Not The Christmas We Planned...

Christmas Eve was to be spent together with #1 Son and his family. Handsome woke up with the same issue we've been dealing with - sometimes surgically - for the past ten years. Thankfully, he's completely healed from the brain issues, so that wasn't a concern. However, he won't be eating any solid food for at least the next week, so he insisted I go alone to our planned gathering.

I left home around 1:30 in the afternoon and was back in our driveway around 6:30 or 7 that evening. We had a lovely time, got in lots of visiting, and I managed to take a photograph of their family before leaving. #1 Son was trying to make sure their older Golden behaved himself for the picture, and I got this shot right before that boy (the dog) bolted toward me for kisses. 

Grandson immediately went and put on his Grammie's Jammies as soon as he unwrapped them, and they were a soft, warm hit. He said they were perfect. (Grandma sighed in relief that they fit and he loved them.)

Of course, I was concerned about Handsome, so that evening he and I discussed how he was feeling, hoping that he'd be better on Christmas Day. As it turned out, he wasn't, so I called #2 Son's household and had a conversation with Daughter-in-love #2. I'd offered to drive to their home to drop off the gifts and we'd postpone our dinner. She said it wasn't necessary that they get their gifts right away - they're all grownups, after all - and we could wait until Grandpa was feeling well enough for us to have the dinner we planned. I expressed our regrets, and the new plan was agreed to.

So, Christmas was very quiet for us. Instead of a farmhouse filled with people and the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there were naps, tea and the quiet, thankful togetherness. Thankful that he didn't feel he needed to go to the hospital (yet anyway), and that we have another Christmas with each other. We're grateful for every, single day.

We hope you had a lovely Christmas. 2024 is nearly over, and I feel like there's still stuff to do, but I'm not going to stress over it. Instead, I'm going to go with the flow. We'll see what's next as it comes, and hope for the best. I've said before, "I never challenge worse. Just when you say it can't get worse, it always does." So, I'll be pampering my dear husband, and helping him over yet another speed bump. It's what we do.

Happy Boxing Day!

Tuesdays With Tag - I Was Awesome!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Corgi and Deer via Google

 Hi, Everybody!

No, this isn't me...but it could have been!

Christmas Day, we all went to visit our grandson and his folks. It was a great day. There were food smells galore, and Bella and I got lots of attention. We were sad that our buddy, Duncan wasn't there, but he passed over The Rainbow Bridge last June. They've been dogless since, so they were happy to have a little dog hair in the house again. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Late in the afternoon, #1 Son thought he'd help out Mom by lettin' me outside to do my business. I was kinda crossin' my stumpers for a little while, so I appreciated the break. He and I headed outside, when...there it was. Big as life. A deer in their backyard. Bold as brass, I tell ya.

Well, you should know me well enough by now. I wasn't gonna let this opportunity go by. The chase was on. Deer headed West, and I was as close behind as these little legs could carry me! To the Hunt!!!

I ran through trees, leaves and the wooded area behind #1 Son's house, and then the next door neighbor's, and then the next-next door neighbor's, and before I knew it, the deer was out of sight and I was standin' next to a frozen creek. I'm thinkin' that the deer jumped over it to make his getaway, but I wasn't gonna try that. I act like I'm a big dog, but I know my limitations, and all of a sudden, I was alone in the woods next to a creek, and it was gettin' dark.

I looked to my right and to my left. I heard Mom hollerin', but with the woods I wasn't sure where it was comin' from. At first, I thought she was somewhere right behind me, but then, the direction changed and I thought she was callin' from somewhere else. I admit it. I was confused. I could see lights from somebody's back yard, so I decided to go left toward the lights.

Well, dang! That wasn't our house! I didn't smell a single thing that was familiar. I was so confused, I just started runnin' around in circles in that backyard, tryin' to figure out what to do next. Then, I saw some people. They said, "Hi", and I ran right to them. I asked if they knew my Mom, but I don't think they could speak Corgi. They scooped me up and put me in their car! We didn't go anywhere. They just kept me there so I'd be safe, I think.

Next thing I know, I saw #1 Son. The people heard him calling for me from his car, so they called him over. Then, they gave me to him so he could take me home. I was happy to get in his car. I figured by now, Mom must be really worried. It was dark and cold, and she was still standin' on the street (still hollerin' for me to come home) when we drove up to her and told her I was in the car. She got in and we all drove home together. 

