oh christmas tree

last week we headed to connecticut to cut down our christmas tree. i must say, being a long island girl, this was a new concept but really fun. and the newly fallen snow made it so picturesque. 

i visited my grandmother this weekend. pre-kids, i used to help her decorate and bake every year. i remember the warmth from the oven, the distinct aroma of vanilla, anisette, honey, cocoa. my grandmother's hands. i recall the piles of soft tissue papers that we would unwrap the many ornaments from. it seems every ornament has a story. the rule was to always decorate the back of the tree and the inside branches. these memories will forever be with me. while admiring the tree this year she told us to choose ornaments to take home and although i have had my eyes on those antique glass ornaments from my great grandmother's tree, it made me a little sad so i only chose a few. i can't express how blessed i feel that my daughters get to do all of the things that i did when i was a little girl with their great nan. "this is what it's all about."