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Many of you noticed I won the Christmas tree contest on Scot Meacham Wood's blog . There was a panel of judges whose work I really resp...

3:57 PM

Woodland Themed Christmas Tree

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JBK48K2jq-ku4C_BcTd9hRBf0ftGPNJbzf_BLItfW6sg1YNI06D12NZk7hb9uFQN1KJ-gJZps7McCnhrlQ55XkIvkAzJm_Fa1rAQHaZ7Lwc5_SE0ntHG3bmfCrAds99VFrWukPtAcOA/s1600/P1020004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JBK48K2jq-ku4C_BcTd9hRBf0ftGPNJbzf_BLItfW6sg1YNI06D12NZk7hb9uFQN1KJ-gJZps7McCnhrlQ55XkIvkAzJm_Fa1rAQHaZ7Lwc5_SE0ntHG3bmfCrAds99VFrWukPtAcOA/s400/P1020004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of all, WOW, thank you for all the comments!  This blog is a creative outlet for me but it's also a part-time job and your comments are my salary.  I think it's safe to say I just got a Christmas bonus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you very much!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwZUlI8cQzfjo1bvCVdLoNOz8gCnC8lY4I1tvGiTkddqEyjYluVL1g9rzM84yZsYuLNFk30N4cw8pd8VGaoMxvjzrOcEfr_IUE6pB3lKySBQmUSQ8lP7fubGbUOuT-ucwAC3IqKrVooo/s1600/P1010656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwZUlI8cQzfjo1bvCVdLoNOz8gCnC8lY4I1tvGiTkddqEyjYluVL1g9rzM84yZsYuLNFk30N4cw8pd8VGaoMxvjzrOcEfr_IUE6pB3lKySBQmUSQ8lP7fubGbUOuT-ucwAC3IqKrVooo/s640/P1010656.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second tree I bought is a Weeping White Spruce and it's a living tree.  Since it will only grow about 10 feet tall and will stay quite narrow, I thought it would be perfect for my yard.  I'll plant it on my driveway side of the house so that when I expand and renovate the kitchen, I'll have a view of it from the kitchen sink.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In case I ruined the other tree, this was my backup plan.  But why not enjoy it in the house for a short time anyway?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wvLiBYZ0yjXrsfaYADqPEbR_rmlk_d37gHFlDkUY4WaTexnw6Fyf01zHBH6Fw-tXnfffY1_5THmyB2Fryy65HsqZR36JG6P0CNIViMkKDPvcBd9Bssnh9PGd1Wb3-EZt3m3z-eX6rrQ/s1600/P1020046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wvLiBYZ0yjXrsfaYADqPEbR_rmlk_d37gHFlDkUY4WaTexnw6Fyf01zHBH6Fw-tXnfffY1_5THmyB2Fryy65HsqZR36JG6P0CNIViMkKDPvcBd9Bssnh9PGd1Wb3-EZt3m3z-eX6rrQ/s640/P1020046.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the perfect size for the dining room (albeit a few inches too tall).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGnWA-rT5Iu8DCDDIr4Pmqo0LXdl7XtVN1GTjb2_yp4qqhwcmuMU0ynAsJNxiVwrLYpoT4gDJffFahrX-2vyPL6hURjgHXPo3c1xHx-S9RSriIemo9UzsNfRuDbkSCi07Q6a2OwOxgzA/s1600/P1020097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGnWA-rT5Iu8DCDDIr4Pmqo0LXdl7XtVN1GTjb2_yp4qqhwcmuMU0ynAsJNxiVwrLYpoT4gDJffFahrX-2vyPL6hURjgHXPo3c1xHx-S9RSriIemo9UzsNfRuDbkSCi07Q6a2OwOxgzA/s640/P1020097.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm continuing with the woodland theme I've used in a lot of recent posts and using materials that are natural for the most part.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've added some grapevine ball lights (available from shopterrain.com), some blue-green eucalyptus, fronds from the back porch Boston fern (these live for weeks without water!), a few antlers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF0lppyUu4qx5F1OCCBXkEzKpUP2rz9qm09b5MUL5qVnd4cYNAJayUvdIF3T_NeBhEPaeYCL_zhW1-sJxF0VqQeQwEKTt2tmrPKBn8XWA6RkyQ0R5Cv2sooQNDuLLGlUB_cSvL57mN2U/s1600/P1020057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF0lppyUu4qx5F1OCCBXkEzKpUP2rz9qm09b5MUL5qVnd4cYNAJayUvdIF3T_NeBhEPaeYCL_zhW1-sJxF0VqQeQwEKTt2tmrPKBn8XWA6RkyQ0R5Cv2sooQNDuLLGlUB_cSvL57mN2U/s640/P1020057.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...a garland of pinecones, sweet gum pods, wood chips, walnuts, a few little moss-covered nests into which I've placed a craft store partridge and few moss green floral ornaments for the little shimmer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_4mwt2ubjO86vtbhtKB6RWrbPPeBLq9ZArcZPLFQ6kqjHYSfvluLebKf0MFCAJ4BaAnzaaE5VJDwQXFuBihy9g7ugpHWAJBFOxReH89uw-HpbcBJEREaol2lRCKraFkcQO4tYVLd6vg/s1600/P1020058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_4mwt2ubjO86vtbhtKB6RWrbPPeBLq9ZArcZPLFQ6kqjHYSfvluLebKf0MFCAJ4BaAnzaaE5VJDwQXFuBihy9g7ugpHWAJBFOxReH89uw-HpbcBJEREaol2lRCKraFkcQO4tYVLd6vg/s640/P1020058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tree is in a plastic container which I just placed in a large ceramic planter from the back porch and topped it off with some more moss.