Busy Before the Rain

We have had a lot of rain in both October and November.  I love the rain, and we are still digging our way out of the drought, so I'm not complaining.  But, it is hard to get things done outside.  We had a break Thursday and Friday -- cold and cloudy, but no rain.

Thursday, I was busy in the kitchen baking pies (apple and pumpkin) and dinner rolls to take to our Thanksgiving dinner with friends.

So, yesterday we were busy.  After morning chores and breakfast, we jumped in the truck and drove up the winding road that climbs out of our valley.  We pulled up the dirt road to the Christmas tree farm just as they opened, beating the crowds.  I grabbed a saw from the rack, and we climbed the hill, dotted with trees.   Brett was ready.

We found a tree almost right away.  It was tall and slender; perfect for our front entry, next to the stairs.  Brett got to work, cutting it down.

Back home, we put it in a tub of water in the barn.  We won't set it up and decorate it for a week or two yet.  We've learned not to wait until then though to buy the tree; the trees go fast.  One year we hiked all over the hill searching amongst the stumps and slumping remaining trees for what seemed like hours before finding one.

When we pulled in the gate, with our tree hanging out the back of the tailgate, Lucy and Pistol were sound asleep under the oak trees.  Neither one got up as we unloaded the tree.

After we got the tree settled in the barn, Brett helped me get the rest of my daffodil bulbs planted.  I put them along one of the streams.  It should be really pretty in the spring.

The next storm started moving in last night, with rain -- and snow -- in the forecast through Monday.