Getting ready for Christmas takes several days and lots of help . . .
Inspecting the lights . . .
A closer look . . .
John got the tree at the Farmers' Market . . .
Our trees are always secured with a stout rope . . .
Inspecting the stout rope . . .
Inspecting the tub for the tree . . .
Inspecting the tree . . .
From all angles . . .
Cory's inspection completed, Angeline takes over. . .
A negative reaction?
Sunday . . . friends and family gather for the traditional stringing of the popcorn and cranberries -- there's the traditional grumbling over the task . . .
But before long, we have a nice long string . . .
Some family members don't participate . . .
Instead of Christmas carols and cocoa, there's football and beer and cider . . .
And all the popcorn you can eat.
This crew is adept at hanging the string to my exacting specifications. . .
It requires a good eye and a certain amount of athleticism.
When supper time arrived, there were two lasagnes -- a red one with Italian sausage and a green and white one with spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, and peppers.
A spinach salad with tangerines, green onions and an amazing oil and vinegar, curry and lemon dressing, as well as homemade bread and home-churned butter . . . and wine . . . and port . . .
After which, there was a total lack of interest in hanging more stuff on the tree.
No matter, the difficult bit's done -- I'll finish up tomorrow...
