One of the many things I look forward to each December is the greening of Christmas. I plan to make my annual stog around our mountain holler looking for nature’s decorations later this week.
Over the weekend I convinced The Deer Hunter to help me find a small Christmas tree for the kitchen. He said he knew just the place to find one. We headed down to the creek to see if he was right.
It was so nice to be outside in the fresh air. Since the busyness of summer gardening ended I’ve not been outside as much and I didn’t realize how much I had missed it until we were walking through the woods and I could hear the creek murmur it’s way on down towards the settlement of Brasstown.
Just as The Deer Hunter figured, there was a plentiful amount of small hemlocks underneath two massive hemlock trees that grow along the banks of Stamey Creek.
We ended up cutting several small hemlocks and combining them to make one small Christmas tree.
For decorations I used paper snowflakes I cut out of scrap paper, an old star I made ages ago, a strand or two of gold string I had, and a handful of small metal ornaments I made to go on a small feather tree I used to have.
I just love how the tree turned out. Every time I go through the kitchen I find myself stopping to admire it.
Last night’s video: The Homecoming Part 3.
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well I came after work yesterday to our church and put our Christmas Tree up. It took me all evening because it’s a big tree. I enjoyed it so much. Just being in church by yourself, it’s hard to explain. The tree came out perfect looking. One of the decons had ask me Sunday night if I was going to put the tree up. Well I did and hopefully it be a surprise to everyone when yhey come Wednesday night.
Your wandering through the woods brought back sweet memories of my husband and I exploring his beloved SC mountains. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed sharing his tales with me. I found much pleasure in listening to his voice and hearing his stories. This will be my first Christmas without him in many years. Like Miss Cindy, he has gone to the best Home where he is safe, saved, well, and whole. I look forward to seeing him there where all is joy with no sorrow. Give sweet Granny a hug for me and tell her she is in my prayers. Also praying for your gbabies safe arrival with healthy mommies.
I was around 12 years old & my Aunt Betty called my father & asked him if I would help her get a Christmas tree & to bring a saw. She picked me up & we drove to a city park to look for a tree. I told her I didn’t think it was legal to cut down a pine tree in a city park & she told me how she pays taxes & the trees in the park were for the people. She told me how she always went to the forest for a tree when she lived in Bryson City. I cut down the tree & tied it to the roof of her 1956 Buick. We were lucky that no one saw us, especially the park rangers or the police. I never told my parents until years later after my Aunt passed away. My father burst out laughing when I told him the story & said she was partially correct.
Those huge old hemlock trees on your walk were something to see! The little tree you and Matt put together seemed so perfect.
Tipper, I somehow got opted out of your blog. Tried to request emails again but haven’t gotten anything in 2 days. I’ve been following for several years not even sure what I did. Please make sure I am on your mailing list for my daily dose of Blind Pig and Acorn. Thanks.
Cheryl-I can see you are still subscribed. I bet the emails are going into your spam or junk folder, sometimes that happens. Check and see if they are there and if not let me know and we’ll see what we can do to fix it.
I loved today’s blog and I loved the video when you gathered the tree. It turned out beautifully! Thanks for the joy you bring to your readers! ❤️
The tree looks great!!
I got some greenery from my yard and have it arranged in several containers. I just love it. I will probably need to get some different greenery before Christmas since this will be dried out by then. I’ll watch to see what you find and get that ourdoorsey feeling again. Thanks Tipper. I love you and your family. Merry Christmas!
Stog is a NEW word for me, Tipper. I am glad you and Matt enjoyed it and found what you were looking for. I think this is this first I’ve heard of having a hemlock for a Christmas tree.
I like the simple little tree in your kitchen. I bet it also brought in some wonderful scents of the season! My daughter & family are coming for a few days the end of this week and they have “littles”, 2 & 4, so we talked and I am foregoing ornaments. We have lights and garland and the topper and that will be it, except for the antique German blown glass birds that have graced the top branches of our tree since I was a “little”. These will be the only ornaments this year to help us adults be a bit less stressed around the tree with the kiddos.
Love reading all the stories of Christmas!
