Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree...

Determined to cut down their own tree, the McClains scoured the options, and after much research,decided on a Hann's Christmas Free Farm in Oregon, WI. Josh was at the hospital, on call... and after 2 snows, the 3 of us piled into the 4Runner and were off!

With Maureen at the wheel ( there was no way I was getting in the driver seat ... duh! there is snow on the ground, not to mention snow on the car, the door was frozen shut, and there were icicles that had formed from the running boards and tire wells of the car.)

Using our expert navigation system (hand-written directions), we arrived and were greeted by a friendly worker atthe gate house. We parked, and the trek began.

Greeted by the holiday cheer of the rest of the Hann's Christmas Farm crew,Maureen picked out the perfect saw and I thought to my self.... there is no way we are cutting downa tree with

that thing! But, we treked through the farm, my toes starting to become frozen, inhigh spirits looking for the perfect tree. (Thoughts of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation were running through my mind and I was hopeful that we would be more careful and find a tree that was squirrel-free.)

I learned that there are different types of trees -- and that in Maureen's family, they alternated each year because her mom and dad liked different types of trees. I cant tell you what type of tree they ended up getting, but it is a nice one. Nick was so excited that we found the tree, that he felt compelled to dance and try to kiss it, but the tree reallydidnt want to kiss him!

Ok, its time

We have been very slack, to put it lightly, about updating in our cooking efforts....

But to create some excuses and reasons why...

- its the cooking season and we'd rather spend time with our dear loved ones than post, but its a way to connect with our dear loved ones that are not freezing their nose hairs in madison, so this is not an excuse.
- maureen was out of town for turkey day.
- we made corn syrup pies for a fundraiser and were a bit grossed out by food.
- it started snowing.
- nick and maureen got a new saw and were meticulously putting up shoe molding for a weekend
- sadie was sick ... and still has a cold (those darn elem. kiddos love to share their germs)
- nick and maureen got a wood burning stove - enough said. If you havent ever sat infront of a wood burning stove, its easiest to summarize that your to do list and priorities are erased and it just you, the fire, and relaxing (not to mention being warm .... sure beats your nose hairs freezing!)

We will get back on track.
Tks for being patient.