O Christmas Tree

For years, Josh and I have been picking out a Christmas tree at the ever-so-heartwarming Home Depot. And it has been fun. But as Noah pointed out, none of the trees were attached to the ground.

So this year, we visited www.picktnproducts.org to find a local tree farm. Turns out, there aren't many advertising around here (the closest one appears to have sold out through Groupon). But we found one in NW Davidson County -- Eaton's Creek Farm -- featuring locally grown white pines, $30/tree.

The farm is gorgeous; set in wide rolling hills, you'd never guess you're technically in Nashville. What we didn't realize is that Eaton's Creek isn't really a Christmas tree farm. They happened to plant some pines 8-9 years ago, about 4 feet apart, and now they're a 25-foot-high, multi-acre mass of needles. The father and son who own the farm were standing in front of the forest with clippers, a chain saw, and some twine. Their first words: "Have you been here before? Well don't be intimidated by their height."

No kidding. I don't think there was anything under 25ft, and smashed together, their individual shapes were unintelligible. So we pointed and they cut. And cut. And cut some more. Until we had her down to a modest 13 feet. Josh tried to offer them $40, thinking a tree should probably cost more than $2/foot, but they wouldn't take it, saying "We just want you to be happy with it."

Then they tied her up and sent us home on the interstate, the Griswolds with our giant Charlie Brown tree.

Which didn't turn out too badly, if you're looking for character and authenticity. Lots of it. ;)