So, we went hunting for our Christmas tree! I tell anyone who will listen that one day, after analogue and new technologies have finally battled it out and declared a winner, I dream of retiring and buying some land up north of the city and foraging for wild mushrooms and growing eggplants and kale and letting the dog out to mark our territory, scaring off all the natural predators. I'll bake bread and write my memoirs of running a stationery shop and can tomatoes and collect fresh eggs from my chickens which I'll have named to prevent any chicken dinners. In reality, I am, however, not really a bug or spider person, nor do I fare very well in cold weather, so it's a bit of a dream that I dream of when I'm dragging the baby on the TTC across the city to his doctor's appointments, or there are fragrant smells wafting in from the courtyard next to the office unit. However, this past Monday, on our last day off until Christmas Day itself, we went to a Christmas Tree Farm. I'm not sure if there's anything both more or less romantic than that. I mean, on the one hand, it's a farm where there are Christmas trees, young and old, as far as the eye can see! On the other hand, it's a farm where all the trees are doomed. I mean, "doomed" unless you're the tree in e.e. cummings' poem. I'm on the romantic side. When we pulled into the farm, it didn't look too great, probably not helped by the very grey weather and skies, but as soon as you stepped out, you can literally smell Christmas in the air. We went to Prestonvale Tree Farms, which is out past Ajax. I highly recommend it! They're very nice, and they have everything you need, which is great for folks like us, since we don't know what we're doing. They even gave Caleb a candy cane, which we had to accept to be polite, and since Caleb isn't eating candy yet, someone else had to eat it on the car ride home.
Caleb listening to the wisdom coming from our Christmas tree guide, in his farmer overalls. When I am a farmer, I too will be wearing overalls.
Saw selection - safety first!
Saw selection - safety first! I was silly enough to think that we could just cut the tree down with a best fixed blade survival knife
The prince, dubious, yet uncomplaining of his new chariot.
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A Caleb-sized tree.
Having located our perfect tree, I call the troops. Jon has to momentarily abandon the wagon to come and take a look at the chosen one.
I could have sworn I took a picture of the tree pre-chopping, but I just have a bunch of pictures of a bunch of trees that, pre-chopping looked very different, but now look all exactly the same.
Jon:
Jon:
Jon:
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The tree is up! There are some lights on it, but nothing else! Actually, we didn't even have a Christmas tree last year, either in our home or in the 906 shop, but this year we're a bit more organized, and the baby is a bit older. We don't have too many ornaments, but we're hoping to slowly begin collecting them over the years. Our tree will look a bit empty for now, but stick with us :) It's been a busy couple of days, and it's been a bit quiet here on the blog! We have lots, and lots going on, I can hardly keep up. I've been working on our Christmas cards, we've been packing up orders into the late night, we had my in-laws over so there were a few dangerously full closets. We've still got boxes and boxes coming into the shop as the holiday season comes into full swing. Restocking and new things, I've been rubbing my hands in anticipation of the TWSBI Vac-mini, which I think will be around the end of December. More and more to come!

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December 08, 2015 — wonderpens

Comments

Chris

Chris said:

Yes, you showed your camera in the instagram featuring what you were carrying in your bag on your field trip! Who made the bag, by the way? Also, Superior Labor? Very nice!

One of the very best things my Dad has done for me and my siblings was to photograph our childhood. I’m of the age now where the details are fading, but having all these photos helps to restore some of our history. Caleb is very lucky to have you making an account of his life!

Liz

Liz said:

The bag is from Roots – I love it! I’ve had it for a long time, and Roots has repaired it twice, including relining the inside of the bag. It has served me very well!
I’ll bet Caleb might not be so glad when I pull out some of these photos when his friends come over ;) But I will treasure them! :)

Liz

Liz said:

Hmmm…I don’t know of any forums for photography offhand, but I’m sure there are many! You could try somewhere on Reddit?

mickeyobe

mickeyobe said:

Microscopy Camera,

May I suggest The Camera Collector. I have been a member for about 10 years.
I have tried other photo fora but they were too rigid for me. I have been an amateur photographer for over 70 years and a camera collector for about 11 years.
The CC covers many subjects and there always seem to be members who happily can answer almost any question on photography.
There are never any arguments and other topics may be covered but photography rules.
You might say we are rather unorthodox. It’s more fun that way.
It is a small forum, about 1,500 unusually compatible members, both female and the other sexes.
Membership costs nothing but a member’s verbal participation is always welcome.
Mickey

Liz

Liz said:

Thanks so much!! I sometimes wonder who will read these types of posts, since they’re not “informative” or “educational,” but it’s sometimes nice to share a bit more :)

Chris

Chris said:

Great photos! All of them! Are these taken with a phone?

Liz

Liz said:

Thanks so much! I use a camera, an Olympus. It’s great, and actually everything in the shop is taken with it :)

Liz

Liz said:

That is a tough decision!! I am very, very, very excited for the Vac-mini, which I think should be set to arrive in the next two weeks. I do have actually two Minis, and I can say that I love them, as well. I feel like the Mini is a great pocket pen, but for some reason, I feel like the Vac-mini might be just a bit cuter!! Philip from TWSBI might laugh at me saying that, though, so I would hate to sway your decision either way ;)

Barbara

Barbara said:

Perhaps I will wait and purchase both!

Lilith

Lilith said:

I love your slice of life stories!

Liz

Liz said:

Spoken like a true pen nut :)

Barbara

Barbara said:

Sweet story. However, the end of your post has me in a muddle. I was set to purchase the TWSBI mini. Should I wait for the vac-mini?

Liz

Liz said:

Thanks so much for reading and following along with us! We had a lot of fun at the farm, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post :)

Liz

Liz said:

You are too kind! We had a lot of fun looking for our tree, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post :)

mickeyobe

mickeyobe said:

You are an excellent photographer.
What a beautiful series. Your story telling carries over to your photography.

pamelake

pamelake said:

Liz – I LOVE that you have shared this with us. Thank you.

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