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFUCgUGwwhG0_U81Qg2G_mNjxTtBXlYWleLX21-ybn5ySbgBWg8RDwSg8TNOFeh6cfwZCfna1CZm4a8tYKBJZA1Niw6gCtxY-tVoPZTz8fBCZH-ZbnKDjCrbZd3tMPYWUMLGEp6fzrKk/s1600/P1020018_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFUCgUGwwhG0_U81Qg2G_mNjxTtBXlYWleLX21-ybn5ySbgBWg8RDwSg8TNOFeh6cfwZCfna1CZm4a8tYKBJZA1Niw6gCtxY-tVoPZTz8fBCZH-ZbnKDjCrbZd3tMPYWUMLGEp6fzrKk/s640/P1020018_2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the kitty shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It wasn't until later that I noticed the other one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sitting on the refrigerator in the kitchen.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think he's wondering, "Can I jump on this thing?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Ul2C5izcLxW3ALj5zqZFI_xjg7sFQHE92nLuwkqe4B6iWpIE6EMpo3YZPXekoCF34_NSMNTBHYSZh6SVE8qDDAksTZ0DDPuE8Lmwi6ASnNHTrooROqriRyrrf06k5uf3KZyz4E1rJw/s1600/P1020065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Ul2C5izcLxW3ALj5zqZFI_xjg7sFQHE92nLuwkqe4B6iWpIE6EMpo3YZPXekoCF34_NSMNTBHYSZh6SVE8qDDAksTZ0DDPuE8Lmwi6ASnNHTrooROqriRyrrf06k5uf3KZyz4E1rJw/s400/P1020065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Around the base of the tree I've borrowed a few baskets from around the house which could certainly be used as a creative and green way to wrap a few presents.  These act as a base for some of the bulbs I'm growing.  On the left is a piece of artwork by Massachusetts artist Dawn Southworth (remember the <a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2011/10/dawn-southworth-in-middle-bedroom.html">wrenches in the middle bedroom</a>?).  The artwork is diverting heat from a register in the floor but I kind of like how it looks too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisshrMjIA7jNQQYfNyxGUiAXEooR20ewC6XvZ0lxHwT3d9QcD9WS8I19AZv_RACFZeWX3LVXj8HpBoLIka5wR8bDvyzBUd_D88ZnqB8JgoNOmE00gs4LzuZjFrranCm6mek-LN3kGVfo/s1600/P1020083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisshrMjIA7jNQQYfNyxGUiAXEooR20ewC6XvZ0lxHwT3d9QcD9WS8I19AZv_RACFZeWX3LVXj8HpBoLIka5wR8bDvyzBUd_D88ZnqB8JgoNOmE00gs4LzuZjFrranCm6mek-LN3kGVfo/s640/P1020083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The table was made after I found the amazing antique pedestal seen below.  It was missing its top so a new top was made that was covered with zinc to update it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the table I have a kuba cloth that a bought several years ago with the intention of making it into pillows.  I might still but I think it looks great as a table runner.  On top of that is my advent wreath of Great Grandma's candle clips, a silver bowl with beach wood I've collected in Maine and the brass pitcher with  some of the trimmings from the other tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06xjdY-LDBnffw7kb5DDrHWYoZ1NtyiLKVzAUWQ9QUB0llIVdklAAJP3MT0_W1_5e_mzVz95qijWVMIIM8nDAnEJHOQD5nwv2ILzlOvxljckc1RlSnQG-H1KlRUYG0vAjORYCjLKfKRA/s1600/P1020082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06xjdY-LDBnffw7kb5DDrHWYoZ1NtyiLKVzAUWQ9QUB0llIVdklAAJP3MT0_W1_5e_mzVz95qijWVMIIM8nDAnEJHOQD5nwv2ILzlOvxljckc1RlSnQG-H1KlRUYG0vAjORYCjLKfKRA/s640/P1020082.jpg" width="354" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Money Shot that'll end up on Pinterest</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this little tree and I'm looking forward to having</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas dinner in here by tree and candlelight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it's time to get all the boxes (hiding stage right) back down to the basement.  Except for Christmas dinner, all the preparations are done and it's time to enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Talk to you later in the week before the big day but today I'm linking to <a href="http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-to-room-by-room-christmas-tour.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CottageAndVine+%28Cottage+and+Vine%29">Cottage & Vine's Room by Room.</a><br /><br />Also linking up with <a href="http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/12/mod-mix-monday-29.html">Nita's Mod Mix Monday</a>.<br /><br />Check them out.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>

