Christmas Tree HNT 2010

It's Christmas Tree HNT week!

When my sisters and I were together last month, we got into storytelling about our Christmas tree hunts. Every year until I left home and ran off to college, my dad would load us into the pickup, and we'd head out for the great hunt. None of this tree lot or tree farm business for us! We'd head out to the same general place every year. Most years there was a good blanket of snow on the ground until we got into the trees. We even were able to go back to see if certain trees had grown out since the winter before, and if they were ready to harvest. Dad and I would each have an ax (no chainsaws for us!), and usually got two trees. A big one for the living room, and a much smaller one for my sisters' bedroom. During the day, we'd also get little lessons on the bushes and other flora in the hills. Mom would have us gather fresh pine cones from the ground, and pick pine boughs for wreath-making. And kinnikinnick (I always liked saying that word!) for other Christmas greenery.

Years later, after most of the kids had left home, the parents went for the tree lot tree, and then the fake tree. I remember one winter, though, that S3 and I had some sibling bonding time and went out to the same place to get a tree for her apartment. The place was just as I remembered it, and she was amazed at how quickly I bounded up the hillside in the knee-deep snow. "Gazelle-like" was the term she used. Yeah, I know--hard to believe, isn't it? I think we've only been up there one more time for tree hunting since then. S3's family and some friends went up there about 19 years ago. Not quite so "gazelle-like", but still a good time (booze and chili were involved with this one, so this was a good time!).

Today, the road has been gated off. Private property. The top of the hill--now someone's living room. We'll never quite have the opportunity to go on the great tree hunts. But the memories will always be there.

Which is a roundabout way to say that, because of the past four weeks being so ridiculously busy, I've opted not to do a tree this year. It's not because I'm not feeling the season, nor am I sulking or mourning. I just haven't had any time at all. However, that's not going to help me with this week's HNT. So I'm recycling last years Christmas Tree HNT, but displayed on the 40" plasma screen that I bought on Black Friday (didn't tell you guys about that yet!). Cheating? Perhaps, but the TV looks great! Looking forward to see what you guys come up with!

---

"Take back the holly and mistletoe
Silver bells on string
If I wrote a letter to Santa Claus
I would ask for just one thing
I don't need sleigh rides in the snow
Don't want a Christmas that's blue
Take back the tinsel, stockings, and bows
'Cuz all I want for Christmas is you

I don't need expensive things
They don't matter to me
All that I want, can't be found
Underneath the Christmas tree
You are the angel atop my tree
You are my dream come true
Santa can't bring me what I need
'Cuz all I want for Christmas is you"

"All I Want for Christmas Is You"
Vince Vance & Valiants

Check back Thursday afternoon to find out who our Christmas gift might be!
Most of you figured out that Tigress is our MG this week. Stop by and check out her Christmas lights. You won't be sorry!

---

Check to see what sorts of Christmasy pictures you find over at "...the Other HNT". 'Tis the season, you know! Be sure to leave some comments for your fellow HNTers! Only two more Thursdays to go before the end of the year if you'd like to join in yourselves. And yes, it's still NSFW...

---

THEME ALERT! - Start thinking NOW about next week's theme! It is undeniably the hardest HNT to come up with all year. Trust me on that one! The good news--to take the pressure off of coming up with pictures, you don't need to take anymore until January! Click on the theme details tab under the header at the top of the page!

---

I'm not sure if Ashly Star is still accepting donations for Toys For Tots, but it can't hurt to go check. If she is, this will be the last chance to do it, as she's got to have time to go out and buy the toys! It doesn't take much at all--$5, $10, $20--just go do it! It's easy, it's fun, and it's going to make you feel pretty darned good!