We kicked off this holiday season in an extra special way this year. We all gathered in Elizabethton to celebrate an early Christmas with Grandmother Ginny. As Terry and I were making our way towards East Tennessee, I began thinking about when the last time that this had happened. I honestly think it was my very first Christmas. In December of 1967, newly minted grandparents, Grandmother Ginny and Grandaddy Roy welcomed us to Pine Hill Road where we celebrated the holly jolly season.“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmothers house we go.”
Arriving at Grandmother’s, the house was decorated in resplendent holiday glory. Every surface bursting with joy. Terry and I arrived first followed by Dad and Janice then Josh, Jill and Levi. On the way into town, they had stopped at Honey Baked Ham and were loaded down with all the fixings for a quick and easy dinner tonight including a spiral- glazed ham, au gratin potatoes, baked beans, and potato salad to which we added Sister Schubert biscuits. Dessert was a gorgeous cake from Nothing Bundt Cake.
Josh, Jill and Levi had almost made it to Elizabethton when they had a problem with one of their tires and had to stop in Johnson City for a quick repair. Roy, Lily and Elijah arrived soon afterwards all hopped up on Christmas cheer.
All together in the kitchen prepping dinner.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Saturday morning, Dad and Janice treated us all to a production of “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” at the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. DJ joined us and we piled into a convoy of cars and headed across the state line. It was drizzly and cool and if it had been a tad bit colder we might have had a dusting of snowflakes. I didn’t know what to expect from the production but it was just amazing. I literally laughed until I cried watching the actor who portrayed Sister Susan.
Here’s is a synopsis of the show:
When Sister Susan announces her plans for the second grade’s Christmas Extravaganza, no one is more excited than lively Lucy Lesprit. She is determined to come up with a talent routine that will help her class win the coveted Christmas Trophy. Then her father teaches her how to whistle – and a star is born! Lucy’s talent even impresses the meanest man in town, Mr. Greenbaum, the school janitor. But Lucy’s classmate and baton twirling expert Anna-Lori Pringle has no intention of sharing the spotlight. She challenges Lucy to a game of ice hockey at recess and “accidentally” knocks out Lucy’s two front teeth. Lucy can no longer whistle! Determined to get her whistle back, Lucy and her friends visit Santa at the Mall. Santa, after hearing her request, convinces Lucy that whistle solos aren’t important – that the real secret of Christmas is being nice to people who aren’t always nice to you. Lucy takes his advice to heart; the next day at school, Lucy invites Mr. Greenbaum to be her guest at the Christmas Extravaganza. When she explains to him that she won’t have a big part because she can’t whistle anymore, Mr. Greenbaum pulls out his dentures and teaches her to whistle without her teeth! Lucy is reinstated in The Extravaganza, much to Anna-Lori’s fury. Anna-Lori tries to outshine Lucy by twirling fire batons, but on the night of the performance, they burn to a crisp and Anna-Lori will be reduced to playing the finger cymbals. Remembering Santa’s words, Lucy convinces Sister Susan to allow Anna-Lori to twirl her hockey stick instead and from that moment on, Lucy and Anna-Lori are fast friends. The show goes on and Sister Susan finally wins that first place trophy.
Dad and Janice knowing that we would all be starving after the play booked a lunch reservation for us at Heartwood, a cultural center and artisan marketplace. We had the opportunity to greet Santa and peruse beautiful local art and unique gifts while waiting for our lunch.
Finally, back at Grandmother’s what the kiddos have been patiently waiting for….PRESENTS!!! We piled into the living room and they went bananas. Of course, the grown-ups had an amazing time as well loving all the fun and thoughtful gifts.
