Almost a Miracle

A White Christmas? Here in Helena, Alabama? It hasn't happened in my lifetime, and I always said it would take a miracle. This year the miracle didn't officially happen, but it came close enough to be exciting. On Christmas Day we had snow flurries most of the morning. Nothing to stick, but wondrous, nevertheless. I went to bed, contented that I had seen at least a glimpse of the wintery stuff. Then, when I woke up yeasterday morning, I looked out the window and the woods were white! 

I think we had about an inch. Nothing mind boggling, but still rare for us. Most of the snow was gone by the afternoon, though a few flurries continued through the day. I was out early, a coat over my pajamas and robe, taking the following photos as the snow swirled around me.

Here's a view through the rose arch. One can see the outdoor Christmas tree, its white lights visible in the gray winter light:

There was just enough snow to frost leaves, branches, and garden ornaments:

Here's another look at the outdoor Christmas tree, from the front lawn:

The woodland rabbit watches the snow come down:

This weeping blue cedar is beautiful year round, but I especially like how it looks with a dusting of snow:

Here's a view of the light snow in the upper woodland garden:

Now, those of you who live in northern regions, please don't snicker at my little snowfall. It is for us, after all, almost a miracle!

Blessings to you. Stay safe and warm!   Deborah

A Three Tree Christmas

Some years ago I was feeling grumpy at Christmas time. Bah! Humbug! I just wasn't in the mood. My boys were older and not particularly interested in decorating the house. I felt nobody appreciated my efforts, so why bother? Traditionally we always had a large, fresh Christmas tree loaded with sentimental ornaments. This particular year I decided to buy a small two foot version and put it on a table. I hung a few ornaments on it. That was it. Bah! Humbug!

No one said anything, but I began to feel guilty. Every time I passed that two foot tree, I felt the taunting calls of Christmases past. I finally realized I wanted a big tree, even if no one else cared about it. So I went out and bought a beautiful eight foot tree. Other family members weren't home, so it would be a surprise.

Later that day my husband and sons returned.

"See what we have!" they announced. I laughed when I looked out the front window. For they, too, had brought home a wonderful, tall tree. 

We put the small tree in the kitchen and one of the larger trees outside, where it's white lights warmly welcomed guests driving up our road. We placed the third tree in the customary place of honor in the living room and covered it with lights and ornaments, garlands and icicles, just as we had always done. I loved the way it all looked.

That is the way our three tree tradition started, for ever since we have had a large tree outside, a large tree inside the living room, and a small one in the kitchen. Here are my plans for this year:

A Colorado blue spruce is perishing in our climate, so we will cut this tree from our property and use it for our outdoor tree. Originally it was a living Christmas tree I planted after the holidays, so this will be its second time as a Christmas tree.

For the kitchen I will buy a rosemary tree. I can't wait for the smell!

And this past weekend I bought our tall indoor tree, a fraser fir. Over the years we have had many different types of Christmas trees, and fraser fir is my favorite. Fraser firs are noted for their fabulous smell and long needle retention. A view of fraser fir's long lasting needles.My tree was grown in Plumtree, North Carolina by a family owned business, Trinity Tree Company. The family sells some of their trees in Pelham, Alabama at A Very Merry Christmas Tree Farm, not far from where I live. A Very Merry Christmas Tree Farm sets up this tree lot in Pelham every year.The tree I purchased was cut just the day before. (Talk about fresh: One year, after the holidays Lou tossed one of their trees out into the woods behind our house. The following April he noticed the tree was still green. Upon investigation he discovered the tree stump, covered by leaf mold through the winter, had sprouted roots!)

Amongst all the great trees, this is the one I selected:As this special season begins, may you be safe and warm, and may your heart be filled with true peace and joy.   Deborah