Better late than never. I had decided early on that this would be our big weekend for making Christmas preparations. And that’s just what happened.

On Saturday we went to our favorite farm in Georgetown, MA. We poked around outside and I have to admit that it wasn’t a great selection for us. The trees were all too large. They were beautiful, but unfortunately too big for my small living toom. Liz found a tree that looked good but whose needles were already falling off. The man looking after everything suggested I get a different tree.

I thought that was great. He could have sold me the crappy tree but warned me off it instead! Additionally he suggested the kids could roast some marshmallows over his fire. We had a nice time doing that. We went inside the farm stand to sit near the wood burning stove and drink hot cocoa and eat cider donuts. They really hit the spot because it was cold and snowy outside.

The xmas tree man had suggested that if none of the trees on the lot were what I was looking for I should try cutting my own. Just down the road they had a saw and twine sitting out so whoever wanted to could cut down their own tree and come back to pay for it.

I thought this might invite theft, but they didn’t seem to have a problem with it. We drove over and within 10 minute Gabriel had spotted a tall tree that wasn’t too full but wasn’t wiry and skinny either. It was a perfect tree, I think. He was proud to have spotted it and I cut it down and dragged it back to the car through the snow.

After paying and going home we set the tree up and set about decorating it. We had a fine time. I prefer a tree with the lights tucked deep inside the branches instead of on the tips because I think it gives the tree a light almost from within. Its very pretty.

That took us through the afternoon.

Yesterday I took care of some chores around the house before trying to go to home depot to get some parts to stop the tub’s faucet from leaking. Inside the handles of the tub’s faucet are a pair of “cores” that control when and how much water to let out when the knob is turned. At least one is shot because the damn thing won’t stop running. So I went to home depot and they had a million of these core-things and I had neglected to bring one from home. Additionally they didn’t have any of the environmentally friendly ice-melt! Dopes.

Shortly after I got home Maria showed up to finally pick up the guinea pigs. So if any of you were waiting for your chance to own a pig — you’re going to have to get it somewhere else because I (FINALLY) don’t have any.

We’d like to put a desk and a computer where the pigs used to be. It would be the kids’ computer. I’m still leaning towards a Mac… but there are some appealing things about a Windows PC too.

After lunch we grabbed the kids and took the T in to Boston. They always love the train and the excitement of going in to the city. We took them to The Enchanted Village. There used ot be an old time department store in Boston called Jordan Marsh. Every year in their Downtown Crossing location they would devote most of a floor to their “Enchanted Village”, which was a collection of animatronic manequins set in idyllic christmas/wintry scenes of nostalgic whimsy. It started in the 1940’s and continued until Jordan Marsh was bought by Macy’s a few years back. After that Macy’s decided not to have it any more so the City of Boston took it over. This year it was in the Hynes Convention center near the Prudential Center in downtown Boston.

The weather was crisp and there was snow and ice still on the ground but it was a lot of fun. The kids had a fine time at the Enchanted Village but I think they liked the rest of the outing even more. Maybe I’ll take them to the Frog Pond sometime soon for skating. I know they would like that.

But I’m a lousy ice skater. I would have to stay on the sidelines and watch.

We had a good early dinner at Appleby’s and then came home. Everyone was tired by then and we all settled in for some xmas cartoon specials. Olive the Other Reindeer, Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer and I think some Frosty.

You know, the usual suspects.

So it was a pretty festive and enjoyable weekend.

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