Woodland Themed Christmas Tree

First of all, WOW, thank you for all the comments! This blog is a creative outlet for me but it's also a part-time job and your comment...

3:36 PM

The Tree

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxQNBLQJmqu4v_LfE5F3yUsXwKLWefAgLfqNLJ-vMtxhRXmKNMdtdB-86Pk8IY2Y_PMdHCTDyywL20VRDoJ9mK4IwwH84bNw6Lp7TlZzAk7u5ctRtYvYrDUUE8Uo2DtZMzAalmNidaDA/s1600/tree1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxQNBLQJmqu4v_LfE5F3yUsXwKLWefAgLfqNLJ-vMtxhRXmKNMdtdB-86Pk8IY2Y_PMdHCTDyywL20VRDoJ9mK4IwwH84bNw6Lp7TlZzAk7u5ctRtYvYrDUUE8Uo2DtZMzAalmNidaDA/s640/tree1.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This post says a lot about me.  I'll let you qualify that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0PFaoQxjkMNOtE4tJ_JR8VlEIv14tQnWVQoSyZ4edqytfnBMKnaQML2NxJB01dM7p123zbyFgajZjwEtACc7e8XaLYzmXQjTHxuw5T_DNcOqlWlltaj5t02WyeYfJlfrWMoeYGIA0Hg/s1600/P1010827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0PFaoQxjkMNOtE4tJ_JR8VlEIv14tQnWVQoSyZ4edqytfnBMKnaQML2NxJB01dM7p123zbyFgajZjwEtACc7e8XaLYzmXQjTHxuw5T_DNcOqlWlltaj5t02WyeYfJlfrWMoeYGIA0Hg/s640/P1010827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here's my $24.50 tree.  I forgot to take a picture of it before I started <strike>hacking away</strike> delicately pruning the branches at the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_h0b2TsN8kJI8-Cmj8JGjKybLd1hKa1CEPDVDVp-z2KTc0MqCIiGyo0fE-Q7LVC7iIhkfjCFm54DzEaQ8H8NAgvVj-lOUqU7aLrA0la70naTHlB6ywAAG1wmJl7FMMVcA_8zNEZkyaw/s1600/painted+stump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_h0b2TsN8kJI8-Cmj8JGjKybLd1hKa1CEPDVDVp-z2KTc0MqCIiGyo0fE-Q7LVC7iIhkfjCFm54DzEaQ8H8NAgvVj-lOUqU7aLrA0la70naTHlB6ywAAG1wmJl7FMMVcA_8zNEZkyaw/s400/painted+stump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I knew the fresh cuts were going to stick out like a sore thumb and I planned ahead.  I bought a bag of lichen at Mahoney's and I was going to hot glue the lichen over the fresh cuts to hide them.  But rather than burn my fingers on the hot glue, I looked through mt collection of Benjamin Moore paint sample pots and found the perfect color.  Just in case you ever wondered what color a Christmas tree trunk is, it's Benjamin Moore Willow CC-542.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_oaZsnRLhByNlu1wU4fi-1axdRXxrKbsv9xnqrGi_yquWNqigXN_c8Up95q2fKVW-5JjtOCOVLs_rY1ATfixGnm7fP245YwYAFXM-tHIKbQXyGFs_DEuUANg6US0kXi-P4p2RwW7IpY/s1600/P1010846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_oaZsnRLhByNlu1wU4fi-1axdRXxrKbsv9xnqrGi_yquWNqigXN_c8Up95q2fKVW-5JjtOCOVLs_rY1ATfixGnm7fP245YwYAFXM-tHIKbQXyGFs_DEuUANg6US0kXi-P4p2RwW7IpY/s640/P1010846.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The whole pruning process was very slow.  I'd prune a branch, stand back, assess the tree's new chi and respond with the next cut.  Very zen.  Yin and Yang.  Earth, Wind & Fire.