Winter Roundup

We've had a lot of fog the last couple months.  Up on our hill we're either above it or shrouded in it while the lower areas are clear.  And we finally had a little snow.  It wasn't gentle flakes softly drifting down--it was a 15 degree blizzard of high winds and snow mixed with freezing rain.  It's been pretty miserable ever since, except for this one day of sunshine.  The fountains always provide a dramatic freeze.  

Now for an update on my shrink-wrapped Christmas tree storage concept.  With the help of my trusty cleaners (Jose and Susanna) we tackled the wrapping and moving.  Wrapping went well by pulling the trees away from the walls and circling with the handy (if a bit awkward) spool of plastic from the hardware store.  We started at the bottom.  One person held the trunk through the branches, and when the plastic hit that spot, we put a hand hole through it.  It was pretty much one continuous roll of the spool until the top.   

The Bavarian tree was first, and needed to be tipped to clear the French doors.  The only drawback was the wheels of the stand don't swivel and roll smoothly like luggage wheels do.  The Bird & Birdhouse tree is smaller and was easier to wrap, with the basket as a starting point.  We lifted it onto a rolling dolly so the moving was smoother.   

Someone asked me at Christmas what the theme of my living room tree was.  My answer was "breakable."  This tree was the challenge that would validate (or not) my contribution to Christmas ornament and tree storage!  I had already put more effort into securing each ornament when I decorated this tree, placing less-fragile breakables toward the bottom.  But would it be enough?  We spent more time carefully wrapping, and especially moving this tree.  The other trees could brush a doorway, but even a tap could shatter an ornament on this tree.  You can see the hand hole in the plastic where I reached in to hold the trunk for stability as it rolled.  All the trees were difficult to pull and guide--without someone at wheel level.  Jose came up with a solution--a strap attached to the base of the trunk--in this case, his belt!  It was tense but successful, with only one minor ornament casualty.  

And now all three trees are safely stored in my extra garage bay.  I also bought tree disposal bags to cover the trees and tape closed at the bottom to keep them cleaner.  I realize this ingenious idea is only for pre-lit artificial trees, on wheeled stands, with storage space on the same level of the home.  And for folks like me, who dread the on-and-off of all the ornaments, re-wrapping each one, and the numerous storage boxes they require.  So for me this is pretty nifty!  Of course the unwrapping next year will be the ultimate test.  I hope whomever takes my idea a step further toward commercialization will give me the inventor's commission I'm due! 

I shouldn't complain about the weather.  You might say I knew what I was getting into.  But as I've said before, Northwest weather is more extreme now than when I was growing up.  But our winters certainly aren't as bad as some parts of the country.  I guess crummy winters are one way to make us appreciate spring even more.  We're hunkering-down in anticipation!  

This is common sight in my house, especially during the cooler months.  Sadie tosses the blanket with her head and burrows under.  Usually, tip nor tail can be seen.  Can you spot a nose?