Dogwood Acres, 12/27/10

DOGWOOD ACRES, 12/27/10, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. This will be the last time in 2010 that I say “Hello friends” and share with you some of the memories made in my life.

Rick and I looked forward to going to Neal and LeaAnn’s for Christmas Eve. I was wrapping gifts and mentally packing the car, making room for two dogs, two crates, the gifts and our own overnight stuff. During this planning process “Son” called to see if we could pick up LeaAnn’s gift. It made sense to him, after all it was somewhere between Taneyville and Bradleyville and would be “on our way”.

Me: “Well….maybe, but….just how big is this Pygmy Goat? Is it as big as Little Fox? Can I hold it in my lap?”

Son: “Maybe a little bigger than Little Fox…more the size of Dad’s squirrel dogs.”

Me: “I don’t think so. Can’t you and the girls go get it and hide it at Granny’s house?”

So, it was agreed that Dad and I would not help with that surprise. Thank Goodness!! During the evening festivities Neal disappeared and came back carrying the “surprise goat” which promptly scattered black pills all over the kitchen floor. LeaAnn was thrilled with this creature which holds the promise of rich milk, soft soap and sweet babies. I could not imagine just how we would have transported that goat in my car and so thankful to have missed the opportunity.

Neal was just full of living, breathing surprises this Christmas. On Christmas morning he disappeared early and just about the time Ashton and Erin began to wonder where he was, he came walking up the hill leading a pretty little quarter-horse.

Christmas Eve was fun with a visit from “Red-Neck Santa” or “Hillbilly Nick” as Neal likes to call her. This year it turned into a P.J. party as Mary Lou had a box full of matching flannel P.J.’s which we all pulled on over our other clothes. Oh, and there was also red Santa Hats for everyone. We were quite the comical looking bunch, but it made for cute family pictures.

LeaAnn watches yard sales all year long and chooses special items which can be personalized to each family member. Last year Rick was the proud recipient of colorful authentic “HeeHaw overalls which he still wears with pride.

Mary Lou fixed her traditional huge country breakfast on Christmas morning and Erin read the Christmas Story from Luke Chapter two. It was a very good day filled with blessings and memories.

Jim, Dawn, and their kids had an Oklahoma Christmas, visiting Dawn’s mom and the Haffner family in Western Oklahoma. We kept Malcolm here with our dogs and Bill Biggs fed Dawn’s chickens. He said something about having chicken and noodles for Christmas dinner.
Bill and Christie had Christmas Eve dinner with Steve and Anita and on Christmas Day they visited Uncle Bill and Aunt Roma. It was a good Christmas. Bye for now.