Christmas/Solstice Tree and Such

Image: A bird ornament, so you know this is a Solstice Tree....

Shawn and I went out to the Happy Land Tree lot on West 7th to look for a tree on Saturday morning. We arrived just as they were getting their new shipment, so it was a bit chaotic. However, we found a lovely tree and brought it home. The nice thing about the guys at Happy Land is that they will bundle the tree and help you strap it to your car. This is especially good because last year, when they were too busy to help us, Shawn and I tried to do it ourselves and managed to cleverly tie the doors closed. Don't ask. Anyway.... we used to go to the Y's Men's lot which is just across University Avenue from us, but for the last several years their tree choices have been on a scale of sad to sadder. 

The tree from Happy Land is quite wonderful:


Image: Slightly blurry (because my phone is terrible) picture of our Christmas/Solstice Tree for 2021

Because we don't have Mason this year (him being off at college for another two weeks before winter break,) Shawn and I put up the tree as soon as we got it, but didn't bother decorating until Sunday afternoon. We have another tradition where we make spiked eggnog (with brandy) to drink while we decorate, so that was quite lovely. I'm normally in charge of the lights. As we still have one very young, mischievous cat, all the ornaments on the bottom quarter of the tree are unbreakable.


Image: Buttercup sitting on the tree skirt he loves

Meanwhile, our other cat, Buttercup has to be given his own, special sparkly tree skirt otherwise he will run off with the official one. As a bonus, however, he LOVES this particular tree skirt and will gut at it and nuzzle it and all the things. So, he is very well satisfied by this ploy.

The weekend was generally very chill. We have not yet started our holiday baking of too many cookies, but that should commence shortly.

Since we are the sorts who simply exchange lists of the things we want for the holidays, my Solstice shopping is all done already. I am hoping for a nice, low-key holiday with the family. I'm looking forward to having Mason home, even though we just saw him.


Image: Sun ornament; how you know this is actually a Solstice Tree... look, I can't help it that the Christians stole this whole tradition from us! :-)

Looking forward to lengthening light!