We had a wonderful Christmas yesterday. I hope you did too. Our gathering was smaller than usual. Neither my nephew nor my niece and their families didn’t come home for Christmas. Chatter and Austin spent Christmas with his family in Georgia. Paul came down sick on Christmas Eve so he missed the good time too.
But the rest of our bunch ate hearty, laughed, and talked the day away. The little girls in the family got pogo sticks and boy did they have fun 🙂
I was worried Granny might not feel up to coming, but she did and I was so glad!
Miss Cindy was on all our minds. We sure missed her calm peaceful presence and her laughter. But Granny summed it up by saying “I sure do miss her, but as long as we have Matt we still have part of Miss Cindy with us.”
Of course it’s not just Matt that carries on Miss Cindy’s purpose.
It’s also her granddaughters and her great grandsons they carry. It’s each of us who’s lives she touched and molded as she lived her life.
The day was on the warm side. Instead of snow we got lots of rain. Even with the warm wet weather it was a good Christmas that I’ll always remember.
Last night’s video: The Homecoming 7.
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Hi Tipper, We watch all your videos. Will you please share the name of your beautiful Christmas china, either by email or your video? Thank you!
Connie
So glad you enjoy what we do. We really appreciate your support!
The dish pattern is Victorian Holiday Poinsettia.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. We all have so much to be thankful for. Jesus is the Greatest Gift Ever Given. Thank you for sharing your life with us. It is so interesting, and I learn new things from you and I also relate to the Appalachian way of life that I sometimes used to take for granted. Thank you for bringing so many good memories back to me. Let’s look for a Happy New Year and try to do the best we can to let our light shine for Jesus. With Love and Prayers, Barbara
Although yesterday was Christmas, we didn’t celebrate it in the usual way because it was only the wife and I. That is the fewest people I’ve ever spent Christmas with in the 81 I’ve seen. Our daughter and son-in-law are trauma nurses who worked through the night on Christmas Eve into the morning. They work 12-hour shifts from 7:00PM to 7:00AM. They will be able to come on Friday; so we will celebrate Christmas again then.
I put this as a comment on Granny and Paul’s Silent Night video.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Granny is the best out of the whole bunch. It’s a shame she didn’t bring out her beautiful voice long ago.”
122 people gave it a thumbs up so far. That’s a record for me. I usually struggle to get one. But it’s not about me anyway, it’s about Granny.
I was tickled to death when you said Granny made it to the doings. I’ve been praying for that. Ain’t God good?
What wisdom from Granny! I’m so glad she felt good enough to join you all.
Tipper, We had a wonderful Christmas yesterday as well. It seemed larger because my brother and his family were here which I thoroughly enjoyed because it had been years. We talked about memories of past Christmas church plays, poke bags filled with chocolate drops, stick candy and one orange. Sometimes I wish we could go back and re-live the Matheson Cove 1936 Christmas.
I’m glad that Granny was able to visit and her statement about Miss Cindy was so true.
Blessings to all.
YAYYYY for Granny coming over to your place for the day our Savior was born! Miss Cindy surely does live on in those upcoming great-grandsons! Love you ALL!! 🙂
Gkad to gear you all had a wonderful Christmas. I’m so glad Granny got to come and that she enjoyed herself. Yes Tipper we had a wonderful Christmas. You never know when one will be gone. It’s sad Miss Cindy wasn’t there in person but I bet her spirit was.
I know this has been a hard year and a different kind of Christmas for all of you. So glad Granny was able to join you! Hope you all have a very Blessed New Year!
My late husband died just as our last child was graduating from college and before our girls were married. Five years later I met and married a widower and I became his 4 grandchildren’s only grandma. Out of respect for the various grandma names their deceased grandma’s used, I told them to call me Sassy-a nick name my Grandma gave me. My daughters then had 2 little girls each. My husband is the only Grandpa they have now. They call him Papa John. We talk about their grandpa’s and grandma’s in heaven all the time. They are a part of our lives even though they are not here with us anymore. As I told my bonus daughter a few weeks ago, holding on to those memories is healthy and a major part of who we are. They will always be a part of us just as Miss Cindy is a part of each member of your family and she will be a part of those grand boys as you share stories about her with them.
Happy to hear you had a wonderful Christmas and that Granny enjoyed it also. Blessings to everyone.
Good afternoon, Tipper! Glad to hear you had a nice Christmas even if some family members were missing due to sickness, etc. Miss Cindy is with you in spirit, and Granny had it right. As long as Matt is there and your daughters, and soon to be your grand babies, Miss Cindy is definitely there. I am over the moon happy Granny felt well enough to come. As a fellow cancer survivor, I know full well the ups and downs of that disease! God’s blessings on you and yours, Tipper, and all your followers!