Does anyone go into the woods anymore to gather running cedar to make into wreaths and garlands?
I love the tree. It brings back memories. We would go out and cut a tree. My dad would not let us put one up until we got out of school for Christmas break. We go to the back woods to cut one. Miss that and the smell. It was a little cedar tree every year. Merry Christmas! I miss spending it with family.
I love the little tree! I thought it was pretty before you decorated it, now it’s beautiful and I know it smells wonderful!! Getting to go outside together to pick out what you wanted makes it all the more special. My husband and I are always saying, “it’s the simple things we cherish the most.” Have a great day everyone!!
Tipper, your tree turned out beautiful. I like the white snow flakes among the green of the tree. Simple and stunning at the same time! I’m sure it smells wonderful.
I love the stories and the video of the finding of the hemlocks. I have a pine tree which I will clip like you folks did. You have such great ideas. Thank you.
Is it my imagination or is there something different in this Christmas? Somehow I think this community feels that. In the face of ever-more reasons to be brought low there is the sense that underneath are the everlasting arms. It seems to me that feeling is growing. I sure hope so. The heart of Christmas is genuine selfless love.
Morning, Tipper! Once again you remind us it’s the little things in life that make us happy. I also love your tree, and I for one have the Christmas spirit and it continues to grow as we inch our way to Christmas! Hope everyone has a great day, and may God bless us, every one!
I never get tired of watching the Waltons series on T.V. It just made me think of my Mother’s family growing up years as there were so many and so many great stories that are similar to the Waltons. I would use the word “crick” in my neck even now and I think I’ve heard it all my life as well as the “right smart” expression too:)
Randy, I’m sure many will be praying for you. My Father’s brother was killed in WWII, another brother made it back but would never talk about the war. Two of my Mother’s brothers served in WWII, made it back, but were changed, never drank before but were alcoholics when they came back to overcome it years later. It’s wonderful to know they were saved and we will get to see them again.
The only things I remember gathering from the woods for decorations were cedar or pine twigs, pine cones and of course mistletoe. My sister was the one into decorations. I was busy cracking walnuts to get the goodies to sell in town. I sold mistletoe also. The sprigs with berries brought a higher price but were harder to find and keep the berries on until sale day.
I love the small Christmas tree in your kitchen, it’s beautiful! I’ve never heard what you call ‘greening of Christmas’. This year, soon, I plan on walking through our bush and see what I can find out there to decorate our house with. In northern Alberta we don’t have Hemlock but lots of Spruce trees.
Thanks Tipper for all your posts, I look forward to them EVERY day! ❤️
Hi Tipper! I’m also getting ready for the greening! I love to make ornaments from scratch, especially those that are from our hardwood forest! I love watching the Christmas videos you have been posting!
Blessings,
Allison
I had decided not to put up a tree this year then I thought I might get a small one and string it with just popcorn and candy canes. Your tree and your readers’ stories have sealed the deal. I’ll be searching the woods this afternoon! Thank you for the inspiration!
I love it!! So pretty and I bet it smells good too! ❤️
You’ll definitely have to get 5or 6 bags of cranberries and dry them in your dehydrator for stringing, I did that this year, for the slightly smaller tree I put up, and they are simply beautiful! Their deep dark cherry red color is absolutely beautiful!! I’m gonna work on drying more to go with these, for next year (I hear the dried cranberries far really well over the year) seriously, it takes you back to the 1800s
Amen, Randy.
This time of year lends itself to nostalgia as we think of those who are no longer with us and of the beautiful times of the past but, thankfully, we also have the unimaginable joy of the birth of the Christ child and of His promise to all who believe.
God bless Tipper, her family and all of you in the Blind Pig community. I am so grateful that I found this site and channel. I so appreciate all of you.
Merry Christmas!
Myra
Your tree reminds me of the tree my wife and I had our first Christmas 51 years ago. We didn’t have room for a big tree so we got a little small one. We call it our Charlie Brown tree. It was a wonderful Christmas.
I love your hemlock tree! I love everything it stands for!
I put a gathering of greens in my office and they smell so wonderful!
