Bringing Home the Tree

Beautiful, dainty snowflakes floated from the skies yesterday, covering the landscape in a soft powdery white. It made for a storybook winter wonderland as we cut down our Christmas tree from a friend’s property. A little guy, definitely Charlie Brownesque, but for us crunchy granola types, his non-conformity was just perfect. We showered Charlie down in the bathtub when we got home, melting the icicles from his branches and covering the newly washed tub in a layer of pine needles.

We pride ourselves in living a life of minimalist existence, not wanting to acquire more than what will fit comfortably in Zoe (aka Ms. Prius) in the event that we decide to just up and go. We’re not about to let our lives get settled here, not now, not on PEI. So we didn’t buy a tree stand, figuring we could just jerry-rig something together from stuff lying around the house. First we tried a Bundt pan set snuggly inside a pie dish, but that was a bit too unstable for the likes of a curious kitten desperate to claw her way to the top of Charlie. Vibhu rediscovered a metal cylinder he found on the beach this summer, and although his plans to make a portable BBQ out of it never quite panned out, it did make a perfect Christmas tree stand for an entirely awesome, way too kitschy Christmas set up.

Charlie’s balanced up on top of a reindeer wrapped cylinder, secured to the wall with string for extra kitty-defying support, and strung out on those psychedelic energy efficient lights that I haven’t quite come to appreciate yet. A feable attempt at spending nothing on our Christmas tree; I hate it so much that I love it.

Notes from December 3, 2009

I just walked by someone’s cubicle and the sweet, crisp scent of fresh evergreen was intoxicating. Oh how I long for warm cozy fires, hot chocolate in giant mugs and mounds of whipped cream, Christmas carols and pretty lights.

It’s December 3 and my life is practically void of Christmas carols. Back at home we have a radio station dedicated solely to holiday music starting December 1 every year. I haven’t found anything like that here…surprising since Islanders begin prepping for Christmas as soon as they close the door on the last trick-or-treaters. This morning I added ‘Feliz Navidad’ to my ringtones hoping to add a dash of Christmas cheer every time someone calls me. Sadly, no one has called me yet.

‘Feliz Navidad’ has been my favorite Christmas carol since I first heard it on the Sesame Street Christmas Special. It will forever remind me of Big Bird and Snuffalufogous ice skating.

Its grey and soggy outside, and what’s left of the light reminds me that its close to quittin’ time. I’m meeting Vibhu for coffee right after work, but more than anything I want hot chocolate and Russian tea cookies like my mom always make this time of year. I wonder if I’ll be able to find any suitable alternative. I just hope I’ll be able to brush my teeth before cozying into the dentist’s chair, a mouth full of coffee and cookie remnants might not be the best way to greet the person who’s about to drill into my teeth.