Christmas Tree, Oh! Christmas Tree... that's the only part I know in the song.

Merry Christmas!

 You know, i've never really remembered having a "cold" Christmas. The cold I experienced in San Diego was a zip up hoodie with a tank top underneath and thin sweat pants with flip flops on. My cold was in the low 50's and maybe it'll hit to the mid 40's up in the mountains where I lived... that was FREEZING to a born and raised cali girl like me!

 So coming to Tennessee... hmmmm... just a tad bit different... ok maybe not "tad", more like a major difference!!!!

 My first priority when we found our beautiful home was to make it a home right away before we unpacked one thing from our boxes and suitcases and to make a Christmas tradition right away to make the most of the month of December (as we moved in day after Thanksgiving).

 After putting all of our belongings in our home, my beloved and I hopped in our Cherokee (leaving sadie back with her blankie covering the crate with the scent of our apartment back in Alpine and of the car so she wouldn't get so lonely and a yummy kong filled with peanut butter!) and went looking for Christmas Trees. 

 We really wanted to go cut down our own Tree, but we didn't know where to go or who to ask, so we decided for this year we would go to Costco or Home Depot and get a tree. 

 We went to Costco and it just didn't seem fun to me. They all looked exactly the same, they were all wrapped up tight so you had no idea how full they would be, so we decided to drive around and see if there was a tree lot somewhere.

Not less than 2 miles down the road was a tree lot full of rustic looking trees that looked fresh and ready to be taken home!

Our tree wrapped from the lot ready to go home!

 They were a bit more pricier but it was so worth it!

These trees were freshly cut right across the border in North Carolina from a local farm there, the young man there definitely looked and talked like he came from North Carolina! He was an absolute charm! He not only talked to us about the tree but we ended up staying almost an hour just chatting with him in the cold! 

 His character was so warm, and of course he talked with us about our like minded beliefs in politics and God (We are very Conservative and strong believers and followers of Jesus Christ!), and he helped direct us how to train sadie to hunt and retrieve fowl when Dustin goes hunting (and I wouldn't mind learning to hunt as well with him!). 

He talked fondly of his "girl", a 1970's GMC truck that was passed from his uncle down to him, and he said, "I don't care how much someone offers, that truck damn sure ain't for sale!"

Brought our tree back home! I love everything in this picture!!!

 I then proceeded to find a tree that had a nest nestled deep in the tree!!!!! It was an old nest but it looked so natural and rustic how could I say no? Haha! We could have ended up like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation where a squirrel comes running out! But no, we didn't have that happen, Sadie would have had a fun time chasing and taking that squirrel out (she's hunted and killed other things. She's a hunter all right!)! HaHa!

You can see Dustin's legs as he is trying to make the tree more straighter, and of course i'm just snapping away photos... It's not like he needed help or anything. Sigh, i'm such a wife! Heehee!

 Finding a tree at a home depot, walmart or costco may be cheaper and quicker, but nothing beats finding a small lot and talking to the people who work there and not only finding a beautiful fresh tree, but make a memory and a friendship even if it's brief! That lot has been in their family for over 30 years!

I think I know which lot will be the place we will be going too to find our tree. It was such a wonderful time we had!

Sadie completely confused by this dinosaur bone! Haha! She had a look that said, "Is ALL this for me???" Let's just say she devoured that thing!!! It kept her happy and out of our way for that evening!

No, Dustin isn't saluting the tree. Lol! He was just trimming the top and inspecting his work as the top of the tree was hitting ceiling.

Lights are on, the burlap is wrapped around, all we need to do is decorate with ornaments! The fireplace  was amazing! It crackled and warmed us up!

How can you not have egg nog in santa cups and popcorn in these festive tins while decorating?

Ya, you CAN NOT leave out the Peanut gang!

The very first ornament we put on the tree was our very first ornament together as a married couple we got back in Hawaii!

The star was the last and final touch!

A simple and sweet rustic Christmas we will finally be having! The Lord has been so good to us! When you honor Jesus and obey Him, He honors you right back!

Dustin sitting on the couch enjoying his home, he didn't know I took this photo! I am so flattered each time I see my husband enjoy the works of my hand in our home!

Sadie's first Christmas experience!

Christmas jazz playing softly, fireplace lit up, egg nog in hand, with christmas lights on, snuggled up in the arms of my beloved with Sadie napping at our feet... This is the best Christmas EVER!