Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Christmas that almost wasn't

Christmas Eve morning, I hopped in my truck, determined to make it to the post office to pick up an important package. I got about a mile down the road and had to turn back. The snow drifts made the road impassable. I was crestfallen. My friends from Morning Bray Farm were supposed to come over for Christmas and there was no way for them to get through. I would have to call them and cancel the Christmas festivities. Boy, was I bummed.

But when I got home, I talked to my neighbor, who mentioned he was on his way out to try and clear the road with his tractor because he had to go to work on Monday. He would let me know later that afternoon how far he got. Around 5:00, I reported to Justina and Don that they should be able to make it...but they might want to throw a shovel, some chains, and various assorted emergency gear in their truck just in case.

So Santa Claus wasn't the only one who was busy Christmas Eve. I stayed up all night plotting strategies for digging Justina's and Don's truck out of a snow bank. But I needn't have worried. They arrived safely Christmas morning, which was the best present of all. The sun was out, the wind wasn't blowing, and we were able to carry on and do what we always do when we get together...hang out with the herd, eat, drink, and be merry.


Lucy got what she wanted for Christmas – ear rubs from Justina.
Notice George and Alan patiently waiting to receive their butt rubs gifts.


George and Alan mistakenly believed Santa had brought them each a chair.



George gave Justina a hug for Christmas.



And Hank gave her a kiss.



Hank and Don both wore their finest Christmas bonnets.
Don had antler envy...


...so Hank agreed to trade for awhile.



Before we sat down to dinner, we went stalking the wild porcupine. 
We found plenty of tracks, but no porcupine.



Finally, it was time for dinner. Thanks for taking this photo, Justina.
The mint jelly got its own seat because I thought it was tacky have a jar on the table.

The food was plentiful and delicious, if I do say so myself, but it was not the highlight of the day.

After dinner, we went back outside to burn off some calories before dessert.
And who should we find?


Mr. P decided to join us for Christmas.
Photo by Justina.


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25 comments:

  1. Pat in east TN12/27/11, 4:03 AM

    I am so glad that a good time was had by all!

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  2. shadowlake200512/27/11, 4:49 AM

    So glad Justina & Don made it in to the 7msn, and especially that they got to see the elusive Mr. P!

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  3. JudyB12/27/11, 4:51 AM

    Am soooo glad to see that they made it through to 7MSN, and you and the herd had a merry Christmas with Justina and Don! With no posts or tweets from you since Saturday morning, I was getting worried. Thank goodness for neighbors with snow plows this unusual year, and thank you (and Justina) for the wonderful Christmas pictures!

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  4. Leah Fry12/27/11, 5:39 AM

    A fabulous feast shared with fabulous friends - perfect.

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  5. Cheryl Ann12/27/11, 6:04 AM

    Mr. P wanted to join you for dinner! Glad your friends made it!

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  6. Jessica12/27/11, 6:04 AM

    Glad you were able to celebrate Christmas with your friends! Your twice baked potatoes look great! Can we get the receipe?

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  7. esbboston12/27/11, 6:27 AM

    Its not just a horse, its one of Santa's reinhorses!

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  8. theresa EH12/27/11, 6:38 AM

    So that is where all of the Canadian snow went eh!! South for the winter, harharharharhar ;P
    Very warmish brown Christmas here.
    Very happy for you that your friends could come for supper.

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  9. Grace12/27/11, 7:09 AM

    Sounds like a perfect Christmas to me. Glad to see most of my favorite donkey bloggers making merry together.

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  10. Grey Horse Matters12/27/11, 7:11 AM

    So glad that they were able to make it and you all had a great Christmas. Love the pictures of a happy herd and their friends.

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  11. Carla12/27/11, 7:41 AM

    So glad to hear they go through. Good neighbors (with tractors) are priceless.
    Wonderful feast with a wonderful friends. :)

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  12. Estella from Co.12/27/11, 8:30 AM

    Sounds like you had a grand Christmas, critters, friends and the food, OMG, it looked JUST TOOO GOOD. Have a wonderful 2012 and may you and your family have many many blessings. Hugs to all

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  13. Sandra12/27/11, 8:51 AM

    Great Christmas story! I hope Santa dropped off a snow plow at the 7MSN. Oh, but you have a neighbor who has one so you can't get much better than that. Stay warm, stay healthy, and enjoy the winter ride.
    Last year 5 feet of snow chez moi and this year ....nothing. Strange patterns in weather.
    Best always, Sandra

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  14. Jean12/27/11, 10:07 AM

    I'm so glad your company was able to get through, the donkeys received and gave their gifts, Hank played dressup, and you and Justine shared such great photos with us.

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  15. Wendy W12/27/11, 10:29 AM

    So happy Justina and Don made it and your food is making me drool! What a wonderful meal. The equines all look so happy and awesome that Mr. P showed up too.

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  16. Carolynn Anctil12/27/11, 11:19 AM

    What a great day! So happy it all worked out well for everyone. You all look like you had an awesome time together and the weather even seemed to cooperate.

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  17. Anonymous12/27/11, 12:43 PM

    So glad Mr. P showed up for the Holiday!

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  18. Morning Bray Farm12/27/11, 3:53 PM

    It was awesome - thanks again, Carson! I love that you put Mr. Sock Monkey up on your blog header. :)

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  19. Bibi12/27/11, 4:17 PM

    A delightful day that almost wasn't !! SO glad your neighbor had to work on Monday :)

    Your dinner was drool-worthy !!

    x0x0

    Bibi

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  20. Unknown12/27/11, 4:28 PM

    A white Christmas with great friends. Doesn't get much better.

    I'd recommend Don stick with hats. The antlers are definitely ... well, let's just say one needs a longer face to pull off that look.

    BTW, I made the velvet pumpkin soup and now am on the hook to make it for the rest of my life. My mother LOVES it and I'm over the top about it. I'm going to stock up on canned pumpkin.

    My best to Mr. P. From a distance. Impressive climber, I had no idea they liked trees.

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  21. Shirley12/27/11, 7:07 PM

    Sunshine on the snow, good friends, good food, and happy critters- looks like it was a perfect Christmas at 7MSN.

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  22. JaneK12/27/11, 8:07 PM

    awwww! I love a happy ending! and oh goodness, that meal looks better than anything Martha Stewart could ever cook! and Mr. Porcupine looks like he is minding his p's and q's!

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  23. LaurieB12/27/11, 9:37 PM

    Looks like y'all had a great time!

    For a terrific Porcupine youtube thingy check out
    http://tinyurl.com/6vzdrd4

    Also, all the food looked great but I've never seen Crab Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes. That looks positively delectable!! I've gotta try that.

    Thanks for sharing your animal wealth and fun all year. It brightened my life considerably.

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  24. JaneK12/27/11, 10:18 PM

    PS: and can I just add that Mr. Porcupine is too damn cute! I mean, he has to be doesn't he if he is going to be a 7MSN critter :)

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  25. Danni12/28/11, 1:39 AM

    Haaaa! Seeing Hank licking Justina brings back SUCH fond memories! He really loves her, doesn't he? :-)
    Gawd, I am SO glad that D & J were able to get to you for your Christmas celebration - it looks like it was a spectacular time.
    xo

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