Up goes the Tree in Union Square

(You just gotta click on this photo to see the detail)

Once again, here is the view from the window at work.

Uh huh... that's Union Square... (There are more tree photos posted here)

For a few weeks now, they have been "constructing" the Christmas tree. It always fascinates me to witness the process. Every year I learn a little more.

This is bigger project than most people would imagine. Of course - the tree IS real. It is an 80 foot tall "red fir" -- aka Shasta fir. The family that manages these mammoths has been erecting and decorating the Union Square tree since 1989. Family members oversee the entire process.

This tree was selected 17 years ago to be groomed for the job. They use a specially designed truck to haul their giant trees from up near Mount Shasta to this location... a few hours drive. This probably happens in the dead of night, I've never witnessed it -- and it would make sense to do it when there is less chance of interrupting traffic. Supposedly this needs a police escort! This tree arrived in Union Square in early November.

I've also never seen how they upright the thing... THAT must be quite a sight! It is then securely wired into place... it has to be straight, of course, but most importantly, it has to be tethered to withstand the strong gusts of wind that occasionally blow through here in the winter.

Then... they "surgically enhance" the tree... this part takes days and days!!... they drill hundreds of holes into the trunk and plug in extra branches. What was once a very naturally gorgeous tree is now full and lush and augmented beyond perfection... like a movie star...

Another few days to add the lights...about 20,000 of them. The lights are LED -- very energy efficient... (donated last year by PG&E). Fun to see the lights are lit, as they add them. They start with the star at the top, and work down.

Finally it is time to load the "cherry-pickers" with ornaments (the largest are the size of basketballs!) Red and gold,,, balls and star-shaped.... takes a few more days, and they will clean up just in time for the official lighting ceremony....

Which, just so happens to be occurring tonight :-))

Sponsored by Macy's to raise funds for the children at UCSF... and to get people to go out and SHOP!...

(Click here to read the SF Examiner article)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We had our first Thanksgiving gathering here in our new kitchen... a wonderful time with family and friends and LOTS OF FOOD!!!

Hoping you all had a good one, too!

(click here for more Thanksgiving photos)

Butternut Squash -- this is how she did it....

My daughter made a yummy dish for our Thanksgiving gathering. The squash with ginger was sooo good, I thought I'd post it here for future reference... Along with photos :-p

The recipe from "Clean Eating" magazine appears at the bottom of this post...

(she did the peeling and chopping the night before -- a lot of work... !)

And... the recipe is down here.... you will have to click on it, to read it ... 'cuz I was too lazy to type the whole thing out, just photo'd it... ('tis the time of year to choose the easy way :-))