Christmas was strange this year for a lot of folks including us.
We planned to eat together on Christmas day minus Granny and Paul, who are being extra careful, but a possible covid exposure for us caused the whole thing to be canceled which made me pretty bummed.
Miss Cindy had already been around us all week so we did get to enjoy our wonderful Christmas Eve tradition with her. We had a great time like we always do.
Just as we were getting ready to eat a hot bowl of The Deer Hunter’s oyster stew we noticed the rain was looking sort of thick.
Before we knew it the snow had covered the ground.
When Miss Cindy was ready to go The Deer Hunter knew there was no getting her little car off our place so he drove her home in his truck. He said it was a hairy ride all the way there and back.
On Christmas morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. Everything was draped in white and there was still snow coming down as we gathered around the tree together.
In the afternoon we had a dandy hike up the creek even if it was downright chilly—the temps barely got out of the teens all day.
Even though Miss Cindy’s car is stuck at our house and we didn’t get to celebrate with her and my family for the first time ever it still turned out to be an extra special Christmas day.
You all know how much I love snow so there’s that, and since we live on the north side of the mountain I’ll have a yard full of white till at least the first of next week if not longer.
There’s also the knowledge that there won’t be many more Christmases with the girls at home, before we know it they’ll be celebrating on Christmas morning with their own families. The Deer Hunter and I soaked up having them all to ourselves.
And the Christmas gift we are most thankful for is the blessings we’ve had this year. We’ve all kept our jobs and we’ve been healthy during this crazy year of 2020.
Yes it was a good Christmas.
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Tipper,…
Our weather person was handing out a no go for snow for Christmas this year….I kinda like it when the weather people have to eat their words….
I love the snow and we loved the big ole fluffy flakes when it got to goin’….I think the Lord decided we had enough of this stayin’ Covid bound and added a little wintertime treasure and memory to our Christmas…besides having to remember all the family separations….What do you think about it?
Thanks for the post…
So happy you had a quiet but nice Christmas! The snow looks beautiful, I bet it was fun hiking through the woods in the snow!
Yes Tipper. this Christmas had been a little down for us here. So many deaths. But Jesus did lightly the sadness, when we got all the snow. Glad you all had a great Christmas. God Bless.
So glad you got some snow , the pictures are beautiful ..I really do enjoy snow too . We too have had Covid changes , Thanksgiving and Christmas .Our youngest daughter (a nurse) got Covid but recovered …Yet the whole family was quarantined …Our Oldest Grandaughter and her husband tested positive for Covid , and had to quarantine all through Thanksgiving with some symptoms but not severe … some in our church got Covid or were exposed to Covid and had to quarantine …we had to go get tested but were negative but we still are wearing mask as needed… we got together Christmas with some of our children but not all…still we have so much to be thankful for …especially that the ones who did get Covid recovered …but we still have some we are praying for …some had lite symptoms , some were more sickened .We are trying to be careful as we can …We’ve had a few flurries and it’s gotten much colder . …We were warm , have had good things to eat …yes we are so thankful . So many changes this last year . Lots to pray about . God keep you all in His care❣️
Your snow draped forest decorated with the softest and puffiest looking snow created a spectacular picture!!! I’ve been in that type of setting before and if one is dressed up warm, just being in that scene will warm a body too.
Our Christmas was a little different too. Of course, I miss my husband of over 51 years but this was the first year our youngest son, who was born on a Christmas morning back in 1974, wasn’t with me for Christmas. Because of the Covid, my sons thought I should be down South with my oldest son so that is where I will be til Spring. We used Zoom Christmas day so we could see each other and that was wonderful. It seems very strange not going out to see friends and extended family or have them visit us but I’m just thankful the boys can work from home and so far we are all healthy. My husband loved the old black and white movie ” It’s A Wonderful Life.” and we always watched it Christmas night. Our sons and I still enjoy getting the hot chocolate out and watching that dear movie. It was just as enjoyable last night.
Strange Christmas for sure but we still count the blessings.
I really loved Ron Stephens post. Especially the first paragraph. He described that special feeling perfectly and the part about raising our children to leave…bittersweet, but when they’ve become confident independent adults we know we’ve done our job well.
Wishing you and all your readers a blessed 2021.
Christmas 2020 was indeed strange for us. First time in our 60-year marriage that we celebrated alone. Don’t want this to happen again. It just feels unnatural. We did do some Zooming, which is better than nothing. Our kids and their families agreed that we shouldn’t get together this year, which we old folks appreciated. It was too dangerous. They have good hearts.
