Every year we go to the same local tree farm. On the way there we pick up a few bales of hay for Indy and Hayden at a beautiful horse farm nearby. It feels so nice to be this close to so many local farms of different variety, to have these people as 'neighbors'. The rhythm of these actions feels better and better every year. Last year we were getting some of our very first bales of hay for our new boys and our foster boy. The smell of the car filled with 2nd cut hay and a fresh tree on top is almost overwhelmingly good.
We had a wee bit of drama this year during our 'tree hunt'. Just as we started driving away Greg's hands and arms felt like they were on fire and he all of a sudden found himself spotted with hives. When we got home, he washed his hands and it went away in an hour or so but it was weird. Has that happened to any of you before? We'll have to proceed with caution while decorating this year I guess. I didn't even feel like we should bring the tree in but Greg insisted. So there it is, waiting to be decorated today. I feel like doing something different with our tree this year but I am not sure if I have everyone on board yet. I'll be sure to post though if we do. I hope you all had a lovely and relaxing weekend. ooxx Spidey
We're getting a tree tomorrow night (you know from one of those city tree stands. In terms of Greg make sure he drinks a lot of water, sometimes there are mildews and molds down around the base of trees he might have inhaled them or gotten them on his arm. Either way you also might considered just putting him in a protective bubble once and for all ;)
Posted by: Stacey | December 05, 2010 at 11:48 AM
i know it! i have to find a haz mat we can borrow. but i do love my chevy chase ;)
Posted by: Abi | December 05, 2010 at 12:13 PM
We don't have a farm, but we do go to the same lot each year - it's a fundraiser for a private school in town. As well as we can, we've settled into a nice routine that feels very nice. Not quite as nice, but hopefully in a few years... as for Greg, I have no idea... I'm curious, if Stacey is right, perhaps it would be good to spray off the bottom of the tree with a hose?
Posted by: Kathy | December 05, 2010 at 04:49 PM
i may have to steal the idea of the galvanized tub at the base. it looks great.
Posted by: Leah | December 05, 2010 at 07:30 PM
My husband broke out in terrible hives this fall when he harvested our sunflowers. It was the only thing we could have come up with that he was in contact with. Fortunately for your husband, it went away quickly. My husband had the hives for two days! Guess I'll be harvesting the sunflowers from now on, or we bundle him up good.
Love the galvanized bucket! Is it a re-plantable tree?
Posted by: Rachael | December 05, 2010 at 09:35 PM
go ahead my love! i love the way it looks too and we did it to keep vaughn and the cats out of the water but i will say that it is much harder to water and adjust the tree :(
Posted by: Abi | December 05, 2010 at 10:04 PM
sunflowers?! oh no. we were worried that his reaction would last longer (or get worse) but he was lucky that it just went away quickly.
the tree isn't re-plantable. we put it in the bucket to keep the little babe and the cats out of the water. or at least that's what we're hoping it will do ;)
Posted by: Abi | December 05, 2010 at 10:07 PM
i think traditions, regardless of where they occur, are just so lovely! not sure about greg either, he was careful and wore gloves and long sleeves today when we had to do some adjusting etc. so far, so good :)
Posted by: Abi | December 05, 2010 at 10:09 PM
lovely tree!
i break out in an itchy, burning prickly rash anywhere pine needles touch me. i always wear gloves when handling the tree and when putting the lights on i make sure the skin on my arms is covered as well. once i wash up, it typically goes away after about 30-45 minutes. it didn't start until i was in my 30's. i don't know anyone else this happens too. kind of weird.
Posted by: christine vernon | December 05, 2010 at 11:38 PM
Several years ago, I broke out all over my face and arms after bringing in a live tree. It happened again, several times, when trimming evergreens in our woods. The doctor determined that I've developed an evergreen allergy, so no more live trees for us. :(
Posted by: Tobi | December 06, 2010 at 09:01 AM
My father reacts to Christmas trees. He wears gloves and long sleeves as much as possible, but still brings one in for my mom every year. I'm not sure if he breaks out in hives or if it is more of a rash. It goes away fairly quickly for him too.
Posted by: Sarah | December 06, 2010 at 10:25 AM
I break out, too. But only when I touch it, not from being in the room, which some people are allergic to the pine just being there. Didn't get my tree yet and now we have a snow day...it would have been the perfect activity for today!!
Yours looks great!
Posted by: karen | December 06, 2010 at 01:22 PM
If I touch the tree needles, I get all itchy. This just started last year - at the age of 36. I ended up decorating while wearing gloves :) I know allergies can begin at any time in your life.
Posted by: Erin | December 06, 2010 at 02:17 PM
re: the cats in the water. if they don't stay away, I read that you can use orange peels around the base of the tree. I'll admit, that it didn't work with our older cat, but thought I'd pass it along since it's a more humane solution than others i read. as for the babe, I have no thoughts, so here's hoping the tub works.
Posted by: Kathy | December 06, 2010 at 02:31 PM
OMG what is THAT different thing you might do??????? i await with baited breath.
Posted by: Monkey Lobster | December 06, 2010 at 05:14 PM
I get itchy from the tree every year....I have learned to wear long sleeves when putting on the lights....and then I just wash really good....it is temporary....very worth it. :)
Posted by: Sheila | December 09, 2010 at 08:45 PM