Monday 14 December 2020

Monday, December 14, 2020

 It is windy and colder now. When I got home from work and went out to the chicken coop to check for eggs, the hens were already roosted. It couldn't have been much past 4:30 or 4:45 in the afternoon. It was so dark this morning at 8:50 when we went out to the line-ups to collect our students and bring them in, one cohort at a time, that I thought there was something wrong with the universe. It was eerie. We are in for some weather, or not, depending on what weather site you look at. One sight said somewhere between 1 and 3 cm of snow tonight. Another site said 3 to 10 cm. It doesn't matter. We have very little snow at the moment so 10 more cm won't be an issue. 

We are in the home stretch before Christmas holidays. It's all still so different. Normally we would have either been part of a Christmas concert and had our time taken up with practising and dress rehearsals, or we would have been watching the dress rehearsals of other classes. There are no concerts now. We cannot gather in the gym to watch. We cannot gather together on the stage to perform. As well, we usually have carol singing in the gym for a few days before the holidays begin. No gathering. No singing.

I have books I like to introduce my grade three classes to at this time of year. However, because they can't sit together in a tight little group in front of me while I read, it takes away from being able to see the details in the beautiful illustrations. So I have found some You Tube videos of the books being read aloud, so I can project on the white board and make it large, so they can see all the wonderful details. Jan Brett is one of my favourite illustrators. I enjoy her writing as well, but it's the illustrations that are so captivating. I could live in a Jan Brett world.





On a different, but somewhat related note, husband and I went to go pick out our Christmas tree at the local grocery store which always has a very nice selection on the evening of December 8. There were NO TREES. Not a one. We went to the local F and S (formerly the Co-Op, where you purchase feed and seeds and rubber boots and plants...). Again, no trees. There were some sad small trees tied up with twine at the Food Basics. The needles fell off as we were shifting them around. I've honestly trimmed larger branches off my shrubs. And there couldn't have been more than eight of those. We drove to the next town to check out a different grocery store. None.

December 8th, and no trees. Our mouths were hanging open. We couldn't believe we were too late. We even contemplated having to (perish the thought) buy a fake tree. When we got home, I went online to find cut-your-own tree options. I noted that husband was eyeing up the odd pine tree here and there growing at the side of the road as were were driving home and I said something along the lines of "Don't you dare!" The cut-your-own options were quite far afield and one even declared they were "sold out". 

Daughter, who is living at home presently, finishing university online and working part time (online) would not hear of a fake tree, so she set to finding better options. She did end up finding a place that was offering cut-your-own trees for the first time. She and her father went the next day while I was at work. When I drove in the drive way after work that day and saw what was in the back of the truck, I was somewhat shocked. There lay a blue spruce! A rather big blue spruce.

It found its way from the back of the truck to the porch for a day or so. 


Then, prior to the annual shouting and cursing event of putting up the tree, husband re-engineered the tree stand to accommodate the giant tree.



This weekend, the tree was put up in the den. Furniture had to be moved. It is enormous. But, is it ever fresh! I really was expecting a family of squirrels to be in that tree. And yes, I know the whole thing was a bit "Christmas Vacation."


source

But it is a beautiful tree and we ended up not having to put some of the ornaments away because the tree looked too crowded. There was room for everything. Mind you, it is a bit tough to see the tv if you are sitting at the far end of the couch. 


The cat was a bit freaked out. The rest of the house is "decorated" now and some baking has happened, but that can wait for another post. Don't want to give away all my events in one post. Did anyone else notice that Christmas trees were sold out early this year?








49 comments:

  1. I think they are in short supply in my area too. I'm offering to let folks come cut trees in my bush. That's one way to get it thinned a bit! We planted 1000 trees awhile back but never get around to going into business. Most of them are mighty looking white pines now.

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    1. Oh, that's nice of you! I would have liked a white pine as well.

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  2. What a wonderful wonderful post! I have laughed my head off at the tale of the tree but oh my goodness it is a beauty! Thank you for posting about the Jan Brett stories - I will look them up for my cherubs at work. We have managed to have nativities - performed separately in their own bubbles and all actually preferred it!! They nearly didn't happen because two weeks ago we were told no singing - then suddenly we were allowed singing!
    Come on lady we can do it!! End of term is beckoning!!

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    1. Singing, no singing. I can't even keep up with the protocols we get emailed to us all the time. Our teachers who also arrange for a choir wanted to do something this year, so in the end, the little ones who wanted to participate met outside on the yard, wore masks, and had to be four feet away from their neighbour. It was also recommended they not sing too loudly or in too high a register. (Come on!?!?). They recorded "Jingle Bells" and it was played over the PA system.

