Not sure where in the world you’re finding this post, but here in the wilds of northern Michigan this time of year is hunting season. Bow season started back in October and the official opening day in Michigan is always November 15. Around here, there’s no school on November 15 – it’s “Safety Day”.
Hunters – whether for deer or camaraderie/friendship – head to the woods to tell stories, enjoy and/or brave the unpredictable fall weather, and likely enjoy some adult beverages. Deer Widows Weekend was a thing when I was growing up, but a lot of the time it feels like the women are just as likely to be sitting in the woods as the men.
It’s a time of tradition in Michigan, and it got me thinking about all the things that have become tradition in my life, too. I used to love hearing the stories my Dad would tell at dinner in the days AFTER he got back from deer camp. It was often time he spent with a group of guys he didn’t see a lot the rest of the year. Their names and personalities came to life as he shared nuggets from deer camp.
These days there are plenty of traditions – the Snow Village that I set up every Christmas (it went up laughingly early this year – but I love the thing, so who cares) that was passed down to me from my aunt. The warm glow of the lights from the village that she gave me – each piece a story. The year my parents got snowmobiles, she bought snowmobilers for that village. When my cousin got into medical school, she got the doctor figure. When she passed away 10 years ago after battling multiple myeloma, I added a church and a gym to the village in her memory.
The cinnamon rolls and mimosas on Christmas morning with my parents and brother. Muffins with the kids and opening our stockings first. I’ve done that my whole life, it turns out.
Our traditions change with time – it’s a good thing and something I find I mourn that change a little bit too. I have to tell you that with this business, the thing that feels like tradition the most is when we pour our Pine Needles scent. I know it’s loved by many and is a staple of the holiday season in many homes. It’s an honor and a tradition that the team and myself feel a real sense of pride on. So, right now, we’re busy pouring ‘Pine’ here in the shop so that this shop tradition can be a very, very small part of your tradition.
Whether it’s the tradition of hunting the woods of northern Michigan and our plentiful stands of pine or the creation of these pine-scented classics, we’re just glad to continue to build on and create new traditions.
Warmly Yours,
Kristin