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried to remove any portion of a branch that grew up or down so that I ended up with flat layers of branches. I thought I was done at this point but after a little more <strike>eggnog</strike> contemplation, I went back in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvKrT0iKQtpoGqdwTuYg2AMtJIbpcL-GCkkc-XlxBCYvEUGqfb2YSIQmqmx7ggGHGNd2paDWsmFeBk-cR5RADc7ZaX3InTwN5pjqAD467io9y2Rt2CvyQ85AtCSrNxb-vkiVZVaC5xKk/s1600/P1010857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvKrT0iKQtpoGqdwTuYg2AMtJIbpcL-GCkkc-XlxBCYvEUGqfb2YSIQmqmx7ggGHGNd2paDWsmFeBk-cR5RADc7ZaX3InTwN5pjqAD467io9y2Rt2CvyQ85AtCSrNxb-vkiVZVaC5xKk/s640/P1010857.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this was the result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, who's chuckling?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA68ySfBE8ZbL_WQRA6VgBCJAew2Pie9s6sxl2fi86aq6od2Pwqe9J93-YRTzuVBbkUkF_0IHc-aed_hT_TSKst2X8w80X8iusAqe6aCuPWjsdr1z1Q4iSineALXC19DZnj7MT_aAY4U/s1600/P1010863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA68ySfBE8ZbL_WQRA6VgBCJAew2Pie9s6sxl2fi86aq6od2Pwqe9J93-YRTzuVBbkUkF_0IHc-aed_hT_TSKst2X8w80X8iusAqe6aCuPWjsdr1z1Q4iSineALXC19DZnj7MT_aAY4U/s640/P1010863.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added about 600 lights which took forever. No branches to conceal the cords.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank god for floral wire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYC7KINeAbRCnJ-itFcZ5652hvN0D5dfsMwT-24_q1U9OEmUo7mpQyFgUTceuKsz8hA5nOboS4P3FxTfP5VoZT4QUssmzZdWFrJb9M5UYSv4hdh9hwClyCP5_V3DE4AyRygN2omuyAr8/s1600/tree-godeys1860.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYC7KINeAbRCnJ-itFcZ5652hvN0D5dfsMwT-24_q1U9OEmUo7mpQyFgUTceuKsz8hA5nOboS4P3FxTfP5VoZT4QUssmzZdWFrJb9M5UYSv4hdh9hwClyCP5_V3DE4AyRygN2omuyAr8/s400/tree-godeys1860.gif" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I started to add the ornaments, I was seeing distinct horizontal layers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">emerge like you would see in a Victorian feather tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I continued to add ornaments trying to get each layer perfectly horizontal, trimming</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">additional branches that deviated from that pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMuGMEjL0EojHqbsRoiK3dbJLrjImGFFs-VJQvOab3cEYA28VkNsUy3w5LMMq2aMjbj5yJD6dcX9N5ePWhdjOCNCdB9iU6GzoCiJ4sWg2cmpqBpjvk5jI6EsEmbf2l3l3J2wDuL-3bnI/s1600/tree3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMuGMEjL0EojHqbsRoiK3dbJLrjImGFFs-VJQvOab3cEYA28VkNsUy3w5LMMq2aMjbj5yJD6dcX9N5ePWhdjOCNCdB9iU6GzoCiJ4sWg2cmpqBpjvk5jI6EsEmbf2l3l3J2wDuL-3bnI/s640/tree3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not sure what it says about me that I wanted</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">an