Metamorphosis of the Balsam Fir

It's not just a Christmas tree it's a work of art, a labor of love,
a feat of patience.

This is how we do it:
--the weekend after Thanksgiving Hailey and Dave go to the
same place and pick out the same kind of tree as the year before.
--Hailey and Dave can't agree on the same tree but one is
finally purchased after much gnashing of teeth
--Dave gets buyer's remorse as soon as he drives off with the
new tree. "I think I liked that other one better".
--Dave drives around the block 3 times debating whether
or not he should take the tree back and exchange it.
--He finally drives home with the original tree but is
mentally exhausted.





Then I take over while Dave rests

--For four hours I wrap the newly acquired tree with 12 strands
of tiny white lights.
--Each branch has lights securely fastened with wire.
--I don't like doing this; it's painful and monotonous.
--But when the lights are finished I LOVE putting on the
ornaments!
BEHOLD THE TRANSFORMATION!

Super Wind 2011

Davis County Experiences Hurricane Force Winds

High wind advisories were issued at least 24 hrs in advance for
Davis and Weber counties. The radio warned us. The TV warned
us. The lighted highway signs warned us. The weather service
predicted winds to be the strongest seen in thirty years.
After a gusty night I went outside to check the damage:

My BROOM blew over!!!

AND the lawn chair was toppled!!!


It seems that we live in a "safe-bubble". It wasn't until I turned
on the news that I became aware of the 10 semi trucks blown over
on the highway, the billboards strewn about like cardboard and
the hundreds of fifty year old spruce trees toppled onto streets and
houses. Then I heard that schools were closed, power lines were
down and roads were blocked with debris and tree limbs. Bountiful
and Centerville had gone dark.
As Dave helped cut up the giant spruce that had fallen across the
road at his parents house, he said the only sounds to be heard were
the whines of chainsaws and the howl of the wind.