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  3. Oh! I am so pleased you've posted..at last..!
    That rib of beef in the last post, was starting
    to go off..! :(.
    Wonder who? Bought it..! :).

    The tree looks, lovely, l've not had a tree since
    my daughter went off to Uni at 18..she's 43 now, so
    quite a while ago now!
    But! Three years ago l got an 18inch pink tree, with
    white baubles, put it on the coffee table, under the
    standard light, and it's been there ever since, the
    important thing is the crib is up and running!

    And! Yes! I could live in a Jan Brett world as well..
    Think l've said before, l don't read books, book,
    books, pages full of words..patience, or the lack of
    it, but, books with illustrations..Yes!

    Well best get on..busy day here at home, so the water
    in the kettle will be on the boil..! Lemon tea anyone!
    🎁 πŸ’ πŸŽ„ ✨ πŸŽ„ 🎁 πŸ’ πŸŽ„ ✨ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ… ⛄ 🎁 πŸ’ πŸŽ„

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  4. As I ive alone and will not be joining my family for Christmas due to Covid restrictions I shall have it quietly here on my own. I have had many cards - some really quite lovely; They will go up to remind me of friends and family and I shall a lovely quiet day.

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    1. It's going to be a quiet Christmas here, too, Pat. We aren't getting together with extended family, just our own son and daughter and their long-time girlfriend / boyfriend. It's a different Christmas for everyone I fear.

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  5. I truly enjoyed this post. What a gorgeous tree,its perfect. Thanks for sharing

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  6. Really enjoyed that post Jenn! You reminded me of the annual Christmas assemblies in public school, singing carols and filing out, still singing, the old hardwood floors creaking underfoot as we walked up the ramp from the new gym addition, into the hallway of the older building. Love those Jan Brett illustrations as well, may have to check out what is in the local library! What a BEAUTIFUL tree! Good to have a 're-engineer' handy! Have a wonderful Christmas.

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    1. Christmas assemblies haven't changed too much over the years. It's funny, the school I teach in now has that same situation: a "newer" gym attached to an older building.

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  7. Jenn your tree is beautiful & well done to your daughter finding such a goregous one. The cut your own tree farm on our road, was sold out 2 weeks ago & Oh the lines up to get in, a first for them. They said they had people from Grey Restrictions Toronto there. I am going to try to get Jan Brett's holiday books from the library, especially the reindeer one - I'm in the mood for happy simple Christmas stories. I like your solution to reading together for the students; these times require creative thinking for even the smallest of "normal" events. Maybe next year you can volunteer to be a guest elf to read to the kids. ... Mary-Lou =^{..}^=

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    1. Oh my! Line ups to get into a tree farm?? I think everyone was in a rush to start Christmas just to have something nice to look forward to.

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  8. That is a beautiful tree, I wonder why you have a shortage this year. With only Kat home with us this year we decided not to get a real tree, just a small fake one in the corner. If Sarah manages to get home for Christmas from Australia next year I shall go out and buy the biggest tree ever!

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    1. Actually, one theory is that Christmas trees take about twelve years to mature. Twelve years ago was 2008, a year that went down in financial history as being decidedly horrible. Growers were not buying new stock. Don't know how true that is, but it sounds plausible.

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  9. What a beauty! Enjoyed the heck out of today’s post! First Christmas ever that I mailed out cards to every single address in my address book! So, I agree that we are all looking forward to more cheer ! and less isolation !

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    1. I've gotten completely away from mailing Christmas cards. Good for you.

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  10. Yes, it's all over the news about how there's a Christmas tree shortage this year. Good thing your daughter found that cut-your-own place. Enjoy your beautiful big tree!

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    1. Thanks, she is quite determined when she wants something.

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  11. The dark and dreary weather must make for a strange day; this Florida girl can't even imagine!
    I too love Jan Brett books. Her artistry is captivating.
    Yay for a big ole tree! Make sure you don't let any visiting dogs drink all the water....goodness, one of the best Christmas movies ever!

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    1. No visiting dogs here! Ha ha. I don't think the cat will chew the electrical cord either.

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  12. I love your books, and that Christmas tree is gorgeous! I'm not sure why there is a shortage of trees this year, it may have to do with covid. It's just me and Pogo here so we have a little fake tree. It serves the purpose for us. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

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    1. As to the shortage, maybe have a look at my response to Sue, above. It's a theory.

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  13. No Xmas tree. That would have been awful. But the one you finally found is awesome. I guess most people were like us this year and started decorating ridiculously early.
    Enjoy your alternative Xmas

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  14. Wow, stunning tree! I haven't noticed if there is a shortage around here. Now I'm curious!

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    1. Oh, that's odd. I figured the shortage would be everywhere.