imperfect tree and then I needed to assert order and control by placing the ornaments</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as perfectly as possible in their respective layers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt7nh0XGsLZ2TMt9ZHJwQkcSI-YkKRc4OD5d82P2V4S5qGjIhkMNjDMOWdbF6J31K2JNitsxEisup9GINBRptkT5ErqrCHN9CIfEoEOzIrNAgD8Mh4hwnMPG5DM6cdHOrEhEIydY_jCk/s1600/tree2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt7nh0XGsLZ2TMt9ZHJwQkcSI-YkKRc4OD5d82P2V4S5qGjIhkMNjDMOWdbF6J31K2JNitsxEisup9GINBRptkT5ErqrCHN9CIfEoEOzIrNAgD8Mh4hwnMPG5DM6cdHOrEhEIydY_jCk/s640/tree2a.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does anyone find it difficult to take great pictures of a Christmas tree? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S_2vbUcY7Sl8lMQDTPlqw7rGRRwd0M2nDfjeJsxZjUxOE0_54UFkSmjR2Vs7TtdnLSRsO-YGvh_AACngApzMEVnm_aucg-PY9-SEs2vFkwdttmnKw8M9mpmAZU3021wOPtgMcNw2Slo/s1600/tree5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S_2vbUcY7Sl8lMQDTPlqw7rGRRwd0M2nDfjeJsxZjUxOE0_54UFkSmjR2Vs7TtdnLSRsO-YGvh_AACngApzMEVnm_aucg-PY9-SEs2vFkwdttmnKw8M9mpmAZU3021wOPtgMcNw2Slo/s640/tree5.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The layered effect is a little bit lost at the bottom.  If it weren't for the lights, I would just trim more out to define the layers a little bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekIneQJMst4Nb4iLbfgUmOJMl1XBNwt160EQ7DoKHVX1y1vWsvm3AgQ9Cca0azKnIJcXFZ878-uTcJt2PFY2wy4VZS7gPJp5fafuhxD77ewAmKjm6n1Xh3nRNXzTlhV7nffKr3Uunsng/s1600/untitled6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekIneQJMst4Nb4iLbfgUmOJMl1XBNwt160EQ7DoKHVX1y1vWsvm3AgQ9Cca0azKnIJcXFZ878-uTcJt2PFY2wy4VZS7gPJp5fafuhxD77ewAmKjm6n1Xh3nRNXzTlhV7nffKr3Uunsng/s640/untitled6.bmp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost all of the ornaments are vintage like me or gifts from family and friends.  But this method of placement actually took a lot more ornaments so I had to supplement with some plastic ones from Target.  The shapes were similar to many of the vintage ornaments so they blend really well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgvxlGaDRmGlSdR0VVg8TlXTOL0pacsSSJTCamA25kwF0g_H25N4xroEl-BQnenDyg6NRSRxW55nSulDOp9GwaiZLCOibPcXF1PWy61QbhIw6Wtjr1L7GBwaROyuxqZ9eTEhvm9iRAe0/s1600/tree9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgvxlGaDRmGlSdR0VVg8TlXTOL0pacsSSJTCamA25kwF0g_H25N4xroEl-BQnenDyg6NRSRxW55nSulDOp9GwaiZLCOibPcXF1PWy61QbhIw6Wtjr1L7GBwaROyuxqZ9eTEhvm9iRAe0/s640/tree9.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So there it is.  It's different and I love it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And don't forget... I still have another tree!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm linking up to Thifty Decor Chick's <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/">Christmas Tree Party</a>.</div></div>

