The Giving Tree

My friend who is also my neighbor, gym buddy and Martha Stewart-like inspiration spent the last two afternoons teaching me how to make a live garland for our front door. I have admired hers for the last 8 Christmas's we have spent in this neighborhood. I feel like she has given me such a gift just by taking the time to show me how to make one. The garland is made of pine clippings from the Christmas tree compost piles, magnolia branches and sprigs of cedar. The magnolia comes from a beautiful old tree, which my friend Valla lovingly calls "The Giving Tree". This tree is amazingly huge and sits on what we thought was an abandoned piece of property. So we started this project yesterday and visited the tree. Today, we went back for more. But before we started picking pieces, I wanted to get some pictures of the kids playing in this beautiful old tree. My garlands are done and Eric will be hanging them tomorrow. I think they turned out beautiful and look forward to adding this project as another tradition. Here's a few photos of Linzi, Alex and Valla's little girl, Kate playing around the tree. I will post pictures of the garlands after Eric hangs them for me tomorrow.

The Giving Tree

Kate & Linzi playing under the tree - it's a very cool place for kids to play

Of course Alex had to climb the tree!

Linzi ran like this the WHOLE day today! And she didn't get a nap. She is beyond exhausted and I am looking forward to a quiet early bedtime. :D