It's an UnWRAP!

 

Looking back, I'd say Christmas 2021 was a pretty fine day.

Oh, for sure, there were aching joints and muscles from yet more hours of snow moving.

Nonetheless, the day was happily filled with all things Christmas.

And, we didn't have to freeze to death to make it happen. It's nice celebrating in the warmth of a house.

On Christmas Day, 2021, I'll always remember the following:

the food and baked goods, all good and plenty left over

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Bridie opening her presents on her first Christmas and the wonderful presents exchanged among humans and appreciated.

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visiting with friends and family over the phone

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moving snow and opening up the barnyard so the horses could spend their days there for the rest of the winter

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Pepper Love, the rather assertive and funny kitty at the Young Loves dashing and bouncing around the house and being removed from the dining room table.

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tasting some of the best prime rib ever, prepared by Willie AND his potatoes: to die for.

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Old Todd, the Young Love's Border Collie, preferring to stay out in the snow rather than joining in on the festivities inside.

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Never ending snow.  

We hate it because of the work it causes, but we do love the fact that it provided the most nostalgic Christmas scenes imaginable.

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All in all, a wonderful Christmas. 

Thanks to all who made it that way. 

Happy Sunday.  

Last night marked the first Christmas dinner in a newly restored house filled with decades worth of memories of good times and family members. 

This home was where Mother and Harold lived when they bought the Old Tucker Dairy farm in Colburn back in the early 1990s.  

Over the years, Mother worked tirelessly in an earlier version of that kitchen, baking Christmas cookies, preparing her original notecards and putting together sumptuous holiday dinners. 

And, each year family members helped out and joined her and Harold for the Christmas celebrations. 

I have a feeling they both may have been smiling last night to see the beautiful holiday table and surrounding decorations (some of which remind Debbie of her own family members who have passed on).

Yes, the spirit and sense of family was there, with the most delectable meal, mostly prepared by Willie and Debbie but accentuated with special dishes from Barbara and Laurie and the Love house. 

Here's the point where I want to add a heartfelt comment. 

I do not like to acknowledge the fact that some of the woes/pains of older age are affecting a few of us, but I will happily trumpet a huge acknowledgement to Willie, Debbie and Annie for all they have done during our Christmas celebration to take up the slack. 

From shoveling and plowing and vacuuming and picking up the messes to preparing a feast---they have risen to the occasion and then some. 

For all that, they are most appreciated and always loved. 

Thanks, kids!  You're pretty special. 

Finally, a disclaimer on the photo: I really was much much happier than the expression this photo suggests.