We procrastinated on getting a tree this year, couldn't quite decide whether to get one or not. Last weekend, with only a week to go before we leave to see the family in Penticton, we were still on the fence about it.
After the windstorm of the century blew through here, however, I kind of got my fill of pine trees separated from their roots. With piles of blown-down pine branches deposited by the sides of all the roads, it seemed a little silly to go out and buy more. So I decided to try a great, big, swagtacular, mega-squirt garland instead.
If anyone is looking for that spool of green florist's wire, I have it. I swear this is the same spool of wire we used to use to make squirts and attempted wreaths at the kitchen table back in Walpole. There must be 10 yards of the stuff in that garland, and it just keeps on going.
In addition to the wire, my ingredients were found evergreen boughs and a 6 foot dowel. I started by laying branches down from the center out, overlapping the cut ends of two large, mainly straight branches and wiring them together. I added on more branches of descending size to either end. I centered the dowel in the middle of the swag and wired my garland to that as well for extra support. That actually worked quite well and made it easier to handle, though it fell short of the ends and they really needed the support as well. I added more greens (and wire) as needed to get an even fullness. More wire to secure it to the curtain rod brackets, a twist of fabric and lights wound through it, and an assortment of ornaments, and there you have it: horizontal tree!
p.s. Another major storm due tomorrow. I am not even kidding.