Looking forward to your Christmas day festivities video. I’m so sorry that Paul was sick but happy that Granny made it! Loved her song with Paul.
My Christmas was awesome. Had a great time with my family and friends. Also, I love my earrings and necklace my husband bought me that he purchased from Katie and my Celebrating Appalachia sweat shirt my son bought me. I will wear it proudly and if someone asks about it, I will tell the about your channels and blog.
Happy New Year!
It’s difficult to go through that first Christmas following the passing of someone so loves as Miss Cindy. God rest her soul and peace to those she has remaining.
I hope everyone had a joyful Christmas. I’m glad that Granny was able to enjoy the day also.
I made molasses bread using your recipe and everyone loved it. I’m glad I only baked the one loaf because the expected deluge of Christmas treats from family and friends did not fail to arrive. Anyone want a cookie?
Tipper, I love what you said about Miss Cindy. It brought tears to my eyes. We will always miss the ones who are no longer physically with us but they will always be a part of our lives. I’m thankful to our Lord that he gives us the gift of memory. So glad Granny was able to be with you.
Glad to read y’all had a good Christmas. We rotate days to celebrate Christmas with my husband’s family and my son in-law’s family. My side of the family all live in different states now, so we text, FaceTime or just call to chat during the Christmas season. I never wanted my daughter to feel torn to chose which family to actually spend Christmas Eve or Day with so we have it on a different day. Plus she wanted to have Christmas Day with just her family, which I completely understand. It’s hard when kids want to be home to play with the toys they just got for Christmas. Many a Christmas I dragged my daughter out crying to go have Christmas at my parents house, then to my husband’s parents house because nobody would change their Christmas plans. We had to be at their houses both Christmas Eve and Day to celebrate. When we moved to NC we would drive to WV to celebrate with both our families. The last Christmas we went up we got stock in a blizzard and had to stay an extra day before driving back home to NC. That was when I said enough. I told both our mothers we just could come up the week of Christmas anymore. It was to hard on us, our daughter and the weather in WV was so unpredictable, we just couldn’t risk it any more. After that we started celebrating with our WV families the day after Thanksgiving for many years. When my daughter got married and I saw how stressed out she was, I decided then I’m not putting my child through what I went through for years. Christmas is to be enjoyed as we celebrate our Savior’s birth and family, not to be so stressed out for us to lose the enjoyment of the season. That’s when I told her we will do our family celebration together which ever day works best for all of us. Some years it’s the weekend before, some, like this year it’s the day after, but regardless which day it is, we are together as a family to celebrate Christmas. It makes a less stressful time for everyone. After my husband’s father passed, his mother moved to NC since both her boys families live here. She wanted to be part of the Christmas rotation too. This year we celebrated Christmas at his mom’s house this past Saturday. That way my sister in-law could have her family Christmas on Christmas Eve. We are having our family celebration today, which happens to be the 26th. Having multiple celebrations for Christmas works for our family. Besides, it’s not about the exact day, it’s about each family gathering to honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ.
Tipper, I know you enjoyed your time with everyone even if a small gathering. The one’s that were suppose to be there were for sure. It is so hard missing Miss Cindy, but yes Granny is right, as long as Matt is around you will always have her. Well I went to my aunt and uncle’s and met my sister there. My daughter didn’t get to come because she got sick, so I was bummed about that. I had my heart set on being in North Carolina Christmas, but it was not God’s plan and he put me right where I needed to be. My aunt and uncle are doing wonderful for being 90 and 91. My aunt has a little memory loss, but nothing too major. My uncle is a little hard of hearing, but he gets by with hearing aids…when he remembers to turn them on.. I just want you to know that watching all your Christmas videos have kept my spirits from being totally in the dumps, what with being sick and my foot like it is, you kept me out of the pity party I could have gotten in very easy. Thank you my friend! Hugs to you all and especially Granny with her beautiful singing voice.
So happy to hear Granny was able to come and sounds like you had a wonderful day! We had a really nice Christmas too. Even though we missed those that have gone on, they would want us to continue with our traditions and that is what we always try to do.
I pray Paul feels better soon. I was thrilled to see him and Granny singing Silent Night. It was beautiful!!
We woke up to high winds and a driving rain on Christmas morning. It was a warm temperature too.
Our Christmas was small this year too but we enjoyed each other and I was so thankful for my adult daughter being here and saving me from endless football.lol
I hope everyone has a very blessed New Year!
My husband has covid, so it was just the two of us for Christmas. It’s the first time it’s ever been just us for Christmas, but we had a nice dinner and a nice day. It was warm enough to go out in shirtsleeves. I’m glad you had a nice Christmas.
Happy to read your family Christmas was memorable. I remember pogo sticks. They were the rage years ago. I am sorry Paul was sick, but glad your mom was able to participate in the family festivities. Wish Miss Cindy could have been with you all. Next Christmas we will read about the two new members of your family. What joy and fun that will be.
