The above picture stays until I find out who they were. I've written a description of it into SURRENDER,
and the couple plays an important part in the story. When you read the book early next year, you'll find out why.
I didn't decorate for Christmas last year because we missed my brother so much. He and his wife loved putting up the most beautiful tree you've ever seen. Their living room looked like it belonged to Santa Claus. Their dog Toby, a Cairn Terrier, loved tearing open his gifts. Too funny for words! I can't even get Jamie and Konner to play with theirs, much less open them.
This year we went back to decorating. We have one family custom -- all right, it's my custom. The little green elf sitting on the right edge of the mantle is my Christmas treasure. When Val and Lorrie were 5 and 3 years old, we went to Eckerd's for some gift-wrapping. The girls spotted this dilapidated centerpiece. The Santa was smashed, so the Elf was driving the sled of gifts.
The girls pulled on my skirts and begged me to buy it. When I asked why they wanted it and not something else that was in perfect shape, they told me it was because no one else would buy it and they couldn't stand to think that the poor Elf would end in the trash can the next morning. So, I bought it and he's been guarding our Christmas trees for 48 years now. And he still looks as perfect as when we bought him.
This is a close-up of the dear little green guy.
Val made this Ball Wreath about 12 years ago. I love putting it close to the tree. The lights shine on it and make it even more beautiful. I cover and hang it in my office closet so it won't get broken. Her own is loooong gone!.
Half of the Family Room.
Close-up of the tree. I love looking at it while we relax and watch TV at night.
This is as much as Jamie cares to notice Christmas. His cousin, Toby, gave him a green striped candy cane (rawhide of course). He guarded it from Konner even though he stole Konner's red striped cane whenever he wanted. Bad doggie!
Konner loves his cane and gives it a chew every day. So far, it's the same size. I don't think they know how to bite very well! They pulled off the green and red stripes and chew on the rawhide cane.
