Trees of the Holidays

Our very first 18" Christmas tree!

For 22 years we ran a wonderful gallery in Eureka California that was open 362 days a year, 12 hours a day, and employed a staff of five.  So our holidays were vastly different that most folks.  Our holiday preparation began in September, writing Christmas orders that could could exceed $40,000.  Each year, by November 1st merchandise began to arrive, and until December 31st, we held our breath -- hoping that our loyal customers would shop long and hard so that we could pay off those invoices, our great staff and maybe ourselves, AND close the year well. (Retail is not for the weak of heart, but we were are thankful that it was a success for us over the long  haul.)

Same tree, same man, different dog.

Many Hands Gallery is still there in Eureka, but we are retired and living in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii, where we can now approach the holiday a little differently.  We moved here at the beginning of December in 2012 and the container of all our household goods did not arrive for several weeks, so our first celebration was minimal -- but it DID include planting a small Norfolk Pine in honor of Phil's mom (who was still alive at the time.)

The second photo is the very SAME TREE three years later over 16 feet tall.  Although "Dexter" (pictured above) is no longer with us, "Poko" was willing to sit with dad for this cool December day photo.

The final photo is of another Norfolk Pine -- one we cut at a tree farm just a couple miles from our home.  The really cool thing about cutting this kind of pine is that they GROW BACK!!  (The tree we chose was one of THREE that were growing out of a "mother tree" that had been cut several years ago.)

Under the tree you will see some stuffed animals -- mementos of  holidays from long ago.  The little bear on left was under Lunel's very first Christmas tree, and the elephant in the middle was Phil's favorite.  The battered bear on the right belonged to our beloved "Chauncy" -- our first corgi dog many years ago. Notice the BOX at the bottom?  Phil's grandpa made that for his Christmas in 1944!!

The  words "Happy Holidays" are meant to inclusively honor all religious and cultural traditions, and we hope that yours are full of joy for you and your families!