Flashback:Nature Tree

When Christine and I were first married and had only Lindsey, we wanted to do something a little different as a tradition. We had checked out a book called the nature tree or something similar that describes a family who had a tradition of putting together a bunch of popcorn strings and nut covered apples etc. Then they drive out to some remote place and create a Christmas tree out of all the edible materials on some tree in the woods.
The idea being that you get out of the house, have some fun decorating a tree and feed some birds while you’re at it. We thought that might be a fun tradition to start. So one Christmas Eve, we got all the food, made the decorations and drove up big cottonwood canyon. We parked off the road a ways and found the perfect tree and had fun decorating it. It only took us about 5 minutes, but it was bitter cold.
We were young (stupid) and poor students at the time and were driving a car that occasionally exhibited some "problems".
Of course, when we returned to the car, it wouldn’t start. It was late, dark, cold and we had our young baby with us. There was no traffic on the road. We were sure we were going to freeze to death.
After what seemed like hours, a car finally came down the canyon and we were able to flag him down and he just happened to have some jumper cables and we made it home a little cold and a bit more cautious.
Now whenever we talk about starting traditions, Christine or I will invariably suggest a nature tree and after a short pause, long enough to remember that night, we laugh and move on…