We didn’t have snow but it was cold and windy. Earlier predictions said we might see flurries, but that never happened. I missed my cousin and her husband, who live out of town, but we understand about not wanting to get sick or make us sick. My youngest daughter and her boyfriend came. My oldest lives in New York City, and while she wanted to come, she would have had to self-quarantine when she got back. She doesn’t work from home, so self-quarantining was not possible. I am thankful for all my blessings and because my husband and I are retired, we do not have the financial worries many have, and we have shared our blessings with friends in need.
Sounds like your Christmas was similar to mine, Tipper. Quiet with your loved ones even though some were missing. The snow looks so lovely and I would have loved walking in it as Barry and I did when we were younger.
Cherish these times with your girls at home. You have a dear family and are an inspiration to others. Happy New Year!
Glad you had a beautiful, if unusual, Christmas. Here in SW Michigan, we established a new record for snow fall on 12/24-25. The internet says that my town got a foot of that beautiful white stuff while a nearby town got 15″ . I almost hate to see the roads plowed and sanded this morning. Unfortunately, wind and cold temps before the snow has kept snow off the trees and bushes. I miss seeing the white trees and mountains of the Smokies!
This Christmas was some different for us, but all in all we have no complaints. Our grandson is just at the age where kids begin to enjoy Christmas and watching him was as much a joy as our own celebrations. My parents are still with us, those of us who have had the COVID are recovering, and we had a “whitish” Christmas (just a dusting of snow and a cold day). It was a beautiful, restful day all around.
Yes it has been a strange year but when I look back, the blessings have been far greater than than the bad. I guess the worse for us was the death of my mother in law. Now both my wife and wife’s parents are dead on earth. We didn’t get snow but it is very cold, 18 degrees as I write this. (Greenville, SC). We did loose our power Christmas Eve from 6pm to 1 am. Messed up some plans. We also had a scare with the COVID, my grandson was exposed at his work but tested negative.
Don and Tipper, the pictures are real pretty. Don I have pictures made at our daughter’s grave from a few years ago when there was some snow. I think they are beautiful of the cemetery and the red and white Christmas flowers.
My plans for next year is to try not to be so long winded on Tipper’s blog. No promises
It was definitely a different kind of Christmas dinner at my daughter’s house with us all seated at separate tables. While we were busy eating and opening gifts, the snow started falling. It took me twenty minutes to drive the seven miles and three different roads to get home. It was the worst driving conditions I have experienced in a long time. With no other cars on the road and houses far and in between, I have to admit I had a few panic attacks as I slid down the roads and around the curves.
The only hiking I’m doing is from one room to another. My power was out for almost two hours last night and that was enough cold air for me.
Praying for a better new year for us all!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The snow started here in the Ellijay mountains during Christmas Eve dinner, and it was beautiful. It etched every branch. The sunset seemed to color the very air pink. It was glorious to see.
I love walking in a winter snowstorm. The big outdoors feels like a beautiful room of your own. Somehow sound is muted and when you are dressed warmly enough it feels cozy. And it is beautiful in every direction; winter lace.
I’m sorry your plans went awry somewhat but, as has been mentioned already, being all together safe and warm and dry was a blessing. We managed to have a New York>Oklahoma>Georgia threeway tie on screen. (I hope your girls don’t go far but we raise them to leave and they do.) Technological marvels, while I appreciate them, can never really substitute for in person and we really do not want them to. They still leave our arms empty.
We didn’t get the snow here, just bitter cold. Of course we need the cold by design in this part of the world. Like life’s troubles, it has its good side. As some of us know, we feel it more as time goes by.
Remember when – before we ever started driving – snowy hills were to play on and the steeper and longer the better?
Merry Christmas! We had some flurries, but no accumulation…. it’s freezing today though. Our holiday was quiet….not too quiet with two little boys, but small. Still fun and joyful. And good good. And as you mentioned – we’ve kept our jobs and have our health. That’s all you can ask for. Many blessings to you and yours Tipper!
Christmas was pretty strange and very dad here too. In fact this whole year. Looking forward to 2021. HAPPY NEW YESR everyone
Who would have thought…as close as I live to you all, I couldn’t get there Christmas day! We did however have a very nice Christmas Eve, including The Polar Express Christmas movie and our usual Oyster Stew!
We also had a strange Christmas. 2020 will long be remembered. As with you we are blessed to have work and a warm and cozy home to enjoy the holiday. Many things to be thankful for. Health being the best blessing of all.
This was (and still is this morning) a pretty snow. With the temperature dropping so quickly on the tail end of the rain, the residual water on branches was frozen and the snow really stuck to them. It wasn’t a deep snow – 2 to 3 inches – but enough to cover the ground good without bringing too many trees down and causing power outages.
