Happy Holidays: Meet my Holiday Tree/Bush

Happy holidays to all.

It is Christmas today, and a time for family, food, and festivity. It is also a time to reflect and honor the meaning of the day.

Here you see my holiday tree/bush. Now, for those who know me, you know there is a story. You see, I am in Year 5 of the non-traditional Christmas tree. Yes, I have yet to have a 'standard' tree in the past five years. I've had an upside down tree, a fan-bush tree, a tree full of wire 'boinnnngggs', etc. You get the idea.

So, each year, it has been a bit of a challenge to come up with something new. This year, I was aided by a strong wind storm.

My original idea was to go up to the mountains and find a dead branch of interest. Then, I would paint it, and let it be the base of my tree. Somehow, I never made it up to the mountains, but the wind storm we had a couple of weeks ago provided 'just the branch'.

I was driving to the college early one morning, and started noticing all the branches on the side of the road. Then, I saw one that just called to me. It had lots of long slender leaves, some red berries, and even some fuzzy little red flowers. I have no idea what kind of tree it was.

So... on with the brakes. I had to eye it up for size, and then look at Eros my SUV, to see if it would fit. Hmm.. most likely not.. but I decided to give it a try. Let's just say, that the car was full of leaves, branches, etc., and it sounded like a wind storm, all the way to the college and back.

Once home, I positioned my branch in an old Victorian-looking metal stand I have, and then placed actual green cuttings around the base of the stand (as I love the smell of greenery).

On with the lights and decorations.

This has been my most unique tree thus far... and sets a new bar of craziness.

A couple more views.. one with friends and the cat.