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  15. I love Jan Brett, too. Have you seen that she has a new book? It's called Cozy and the main character is a musk ox. Looks very sweet! xx Sue

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    1. I know she has the new book out, but I haven't read it or seen it yet.

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  16. Well I succumbed to fake tree long ago ... please don't hate me. I guess I like having that measure of control, and not having to pay big bucks for a tree every year (I'm pretty sure we have a plentiful supply here), and no dry pine needles dripping everywhere. We have no annual shouting and cursing event because I do the tree decorating all by me onesie, during which I play A Christmas Carol (the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge). I don't look forward to it. Your tree is truly gorgeous and I can just imagine the piney smell. Truly mesmerizing and SO Christmas! The "no singing, no gathering" breaks my heart. The powers that be are certainly trying their hardest to snuff out all vestiges of normal life. I pray that the human spirit prevails and the true meaning of Christmas is celebrated in hearts everywhere. xoxo

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    1. The shouting and cursing is only during the putting up of the tree. The hanging of ornaments, etc. is usually pretty good. We had a wee bit of rum and eggnog as well.

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  17. Phew! Luck that, getting a last-minute tree! We got our tree early on - got it delivered. Living in the UK, what with covid AND Brexit AND Christmas, I thought the country's supply chains might crack under the strain - so we got lots of things done early on. We've always had a real tree for years and years. I don't think I'd like the idea of getting an artificial one now.

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  18. Wow! That is a beautiful tree - you should put your daughter in charge of picking the tree every year! It looks just lovely with your lights and ornaments. Picture perfect!
    I have a fake tree and since all of my kids are grown, I have downsized to a tabletop size tree that sits in the front window. I have passed down the various ornaments that "belonged" to each of my 5 kids and have just the right amount to fill the smaller tree.
    I love Jan Brett too and bought one of my grandson's her book, "The Mitten" for Christmas. I know he will love it!

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    1. The Mitten was a favourite of both of my own children.

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  19. That is a lovely, lovely tree. I drive by several tree lots and they all seem to have trees left. I do remember the days of fresh trees. How young we all were when we would pile into our cars, go cut trees, and come back to a party at the house.














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    1. We usually buy a real tree at our local grocery store. They always have a great display of trees and you can really pick and choose what you want. A couple of times, when the kids were young, we went to cut-your-own places. There was usually hot apple cider or hot chocolate as part of the experience.

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  20. That really is the most beautiful tree I've seen, and such a beautiful tree stand! And besides all that I love your living room! We've put up the same artificial tree for several years now. Next year, says Poppy, we'll get something different. I love real trees. Your header picture...does it look like that where you are now? It's beautiful!

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    1. Hi Henny. I think that header picture is from earlier in November when we had such a beautiful snow fall where the snow clung to everything.

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  21. Your tree is perfect and beautiful. The custom stand looks very good too. There was a shortage of trees in Massachusetts as well. My tree was dropping needles the day I bought it. Plus it has an unfavorable side that faces the wall. Slim pickings for trees, for sure. The pine scent is wonderful and this is important to me.

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    1. When I was young, my father would sometimes "fix" parts of the tree by cutting off a bottom branch, drilling a hole in the trunk where there was a bare patch, and affixing the branch in there. He was always 'modifying'.

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  22. What a handsome tree! Perfect in every way and probably smells delicious, too. Such restraint you showed, holding back on the decorations. No child gets left behind in my book :)

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  23. In the days of overhead projectors you could have put the book on the projector bed and projected the illustrations on to the wall or a screen, all the while keeping to the copyright rules. Analogue is still sometimes better. PS What a tree!

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    1. The copyright is still taken care of because the person who reads the book in the video starts with the title and publishing company and date. I remember the types of projectors you mean. Up until this year, I was still using what I call an overhead projector (where you use see-through overhead sheets). "Low-tech".

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  24. I adore Jan Brett! And your tree is Jan-Brett-in-Real-Life! It's gorgeous! There was an article (maybe NYT, maybe NPR) that Christmas trees are in short supply this year. Part of that has to do with people getting trees early because of Covid distress and needing the light; also, the life cycle of growing a Christmas tree is about 12 years but there was some climate-related thing (can't remember which) early in the growing cycle that set things back so there are fewer. Some places that always sold them (example, our YMCA lot) is not, due to Covid restrictions. Rick usually gets a real tree but he didn't want to go to Home Depot or Lowes and the Y is closed. So, I gave him a few from my basement and made him a fairy forest. I prefer a real tree but I like them up early and long so it's not practical anymore.

    It must be weird, doing school right now. Everything is "off" a bit. It's all very odd. Can't wait to hear about baking. I hope to start today.

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