The Tree

This post says a lot about me. I'll let you qualify that. So here's my $24.50 tree. I forgot to take a picture of it before I star...

11:25 AM

A Different Tree

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxCMvpqHMUYc8Zl8SIjnhaBMpZkSGs3xxisui8ei06AbTehcAj13g3pNROhw8Z2vXDs_eSuEjx3kWED-n9pb8N1ADYRJr8iB_UijniC5Auyyj9xijdqCrD7Qm8C1b_sSf4bOPGw_388A/s1600/97179304428850567_5e8lRJ7Y_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxCMvpqHMUYc8Zl8SIjnhaBMpZkSGs3xxisui8ei06AbTehcAj13g3pNROhw8Z2vXDs_eSuEjx3kWED-n9pb8N1ADYRJr8iB_UijniC5Auyyj9xijdqCrD7Qm8C1b_sSf4bOPGw_388A/s640/97179304428850567_5e8lRJ7Y_c.jpeg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a different kind of Christmas tree.  A natural, unshaped, old-fashioned Christmas tree.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlS1HZYS8q8fDrgbb978TuIHWqGBqRIWAKlxbD-o8DzCgdI2pM24t9Jm0p-r38qxuRY-nqgN2KfS0vxOJ07_VOCuYtZsnpN7zHL4xldrJJrrQ3p0WED3SiSSVr9I48KHo6eGCDpV77fLQ/s1600/Annex%252520-%252520Stewart%252C%252520James%252520%2528It%2527s%252520a%252520Wonderful%252520Life%2529_01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlS1HZYS8q8fDrgbb978TuIHWqGBqRIWAKlxbD-o8DzCgdI2pM24t9Jm0p-r38qxuRY-nqgN2KfS0vxOJ07_VOCuYtZsnpN7zHL4xldrJJrrQ3p0WED3SiSSVr9I48KHo6eGCDpV77fLQ/s640/Annex%252520-%252520Stewart%252C%252520James%252520%2528It%2527s%252520a%252520Wonderful%252520Life%2529_01.jpeg" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe a little bit "It's a Wonderful Life"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrAIBmA7v8yu2RmbHY0ZwfqYr6hz7iLckKnQXZsdAemyec29q4yH4nLPO-ijaeEQ9MJWAa00iIklED9Gw864704JG2kXUezUktsOFbq092YzErs6w2HzOHVOsdf5VmtnfqfkhSCOQ8uA/s1600/victorianchristmastree.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrAIBmA7v8yu2RmbHY0ZwfqYr6hz7iLckKnQXZsdAemyec29q4yH4nLPO-ijaeEQ9MJWAa00iIklED9Gw864704JG2kXUezUktsOFbq092YzErs6w2HzOHVOsdf5VmtnfqfkhSCOQ8uA/s400/victorianchristmastree.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...or a little bit Victorian...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSf72_PKTELLbugZ-HX6vkUI7wM6RUVQ7PzxiTyZv1EbOYnHLjrTFgLv5M9Dyco7qc21vh9ssn5JZpqwJY1guZP8FxgpOeIgGXaQ8fSwP3kEXZmH7b50vYk3F3cyazs8sqqlZ0n93Jw0/s1600/tate-tree_1541635f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSf72_PKTELLbugZ-HX6vkUI7wM6RUVQ7PzxiTyZv1EbOYnHLjrTFgLv5M9Dyco7qc21vh9ssn5JZpqwJY1guZP8FxgpOeIgGXaQ8fSwP3kEXZmH7b50vYk3F3cyazs8sqqlZ0n93Jw0/s400/tate-tree_1541635f.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...or just one that isn't trimmed into a perfect cone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aUX6D2CrbTQtKBb1Krptw-ltuVdzWqFIvkSoxEH9OEQ5r90BkfbU6dUzf3ru80bVZCLNlYoZ20fZyCgwMvYaqYYHR65fRSUS08vLFEoGJHfvsadCiMuOz6H1d8VpyIM9KpcPc-fUolo/s1600/christmas-tree-charlie-brown-linus.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aUX6D2CrbTQtKBb1Krptw-ltuVdzWqFIvkSoxEH9OEQ5r90BkfbU6dUzf3ru80bVZCLNlYoZ20fZyCgwMvYaqYYHR65fRSUS08vLFEoGJHfvsadCiMuOz6H1d8VpyIM9KpcPc-fUolo/s320/christmas-tree-charlie-brown-linus.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of friends say, Oh, you mean a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I say, Good Grief, no.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Others say I'm just a sucker for the underdog.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>What's wrong with rooting for the underdog?