HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 19They have trudged through knee
deep snow, wallowed in mud, or
delighted in a Rockwellian
winterscape, all in pursuit of that
holiday tradition — the Christmas
tree.
Jeff and Cathy Cardiff (2004
Citizens of the Year for Brussels)
along with their kids, Emily and
Matthew have made the annual
pilgrimage to find the elusive perfect
tree for years. And haven’t had to go
too far to do so.
What makes the Cardiff tree even
more special is that it comes from
their own farm. Jeff said about 2,800
trees were planted as a windbreak
and now they are serving double
duty offering a festive touch to the
family Christmas.
“We cut where the trees need to be
thinned,” said Jeff, adding that they
make sure to find a day when
everyone can take part. Which can
be tricky when one factors in busy
lives with the capriciousness of
Huron County winters.
“Sometimes we’re in snow up to
our hips, and we’ve even had the
snowmobile stuck. Other times it can
be quite muddy.”
Perspective can also make the
freshly cut tree project an interesting
one as well. “Sometimes we cut it
back in the field and think, “That’s a
nice little tree’,” says Jeff.
“Then we get back and it’s way
too big,” said Cathy.
Another time, they remember the
tree seemed to be taking up a lot
more water than it should. “We came
home one day and it was on its side.
There was a hole in the tree stand
and the water was running through
to the hardwood floor,” said Jeff.
“It buckled and tipped the tree
over,” added Cathy.
While the family has had to
‘cheat’ a few times and buy a tree,
cutting their own is a tradition that
has come to be quite special. “It’s
nice to go out on our own farm and
cut something that you’ve grown,”
said Jeff.
“The kids like it too. We have to
wait until they’re able to be here
because we have to have the big
discussion about which tree suits.”
“You want a good top for the
angel, something symmetrical, not
too wide and nice and green.”
“Usually it comes down to which
one can be cut,” laughs Cathy.While the tree may not always beperfect the time with family is,whether it’s the tree, or some of theother Cardiff traditions like Jeff’sgrandmother’s White Christmas
Cake, or the service on Christmas
Eve at the church. “We get togetherwith friends for dinner, we take turnshosting, then all go to churchtogether,” said Jeff. “It’s really what the season’sabout, family, church and
friends.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009. PAGE 19. The quest for perfect tree an annual family outing
Happy Holidays
from
John, Merilyn, Jennifer, Michael and Staff
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From our home to yours
we wish everyone a
wonderful Christmas and a
healthy & prosperous New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Blyth and District Firefighters
and their families.
Have a Fire-Safe
Holiday Season!
Before the festivities begin, test your
smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors
and review your fire escape plan.
Don't invite disaster to your holiday
celebrations.
❅❅❅❅❅❅❅
Wishing you a
white and bright
Christmas
~ Randy & Lorna
Fraser
❅❅❅❅❅❅❅
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A tradition continues
Cathy and Jeff Cardiff (2004 Brussels Citizens of the Year) have made Jeff’s great-
grandmother’s white Christmas cake part of their holiday tradition. Another family tradition is
the annual family outing to get the tree (bottom). (Bonnie Gropp photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen