After several years in two different storages and no fewer than three moves, it really was like opening up brand new Christmas decorations.
Some, quite honestly, we did not remember. Some of the items were from over 30 years ago. It was fun and brought back good memories of Christmas’s past.
We’ve already had a hail storm or two and have had ice on both patios. That’s right – two patios.
Jole and I shuttle back and forth from Dunrovin’ to Jim and Gay’s home – Marmalade Manor. It’s just a three-mile trip.
We spend some of the day in Dunrovin’ and the nights at their homestead. We agreed to spell them on their vacation as guardians of the house and their five charges: 1) Scooter – a 200 lb. retriever, 2) Tommy – their white and black huntress, 3) Miss Piggy their fat black hunting cat <mostly hunts a place to sleep>, 4) Pete – the living room pellet stove, and 5) Repete – the unreliable pellet stove for the rear of the house.
I am only going to show you Pete, because I am really ticke
d with Repete. Supposedly, UPS has the new exhaust fan on its way here from Manitoba, Canada and we will be back in business by next week. This has been the only hiccup thus far.
I will show you some of the Christmas photos to give you and ideal of what the place looks like with the decorations.
The little hanging tree with the bubble lights on the right is one of those older decorations. I got it in Haiti in a previous life. It has Merry Christmas spelled “Merri”. 
The porcelain tree on the left has been with me for about 30 yrs. It came from a garage sale and I think I paid $2.00 for it. The detail is exquisite and I would never part with it.
The only new decorations that I got this year were two boxes of glass balls for the tree in the opening picture. Everything else has a history. This seems to have much more meaning for me this year as we start our new live here in Washington. 
This blue jay is one of our wild friends here in Dunrovin’. He currently hold the record for the most peanuts snatched in one raid. He has been seen swallowing three peanuts and carrying the fourth in his beak.
The picture on the right is part of my “man cave.” We had a freak accident when one of our friends – Anne was visiting. For no apparent reason the glass table just shattered just after she walked passed, scaring her to death. We found a replacement top and are ready for the season.
I will end with this picture from Marmalade Manor evidencing our first hail storm on November the 18th. It was all gone by 10:00 AM after the sun came out.
We are poised for a wonder Christmas – our first in Washington. Let’s hope you also have a memorable season and that Santa leaves you nice things. If Pete and Repete act up, I may wish for Santa to leave me a lump of coal (or 2).
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
December 4, 2009 at 3:36 am |
Hi Bill and Jole -
How wonderful that you are HOME and able to unpack all of your years worth of Christmas decorations – and your deck/backyard looks so beautiful. Sure do miss you both and will certainly miss not being able to share Xmas with you – but we’ll figure out a time when we can get together in 2010.
Much love,
Pat (& David)
December 4, 2009 at 5:41 pm |
Thanks for the kind thoughts. We will figure out how to get together in 2010. Have a happy holiday season.
December 4, 2009 at 7:06 pm |
How nice to hear that you have a tradition going already. And nice to know that you are decorating for Christmas. But now that you have made that Bluejay fat with all those peanuts aren’t you afraid it will have to walk back and forth for the rest of its life?
Thanks for taking such good care of Marmalade Manor, We send our love (we can’t send money after this trip)
Jim & Gaye
December 5, 2009 at 1:05 am |
Yes, we are starting our Sedro Woolley traditions. As you can see, the place is very festive for the coming Christmas season. The jays are a little portly; will have real problems if they need a quick takeoff.
Supposedly the exhaust fan is to be delivered by UPS this coming Monday. Don’t yet know whether I am the installer or they will send a tech. They were very evasive when I asked the question.
What do you mean you have no money left??? Am I doing this for free??!!!
December 6, 2009 at 12:37 am |
Hi Bill & Jole,
I really enjoyed your Christmas posting. It’s nice & fuzzy reading about and looking at pictures of your home as you ready to celebrate Christmas. Scott and I send our love and wishes that this will be the best ever Christmas and coming year for the too of you. We’re in Las Vegas now enjoying the new home and friends in this 24 hour city. We’ll go back to Agoura this Wed for Chanukah to spend it with my Dad. Our plans are to return here to Las Vegas for Christmas. We’ll finish decorating when we return, so far we’ve only put up a wreath on the front door and placed a holiday centerpiece on the dining table. The tree and decorations await. But most of the decorations are still in Agoura. I think maybe we should transport them as we plan on celebrating Christmas here annually. Hope you got our holiday letter and pictures. Sending our love to you both, Estelle & Scott
December 6, 2009 at 6:56 pm |
Glad that you liked the Christmas blog. I forgot to say anything about Thanksgiving; which was spent as a guest of one of our neighbors across Reed Lake. We had a wonderful dinner with about 8 of our neighbors. We are looking forward to Christmas and snow — and of course— the return of Jim and Gaye so we can continue our discovery process of Washington and Canada.