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRKyNOK5aKUe9x3TpmXRQuBJvFX355gHBf1AkS_Fmcl5rVU4EZiOmX5vO5_4orwMwfgikIOPy8tMcrkfCXjmRQzXcyMzkCfB3o7tT2KU15Kloi1QBMySBs15VqeDeUHa58lGa6PrSdKY/s1600/2134833499_8243d83419.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRKyNOK5aKUe9x3TpmXRQuBJvFX355gHBf1AkS_Fmcl5rVU4EZiOmX5vO5_4orwMwfgikIOPy8tMcrkfCXjmRQzXcyMzkCfB3o7tT2KU15Kloi1QBMySBs15VqeDeUHa58lGa6PrSdKY/s400/2134833499_8243d83419.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each year I set out to find my different tree.  I've been to scores of Christmas tree places and as of yet, I've failed.   I figure somewhere in New England they must grow trees like this so I searched on the internet.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RJXhj3MNvRKYgnRYTntEv24kajP5_6yVoyyDXa4TWiwCco2QPfsJRUYMU-2M8KIc2EeIpae8p1GMrTHfB_VBkKYoh6XP2RaEGZ8CSXiY_TQjAs1mSRox2XDMIa9LZow4rBwAOeCACiI/s1600/09+blog+tree11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RJXhj3MNvRKYgnRYTntEv24kajP5_6yVoyyDXa4TWiwCco2QPfsJRUYMU-2M8KIc2EeIpae8p1GMrTHfB_VBkKYoh6XP2RaEGZ8CSXiY_TQjAs1mSRox2XDMIa9LZow4rBwAOeCACiI/s320/09+blog+tree11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally found the kind of tree I've been looking for on a blog called <a href="http://frugalluxuriesseasons.blogspot.com/2009/12/britas-old-town-garden-lioncut-pug-and.html">Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons</a> on a post from a few years ago.  These are from a place called Brita's Old Town Gardens in Seal Beach, California.  The blogger's name is Tracey and she was kind enough to e-mail me.  She believes it's a Noble Fir but they've always called it "The Night Before Christmas Tree."  I e-mailed Brita's Garden and they believe based on my description it's a Silver Tip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At least I know they exist and I have an idea what to ask for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNIjnicGnswQ9JQpbiD10mYJG2MPCFTOFE3xAvkq28KeLZXeT0KQPgLvYY1dag_gPtkT8arCOzyWTCN2t_ftF1p5M-L49MkSIZVejepX78pRewZo4G7JO861HNKQvrzEjWbOdNuZRCoE/s1600/P1010801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNIjnicGnswQ9JQpbiD10mYJG2MPCFTOFE3xAvkq28KeLZXeT0KQPgLvYY1dag_gPtkT8arCOzyWTCN2t_ftF1p5M-L49MkSIZVejepX78pRewZo4G7JO861HNKQvrzEjWbOdNuZRCoE/s640/P1010801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I headed over to Mahoney's garden center in Brighton.  They have several locations in Eastern Massachusetts but this one is just a few miles from my house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxmxF8SGgBVb88qhea1kncBtbLUFM_eHChuUqQjrEPlH99AMmqpi95SGZHUvmCTNGvnWIRU99dHKfHjf0VjG75JT3rP5TAadW45T6LkxSZ-MZqMC9NMvOckW-ykvNc52MJ-vISAxaKD0/s1600/P1010803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxmxF8SGgBVb88qhea1kncBtbLUFM_eHChuUqQjrEPlH99AMmqpi95SGZHUvmCTNGvnWIRU99dHKfHjf0VjG75JT3rP5TAadW45T6LkxSZ-MZqMC9NMvOckW-ykvNc52MJ-vISAxaKD0/s400/P1010803.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For an urban garden center, they have a good selection of things and have a helpful, knowledgeable staff.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicny4-uVhMqmVsgsxOliYZytI1AvhBh-88WJ5hWLFPt1S34XbO43KAFPSyDnS4qntvvM6qAoUWppILSzcV3ZNo2NUwinweLnKQuPEUOrdFRhs5GdxxRKp6RR9pY0XRtcTGfnPlNiGJhQQ/s1600/P1010785_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicny4-uVhMqmVsgsxOliYZytI1AvhBh-88WJ5hWLFPt1S34XbO43KAFPSyDnS4qntvvM6qAoUWppILSzcV3ZNo2NUwinweLnKQuPEUOrdFRhs5GdxxRKp6RR9pY0XRtcTGfnPlNiGJhQQ/s640/P1010785_2.