The Smell of Cedar

When I was growing up we always had cedar trees for our Christmas tree. It had the large colored lights and lots of stringy, clingy tinsel. After it was decorated, I remember my mom would vacuum the rug and inevitably strings of random tinsel would get caught in the rollers. But what I remember most is the fragrant smell of the tree! When it was my turn to check the water and fill the tree stand, I crawled under the tree and precariously poured in the water with a metal pitcher. I don't know why I did it but for some reason I turned over and laid on my back and looked up. I was entrenched in the smell of cedar and I could see all the layers of Christmas lights reaching further up the tree. I stared up through the branches, their arms laden with a myriad of ornaments. As a child, I felt hidden in a magical quiet place for a few minutes.  

Whenever I cut cedar to make a swag or wreath the aroma is delightful and the fragrance makes me think of happy Christmases lying under our Christmas tree. 

When you watch the What's InSTORE Fridays segment this month, I show you how to make a lush cedar wreath you can hang in your house or on the front door. Using a straw frame and u-shaped pins the task goes rather quickly. Send me pictures of your fresh greenery creations. I'd love to see them! 

- Mark