 

Dad and Grandson were in their own cars right behind us. #1 Son had seen them, and let them know he had me with him, so they could call off the search, too. We all got back to the house, and I ran right inside to find Bella. I needed a little drink of water, too. I was parched from all the excitement.

We stayed a little while longer, and then Dad said it was time for us to drive home. About an hour later, we drove up our driveway and into the garage. We all went in the house, and Dad gave Bella and me our dinner. 

 

We loved our Christmas Day visit with our family, but I have to admit. That deer gave me a little more excitement than I bargained for, and I was sorry to give Mom a scare. I don't think I really thought out all the consequences. 

 

I'd like to think I'd know better next time, but truthfully...I'd probably be just a stupid if there ever is a next time. I mean...really...who can resist the thrill of the chase? I really don't think Mom or Dad will give me the freedom to do that again. They'll probably insist that I go out on a leash when we're away from home from now on. I guess I asked for that, didn't I?

One more thing...today is Mom and Dad's anniversary.

Happy 36th, Mom and Dad! 

I'll be a good boy today. I promise!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Christmas Day With Family...

Brynwood Needleworks - Long-Overdue Family Time

 

Christmas Day was a great day to spend with family this year. We drove to our elder son's home and shared a meal with him, our daughter-in-love, and our grandson. Handsome and I have been missing our sons, their families and our grandchildren this year, so we decided that we wanted to be with them over the holidays. 

Our son made a fantastic beef stew (he's a great cook!), our daughter-in-law made a delicious, family tradition dessert, and we opened gifts. The best part was just being able to spend time together, in person. Priceless.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Elf

Tag and Bella came along with us, too. Bella was actually more content in a kennel while we were there, and this elf threw us a real curveball. sigh

Our son thought he'd save me the trip outside, so he took Tag out about a half hour before dark. What he didn't expect was the deer in their yard. Tag immediately lit out after the deer, and although I might have been able to turn him, our son didn't stand a chance. 

Once we all realized what happened, the troops mobilized. We all put on our coats, some got in vehicles, and scoured we the neighborhood. They live near a marsh, so I was walking on the road, hollering calling for my dog. It was well after dark when our son drove back home with Tag in the car with him. Grandson and Handsome were in their vehicles behind our son's vehicle. He'd seen them and let them know he had Tag. 

Apparently, Tag chased the deer all the way to the creek, and then (where he might have turned north and come to me) he turned south away from where I was standing on the bridge. Our son's "backyard" neighbors found him running around in their yard, and put him in their car while they attempted to reach his owners. They heard our son calling for Tag, and flagged him over.

They allowed as how Tag was so cute, and he "looked pretty festive". They knew he wasn't abandoned, and didn't even ask a ransom to hand him over to our son. lol I was just glad to have him back...and only slightly peeved.

All-in-all, we had a wonderful day and (as usual), Tag managed to make himself the center of attention. We drove home, blessed and happy to have spent much-needed quality time with family. We need to do it more often. Our hearts require it. Everyone needs family hugs, and we got an extra large dose of them this trip.

Then, One Foggy Christmas Eve...

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Morning 2019 - East Field

This was our view from the farmhouse on Christmas morning. Doesn't it look almost ethereal? I had to take pictures to share.

The weather is unseasonably warm these days, getting into the high 40s, so it's not surprising that we'd wake up to morning fog. All the snow is melting, and we just know this isn't going to last.

It's strange. We had a blizzard for Halloween, rain for Thanksgiving, and now a full thaw for Christmas! We'll enjoy this warmer weather while we can. It's slated to snow again by the weekend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Morning 2019 - North Field

 

I'm going out to the feeders and "habitat" to fill them up every day for the evening critter show, but my trail cam has a glitch right now. Although the shutter is triggered at night, all I'm getting is a black screen image on my memory chip. I have an email in to Browning (the camera's maker) to see about troubleshooting. As soon as I get the issue resolved, I'll be sharing more pictures.

 

We're taking it easy between now and New Year's Eve. I've still got some sewing to do. We won't see some of our family until the 30th, so I'll have everything done by then. I couldn't show you photos until after they get their gifts anyway, so I guess it will be late December gift reveal.

 

We hope you all had a lovely holiday, and that you're finishing off your year with happiness and good health. I'm going to set up some wool work projects today, and then, perhaps I'll sit down and get in a little knitting therapy. I'll see you tomorrow.