So happy you got to have Granny to spend Christmas with you. Hope Paul gets well soon. We had a wonderful Christmas with our family as well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!
I was so glad to hear that Granny was able to come to the Christmas celebration. Tipper, you attitude about life just warms my heart with every post that you make. I hope Paul gets better soon so he can start enjoying his retirement. This Christmas was the first without my husband of 59 years but enjoyed the time spend with our daughter & son-in-law. Memories keep loved ones near after they are gone.
I have been praying for the ones that have lost family members or loved ones throughout the year and also in the past. We try to carry on without them but there is a hole in our hearts that won’t heal. I was married to my wife for 47 years before she died two and a half years ago. My life without her will never be the same.
We had a warm, rainy Christmas as well and this morning too here in the Ohio river valley. Hasn’t stopped my little ones from being outside in the girls new roller skates and launching the boys new stomp rocket we live an hour from both sides of our family, different directions. We established a while ago that we would do Christmas Day just us at home and travel to each family on different days between Christmas and new year. It works for us since we get a peaceful day together building our own traditions, and the kids love it because it makes Christmas last longer!
We had a monsoon Christmas Day too. I’m glad that some were able to be there. Family is a blessing.
Happy St. Stephen’s Day.
The Christmas get-together I experience now, as a grandma, helps me see my past Christmases with new perspective. It was my mom’s house we came to, all lovingly and tastefully decorated, with every eye on the stove occupied by pots or skillets and the oven full, with the dishes we only used for holidays pulled out of the China cabinet. Our 3 kids would have zero interest in the food until the living room floor was completely re-carpeted with lovely wrapping paper that had, just moments before, been on gifts that looked like works of art with their ribbons and bows and embellishments. Controlled chaos…just barely. But lots of laughter and pictures being taken.
As I saw 3 out the 4 parents napping yesterday, even in all the noise, I recalled myself as the worn out, napping parent of young kids- snatching sleep where I could, knowing the little ones were well taken care of while I was briefly off-duty. Next time my son comes over with his 2 little ones, and promptly falls asleep in the recliner, instead of wishing he’d stay awake & visit a while, my husband and I will just be grateful he can “come home” and rest comfortably for a little while, confident his son & daughter are in good hands.
so many of my family and extended family are gone. I miss them so much. I am happy for you and your family who find so much love with each other. So happy Granny felt like joining the festivities.
I want to thank the Lord for all his wonderful blessings that he has bestowed on me and my family this pass year, and for the many blessings on all the families of the whole world. Thank you, Lord Jesus. AMEN
We had a wonderful family time yesterday as well, not all could come but we are getting together with them today! I know there is sadness at Christmas time for our loved ones! I certainly miss them too! I always tell myself that they are enjoying something better! They are with the Lord! The one that we celebrate on Christmas day! The one who came to redeem us! To save a lost and dying world. Rejoice in that today! He is our hope, our peace, our strength when we go through rough times! He sustains us! May you and all the Blind Pig and the acorn readers be blessed in this coming New Year “2024”
Tipper, I’m delighted to hear your Christmas celebration was lots of fun and enjoyable! Mine was absolutely wonderful and all my guests really enjoyed Paul and Pap’s CD and even commented who was this duet? Of course, I bragged and plugged and said “my girlfriend in NC’s daddy and brother! She’s the one who can make or do anything and the whole family is wonderful!” Everybody agreed it must be truth. I do hear you have 2 little grandsons on the way and didn’t I say so right away that I hoped you got boys? I’m delighted beyond words to rest in my “soothsaying” on this one… Sometimes the nurse gets it right! Every nibble and crumb on peoples plates disappeared and my dinner was a success of hearty and comforting gastric fare! The Lord bless you all and especially granny and your grandsons mamas!!! Im just tickled pink for yas!!! Much love and many blessings in the New Year! FYI Stay away from doctors and potentially crazy people and your new year will be great!
Did you know that most rain starts out as snow? High in the atmosphere moisture freezes into crystals which knit themselves into snowflakes. As the snowflakes grow they gain enough weight that they fall into warmer air far below and melt into raindrops. So you got your snow for Christmas! In liquid form.
Looks like the rain might end early for you today but it is just getting started good here. It is supposed to rain all day and all night. We have been under flood watch since yesterday morning and it is expected to last ’til tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about me though, I live on top of a hill. ~~^~~
That sounds like an amazing Christmas! I pray Paul feels better soon. I’m so glad Granny made it and what she said was beautiful. She’s so right too. You will continue to see Pap and Miss Cindy through your girls and those sweet grandsons. I know that gave Matt comfort too. God bless your family.
