Today was one of those storybook days whence Christmas fairy tales are made. For the third year in a row we went to the Snickers Gap Tree Farm to cut our Christmas tree. Two years ago, the day was very cold. Last year the day was foggy. Today dawned to blue sky, moderate temperature and a few inches of fresh snow. In a word, postcard weather for our adventure. After cutting our tree and dragging it down the hill we enjoyed hot cider while the tree was shaken, baled and measured.
We met our friends, the Munks, at Wolf Trap so Will could ride with Ross and Cathleen could ride with Tamara. Wolf Trap was its own wonderland, with sparkling ice on the trees and covering the parking lot. Our kids played and slid around while we waited for the Munk family to arrive. This was one of Lyra's first experiences with ice, and it was a good thing she was well bundled because she spent a lot of time falling down.
After cutting our tree we retired for brunch at Magnolias in Purcellville, Virginia. The food was delicious; I just wish we could have stayed longer and relaxed (and enjoyed some Virginia wine). As it was, we needed to get Eva back for a play date and Ross back to the Cathedral to sing the Messiah with the Choristers.
Three years must qualify as a tradition, and we will be back next year, hopefully with more time to relax and enjoy brunch.