Picture it: Leeds, Alabama, Christmas 2010. SNOW!
It was magical, I tell you. The very first White Christmas in my whole entire life--and the first one for this area, I understand.
The snow fell all day long on Christmas Day. But because temps stayed just a degree or two above freezing, there were no travel or utility problems. The ground and rooftops turned white though. It was beautiful.
All morning the dogs and I played with their toys that Santa brought them, sang made-up words to favorite Christmas songs, and watched the snow. In the afternoon, the family gathered at my sister Joanne's for a magnificent feast and a bit of holiday fellowship--and we watched the snow fall out her huge front window.
One of the toys that Andy Claus brought to Skipper and Sophie: A Tick.
But I've jumped ahead of the story. Christmas really started here on Christmas Eve. I made a big pot of chili, Jesse and Andy came over, and we opened our gifts. I got a new pair of jammies and the most beautiful bracelet ever. The doggies got lots of toys and chewies. Jesse got a TomTom and clothes, and Andy got PJs and slippers to match. That's not all, but that will do.
Uncontrolled substances made into teas.
I also received a package from sweet Amy containing some tea mixtures that I'm not sure are legal in Alabama. She tells me that the valerian has helped the pain of her back problems, so I'm going to try them--if I can get past the smell. She also sent me the most beautiful blue silk scarf and a new cardinal for my cardinal tree.
I didn't take many photos. I was too busy having fun and enjoying treats. Sophie and Skipper enjoyed treats too. In fact, Mary Jane (neighbor and friend) and her dog Millie (not to be confused with across-the-street neighbor Millie) stopped by early Christmas Eve morning with a hug for me and a bag of treats for the doggies.
We had a puzzle. Andy and I love puzzles, especially at Christmastime. I bought this one several Christmases ago and never have had it out of the box. We haven't finished it yet; it should keep me busy at least through the rest of 2010.
Thanks to station TBS, we watched our favorite Christmas movie, "A Christmas Story." In fact, it stayed on in the background for much of the 24-hour TBS marathon.
The snow continued, off and on, through yesterday morning. At 2:00 everybody again gathered at The Yellow House to celebrate my sister Joanne's birthday, which is really today but since everybody was going back to work today, we had our party yesterday.
We had a late lunch/early dinner or soul food--turnip greens, butter beans, pork loin roast, cornbread, and a few other goodies. For dessert, I made from-scratch chocolate-cherry brownies, served with ice cream.
It's all over again for another year, and I have to confess that although my stamina and pain level stayed very manageable most of the way through, I started sinking yesterday. So I think a few days of rest and relaxation are in order before I start anything major.
But as 2011 rears it's head later this week, I hope to be in my sewing room organizing and getting a jump start of the "Blackberry Creek UFO Bust." More details later for those of you who want to join in.
Happy last week of 2010, everyone. And Happy Kwanza too.
This beautiful poinsettia spent Christmas week on the altar at church in memory of Vann. We missed you, Boo.
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On 12/27/2010, Libby said ...
We had snow in Georgia too! I read it was the first White Christmas in Georgia since the 1800's! Your Christmas sounds wonderful! and it sounds like you enjoyed it! Funny, I told my husband on Christmas Eve, that next year for the holiday season I was going to set out a puzzle for everyone to work on! We always watch "Ralphie" on Christmas Eve before the kids go to bed!
On 12/27/2010, Chris said ...
I think it's amazing that you girls in the south had a white Christmas while in NH I had a brown Christmas. But we are in the midst of the big blizzard right now so I got a really white day after Christmas!
On 12/27/2010, AnnieO said ...
Very exciting to experience the first White Christmas ever in your town--I bet the doggies were confused when they went outside :) Sounds like you had a very lovely and low key holiday with those you love. That's the best!
On 12/27/2010, Debby Messner said ...
I can't believe it was your first white Christmas. They are beautiful aren't they. I love snow. I don't like power outages and icy roads but al the rest.
Sounds like you had a nice Christmas. So did I.
Being with family is the greatest.
Love the "flea" that your doggie got, hah.
I have been battling the headaches, sore muscles and fatigue, so I will be resting for a couple days as well.
Have a restful week.
On 12/27/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
What a wonderful, magical Christmas you, Sophie, and Skipper had together with family and friends! I had wondered if your Christmas was white. DS1 in north GA had a white Christmas, too!
Our snow started Christmas afternoon and ended sometime last night. The flakes were so small that we have only about 6" but it's beautiful! Christmas was lots of fun, family, and delicious foods here, too.
Having had several tick bites, including one Lyme tick bite, you and the dogs can keep even that tick!
