The Best Christmas Tree Hunt Ever! (and Chili!) redux!

The first Sunday afternoon in December is our church's annual Christmas tree hunt. Even though this year was a bit different, it was still the best Christmas Tree Hunt Ever!

The differences?

Well, it was a bit warmer this year, which means melting snow and mud - not the best place to take dogs who are a bit low to the ground. So Thatcher had to miss out this year. :(

The second difference? Our family is growing by leaps and bounds. There were nine in our family group at the tree hunt and chili supper this year. Nine. Six of us and these three fantastic young people who like to hang around with our daughter (Josh) and two of our sons (Kris and Katie). We took two pots of chili!

The third difference? Last year's tree was a giant. And yes, they really do look smaller in the forest! This year's tree is perfect. I'll include pictures next week. :)

The final difference - because of the warmer temperatures, the snow was perfect for making snow men!

Here's my friend Rachael with her masterpiece:

The boys held off destroying theirs with snowballs until after the picture:

Daniel and Jadin gave me their patient smiles (after all, they wanted to get the picture over with so the snowball bombardment could begin!). Then Colin gave me his "camera smile." He really doesn't look like that all the time!

But the tree hunt was successful.

And we all found the perfect tree for our respective homes and families. Isn't Scott's and Adrienne's tree cute?

And now it's time to enjoy last year's post and the fabulous chili recipe!

The Best Christmas Tree Hunt Ever! (and Chili!)

When you live near a National Forest full of pine trees, there's really no excuse not to go cut your own Christmas tree. Especially when you live with some outdoors-loving guys, and your church has an annual Christmas tree hunt.

So, how do you hunt a Christmas tree?

First, grab a couple handy sons who like to carry sharp objects.

Add a third son whose talent is avoiding cameras (hi, Jacob!).

Throw in a rowdy dog, a patient husband, and about thirty friends (and a few more dogs, just for good measure).

And then head for the hills. Make sure you're bundled up before you start your search!

Of course, if you're legs are short, it helps if you have a strong dad to pull the sled :)

The problem with hunting for a Christmas tree is that the "perfect" one is always around the next corner. In fact, doesn't the one on top of the cliff look beautiful? Sorry, it's too big!

But seriously, with all these trees to choose from, where do you start?

Some are too big, some are too small. Some were blown down in last year's storm, some have grown crooked.

But eventually, you just have to pick one. After all, it's 3:30, we have a twenty minute hike back to the car, and sunset is at 4:15. So we pick one.

And haul it back to the car (this is why you make sure you bring a couple sons with you!).

Thatcher thinks the whole process is fascinating. And why can't we go find those deer he keeps smelling?

When we arrive back at the parking area, it's time to load up. Puppies first.

Add the all-important tree tag that gives us permission to remove the tree from the forest...

...and tie our prize to the top of the car.

Whew! A successful hunt!

Now it's time for the whole crew to head back to the church for our annual Chili Supper! And there's one of my Sunday School students making sure she's first in line :)

But before we know it, the chili is gone, and it's time to head home.

Now, isn't that the saddest sight you've ever seen?

But no worries - I have the recipe for the chili our family brought!

Jan's Savory Chili

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 onion

3 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
3 (14.5 oz) cans small red beans
2 cups beef broth
1 Tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt

Brown the meats and onion together. Put all ingredients together in a crock pot. Cook on low for about 9-10 hours.

Serve with any toppings you like. A dollop of sour cream is particularly tasty.

This chili isn't hot and spicy - there are just enough of the spices to give it a warm, savory flavor.


So, time to share. Where do you find your Christmas tree?

Oh, Christmas Cheese, Oh, Christmas Cheese!

If you asked me to pick one ingredient I always go to for holiday goodies, it's not sugar. Nope, I'd pick cheese! Full of protein and calcium, it keeps me going this holiday season.

I was raised with the tradition of cheese plates at every one of Mom's open house parties. Pimento cheese spread, corned beef and cheese balls, sausage balls, those little ham sliders with swiss cheese and honey mustard. Cheesecake always for my birthday!

That knowledge came in pretty handy when I took one more look at the invite for a party I was attending this past Saturday.  Directions. Check. Donations of paper goods and hygeine products for the local domestic violence shelter. Check. Appetizer to share. Ch---------. Noooooooo! Did I mention I looked at the invite mid-morning on Saturday????

I could have just done something like this brie and cranberry chutney tree:

Brie and cranberry chutney tiny tree! No I didn't eat the star!

But my mother would haunt me if I didn't make a bit of effort, no matter how small.

