It's special in our house too. Gatherings gatherings gatherings...Shopping shopping shopping...cooking cooking cooking...wrapping wrapping wrapping. It's a big big big time of the year. I think I am about done....for this evening anyway I woke up with an incredibly sore throat and my voice is gone. I am drinking a beer(Bell's cherry stout) as I post, soothing my throat. All the kids should be home tonight-It's almost 11PM and we are still emptynesters! Christmas stockings for Adult kids are pretty ridiculous but I am sure they are not ready to give up that treat. This year the 3 of them are getting emergency flash lights in their stockings along with some ityy bitty not expensive things. Our gift exchange will be tomorrow morning. then we will be heading south for another family gathering that I am finally NOT hosting. We're spending the night at my brothers. Should be a fun time. Merry Christmas everyone. Let's all have a peaceful time and enjoy the season. It will soon be gone for another year.

Those Mme. Alfred Carriere roses are so beautiful they break my heart. The Bishop's Castle is also lovely. I wish you a Merry Christmas, too, Devon, and the same to all the others on the forum. I may not participate much, but I hang out here a lot, reading posts and learning. In the course of all this, I've decided that this Spring I will take the plunge and order Mme. Antoine Mari and an old hybrid tea called Nigritte. So excited! Devon, I wish you a wonderful year with your new roses (and all your old ones, too)!

Good morning everyone - Spring, with a few more daylight hours is going to be welcome... The sleigh is loaded and we're leaving for Portland soon - no snow, wind or rain yet today to make me want to crawl back into bed. Merry Christmas and holidays blessings to all of you and your families!

From myself, my family, and my hands, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Blessed New Year." And to all our Troops here and abroad "May God keep you safe and bring y'all home to your family soon." Thank you all for volunteering to serve for us. Happy Holidays, Kelly