Christmas Tree 2021

Meet me at Dennis's Christmas tree farm.

You'd think that was the plan as Ann Lyons Haynes' family and I met yesterday afternoon in Gold Creek. 

Last time I saw Ann was about this time last year at Dennis' tree farm at 985 Gold Creek Road. 

I was alone.  Ann came with her husband.

This year Bill, Willie and Debbie came along, while Ann's group included her hubby, daughter and some family friends. 

There was no plan to meet, but both Ann and I were stunned when her family showed up to search for their tree and found the Love family.

Twas a nice surprise for both of us, adding to the already fun, nostalgic scene of strolling through snow-packed aisles through rows of trees of all sizes and shapes.

At Dennis' farm, customers can pick out any tree, any size, all the same price:  $40. 

Once the selection is made, Dennis comes along with his 4-wheeler and trailer, cuts the tree, loads it up, takes it back to the parking area and cuts off limbs at the bottom.

Dennis has been selling trees at his place for a number of years, which I didn't know until last year when I made my first trip to his patch, immediately deciding this was the route we'd go for the annual tree from now on. 

To have family members come along and  to run into Ann two years in a row!  That was fun. 

Ann was once one of my students on the Monticola yearbook staff.  We both agreed it was a LONG time ago, back in the early 1970s. 

Like last year, this year's tree will stand on our deck, enhancing the outdoor light show.  

I'm also using Bridie as an excuse, along with the fact that we just don't have a lot of extra space inside our home for a tree. 

I also like the outdoor idea because we can decorate the tree earlier without worrying about it drying out and dropping needles all over the floor. 

So, today, with light snow falling, should provide a wonderful atmosphere for working on the deck and prettying up the place with colorful holiday cheer.

You'll see in the link below that there's lots of fun stuff going on at my friend Connie's home at Hope. 

We both have our Border Collie pups.  Connie's Willie is going to puppy school this week, while Miss Bridie will have her first veterinary visit. 

Once she's fully vaccinated, we'll probably sign up for puppy lessons too. 

Anyway, enjoy Connie's latest post. 

https://retiredmtnlady.blogspot.com/

Ann Lyons Haynes (second, left)  with her hubby, daughter and family friends. 

See you next year at Dennis's, Ann!

Yesterday's sunshine lifted humans' moods, and the warmth provided some nice snoozing time for the horses. 

Lily probably needed some extra sleep after her busy night in the barn. 

Happily, this morning when I opened the barn door, all horses were in their stalls where they belonged.