Christmas trees

one of my favorite trees

2022

Perhaps it's because I love trees, having been a landscaper, or maybe because I've always enjoyed the holiday traditions- I'll never know- but I love Christmas trees. Sixteen years ago, when Rick and I were creating our first home together, decorating for the holidays took on a life of its own. All these years later, I laugh at our many antics. 

In our first apartment in Redwood City overlooking the marina, we enjoyed an elevated ceiling. Of course, I wanted the tallest tree we could find. Rick urged against a tree quite as tall as I wanted.

We (I) found the perfect tree and we (Rick) mounted it to the top of our Honda. The tree was so big that it hung over the front windshield making it a bit difficult to see the road. It was a good thing we weren’t driving too far. The plastic wrap gave way not even a mile down the road, the flocking blowing off the tree to the extent that it appeared to be snowing around our vehicle. We pulled over to adjust; not the perfect start.

The second problem we encountered once we got home was that the tree was heavy- duh, a fresh 13’ tree with flocking, and we lived on the third floor in a building with only stairs. We needed help to get it up to the third floor. There was no help. We worked hard to get that tree up three flights. The flocking ended up on all three floors; I spent three days sweeping the stairwells. 

With a few strikes against us, we worked to get the tree housed in its stand, and just as we thought it was stable, the tree fell over onto Rick, who ended up on the ground beneath it. I wish I could say differently, but anything smacks of physical comedy leaves me laughing… hard. 

Rick was, to say the least, irritated at this point. And I'm stifling laughter at his expense. Ultimately, he embraced the humor in our ill-fated Christmas tree adventure. And we settled into creating the most beautiful tree we've ever had, and that's saying a lot because we've had some pretty trees. (Sadly can’t pull up the pictures of that first tree.)

A few years later when we moved to Montara, our new landlord Kevin owned a Christmas tree farm. He brought us a beautiful tree every year and gave it a fresh cut right on our driveway. How lucky for two Christmas-tree lovers.

one of our first trees in the foothills

We enjoyed four years on the coast before moving to the foothills, where we were able to purchase our first home together. And indeed, Christmas decorations for the house from the beginning took on a priority. 

Every Christmas we light the outside of the house from end to end. It's a project that takes a full day. Every year we get better at hanging the lights, and that's a good thing because each year, we age a bit, making it harder to do. 

Flocking the tree ourselves (I was helping) in 2019

And every few years, we recreate the tree by choosing a new theme. Thank goodness we have a large basement now to house the decoration bins. We were planning to use one of our favorite themes this year, but at the last minute, I suggested a Crate and Barrel theme (in honor of my part-time job there.) Rick came shopping with me and liked my ideas. And Version 6.0 of the Ferrera Christmas Tree was born. 

Crate and Barrel inspired

This year the tree is 10’, cropped slightly, not flocked but instead decorated in white. The tree, over the years, has become our gift to one another. We don't put much under it, except presents for our kids. 

And we've learned a great deal about transporting and moving our trees into the house in the intervening years. I no longer end up in tears laughing at Rick's expense. But truth be known, I will always treasure those memories.

My work has finally settled down, and I'm looking forward to spending some quiet days and nights by the fire, enjoying our tree, reading, and catching up on a few movies. 

I know it's been a challenging year for many and a year to remember for others. That's the way of the world.

If you are struggling, know that your pain will subside in time.

If you are enjoying life, embrace that, understanding what a gift it is.

Thank you, dear readers, for being here with me. I am incredibly grateful for you and looking forward to connecting with you in the new year.

I will be taking off next week to enjoy my daughter's holiday visit. I'll be back on January 2nd with the first Cup of Thoughts of 2023.