Well, as it turns out, Christmas was wonderful. Hope yours was wonderful too. Didn't get to see all the children or the grandchildren, but Andee and Todd, without Madison home for Christmas for the first time, had dinner with us. Got to say, that made Christmas!
So first things first...Is there anything cuter than the face of big sweet kitty cat that's not sure what's going on...
I picked him up for a hug and Andee said, Mom, I've got to get a picture of that. Smokey wasn't sure about Andee and that strange looking iPad.
This big boy gives THE BEST HUGS!
"It's okay Smoke! We're gonna whip Andee for scaring you". :)
Around the first of December we ordered a Santa poster...the 24"x 36" size for the big wooden frame on the front porch. The sunflower looked out of place at Christmas.
Well we waited and waited, we made phone calls, and eventually tracked the package to the Louisburg post office but no one could find it.
Guess what arrived Christmas Eve, delivered by our regular mailman...
I was really looking forward to hanging this life-size Santa. At least it got here, and did add a little joy to the porch and old cupboard for Christmas Eve and Day...
Were you surprised by any unusual gifts this Christmas? We surely were. Let me back up a little first...
Poppy's daughter Windy, and her family, moved from Missouri to Virginia about a year ago. They bought a nice home with a big fenced-in back yard with ready made raised beds for gardening. Had no idea what big gardeners they were until just before Christmas when Windy sent pictures...
Oh my gosh! How pretty, and is that Bamboo I see growing in the background? (actually, I asked if that was reed growing in the back, I didn't know there was a difference) :) I searched all last spring for a decent piece of Bamboo to make homes for the mason bees. When you guys come for a visit, you can have all the Bamboo you want, Windy and Brian agreed.
Before Christmas, a UPS truck backed into the driveway. The driver jumped out, opened both back doors and struggled to pull out a big heavy 7' long box. Poppy helped get the box up on the porch. What in the world is this, asked Poppy. Obviously, something that will have to be put together, said the driver...by the sound of the wood clanking together inside the box.
We opened our present Christmas Eve...
A box filled with beautiful perfectly cut, 7' tall Bamboo pieces! Prettiest I've ever seen! Can't wait to use these in the garden next spring and try to create something really pretty.
Speaking of gardening...I'm already dreaming and planning.
Good grief! No wonder Poppy is always saying, will you get to the point! You've all probably signed out by now. If you're still here, thank you for visiting!
Love,
Henny
Wow they have some beautiful gardens! Lucky you with the bamboo...I am certain you will come up with something great!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a good Christmas. Love the pics of Smokey... and Santa... and the garden!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post Henny. Glad you some family and of course Smokey looks fantastic. Now you have all these bamboo post to use in your garden come Spring, and please hurry up Spring. I got 10 inches of snow on Christmas morn. More than enough for St. Nick to sleigh through. Glad you got the poster, I'm still waiting on 2 packages ordered end of Nov and were shipped immediately. Not thinking they will make it here ever. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a Christmas present! So many possibilities. We find it growing here and there along the back roads and we cut some for our patio tomat plants last summer. Works well because it is light weight but sturdy. What lovely, lush garden beds Windy has. She must have TWO green thunmbe!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a perfect Christmas present! I can't wait to see how you use it!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace,
Pam
I'm dreaming and planning for Spring too. We had a white Christmas but I'm ready for the snow to disappear now. I'm glad you had a nice Christmas. We managed to also, in spite of the restrictions that we may have disregarded.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with Windy's garden. It's amazing.
Happy new year to you and Poppy!!
Smokey looks so cute! I just love him. What a surprise that bamboo must have been! You are so creative I know you will find many different ways to use it. The Santa picture is wonderful - it is just perfect on your porch. I'm so happy you had a good Christmas. Enjoy this Christmas week and have a Happy New Year! xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the Santa picture on your porch. Nice surprise getting all that bamboo!!
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive garden that Windy has.
Cute kitty!
ReplyDeleteI love that Santa poster and you will be able to use it next year.
That is quite the garden - and the bamboo will be so perfect in your garden.
Your Santa picture is so cute...Sorry it was so late being delivered but now you have something to look forward to for next Christmas season. How neat for them to send the bamboo reeds. Can't wait to see what you do with them.
ReplyDeleteI love your Santa picture! Such a happy welcome. The garden in Virginia looks so wonderful. It's where I live too. Bamboo makes the best curtain rods and some nice frames when split flat on one side. The stuff is hard to get rid of and roots run for miles it seems under ground. There is a less invasive species that can be purchased but not sure what it's called. You have such pretty thick hair I notice and I wish I had it. Mine is getting so thin. Beautiful Cat and a big one. Big teddy bear. Happy Twelve days of Christmas to you. Betsy
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Henny! I love every picture.....starting with big ole Smokey and those wide open eyes! He looks so very huggable. We used to have a beautiful kitty like that, his name was Clyde-Boy and we were told he was a Russian Blue! Maybe Clyde-boy and Smokey are old relatives! Does Smokey have big paws? Clyde-boy had monstrous paws! I also dearly love that new Santa picture you got...how perfect! and isn't the bamboo gift special? Wow....I'd say you had a terrific Christmas. So happy that you share it with us! God Bless You all....Happy almost New Year!
