Tree season

And so it begins ... bows for the wreaths ... tied by yours truly in the evenings when/if I get to sit still.

This is the staging area for the trees after they are plucked from the field, baled and tagged, loaded onto the trailers driven by the tractor drivers (Paul is one of those guys) and delivered back to this area. It's empty as of yesterday's start ... but it'll be filled to the brim and then some soon enough. Then the trees are loaded into semis and taken to Lowe's and Home Depot (to name a couple of retailers) and off they go to you folks off of the mountain. So the next time you see a live tree, buy one! It keeps us employed and fed!!!!! But in the event you don't buy one, just send good thoughts our way. Lots of Paul's energy goes in to trees!

Just to give you an idea of the terrain ... it isn't like Florida! ;-)

So the driver is in the front on his tractor ... then the Mexican men throw the trees from the ground to the ones who are standing on the trailers to catch them. They are pretty amazing to watch work ... it's wondrous how they don't knock each other off the trailers some times because the trees are soaking wet with water and snow later in the month, and they weigh a ton. It's a HARD job.

These guys are baling the trees with wire mesh that keeps them nice and protected until they get to their final destination. Look at the pitch of the land! Listening to Paul describe driving on the hills is enough to give me chills sometimes! Yikes!

Loading the trailer (up close!) ... Fransisco is the guy on the left (not in yellow) with the tree. Paul says he is one of the strongest men he's ever met. As you can see by his stance, that tree is not light. These guys truly earn their living!

It was foggy yesterday ... so they cut and bale the trees and put them in rows for the drivers to pick up and take to the staging areas.

Yesterday's work was on top of Buck Mountain which is over just past our house in Tennessee. We'll keep you posted on the filling up of this area ... you'll be amazed.

When Paul got home last night he smelled SO GOOD! Just like a Christmas tree! I love this time of year. Even though we're only entering our 3rd season, it feels like tradition!

The time change has me all confused. It's only 20 til 5 and it's getting darkish. And it's cold because the sun is hiding behind the mountain already.

Paul installed some french doors at the mouth of the hallway last night! They look great ... and will look even better when they're stained and etc. He also installed gas logs in the bedroom and den. Our list is moving right along! Pictures to follow ... Paul had the camera so I didn't get to take photos yet. Hopefully there will be another set of french doors up in the doorway that leads to the dining room soon! Then the heat will be easier to direct. (well, we hope!)

Don't forget to vote tomorrow for all of you who vote!!!! And good luck to all the people who have a reason to be on a ballot.

Happy tree season to all!

P&C