I went out early yesterday and got some pictures at the Bryson City Cemetery. If you care to have a look, they’re here:
http://friendsofthebccemetery.org/files/grounds/Christmas2020.pdf
Oh I’m so glad to hear your Christmas was wonderful with it’s obstacles! And yet, once again, against all odds, hillbillies persevered and made the day good! It’s bittersweet when the girls are grown because you know some time soon, they’ll go away to make a family of their own (and the traditions that go along with that.) I’m glad you got snow too! Have a blessed day as I pray the BEER virus ( Wu flu) passes by not to light there.
Don,
Thank you for the pictures. A Rabbit?
Sanford,
I had sent those photos to members of Friends of the Bryson City Cemetery and had several folks make a guess at what left the tracks. One of the reasons I included it was that for all the world, it looked like a cottontail had passed by, and I’d have bet good cash money that such was the case. Had I not actually seen a squirrel make them, there’s no way I’d have believed it. It came bounding down the road at about three feet per jump. I looked at several of the tracks and there was not a claw mark to be found.
The only thing I could figure was that the snow on the road was thin – less than half an inch – and there was a bit of ice underneath it, so he slid a bit with each landing, which eliminated the claw marks.
I also don’t remember a squirrel traveling like this – bounding in a regular, unhasty way. They’ll bound when spooked, but they’ll also be in high gear then. Normally when they’re just moving from place to place, they walk.
Bryson City Cemetery
Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina, USA
725 memorials (83% Photographed)
It’s a wittle bunny wabbit!
Ed, see the response to Sanford McKinney. If I hadn’t watched a squirrel make them less than two minutes before, I’d have never believed it. They look exactly like the tracks of a cottontail – and unlike those of a squirrel.
Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing them.
A Blessed New Year to you all.
Hidey Ho…Don..
I’m thinking those front tracks are normal squirrel…the back track is the same squirrel impersonating the Mad Hatter thinking he is going down the rabbit hole like Alice in Wonderland as he is slipping on the ice….LOL
What I did notice was a beautiful cross at the cemetery that looks a whole lot like the one made of wild grasses, leaves, tree branches that you’make…Was it one you and your wife made? Merry after Christmas and Happy New Year!..
PS….Neighbor called and said that she didn’t know if we were aware…but that another neighbor had seen a mountain lion on the property just beside ours…Dog got scent and he couldn’t shoot it ’cause the dog was in the way! I’m thinking he saw a Bobcat…not mountain lion….
Snow never made it this far east, but it was still a beautiful Christmas with lots of phone calls to and from family and friends, and an early morning visit from my four legged friend, Buddy, from over the hill. I fried him up some bacon, which made the house smell like Hickory smoke, and still does. Just because I haven’t eaten meat in 19 years didn’t mean Buddy had to suffer. It’s now 16 degrees north of Lake Lure, and I’m sure Otter Pond down the road has ice around the edges. Have a wonderful holiday, Tipper.
It made me sad to hear that your girls won’t be home with you much longer. And also that you weren’t able to have the rest of your family there with you. Maybe God saw that you all needed that special time with just you four. I trust none of you get sick. We have had so much of it around here, too. I pray Psalm 91 over us daily and trust the dear Lord to keep us all safe and healthy always. He is so faithful! Our Christmas was just us three, but it was honestly the best one that any of the three of us can remember. I will never forget it. It was also the first white Christmas any of us can ever remember experiencing, so the blanket of snow on the ground made it even more extra-special! May God bless all of you with a wonderful rest of this beautiful season and all throughout the new year!
I am so glad you made lemonade out of the lemons life has thrown our way. I spent much of the day on your YouTube channel. Of course I have to engage in a few “Home Alone” activities like running through the house with the scissors, and getting into the cocoa and sugar to make me some snuff. I love to listen to your stories, Tipper!
Sometimes we are left with counting blessings, and this has been a different year indeed. Many firsts in the year of 2020, and hoping with the good Lord in charge 2021 will bring better days to us. I am guilty of reflecting and wondering too much. How was it in 1918 when my great grandmother Mariah Elizabeth Lester left her family, which included an infant. She succumbed to what was often called the Great Flu Epidemic? Another great grandmother turned an oil lamp over on her bed. I am so glad we have come so far and know more. Keeping Granny safe is a priority.
The white Christmas was beautiful. Your situation with Miss Cindy being unable to take her car sounded much like a normal Christmas from yesteryear in our neck of the woods. One Christmas eve when it was extremely cold I had added too much water the past Summer to the radiator fluid, and the car stopped on the way home. We knew everybody, so there on Christmas eve we had to barge in on somebody else’s Christmas festivities to use the phone (hard to imagine a time with no cell phone). Live and learn! That beautiful snow filled photo made me homesick for I am not sure what. Nothing more beautiful in nature than an arch of snow covered trees that covers the paths you walk. Just not the same when you view it from inside.