Oh Christmas tree!

I was so very excited to get our tree this year.  Chris' family has been cutting down their tree's Thanksgiving weekend, from the same tree farm for over 20 years.  For the past three years I have been a part of this tradition. This year we went the Friday after Thanksgiving.

I was determined to find the perfect tree this year.  Year one we got a white pine...long soft needles, very light in weight with flimsy branches.  Since this was the first tree that I got to decorate all on my own, I went a little crazy with ornament purchasing...the poor tree could not hold many of my heavy ornaments. Our kitten at the time, Scout, pretty much left the real tree alone, but fell in love with my 4 foot pre-lit white tree...after much abuse, the white tree has been retired.  Year two, I picked a beautiful Fraser Fir.  It was pretty, but too round for our small living room. We also added an addition to our family in the form of a tree-climbing kitty named Frankie.  He loved climbing the Fraser. We have always wanted a slim tree, but narrow trees were not available.  This year, we were able to go to a small area with new trees that were a little more pricey.  We selected a Canaan Fir.  It is perfect.  I wish I could take the credit for picking it, but my MIL actually found it.  She has much more tree picking experience than me!  Frankie is limiting his contact to nibbling the tips of the branches, and Scout leaves it alone. 

So the tree has been undecorated, unlit in the living room for almost two weeks.  I finally put the lights on...my least favorite part. I bought 2 strands of these really pretty lights to mix it up a bit, but part of one strand it out.

{via Target}

I love the way they look with the regular lights.  I did not put on very many strands since I dislike putting the lights on so much.  I am too impatient!

On another note, I received a Winter scented candle from my MIL.  It is such a wonderful smelling candle...I think it has really gotten me into the tree decorating mood! I smell "tree", so I looked it up and it "is a festive blend of shimmering pine, crisp bay leaf, red cinnamon and warm winter woods"

{Bath and Bodyworks}

We have been burning this candle the last few nights and it is just so perfectly holiday-ish.