On Saturday, it started snowing around 9 a.m. By the time we headed west along 66, this is what the Virginia ‘burbs looked like:

Several inches of wet, sticky snow covered the ground by the time we arrived at Creekview Farm in Aldie (about an hour west of D.C.), and at least another inch fell while we were there:

It felt like we’d stepped onto a movie set. How else do you explain how perfect this scene looks for picking out the perfect Christmas tree?

Every farm should have a dog. Creekview is no exception. This is Daisy. (I think that was her name. Rudi might have to correct me, since names are his thing…)

That wasn’t a great shot of her, but it was the best I had, because most of the time she looked like this:

We encouraged her joy by throwing snowballs for her to chase. The farm dog was not the only one ready to play. The younger farm children also were ready for some post-lunch frolicking:

Rudi and I walked around a bit, enjoying the brisk country air. Rudi thought Aldie’s snow smelled particularly fine:

Eventually, though, we settled down to the business of picking out a tree. Really, we aren’t too picky, although Rudi usually has to remind me that our ceiling is not as tall as I’d like to think it is.

This is the one we chose:

It’s a Norway spruce, about six and a half feet tall.

We celebrated our fine selection with a complimentary cup of hot spiced cider and a final walk amongst the snow-covered trees. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer afternoon for cutting down our Christmas tree or a nicer Virginia farm than Creekview.

Alas, the snow has since melted, but it’s still quite a fine tree underneath its cloak of white. I’ll share its holiday finery later this week.