Take a Peak Behind the Scenes.... by Betsy Ringer

On December 6, 1986, we drove the truck with all our possessions in it into Louisville, KY. We moved from sunny California to Kentucky. Hmmm. I thought we might stay here five years but that would be about it. Twenty-four years later we are still here. After settling into our rental house, we asked where to get a Christmas tree. Our Realtor directed us to Huber’s Orchard in southern Indiana. This year was the 24th year we went to Huber’s to cut down our Christmas tree.

So the Saturday after Thanksgiving, our three now-grown kids plus our newest family member, Ally (Eric’s wife) piled in the car for our Christmas tree outing. As we crossed the great Ohio river into Indiana, with Dave Barnes’ singing Christmas tunes in the background, I watched a barge emerge from the locks. From the bridge, I looked down on the quiet river town; quite a contrast to the big shiny buildings we just left behind in Louisville. We soon left the highway taking twisting back roads, passing a small white church, creeks, pastures and an occasional farm house nestled into the hillside.

Excitement rose as we turned into the familiar, comfortable entrance with the twin ponds and farm buildings. We grabbed a saw and hopped on the trailer pulled by a tractor that would take us to the site where we would select the white pine that would bring us cheer throughout the holidays. We pondered the 20 foot trees and finally decided they simply would not fit. We chose a nice fat round tree. Brendan wielded the saw this year – many times it’s Eric – and we headed back to where the tractor would pick us up.

I remember the first year we went to the farm. Brendan was barely three. Rich cut the tree and carried it on his back. Brendan and I laughed and laughed because it looked like the tree was walking! All we could see was the tree and Rich’s legs. He zig-zagged with the tree and we laughed harder!

We have chosen a tree in snow, 60 degrees and rain, sunshine, and days like today with just enough chill in the air to feel Christmasy.

When we got back to the farm buildings and loaded the tree on top of the car, we went inside the farm store. The warmth felt good and the smell of the fresh bread in the bakery was enticing. It’s become a family tradition to take a family picture at Huber’s. Here is one from several years ago. You can see this year’s picture below.

Please use the comment section to share something fun you and your family have done this year. If you have a memory you’d like to share, we’d love to hear that too!