After our first Christmas celebration on Christmas day with Will’s grandson, Drew, we had our second celebration on Saturday with sons, Bill and David’s families here. We had presents from their aunts plus all of ours together, so it made quite a pile. Granddaughter, Delilah, was so excited and her younger sister, Melanie, got into the spirit of opening presents too. I’d gotten a playpen online so she could sit in the middle of everything yet not crawl off and get into trouble. But the playpen was huge! I had been envisioning one like my kids were raised with, folding up in the center, being small enough to fit into a normal room with room to walk. Ha ha! This one was like a horse stall and didn’t fold at all.
But Melanie was happy in the living room, among all the boxes, paper, and toys. All of us big girls got gift certificates to Byrnes Greenhouse, so we’ll be all set to go on our traditional Mother’s Day flower extravaganza. Bill had a couple of good rides on his sister, Randie’s, Friesian, Abe, at their trainer where Ava gets riding lessons. So, I got him a canvas print of a photo he’d sent me, and another of Ava on one of her lesson horses for her.
I had to laugh — I was going to give Bill canning jars for Christmas, but decided I’d give him full ones instead. He and Kelly got me two boxes of canning jars instead! We all had a good laugh about that. I’m sure I’ll fill them up in no time.
I made a nice ham, garlic mashed potatoes, Hopi Pale Grey squash casserole (I baked it first, then blended the squash with a little brown sugar and butter, then topped it with small marshmallows, and baked it.) Very good! Of course, there were pies, cookies, and other goodies galore. We were all stuffed as usual, even though we’d all sworn not to eat so much.
Just a note to all of you, our catalogs are a little later than we’d thought. They’re being mailed out now. I want all of you to have a very Happy New Year and a BIG garden!
— Jackie
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am looking forward to the seed catalog:) Sending prayers for a blessed week.
Thank you! We’re looking forward to getting them too. Hopefully very soon now. There was a glitch at the binding department at the printer which held things up. Happy New Year!
What a lovely time you all had! Family is a huge blessing. Following your blog is the highlight of my days. I pray that the Lord will bless you all abundantly this year! Can’t wait to see the catalog!
We did have a wonderful time, as we always do when a big bunch of family gets together. I got to thinking of all the ways God has blessed us throughout the years and was astounded!
May God bless you & yours in the new year.
Thank you so much Debra. I pray you have the very Happiest of New Years!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
Katherine
And you as well, Katherine! I know we’ll all be busy.
Happy New Year! May God bless all your efforts this year to multiply for next year. I am looking forward to your new catalog.
Thanks Sheryl. Here’s hoping you’ll have a wonderful New Year and big, productive garden!!
Happy New Year. I look forward to your catalog and the new season ahead.
I know we’re looking forward to this new year and all it holds. I hope you have the best New Year in the world!!
Sounds like you had a fantastic Christmas, would love to have all of our family together for Christmas, but we wouldn’t fit in our current home. 4 kids, 8 grandkids, two great grand babies and all of the significant others.
I sure know what you mean Georgia! We’ve got a huge family too, scattered all over the country, from Alaska to Rhode Island. Lots of kids, grandkids and even a few great grands. (No, we can’t be that old???) Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Jackie & Will! I love your wish for us all to have a good year and BIG garden. That sure made me smile. I love that you found a play pen for Melanie. I wish they still made the big ones that I had for my children in the 1980’s. It was big enough to play in and move around instead of these itty bitty ones they have now. It was a great way to get in a shower or a trip to the bathroom when the kiddos were little.
I’m so glad you got to share in the warmth of Christmas with some of your clan. We have an extended family with kiddos we added in to our family over time through Foster Care and Crisis Parenting. It isn’t always easy but it is always a gift to share in their lives.
May God bless your homestead this year with no accidents and no breakdowns. May your gardens be prolific and your seed harvest be bountiful. Most of all may you bask in the delight of knowing His face shines on you. Much love, Nancy
Thank you so much Nancy. We’re already planning our gardens for this next season and praying for a good growing year.
I hate those little bitty modern playpens. It doesn’t give the babies room enough to move around. No wonder they’re not happy to be in one! I know my old playpens saved my sanity as the babies could be near me but not get into dangerous situations.
Had to laugh at the canning jar story! We love a certain kind of herbal tea that we cannot find locally anymore (like so many things unfortunately). A couple years ago when we opened gifts, my husband and I had each ordered the same thing for each other! It was so funny, and we have PLENTY of loose tea to last for a long time.
Happy New Year and blessings to you, excited for my catalog!
Linda in SW Montana
Yup, sometimes those we love are really in tune to us, aren’t they? Have a wonderful garden this coming season. And the very Happiest of New Years.
Happy New Year to you Miss Jackie and to all your kith and kin. I always look forward to your new catalogue. I need to order some corn! TeresaSue in North Idaho.
We’ve got plenty for you. I’m wishing you the best gardening season possible in this New Year!
Happy New Year to you and your family! Great pictures 🤗
And the Happiest New Year to you and yours in 2025!!
I see David used the same “pattern” on the girls lol. Mine look quite a bit alike too, nothing wrong with that (well, maybe not – neither have my hair/eye color but genetics, what can you say).
At one time, Fischer-Price made a pack-n-play “pen” – big but not too big. And it traveled well.
I love handmade signs, we have a number of them on our property.
IMHO, there is *nothing* wrong with practical gifts (adults – kids do need some fun stuff). But my better half always comes up with some fun/goofy gifts which everyone loves. A lot of edibles/experiences this year for our family too. Lord knows my father doesn’t need any more tchotchkes (spelled properly, I googled it!) in his house.
Yep, Delilah and Melanie look quite a bit alike, but Melanie’s personality is more assertive than Delilah’s. Ha ha!
We like those practical gifts a lot. You have a wonderful New Year!!