Before the windstorms recently, we had the good sense (or the tree surgeon had the good sense!) to come and cut the tops of some of the trees near the bungalow here. They were growing too close to the electricity wires.
So the guys came in with their visor jackets and chainsaws, and gradually cut away the necessary branches. They chopped up the logs and stacked them in the shed for future use, and the branches were put in a separate pile underneath one of the trees. At the time I was not sure...
Before the windstorms recently, we had the good sense (or the tree surgeon had the good sense!) to come and cut the tops of some of the trees near the bungalow here. They were growing too close to the electricity wires.
So the guys came in with their visor jackets and chainsaws, and gradually cut away the necessary branches. They chopped up the logs and stacked them in the shed for future use, and the branches were put in a separate pile underneath one of the trees. At the time I was not sure what they would be used for!
In any case, it was a good thing those branches came down when they did, as I’m not sure they would have held up in the recent wind storms!
A few days ago I suddenly thought of those pine branches and how they would be perfect for my Christmas decorating. Instead of going out and getting a Christmas tree, or enhancing my decor through store bought items, I decided to make my own garland and makeshift tree with the remaining pine.
On a still and clear, dry day. After a walk on the beach, I came back and went out to the stack of leftover branches to pick some out. A crow called out and birds were twittering nearby, wondering about my visit to their territory. I breathed in the fresh air…. It smelled sweetly of pine - a wonderful smell which always brings me back to the pine forests in Ontario, where I grew up as a child.
There were a lot of branches to choose from…. I picked out a few tucking them under my arm and walked to the house, plopping them on the porch where I could have a better look and trim some of the excess. My boots were muddy so I stomped down a few times to try and get some of the dirt and debris off them. A robin popped up on the outdoor wall to watch me inquisitively, or to alert me to its need for seeds, I’m not sure which! But probably the latter!
I cut away a few bits of the pine branches and brought them inside, took off my boots and coat, and walked to the lounge with my stash, spreading them out over the floor.
Before continuing I decided to make it a festive occasion. In the kitchen I rummaged through the cupboards to find some spices, heated up some almond milk on the stove and made myself a spicy latte which I took with me back to the lounge. Then I plugged in the small Christmas lights already framing the large window, and put on some Christmas music. There, that was the right setting.
There was a perfect piece from the outdoor foliage to use as my small Christmas tree.
I found a terracotta pot and turned it upside down, inserting the stem of the branch in the hole at the bottom and placed it on a small tall table. The makeshift tree was a little wobbly, but it would do! Then I proceeded to trim up the other branches and lay them along the top of the fireplace mantle, tucking one piece behind another until they covered the stretch of ledge in a somewhat orderly way. I put the leftover bits in a small pile to use for a fire later.
Moving around the room, I took other branches big and small and found places to display them, along with some of the ribbon and gold pinecones I had saved, nestling candles in where they could be suitably lit without setting it all aflame! There were so many branches to choose from! But I chose carefully and before going over the top, decided to stop and stepped back to have a look. Feeling satisfied, I took the smaller pieces and put them in the fire, lit a match and set them alight, placing a log on top. The fire crackled and spit, and soon was roaring away...
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