Dear Reader:

For you long-term readers … you might recall the picture with all four of my Ya Ya friends from Erskine College ( Brooke, Jackson, Tima ( Libby) and myself wearing this same ” Big Blue” coat we purchased together one cold February winter retreat at Pawleys Island.

The coats had all been marked way down in a special sale … perfect timing when a similar freeze hit Pawleys that year and we were literally all freezing … thus the four similar costs.

When Tommy and I went back to 100 Rainbow Road… my old home last Saturday… I remembered I had not brought ” Big Blue” with me and grabbed it at the last second… surely that was a God Wink for what was to come. Literally freezing temperatures. Last night in the low 20’s and 30’s this morning.

So yesterday it was my ” sister” ( in-law) Lassie and her husband Steve, who surprised me bringing Christmas early… ( Lassie had made her traditional Benne Wafers) that literally melt in your mouth. No one makes them better than Lassie… I was thrilled ! Christmas is drawing nigh!

Steve hadn’t seen my new home and loved it… like me. Lassie took my picture wearing Big Blue to cross the courtyard! ( title photo) It brought back such memories!

And surprise! Look what bloomed yesterday on the first freezing cold day!

Look what was in her surprise package I received and opened from Honey yesterday afternoon!

Honey’s father bought the famous inn in the 1900’s and offered a private boys’ live- in school that housed students from all over… but the creation of the new interstate took drivers away from Summerville en route to Charleston and sadly the magnificent historical inn eventually had to be torn down.

Pine Forest Inn

Eva Cate came over and like a good elf… wrapped all the surprise gifts/ ( white elephant) for Mollie’s Christmas Eve celebration!