Time to Wassail

This weekend we ventured out of the city to Pine Valley Farms. We blasted Christmas Carols the entire way there to shoo away any non-Christmastime thoughts brought on by the gorgeous high-50s weather. 

I had my heart set on a cute little baby tree, and Chris had his set on a tree grown for giants. 

 With contradictory expectations, we debated the merits of many a tree. There were so many, I got separated from him more than once! 

Finally, after almost losing hope, we saw the perfect tree. Not to big, not too little....but just right! It's not the baby tree I had originally envisioned or the gargantuan behemoth that Chris had in mind, but we were smitten. 

She's a beaut! 

No defects and it smells of Christmastime. 

Chris handled the crawling under the tree portion of the sawing, and not to be outdone, I jumped in to trim the lower branches off the fallen trunk. 

Not that anyone cares, but for the record, I don't buy jeans with holes in the knees. These jeans were bought circa early high school and they've earned their wear and tear over the years! 

Can you tell how proud we are of our tree? Chris still claims he loves that crazy big tree he cut down the best, but I'm pretty sure this one is better.

I don't think he was as thrilled about my photo documentation of our adventure as I was :) 

Terrible photo quality, but the start of my mantel decorations! I give complete inspiration credit to Aura.

Chris tackled the outdoor lighting. We used these very cool LED lights around the door. They are larger than the regular lights and look like those old school large bulbs. I added the ribbon bows and Kath contributed the wreath. It might be time to get rid of our last pumpkin. Some rabble-rousers chucked our other pumpkin into the street some time in the wee hours of Sunday morning. 

This might be my most favorite tree of all time, mostly because it's my first one I've gotten since moving out. Can you believe there are 500 lights on this baby? (Chris went a little bit light crazy as we were shopping. Even as I stood in line, he ran back to get three more boxes!!) 

This weekend was the perfect start to the holiday season. I got to see two of my favorite ladies, spent time with Chris, went on a tree adventure, and celebrated the holiday with my coworkers in DC. As cliche as it sounds, I am blessed. 

The County: Tall Timbers Boat Burning

One of the three turns you make...during an 1.5 hr drive

Sorry for the delayed post! I started grad school last week and things have been a bit hectic. I did manage to slip away for a portion of the holiday weekend though. 

The view that tells me I'm almost home again! Solomon's bridge

 Every holiday weekend, we are invited to go back to the best place in the world for a party that trumps all parties. It is a wonderful place where you are welcomed like family no matter how long you've been away.

My travel buddy

If you ever have an opportunity to attend a boat burning at Tall Timbers, jump!

My home away from home - This was where my Aunt and Uncle take me in whenever I need a break from studying, partying, working or life in general. They spoiled me with fresh crabs this weekend :)

 They find an old abandoned wooden boat to drag out on the beach at the point. 

The boat that is no more (Sorry for the blur! It was dusk and my camera wasn't cooperating!)

It gets doused in fuel and goes up in a roaring burst of flames. Most times, a barge offshore begins their firework show for everyone hanging on the beach by the fire. Janis Joplin & Van Morrison blare in the background as your buddies move faster than you knew was possible running the tiki bar. The tiki bar by the way is located in a big wooden boat installed on shore (safely away from the fire). Such a fun set-up.  

Some of the girls at the boat burning

 This year was really great because a bunch of kids I graduated with all showed up despite the fact that none of us had coordinated with one another. The best thing about good friends is that you can always pick up wherever you left off. I'm looking forward to the next time I get to see them all. 

Great to see good friends again

  This is where we celebrated the ends of semesters, beginning of semesters, birthdays, holidays and the end of college. A big thanks to Rick and the family for making this available to us all.