Hello my friends. Welcome to day 9 in my 12 Days of Christmas Decorating. 

This weekend, I logged a Christmas tree home. All by myself. And it is a big tree. The biggest tree I have ever had. She dominates my living room in all her shiny, and light splendor. 

And she is decked out in white:

 

 I was on a mission. On a mission like only a woman can be. A woman without a tree. A woman who wants a tree. A woman who needs a tree.

I went hunting for the best Christmas tree dealer around. I found one a couple of villages over. He grew and dug up the trees with his own two hands. He had fresh trees, big and small trees, luscious and gorgeous trees, and I wanted one. 

I read he was open for sales from 8 o’clock in the morning. I planned to be there at eight, on a Saturday morning. That is how much on a mission I was. 

I didn’t make it at eight. I got lost in the outback, but I was there at 8.30. 

 

 

He asked me “what kind of tree do you want?” I answered “big and beautiful” and then he showed me this one. He showed me some others too, but I was already sold. Or should I say the tree was sold. 

He helped me get her in the boot of the car. It stuck out behind. I have never driven with the car boot door open. I did it anyway. I had to get my tree home. 

I got her home, I got her out of the car. She took my breath away. Literally.

 

 

Did I say she is big? Well, hmm I’m not, I am rather petite-ish, in height that is (nothing petite about my curves).  To say that she is heavy is an understatement…

The tree dealer had sawed a bit off of her, to give her a fresh cut so she could drink. I was told to put her in a bucket with water.

I was home alone. Me and my giant tree where home alone and she was thirsty. So was I by the way but the tea had to wait. First I had to give my big baby girl her drink. 

Hmm, how do you get a giant tree in a tiny bucket all by yourself?

 

 

Well, by being resourceful. I first tried to do it inside. She was so heavy I was glad I got her through the door, I didn’t see myself carrying her through the house to the back. 

So I got the bucket, I sorta leaned her against the wall and then stood there staring. How on earth was I going to lift her high enough to hover over the bucket. A bucket full of water. A bucket I couldn’t see when I would be trying to balance this tree. 

I had visions of the bucket spilling all that water over my floor and me being swallowed up by the tree.

Time for plan B.

There had to be a plan B, I was on a mission…..

 

 

I dragged her out anyway. From the hallway, to the living room, steep curve into the kitchen, through the kitchen, careful not to swipe my open kitchen shelves clear of my china and out the back door. 

I found a bigger bucket. I positioned it in a corner. I dragged the tree in exactly the position so that her stem was hovering over that bucket. 

I lifted her up. The tree stump perfectly sliding into the bucket. She was standing. 

I raised my arms, stumped my feet and cried victory. 

I had done it. All by myself. Woman on a mission, hear me roar!

 

 Go here to learn how to make the crochet doilies

 

I went back in to see the destruction she had left behind. I had just got the broom out when I heard a big clash. 

Oops she had tipped over. All that water running over my terrace (thank goodness I took this business outside). 

So once more I did my positioning and lifting trick, and this time I made sure she leaned in the direction of the wall. 

I gave her time to drink, while I cleaned up the mess and made myself that cup of tea I had been yearning for. 

And that evening, I brought her inside (with the help of the man this time), and after some major detangling of the lights, the decorating could begin. 

I repurposed the doilies from Day 2 because they had had to make room for my mantel from day 8. And without planning it like that, she sort of evolved into this white beauty. 

 

 

All those cords are hidden in a basket with pine cones. From this angle you can see the cord leave the basket, but  it is all nicely hidden away. 

 

I remember taking a shot like this one above last year. I was hating the contrast between my dark hutch and my light tree than. This year I am loving the friendship between my tree and my freshly painted hutch. Perfect way to end a year of DIY-ing and decorating.

 

Yeah, it was quite an adventure to bring her home, but she is worth it. 

Know what else is worth it? My friends and their awesome projects are worth a visit too!

 

Funky Junk Interiors	Inspired by Charm	Thistlewood Farm	Shanty 2 Chic	Remodelaholic

 

All my 12 Days of Christmas Decorating Posts so far.