That's when I thought of Christmas Cheese! So simple. Low carb. Like playdough in my hands so I could be creative and make a Christmas Cheese Tree! Most importantly, I had time to make sure it chilled.

Waiting for the gluten free crackers and carrot sticks.

I know you are wondering, why did that woman make a tree and not just stick with a ball? Well, I have a thing for Christmas trees.  In fact, I have quite a few but they don't get decorated until December 12th. Why? Because my children offered long ago to spare me from decorating the tree so every birthday, they descend on the house and put out the trees and the Fontanini nativity dear daughter and I have collected for almost thirty years.

But here is one of my favorite trees, the one with my childhood ornaments, Christmas bells made the year I was born and a little clown on top. Why a clown? Because when I was born prematurely all the other babies in the critical care nursery got Christmas angels hung over their isolettes but I got a clown. Mom told me it was because of my red curls but I don't know...

My baby blanket makes the Christmas tree skirt for my childhood memory tree.

  
Hence my love of all things Christmas tree.
 
 Christmas Cheese Tree

1  8 oz package organic cream cheese

5-7 oz shredded medium white cheddar

two dashes worchestershire sauce

Chopped herbs such as parsley and pepper cut outs for decoration.

1) Combine the cheeses and worchestershire sauce in a food processor and pulse til blended.

2) Shape into a tree. You can do this as  a flat tree using a large cookie cutter or roll it in wax or parchment paper to form a tree shape.

3) Chill at least one hour.

4) Decorating your tree:  
- If using a flat tree shape, sprinkle chopped herbs on top in an even layer before serving.

- If using the formed tree shape, sprinkle chopped herbs on another piece of waxed paper and roll before standing up on a plate. Press any remaining herbs in bare spots.    

5) Serve with crackers or sturdy veggies like carrot or celery sticks.

Options:

Christmas Snow Man: Roll cheese into two round balls, one larger than the other. Roll chilled balls in shredded white cheese. Place small ball on top of larger one and decorate as a snow man with raisins or olives.

Mexican style cheese mixture: Add a 1/2 teaspoon of taco seasoning. Serve with Christmas corn chips

French style cheese mixture: Add a quarter cup blue cheese.  Serve with baguette slices.

Swiss style cheese mixture: Substitute 1/2 cup guyere  for that amount of cheddar.  Serve with roasted potato wedges or apple slices.      


So what is your go to last minute appetizer or dessert during the holidays? Do you settle for one Christmas tree or have more than one?

The Best Christmas Tree Hunt Ever! (and Chili!)

When you live near a National Forest full of pine trees, there's really no excuse not to go cut your own Christmas tree. Especially when you live with some outdoors-loving guys, and your church has an annual Christmas tree hunt.

So, how do you hunt a Christmas tree?

First, grab a couple handy sons who like to carry sharp objects.

Add a third son whose talent is avoiding cameras (hi, Jacob!).

Throw in a rowdy dog, a patient husband, and about thirty friends (and a few more dogs, just for good measure).

And then head for the hills. Make sure you're bundled up before you start your search!

Of course, if you're legs are short, it helps if you have a strong dad to pull the sled :)

The problem with hunting for a Christmas tree is that the "perfect" one is always around the next corner. In fact, doesn't the one on top of the cliff look beautiful? Sorry, it's too big!

But seriously, with all these trees to choose from, where do you start?

Some are too big, some are too small. Some were blown down in last year's storm, some have grown crooked.

But eventually, you just have to pick one. After all, it's 3:30, we have a twenty minute hike back to the car, and sunset is at 4:15. So we pick one.

And haul it back to the car (this is why you make sure you bring a couple sons with you!).

Thatcher thinks the whole process is fascinating. And why can't we go find those deer he keeps smelling?

When we arrive back at the parking area, it's time to load up. Puppies first.

Add the all-important tree tag that gives us permission to remove the tree from the forest...

...and tie our prize to the top of the car.

Whew! A successful hunt!

Now it's time for the whole crew to head back to the church for our annual Chili Supper! And there's one of my Sunday School students making sure she's first in line :)

But before we know it, the chili is gone, and it's time to head home.

Now, isn't that the saddest sight you've ever seen?

But no worries - I have the recipe for the chili our family brought!

Jan's Savory Chili

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 onion

3 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
3 (14.5 oz) cans small red beans
2 cups beef broth
1 Tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt

Brown the meats and onion together. Put all ingredients together in a crock pot. Cook on low for about 9-10 hours.

Serve with any toppings you like. A dollop of sour cream is particularly tasty.

This chili isn't hot and spicy - there are just enough of the spices to give it a warm, savory flavor.


So, time to share. Where do you find your Christmas tree?