yesterday chuck, margaret and i went on our traditional tree farm outing. embracing tradition, we brought along homemade ginger cake, a thermos of cocoa, lots of marshmallows and vintage holiday plaid. usually we find ourselves out there, bundled up in layers... but not this year. we'll remember 2011 as the year that we wandered around amongst the pines jacket-and-mitten-and-hat-free... the year we excitedly chose that big silly tree with the single quirky pinecone... the year we felt a bit of extra warmth of the season together on this sunny december day. oh so merry!