Thank you for sharing the simple things! They are truly what matters in life.
Missing my brother this Christmas. It’s our first without him. I made chex mix and just cried. I have been sharing that with him for probably 30 years and this is the first I couldn’t.
Be kind and love deeply!
It is so pretty! I like the paper snowflakes!
I saw the video of you and Matt going to find your little tree. It looks so pretty! Love the hand made paper snowflakes.
The little tree is so cute with its decorations, what a sweet addition to your kitchen, I know it makes you smile every time you see it!
I love the tiny Christmas tree in your kitchen and especially the snowflakes! We have so many homemade things on our tree. We hardly have any store-bought items—except little things given to me by students when I worked at school, and ornaments our kids may have purchased at Santa’s workshop in elementary school. I saved everything my kids and grandkids ever made and always put them on our tree. I listened to your Homecoming reading this morning. It’s so interesting to listen to the names and the little differences from the movie. I love the Walton’s Christmas movie and I watch it every year— but listening to a book being read is such a treat and makes me use my imagination. Thanks so much for this reading. Still saying prayers for your mama. ❤️.
I love your little tree. The snowflakes and star decorate it perfectly.
I love everything about this Christmas tree. Merry Christmas
The over arcing reason I read your Blog and watch your YouTube channel is you find much of your contentment embracing the simple things in life. Anymore this behavior/attitude is difficult to find in our country. As I watched you and the Deer Hunter make your way through the woods to find the hemlocks I found myself wishing I had just a sliver of what you have. I’m not complaining, and I am very grateful for what I do have.
Thank you for all your hard work. My sister has a YouTube channel and she reminds me there are multiple considerations and preparation in pursuing this type of job.
We have lived on our farm for 26 years and have always had “stick trees”. I love decorating them because you can see all the ornaments hanging among the branches. But this year I had a longing for a pine tree and the smell of the woods. My husband and I are getting older (a lot older!) and I said, “We don’t know how many Christmases we will have left to be together, so let’s do something spectacular!”
So my husband went out into the fields and the woods (we live in Appalachia Ohio) and he came back with two huge trees! We finally got them standing – quite a project, believe me. When we stopped laughing at the size my husband said, “Huh. They didn’t look that big outside!”
It took three days to decorate them and it took all of the ornaments we have collected over 55 years of marriage. Such a joyful time!
That’s not paper stars! That’s kirigami!
You taught me a new word, today, Cousin Ed.
Thank you.
we got our tree out of the woods, a cedar tree, when i was little,about 50 yrs ago ,God bless granny with healing and help in Jesus name
That Christmas tree is priceless. It is not some impulsive decision at Walmart to throw up quickly your instant Christmas decor. It is chock full of memories of you and the Deer Hunter sharing a walk, enjoying what God provided, and resulting in a perfect decoration that is both fragrant and lovely. The Christmas’ of old were much like this, and even the teachers joined in helping children create simple little treasures for Christmas. The simplicity of what you share will continue to draw followers, as deep down I don’t think we humans are really comfortable with all the false glitter and glitz that now represents Christmas decoration. What is the most special is there is never a hint of the chaos of national and worldly events to your videos or your blog. I can’t speak for others, but I appreciate that so much. I cannot wait for you to become a grandparent, and prayers coninue for Granny.
The hemlock Christmas tree is simply beautiful and magically brings together with a creative spark what makes Celebrating Appalachia and The Blind Pig and the Acorn such special spaces for remembering while making memories.
I always loved hunting a Christmas tree and trimmings. There was just something special and adventurous about it. I remember getting a cedar on my Grandpa Mauney’s farm with my Aunt Bess. I have a photo of it in the old Mauney house. And later years my Aunt Lela and I would go to Cobb Mountain behind our house and always found a nice pine. To quote my friend, the late Mickey Newbury, “Sweet Memories”
I love the smell of the live trees.
Blessings to all
Your hemlock tree is beautiful! Simplicity is great, and I would also stop and gaze. I enjoy listening to you read! The Homecoming is such a good story, so well written. I am also loving each short story each day❤. God bless you and yours❤❤
your kitchen tree turned out beautiful. plus you got a walk to the creek too. How great is that
Simplicity and Splendor!
