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"Darkening nights are drawing in
Log fires are lit, the curtains close
Gardens wait for the year to begin
Inside gardeners warm their toes"
~By David Squire~
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- Choosing a tree for many people is an outdoor recreational experience that has become a family tradition.
- I grew up in a heavily forested region, in La Ronge ; a small community in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. I have fond memories of wading through waist deep snow with my mom, dad and sister, sometimes for miles; to find the perfect tree. Today my two children, husband and I like to get our tree from a tree farm or from local growers.
- Another popular choice with many people now, is to buy a living tree. Living trees usually only keep about ten days indoors and then they need to be moved back outside.
Preserving Holly:
Soak your holly in this mixture:
(For preserving.)
1 cup glycerine
2 cups boiling water
Green food colorings.
Then soak again in this mixture:
(to seal in moisture )
4 cups water
1 cup floor wax.
Keep it fresh:
- To help the tree absorb water better, cut an inch off the trunk, above the last cut.
- Place the tree in a stand with a lot of water. It could absorb up to a gallon in the first day. Check the water level frequently and add water as necessary.
- Never allow it to dry out or it'll shed it's needles prematurely.
- Never place your tree near a heat source of any kind. This is extremely dangerous and will increase the chances of early needle loss.
- Remember to always turn your Christmas tree lights off when leaving the house or when going to sleep.
Christmas Potpourri:
6 Cinnamon Sticks
Several Pine Cones
2 cups of Dried Sage
1 cup of whole Cloves
2 cups of Dried Rosemary
Grated (dried) Orange Peel
Allspice (whole or ground)
1 cup of Balsam Fir Needles
20 drops of Winterberry OIL
2 cups of Red Juniper Berries
Recipe for FIREPROOFING YOUR TREE:
- Mix the following ingredients into a gallon of water then pour into a spray bottle and spray the entire tree.
- Pour remaining solution into the trees water supply.
1 cup ammonium sulphate
1/2 cup boric acid
2 tablespoons borax
Scrumptious Gingerbread Cookies:
2 eggs
3/4 cup oil
1 cup sugar
7 cups flour
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Combine sugar, molasses, oil, water and eggs.
- Mix well. Add remaining ingredients.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Roll and cut out shapes.
- Bake for ten mins. at 350
Tree Disposal:
- A great idea for tree disposal after the festivities have come to an end, is to place your tree in your yard.
- Mix birdseed, bread crumbs and suet into peanut butter then spread it on the tips of the branches of your tree.
- The birds will love you and the tree can stay in your yard until spring.
- Several communities also have tree pickup programs. For a small fee they will collect your tree then chip it themselves.
(I am told many areas will do this free of charge)
- Get a jump start on the holidays ! Begin your Christmas crafting and cooking now. Christmas always seems to come so fast. Wouldn't it be nice to watch everyone else scurry around for a change ?
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Christmas tree tips
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