Dear Reader:

The days are just getting “funner and funner.” Yesterday brought creative ideas, delicious cookies from my neighbor, and whimsical decorations to enjoy.

The picture, above, came from my adorable neighbor, Vickie, who is Nana to her granddaughter, Crystal, a student at USC.  She has raised Crystal from a tiny little thing and what a wonderful job she has done! They have the cutest, warmest relationship…you might have noticed the names on the greeting card…FROM: Nana Claus and Crystal Belle.

*Great Idea: Vickie is a December birthday girl and Crystal came up with the cutest idea…She made a list for “Nana’s Birthday” ….titled: “What Nana Taught Me About Life”…some funny, some poignant lessons…but all memorable. Vickie said it was the best birthday present she had ever gotten. She will treasure it forever!

Vickie came bringing the most attractive variety of cookies on a plate! (Martha Stewart’s cookies would pale in comparison)  She was also completely attired in Gamecock clothing from her cap down to the jeans. I told her that only my deepest love of cookies overcame my reluctance to let so much Gamecock into my home at one time.

She started laughing and I had to tell her about an incident that took place recently with Rutledge. I think it was Tommy who found a photo of a (supposedly) Gamecock player with just one tooth in his head and as you can imagine…there was quite a few puns about it.

(Usually Clemson players are shown with blackened, “rotten” teeth …the good ole’ boys who never went to the dentist…so I reckon this was something along the same line.)

But it is Christmas and peace has come to Earth everywhere… even on the Clemson-Carolina gridirons. Mollie told me yesterday when Rutledge was saying his prayers (Walsh must have shown him the photo on Facebook) the other night, he prayed earnestly that the Gamecock Football players got some teeth for Christmas. He was very concerned about the poor player with one tooth left.  (Too sweet!)

I actually got lucky (website sweepstakes) and won two autographed ‘Mary Alice Monroe” name plates to go on her new Christmas novel “A Lowcountry Christmas.” I read the book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it very much…I always love novel settings in the lowcountry and this story involved a family member suffering from PTSD…so it really hit home for me. Do take time from all the bustle, grab some cookies and a drink (hot or cold) and curl up for a good Christmas read!

Gin-g and I did find time to have lunch at Time Well Spent…we didn’t have reservations so glad we went early around 11:30 because we got the only table not reserved…lots of Christmas functions going on now. As usual everything was so delicious and so whimsical that I took photos while waiting on the food. The scenery and decorations had changed even from two weeks ago when Anne and I had lunch there. We put on our Rudolph noses and even got Matt Furlong, our server/former student to go along too…

Remember how much I love my nativity scene inside the O with Hope…look what at I found at Time Well Spent. I love it too. JOY with the nativity scene in the O! So beautiful!

*Maybe it is just me…watching too many Hallmark movies like Gin-g and I talked about…but wouldn’t you love to see a beautiful gazebo bandstand like this one (in the wall painting)… in Town Square at Christmas and listen to different groups of carolers each night leading up to Christmas! I sure would!

So until tomorrow…May the whimsy of Christmas, creative, thoughtful ideas/memorable lessons, and joy fill our hearts these days.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Eva Cate lost another tooth today…she is going to make the football player feel much better…will have to tell Rutledge!