This is a very nice “tree” for that table and space.
You are just one talented lady, and I see where the girls get theirs. I have watched every Walton episode but I can see where the book is so much better. Hearing your soothing voice absolutely shows you the action of all of the characters. You can just imagine everyone talking to others and see their reaction. I bet that was one juicy turkey and she was so excited to get it to be able to feed her family. Looking forward to the next read and what you have instore for us. Prayers for Granny and God Bless you all. ps, loved the tree and all the ornaments.
We as men probably don’t recognize it or if we do, don’t admit it, but we no doubt subconsciously cherish a woman’s touch on our lives. Little things like Christmas decorations accumulate and make us complete. We often make light of these things and sometimes dread our part of the labor. But as we get older, we appreciate it more day by day and year by year. Thank you, ladies.
Ronald, you are so right. My wife died during heart surgery 2 years 8 months ago destroying my life. We married as young kids- 19 and 20 years old and when you count the time we dated and the years we were married it would be close to 50 years. She was my one and only, there will never be anyone else. I now survive, much of my joy, happiness, will power to live or whatever you want to call it was buried with her. She was the heart and soul for me and the family we had together. Many times I heard it said or preached the man is the head of the house, I have also heard it said that the woman is the neck that turns the head or the heart of the family.
Oh Randy, so sorry for your loss. I am adding you to my prayer list and I hope time will ease your pain some. Keep on believing and you will be together again one day. True love knows no boundaries, and missing someone you love is comfort in itself. I agree with what you said to Ronald. As I get older, I cherish the keepsakes and remembering the old times is comforting.
What a kind statement, sir. Thank you!
That tree is so sweet!i have a few small ones from Goodwill in my entryway and I love how simple they are. My grandmother talked about the greening of Christmas and her brothers would tease her about her yearly Christmas cold….. Turns out she was allergic to pine trees. Now we can’t go out and cut anything at our apartment. But we do have some nice paths with many pinecones so my youngest and I will be gathering those. I’m inspired!
Always good to start the day by reading your message
Thank you for all that you do
Simply and beautifully done.
I watched you and the Deer Hunter search through the woods for the little tree zip ties and all. It turned out beautifully.
I really don’t have a comment about the Christmas tree. I read the old post, Christmas In July-The Korean War. I had two uncles that were in WWII, one was a POW. He never told anyone about what he went through. I only know his daughter was 4 years old before he ever saw her. I have wondered if he every talked about it to his brother in law that was also in the war. I had another uncle that fought in the Korean War. He was a fine Christian man when he left but came back as an alcoholic. It took him around 2-3 years to beat the alcohol. I have been told stories of him having lost everything they had and sleeping, and eating food taken to him by others while having to sit on the floor. His wife, Aunt Sarah, stayed with him through all of this. He never read the newspaper, watched the news or a movie if it had anything to do with war for the rest of his life. I had a cousin killed in March 1968 in the Vietnam War. In the three wars I mentioned, the solders came home and were expected to “suck up their nightmares” and go on with their life. I think this is one reason many of them were alcoholics. I can never forget how the Vietnam Solders were treated when they came home. I was of the age to be drafted for Vietnam but the draft stopped the same year I graduated high school. I wrote this to ask everyone to remember and pray for the ones that are in Service and their families, many of them will not get to be home and celebrate these Holidays with their family and loved ones. I struggle with depression over my wife and daughter and so many of our family or loved ones death, especially at this time of year. But in truth for the ones that are Christians and die as Christians, Christmas and Easter should be the happiest time of the year, without the meanings of them there would be nothing for us after death.
Randy, I will be in prayer for you! I had 5 uncles in Vietnam and all came home, but very changed men. Some were alcoholics the rest of their lives. I still don’t know why we war, but one thing I do know is one day there will be peace and we’ll be together again with those who have gone on with Christ! I will be thinking of you and all of our soldiers now and gone during these upcoming days. I could not have my simple, blessed life without all those sacrifices. Thank you for reminding us!