Winter Vision This week I have been wrapped up in an idea to decorate the resort for Winter. Not for Christmas, because that would mean all the work would have to come down January first. But for Winter. For Winter means the decorating could be enjoyed all winter long, even until May if need be, though I hope the snow will be gone by then! My first idea took several days to accomplish, but we finally completed it this morning. After the trundling and bundling of the children, Steve brought them over to Grandma and Grandpas so he and I could hike into the forest for Christmas trees. We trekked through deep snow all the way to the Upper Field. This took twenty minutes of steady plodding and involved a steep and very long hill, that is long in and of itself in summer with solid footing, but even longer in winter in deep snow. Steve used shear pruners to cut six trees for me (that he wanted down anyway) and together we hauled them back by their trunks down the hill, slow going but steady. Our hands ached with the cold and with the grip necessary to keep them in hand. I noted with interest they would make good means to cover our tracks if ever we needed a track covering device! It was a cold day, not a day to be out unless one really kept moving, but we did stop at the bridge, sat for a moment looking out at the almost frozen Camp Lake, beautiful with iced over grasses, wintry white solid ice, then clear black water near our feet......then took our trees up the last second hill, another long one. Next we delivered the trees to the two cottages I wanted to decorate, then went to go pick up the babies. After a trip to town with some errands, Steve was able to watch the children for an hour and a half while I dived into my decorating project. I hadnt counted on how difficult it is to decorate in the cold of winter. I had gloves but they were all wet. I donned them anyway so I could lift 100 pound bags of sand to pour into the green buckets I was using as tree bases. I scooped sand and snow and packed tree and bucket until the trees stood upright. By the time they were in place my hands were in great pain. I whipped the soggy gloves off and stood in the white still world with hands pressed up against my body to warm. When they felt human again I tried doing impossible things by sheer grit and determination, such as pounding a tack with a hammer, hanging up tiny snowflake ornaments by their little ties onto spruce branches. My hands would go numb every six flakes and I would stuff them into my sides touching my skin so they would warm faster. And on it went, until all six trees were done. Beautiful little cardinal and dove bird ornaments nestled on the branches, completed with white fuzzy snow flakes and bells. Seldom have I had a project that started out as a fun idea and took so much work and willpower to complete. My hands and face are dried and crispy, and my arms are achy from the hauling and lifting. The trees? Well, they are cute, but I suddenly noticed that their four to six feet in height really are no match for the towering pines so beautifully snow laden all about the resort grounds. Even with the trinkets, well, they dont stand a chance! I will likely have big plans for next years decorating too, but for now, I am happy to give it a rest for another year! By way of fyi, I really do love decorating my own house for Christmas. We just keep it simple--a Chrsitmas tree, a nativity scene, a Christmas candle on the kitchen window sill, and maybe an advent calendar or two. It is especially fun with little ones who are ready to be delighted at almost anything you do to celebrate. So now that the hard work is done outdoors, I will let my skin heal and then deliciously sip egg nog by our own Christmas tree late some night, and listen to soft carols play and study the baby Jesus scene by candlelight--the scene cut out of wood and created into a beautiful puzzle by my Dad, an idea from my Grandpa Porter. Its hard to get Christmas joy out of your blood--I do love this time of year! Especially when I remember to keep it simple and enjoy the little things!
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:53:37 +0000
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