Another New Year

That special time of year again.  We barely got our home decorated in time for Santa.  And I'm glad our 9 foot tree just fit.  We had 20 foot ceilings in Sarasota, and room for an angel, but this time Angel had to attach to the front of the highest tip.  Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care, but, does that tree look a little crooked to you?  Hmmm. Or maybe the photographer?

Our usable front door because of new deck

 Our daughter Mandy and family stayed overnight on their way to their Christmas Disney Cruise.  They let Granny stay with us for a 3 week vaca.  We actually spent Christmas day with our other daughter, Michelle and family in St. Pete.  Their 8 stockings were hung by their chimney too!  Even Daisy (the Mastiff) got her own stocking.

 Christmas Day arrived, and we had a cool Santa to hand out presents.  This is Charlie, number 4 in line.

 One fun gift was a tent.  The boys try it out.  Then it went up into the play room, and we didn't see the boys for an hour.  Sweet.
 

 At dinner, we had Christmas Crackers, an old tradition from when our kids were little.  Gary, wearing his crown, read his Christmas fortune.  Health and prosperity for the new year.  YAY!

 This was Granny's 91st Christmas.  She was just a little thing on her first Christmas, and the kids asked her what she remembered getting as a little girl.  Her earliest recollection was a red wagon and a china doll with movable arms and legs.

Between the kids, they have six sets of grandparents and Granny is the only great grandparent.  Not to mention Aunts and Uncles.  READ:  LOTS OF PRESENTS!  But how often do you receive a thank you note for a Christmas gift?  All these kids need to write thank you notes to each giver.  (They also mentioned that was their least favorite part of Christmas).  I know I will treasure mine forever.

The day went awfully fast and we ate awfully much.  But it was fun, as usual, and we were glad to get home.  However, before we left, there was a glitch.  Michelle and family were headed to Atlanta on Saturday, and forgot to book a kennel for Daisy.  Would we take her for a few days?  Sure, we said.  So they stopped by on their way north on 75 and dropped her and her food off.  Well, Daisy is a great dog.  However, she did have a little separation anxiety, and Michelle kindly offered to have our carpet cleaned, which we did.  And Daisy was happily reunited with her family on Wednesday.  

The best news is that our son, Tristan, asked Tracy to be his wife, and she said "Of course".  No hesitation there!  She will graduate with her PhD at Miami University in May, and then we will finally get to meet her parents.  They reside in Kansas City, KS, and will plan to throw an engagement party at the same time as graduation.  We are so blessed to have Tracy in our family!

Soooo, I needed to time the arrival of our baby chicks until after we get home. Somewhere between May 12 and 14 we will be expecting 10 little girls and one little boy.  Meanwhile, we need to get a coop built.  We are slowly acquiring pieces of wood and feeders, and reading like mad.  

I do plan to sell the eggs at the farmers market.  Along with some garden goods.  Our garden is looking wonderful!  We can hardly keep up with eating it all.  Can't wait till our first cabbage is ready - maybe next week.  But it will have to wait till we get back from taking Granny back to Raleigh on Monday.  We will be visiting our family and friends again.  And it will be COLD.  Brrrr.  Gotta dig out warm clothes from somewhere.

Meanwhile, we hope your holidays were wonderful, and wish everyone a prosperous, healthy and FUN 2015!

It's a GOOD LIFE!



 

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