So glad you and your family had a nice Christmas. It also rained here in West Virginia. My oldest son and his wife came on Christmas Eve. My youngest son came down with covid and never got to come. We took him a big plate of food yesterday and left it on his doorstep and talked to him from the parking lot. Hopefully, we’ll meet with him later in the week, when he’s not contagious, and exchange gifts.
Tipper mentioned yesterday’s rain, this morning in upstate SC there are thunderstorms all around and have been going on for the last several hours. Sorta of unusual for this time of the year. They are not severe.
Thanks you for sharing your Christmas with me. Pleased that your Mama felt like gathering with those that were at your house. My Mama, Daddy, sister and husband are all gone so I understand that feeling of loss. It is felt especially hard around Christmas. We made the best of things and our beloved family was with us in Spirit…take care, Carolyn
Thanks for sharing some of your Christmas with us. I sure miss my grandma during this time but I am sure that she is having a wonderful Christmas with our maker. I am so happy for you to have two grandsons this coming year, grandchildren are so special. There is nothing like holding your babies baby.
Lisa Welch
North West Georgia.
Our family Christmas was Saturday and it was a grand time for each of us! I love watching our grand kids play together, knowing that the cousins are having so much fun. Having everyone home is a wonderful feeling! Christmas day was calmer for us, we woke up, ate breakfast and then went over to our youngest daughters house and spent the afternoon with her, her husband and our granddaughters. Another lovely day! Merry Christmas to you Tipper and your family and everyone here on the Blind Pig and the Acorn!!!
Tipper, your wonderful Christmas story above really touched my heart. Glad you and your family could get together and enjoy Christmas and Jesus’ birth. So thrilled to hear that Granny was there with the family to. I will pray for Paul to get well from his illness. May the good Lord above bless you and your entire family. Happy New Year. AMEN
daddy and mama are missed here, God bless you and your family, God bless me and my family
Very special that Granny felt like being with everybody. I like what she said about Miss Cindy and Matt and then you carrying it on about the girls and the new little crumb crushers on their way.
So glad Granny was feeling up to coming. Holiday’s are hard without our loved ones. This was my first since my dad passed and the second since my mama passed. They are never far away when we hold them in our hearts.
I am so happy you and your family had a wonderful Christmas together…!!! It was a very quiet and uneventful day here with just me and my husband but we thoroughly enjoyed spending the day together. On Saturday, the 23rd, we spent the day with family at our daughter and son-in-love’s beautiful home about an hour away from our home—also invited was my husband’s only sibling, his brother, and his wife and grown son. We had a wonderful day enjoying wonderful food and fellowship!!! Our family decided several years ago that we wanted to celebrate Christmas together several days ahead of Christmas so that we could each be in our own homes for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our daughter and son-in-love do the same with his parents so that no parent will ever feel like my daughter and son-in-love are being partial to any parent on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My husband and I have been married for over 44 years which makes it easy for our daughter, but sadly, our son-in-love’s parents have been divorced for over 35 years, which makes their holiday visitation very complicated and difficult to accomplish without hurt feelings. Nobody ever wants to feel left out at Christmas or any other time…!!! I hope you all have a Happy New Year—I am certainly looking forward to a happy and healthy 2024–a little prosperity thrown in would be very nice as well. Take care and be well…
Tipper, I like your attitude. I’m so glad the ones who were with you had a good Christmas. We can’t change a lot of things and just have to find the good in it. It’s hard when we miss being with special people in our lives on special occasions but I agree that they are still with us in many others. We can think of them and remember the good times. I traveled several thousand miles to be with one part of my family but couldn’t be with the others and of course miss those who are no longer around. But I know they would want us to enjoy the season and to honor their memory, although it was different without them. I like tradition but this year there was very little of my traditions and I was able to enjoy the traditions of others. It was a gift I am honored to receive. Life is a gift and I am thankful for those who have come and gone and touched my life. As others have stated, I am grateful for the whole Blind Pig family and hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and wish them a Happy New Year.
Hope you have a prosperous and joyful 2024.
Peace,
John
Tipper, I am glad or happy all of you had a good time and Granny getting to be there. I am sure there was also sadness over missing Miss Cindy. At the small get to together on Christmas Eve with my wife’s sisters and nieces and nephews there were some that didn’t get to come because of sickness. Watching my nephew’s two boys (2&4) opening their gifts was enjoyable. Listening to them say a blessing together that their mother had taught them was blessing in itself, they are being raised in the right way. I think most of us older ones talked more about missing the family members that have passed on and how it used to be. Because of the rain yesterday and neither one of my grandsons being able to come, my son and I did nothing at all, I finished reading the Dorie book. I have enjoyed reading it.
Randy-I knew you would enjoy Dorie Woman of the Mountains. Also, you may enjoy Light to the Hills by Bonnie Blaylock and Hunter’s Horn by Harriet Simpson Arnow. Happy reading!