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I immediately see something I like.  It's a living tree and too big but let's take a closer look.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2_pFGHye2qeovvoungdmK0u26_M82empXKlD0bmwDgQaqbW2aoQxH7EICK7H7lUcFgwWjXZUmmBK02A80uKR8eVzxZ7fWPekzcDGOJK42l9ut1vtEKm8ov-G17jvISHkPptjRD1NmOE/s1600/P1010786_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2_pFGHye2qeovvoungdmK0u26_M82empXKlD0bmwDgQaqbW2aoQxH7EICK7H7lUcFgwWjXZUmmBK02A80uKR8eVzxZ7fWPekzcDGOJK42l9ut1vtEKm8ov-G17jvISHkPptjRD1NmOE/s400/P1010786_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out it's a rare specimen tree.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo41BMX-Sst8N823bMvIMM-sg3ZQue9argj7DXx6JMWqH-SgKW4edOTV6q_P9NM0ko66dJZHw1WKiaBFmssMibN4_n8xz87QYUMWGixlvbN5U7us7AC-qqnWpvv-2pKKnF64LPEgQHxFs/s1600/P1010782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo41BMX-Sst8N823bMvIMM-sg3ZQue9argj7DXx6JMWqH-SgKW4edOTV6q_P9NM0ko66dJZHw1WKiaBFmssMibN4_n8xz87QYUMWGixlvbN5U7us7AC-qqnWpvv-2pKKnF64LPEgQHxFs/s640/P1010782.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a smaller one that's just about the perfect size.  I'd be thrilled with something like this but at $399, it's out of the question.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YkR5cxqtK6cpHCTTyEEi4-2oBhnNq5X5u4xjVql4PLvpxXAjcjlcOddyhNhtso6hviAHqlrv_MtqH8xCiaPzcKCnAAGpI5jFnpKrFGlhcwTsWI73TsusY4run8W_MujFKvCmh935HFg/s1600/trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YkR5cxqtK6cpHCTTyEEi4-2oBhnNq5X5u4xjVql4PLvpxXAjcjlcOddyhNhtso6hviAHqlrv_MtqH8xCiaPzcKCnAAGpI5jFnpKrFGlhcwTsWI73TsusY4run8W_MujFKvCmh935HFg/s640/trees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their opinion was these are natural growth trees that haven't been trimmed all their lives to go to market.  They even thought the one on the left wasn't real.  They even have Noble Firs but they're trimmed and look nothing like the one from Brita's.  They didn't have what I was looking for but they couldn't have been more helpful.  I think if I had pressed them, I think they would have made one for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9SyMfaXfkXwRSFjsRRPYFhJiKtxRdheMZdo7AwYy55fUZUJ4oTGoFByVvcjGxzdPMtOjVbP3z8SHfsZcgm0gbXw6jf1ehoIpcxWxnoHmuggEGmesujcIcam6M7VKzYNwzq-xWz9Pnws/s1600/cla349-lg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9SyMfaXfkXwRSFjsRRPYFhJiKtxRdheMZdo7AwYy55fUZUJ4oTGoFByVvcjGxzdPMtOjVbP3z8SHfsZcgm0gbXw6jf1ehoIpcxWxnoHmuggEGmesujcIcam6M7VKzYNwzq-xWz9Pnws/s1600/cla349-lg.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I came home with two trees and a pair of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(If anyone know where they grow and/or sell trees like these in New England, leave me a comment or drop me an e-mail.)</div></div>

A Different Tree

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a different kind of Christmas tree. A natural, unshaped, old-fashioned Christmas tree. Maybe...

3:21 PM

Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs

Merry Christmas

Woodland Themed Christmas Tree

The Tree

A Different Tree

Popular Posts

Blog Archive