A Special Christmas Memory and Gift From White Sheep Farm

I got the wonderful news last week I had won a giveaway from Teri at White Sheep Farm. She has wonderful giveaways, and her handiwork is amazing. She asked us to share a favorite Christmas memory with her and she would select her favorite. I had to share one of mine. This is the story with a little more detail.

Teri’s Wintry Front Porch Scene

When I was in my twenties, and before I got married, my family had a house in the Smokey Mountains, near Gatlinburg, Tn.  I lived in Asheville, N.C. at the time and my family lived in W.Va.  Of course, the house wasn’t centrally located, but we sort-of looked at it that way. At any rate, it was a place to meet. A special place. I’ll not soon forget meeting my family a few days before Christmas during that period to spend old fashioned Christmas’s--as in stringing cranberry and popcorn garlands to place on the live tree we bought a few hours earlier from a local grower. It would also be pretty hard to erase the sounds of Bing Crosby, or Nat King Cole, and how Cole’s voice never failed to make the room a little warmer--even in front of a sturdy, crackling fire built by my daddy. I’ve never wondered about what we missed on TV those nights, because we didn’t have a TV in the room--but I do remember and cherish being with my family, laughing, singing and belonging.

I remember one Christmas Eve snowstorm that was a beauty. The flakes floated down, seemingly one by one, white cottony flakes landing perfectly on trees, window panes and the immediate, twinkly world in general. The snow put us all in a giddy mood and we took it all in together. My dad helped several visitors to the mountain out of the ditch, and spent a lot of time clearing the walkways and steps for us. He loved to stay busy and there was plenty to do. It was simply a postcard Christmas for our family and we soaked it all in, the snow, the old-fashion tree, the food but most importantly the love and laughter of being a family.

My dad passed away almost four years ago. Our Christmas’s have never been the same and never will. Among many things I miss about him, I miss his laugh. It’ll be hard to unlearn the sound of his laugh-- giddy and booming, so full of life.  We still enjoy our family and cherish the times we are together but a big heart and big personality is missing. He loved Christmas and we miss him terribly, even more so this time of year.

Me, Daddy and my little sister Anna many years ago

Well, that was my story and she chose it to win the giveaway, although it was a condensed version. It touched my heart and when I got my special gift in the mail, I was thrilled. She made me an adorable sleeping mouse in a match stick box.  See the precious note to Santa? She also threw in this beautiful pillow “Its a Wonderful Life,” one of my favorite movies ever and definitely one of my favorite quotes. It is a wonderful life, and I thank you Teri for this wonderful Christmas gift.

Lil’ Mouse

Santa’s note

It’s a Wonderful Life Pillow in with potpourri

If you haven’t seen Teri’s blog, please check it out. She has beautiful sheep, spins her own fiber and makes wonderful primitive decorations. I know you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Merry Christmas all,