Dear Reader:

Yesterday morning I got a text from Anne Peterson (a.k.a) Dr. Morning Glory asking if she could make a call around 10:30 and bring two bags of daffodil bulbs that she had for me originating from a message on my birthday card in September…promising to come plant daffodils (in late Fall) for me. I was so excited!

I ran and got a shovel for myself and started thinking about the best spot to plant them…I wanted to make sure they made a “statement” when they bloomed in late February and (that I think) will be an understatement.

We chose the corner around the side fence and planted the bulbs in groups of five. Some holes are located in between the camellia bushes…I can hardly wait for February when both plants and flowers will be blooming around the same time! What a sight and what a wonderful birthday gift Anne! Thank you so much…the gift that will keep on giving and ‘thrilling.’

*Look at all the “twin” bulbs that we found in the two bags…Almost as many of them as the single bulbs…can hardly wait to see these results!!!

* The hardest part was the roots in the area in which we were planting…lots of pine tree roots. In the south we pronounce roots with the “ooh” sound but we both remembered professors (mine was from Michigan) who called them “ruts” and I always had to cover my snorts and giggles in class.

As we wandered around the garden…new beauties were popping up…gorgeous red leaves on the yellow jessamine vine, periwinkle morning glories still blooming and wooded foliage at its most natural and beautiful.

I sported three different shades of “orange” yesterday and wanted the boys to have a good day on The Polar Express….everyone got their wish.

(As I was typing away on the blog at this point…I could hear my phone (in the next room which was re-charging) beeping away. My curiosity got the best of me, so I got up to check on it and it was Walsh and Mollie sending me action shots from their Polar Express ride.)

Mollie and the boys plus Mollie’s niece, Madeline. * I see some golden train tickets! Hang on to them tightly boys and girls!

*Walsh is sporting his “Movember” mustache for a good cause!

…And then the BIG MOMENT! Santa Claus…Rutledge looks like he was well prepared with his list and was making the most of his 15 seconds of fame.

Mollie said it really was fun, well-organized, and there was something going on the whole time for the children on the ride. What a great Christmas memory for the whole family! Rutledge was drained after getting his list off to Santa on the ride home.

So until tomorrow…Here’s to planting daffodils in late Fall for early spring surprises… and telling Santa what you want for Christmas for Christmas Day surprises!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh