CHRISTMAS 2004

Yes, it's my favorite time of the year. This house celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. We all received this wonderful gift 2004 years ago. Christ our Savior was born so that all that believe in him will have eternal life. So to honor HIM, the yard is decorated with lights and lighted figures of angels, santa, snowmen, Christmas trees, and a life-sized nativity set of lighted figures. Inside as well, the tree is up and lights in the windows...everything to light on Thanksgiving evening until January 1, 2005.
I was blessed with the company of my bestest buddy, Doug, and his two pups, Boji and Charley. Seems this is becoming a tradition as well. We enjoy spending time together and do so as often as possible.
Christmas morning started relatively early. Gifts exchanged and stockings were plundered. Santa was good to us all..and the feast was in the oven and on the stove top. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato souffle, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and squash casserole. It must be admitted that the turkey was delicious and juicy. The pumpkin pie was a great ending to a wonderful meal. We were stuffed...and blamed the turkey for making us drowsy. Does anyone feel a nap coming on? We did...and it ended up being a “sleep“ rather than a nap. We aroused about 3 hours later...and yep, we were hungry again.
The day after Christmas (Boxing Day for our British and Canadian friends) we decided on a road trip to Savannah, Georgia. We drove through the famous historic district and the beautifully renovated Broughton Street. I believe we even stopped at the Starbucks on the corner of Broughton and Bull Streets for a restroom break. Then we took in the sights and the squares on Bull Street. The houses here are beautifully grandeur and evidence of the old south remains in tact.
The worst part of this terrific holiday was the end of it...sadness as my friends prepared to leave...even sadder to watch them drive away....
Photos via the link below.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gblakesmith3/album?.dir=/72c3&.src=ph&.tok=phmkCYCB1KF8nJyC

BestBuy.com Coupon

Nativity Scene

Outdoor 7' Christmas Trees

View from the road

Angels in the yard

Trumpeting Angels

DECEMBER 13, 2004 AS THE PINE TREE FALLS

Fortunately for me, a neighbor was having an oak tree cut down (it was dead and hollow). The tree service, owned by a friend of mine, was approached about taking down a pine tree extremely close to my house and storage shed that had been struck by lightning. He assessed the tree and the situation, and agreed to do it. So, about 5 hours later, when he got around to it, he had a worker lifted in a bucket truck to tie a rope around the tree where the limbs began. The other end was secured to a tow truck a safe distance away that kept a strain on the rope to encourage the tree to fall in that direction. No less than 10 minutes later, the tree thudded to the ground exactly where it was intended to fall. No damage to the nearby shed or the house. Great job. Tree is now gone, the stump was ground (I still have to dispose of that) and my dad and neighbor have some firewood. Don't know when I'll get around to removing the grindings (they are sappy, sticky and sandy). YUCK!

DECEMBER 1, 2OO4 ROAD TRIP TO BOYNTON

I made a trip to Hinseville, Georgia to Brewer's Christmas Tree Farm to procure a tree for myself and my best friend Doug. After selecting the two trees, we sawed them down (my dad and I). We loaded them in the truck and went to pay for them. Here they were netted and loaded back into the truck.
When we arrived home, we drilled holes in the bottom of the trunk so that the stands would be secure. Loaded the stand with water, but Doug's tree was placed in a bucket of water outside.
The next morning, we load up (Boots and I) and off we go on the 5.5 hour trek to Boynton Beach, Florida. It was an uneventful trip and we arrived on time..not that we had a specified time to arrive..but it seems we are always exactly where we are supposed to be precisely when we arrive there. So...what more is there to say about timeliness?
Doug and his brother David had to work. I, on the other hand, stayed home with the pups, and rummaged through the garage for decorations (yard, tree things, and inside things).
When all was completed, the decorations looked extremely inviting and very much in the season and spirit of Christmas.
We did manage to take in movie..”Finding Neverland”. Everyone should see this movie starring Johnny Depp as the author of Peter Pan. It definitely tugged at the heart strings, but the resulting melody was beautiful.
Seems Doug and I always have great times together regardless of what we do. Whether we're travelling Europe, exploring England, or just sitting around chatting...we just have fun!