DS1's quilt hasn't arrived so please keep your fingers crossed and prayers going up! I mailed it a week ago.
I'm glad your spoons were sufficient for the activities you wanted to enjoy. Happy replenishing!
Hugs!
On 12/27/2010, Lynn said ...
You got all our snow. We didn't get any in Colorado. In fact it was often warmer here than in Alabama! We may get some snow later this week though.
On 12/27/2010, Kai said ...
Your Christmas sounds wonderful! I 'specially love the picture of Miss Sophie & Lil' Skipper at the window! I'd have been right there WITH them, gaping at the snow! Sigh! It didn't snow here but it got very cold and the 40-plus mph winds made it feel WAY colder! I LOVED IT! We EXPECTED around 31 people - ended up with 44. Each visitor made it all the more merry. I had lots of help & there was SO much laughter! By Christmas at 11:40 P.M. ( some hours after everyone left)I had ALL the Christmas things put away (including the tree) until next day after Thanksgiving. It's a tradition because both Ray & I find it sad AFTER Christmas. I know - we are STRANGE, huh? LOL! When that was done, I scrubbed the house top to bottom. Then - ZERO hours of sleep later - we invited the ladies from the 2 nursing homes (the ones we've 'adopted') to come BACK over for a dinner of leftovers. Ray went & got them & we ate, watched - don't laugh - a MARATHON of old Shirley Temple movies (Okay - I confess I LOVE her!) and the ladies spent the night. We took them back this morning. So much fun! Now I'm tired. REALLY tired. I don't do puzzles but I DO think I will just read tonight. LOVE YOU! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Joanne! (Vann, both Ray AND I thought of you!)
On 12/27/2010, Nancy said ...
What a wonderful and full Christmas weekend you had. I love the little tick toy, is it a squeaker??? About that Valerian...we buy it on the shelf here at any grocery store. I took it for a while when I was having trouble sleeping, but oh my gosh the smell. I was taking the capsules too but the smell when I opened the bottle was really potent. I do hope it helps with your back pain but it was my doctor that recommended I try it (several years ago) and she told me it was more a sedative affect than anything. Let us know if it helps.
On 12/27/2010, hunnybunny said ...
I was wondering how people in the south really felt about a White Christmas. I'm so glad you got to enjoy it, like Chris here in MA it was brown. We made up for it today and I got to use a snow-blower for the first time.
I loved catching up with you here, and am so happy you had a good Christmas. Puzzles are big thing here and so is a Christmas Story. Great minds, right?
On 12/27/2010, Donna said ...
Susan,
Wasn't it beautiful for us in Alabama to have a White Christmas! I loved it and we still have some on the ground.
You had a busy Christmas and I know you missed Vann.
I am "pooped" after all the Christmas events!
Hugs,
Donna
On 12/28/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Kai, me too about the Christmas decorations. I know most people like to leave them up till 12th Night or at least till New Years. But I'm like you. For some unknown reason, seeing them after Christmas makes me feel strangely depressed. I have always been that way, not just since Vann died. What's wrong with us? --Susan
On 12/28/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Mee too, Donna. Pooped!
On 12/28/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Rest and feel better, Debby.
On 12/28/2010, Joanne Cage said ...
Happy New Year, Suze! Thanks a million for the Birthday Bash--the soul food was the best! Over all, we had a merry holiday, didn't we?
On 12/29/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Overall, an excellent holiday--with one glitch. But what's the holidays without a family row?
On 12/30/2010, Beverly said ...
I like to think our loved ones can see us from Heaven, and if that is true, your Vann must be very proud of you.
Your Christmas holidays sound wonderful. I had my very first white Christmas, too. It was so incredibly beautiful - the perfect snow. We still have snow, but it will be gone this weekend with the warm temperatures we are supposed to have. I posted some of our snow pictures.
I've never even heard of Pepper Pot soup, but eeww! I am sure I don't want any. I don't do inards either.
Wishes for a good and happy new year.♥
On 12/31/2010, Sandra Neel Hutchins said ...
Hello dear sweet lady!
I am just now getting around to checking a few of my fav blogs after a whirlwind holiday time. I am so glad that you did get a beautiful white Christmas! Here in Oklahoma we had a bit of a white Christmas with a dusting of snow, just enough to put us in a holiday mood without travel problems. Your doggies look so sweet sitting in front of the window.
On 12/31/2010, Mama Pea said ...
I read Donna's blog and she had her first white Christmas ever. Having grown up in Iowa, I am accustomed to them, but I am so happy that some of you got to experience that and that you enjoyed it so much. Strangely, It's raining in Michigan today. We're having a real January thaw, which is very unusual for us! Hope you had a great Christmas!
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