Arriving in Style...

...sort of. We woke to torrential rain which seemed to put paid to our plan to get a Christmas tree today. As is often the case, when they sky is overcast or it is raining, it actually warms up. We read the Sunday papers (yes, we still read a 'real' newspaper. I can't imagine having another thing to have to read on a computer, but I fear the day is coming....) and drank our coffee and listened to the rain come down, causing quite a reverberating  reveille on the roof and watched fascinated, the downpour outside the windows. We  have almost forgotten what that kind of rain is like, and it was quite a treat

It cleared up a little so we took Spike on a quick walk down to the bridge to see what was happening to the creek. Just as we got there, the rain came down again so we hustled home in record time, wet but happy to be so. 

It cleared up again, giving us just enough time to go over to the garden center which is practically right around the corner. They always have a nice selection of trees and are unfailingly friendly and helpful when it comes to putting  tying it on the car for us. We used to go to the cut your own tree farm, and Dana still does, but this suits us better. No matter where one goes, it is always quite festive, cider and hot chocolate are served and the indoor area is filled with ornaments,  lights and poinsettias in every size and color. They even had a blue one which I thought was just wrong . There seems to be a trend toward blue lights and decor and I don't know if it is a nod lure those of the Jewish faith who don't celebrate Christmas, or just that blue is the new red.

The sky was darkening again and we chose the tree in record time, much to John's relief, driving slowly home with the tree on top of the car. We didn't even pretend that we were going to get a small tree this year. I'd say it is a medium one and was alarmingly expensive. 

We had hoped to be able to drive it into the garage as it had begun to rain again, but alas, it wouldn't fit. It is now standing in. a bucket of water (like us in the shower) and drying off before we bring it into the house.

I did spend some time clearing the decks of Thanksgiving decor to make room for Christmas. I have to say that the Thanksgiving decor is a lot more sympatico with my colors and those of the living room  but tradition dies hard and we will stick with the tree and the trimmings and the Christmas colors for as long as we can, even though very few people will see it but us....