ReplyDeleteWow! Now I'm anxious to see what you do with your bamboo, too. I know you'll come up with something really super cool.
ReplyDeleteStill here and following all the stories
ReplyDeleteYour porch display, with the Santa poster, is great!
ReplyDeleteSmokey is adorable, and huge!
I'm impressed that they actually shipped bamboo to you. Must have been pricy to ship it, but it sure made your day.
It's never too early to start planning our next garden. I certainly need to get out on every warmish day I can to do some weeding. I am looking forward to seeing how you use all that bamboo. I love your Santa poster. And, I love Smokey!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise present! I'm glad you had a great Christmas - and Smokey is just the cutest :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice Santa you have hanging out on your porch. At least he arrived in time for Christmas. It wouldn't do for Santa to miss Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThose gardens are gorgeous and they obviously have green thumbs. And that bamboo is the most original Christmsa gift I've heard of in a long time. :-). How perfect.
I'm glad you had a good day my friend. Ours was quiet but good.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Well..here we are..l made it..HeHe!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to catch up, still got the
family here, going home tomorrow, we
had Christmas dinner yesterday, we
had a whole New Zealand leg of lamb..
AND..It was beautiful..Marinated over
night, herbs and things, and roasted
slowly for a couple of hours..!
And, Christmas would'nt be Christmas
without a bit of road kill..! :).
Sat down about one and finished about
six..typical Sicilian meal..!
And Smokey..Ah! What a lovely looking fella..
You can see he's a gentleman, he keeps his
lovely tail between his legs..! :o).
AND..those eyes..! :).
Best get on..things to do..family to feed..
Hope everyone had a great Christmas, lets
hope 2021 is better for everyone all round..!
🔥 🌲 😊 🌲 🔥 🌲 🔥 🌲 😊 🌲 🔥 🌲 🔥 🌲
Enjoy using those wonderful pieces of bamboo in your gardens. I look forward to seeing what you will create! Have a great last week of this strange year and may 2021 be a better year for us all. ~ FlowerLady
ReplyDeleteLove your Santa picture! How nice to have that frame on your porch to change with the seasons! That certainly is a huge garden and I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the bamboo this summer!
ReplyDeleteI love your Santa poster! Such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteJillxo
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI like your Santa picture, Henny, it is perfect.
I am dreaming of gardening too. I got two more seed catalogs in the mail today.
I can not wait to see what you do with the bamboo.
Happy New Year,
Carla
Wow! Homegrown Bamboo. Who could ask for anything more. What are you going to do with it? Something interesting I bet. Put on your thinking cap.
ReplyDelete❤️😀❤️
ReplyDeleteI love your blog posts! That cat is gorgeous!!! The garden is so pretty-and I also have the garden-bug and can't wait to pour over the new seed catalogs. Have a wonderful new year, my friend!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to beginning some seedlings. I'm going to try and grow Sunflowers. I've got the most delicious color Black CHerry, we'll see. I'm all thumbs, but have fun anyway and am thankful what does grow and my "deer" friends to eat. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThose bamboo poles look amazing! You really will do something interesting and lovely with them in the garden this spring ... and it will be here before we know it!
ReplyDeleteChristmas was lovely and quiet and small. Like you, it really made it wonderful to have a child at home.
So glad that Santa arrived at your house in time :)
Sounds like you had a good Christmas even with this 2020 jinx. Santa is adorable.
ReplyDeleteUnusual Christmas gifts? One of my brothers moved to Idaho in the Fall, and he sent us 2 packages of IDAHO instant potatoes. Good for a great laugh... and the potatoes were very good.
ReplyDeleteWhat a womnderful gift from your kids. Looks like you have a great start to the new year. As for Smokey - he adorable. Love the Santa portrait. May you and Poppy and yours have a blessed 2021. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Henny! :) I'm so glad you had a great holiday. I LOVE the Santa poster and am so jealous of that garden!!! Oh my gosh, I was going to give up gardening for a few years, now I'm wondering if I should try again after last year's failure!!! Smoke is adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Christmas surprise! Smokie is so handsome...and I love the gardening shots!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR Henny and Poppy- here is hoping that 2021 turns out to be a far better year for all the Planet. Best Wishes. KEV. (Sydney-Australia).
ReplyDeleteHi Henny...I LOVED this post. Oh Smokey is the cutest boy. Those are the cutest photos. He reminds me of Wilson. He is always spooked with visitors. And the Santa poster. It is just fabulous. I'm a big Santa fan and just might look for something similar. I love it. I'm glad to read you had a nice Christmas. It was more quiet and calm for all of us but wonderful nonetheless. I saw you commented on my last post but unfortunately it disappeared before I got to read it. This computer...honestly I don't know. I might have hit the wrong key. :-b Anyway, thank you for stopping by and enjoy what's left of the day. xo
ReplyDeleteHi...me again. I found your comment. lol All is good.
ReplyDeleteJust now getting our internet back after the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, it's been on and off for days.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing Smokey's little face ,he's got so much personality.
Your home and farm are so cozy and welcoming Henny, and happy to know you were able to share with your Christmas visitors.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Hugs,
Jo