Fact: This Christmas gift held a lifesaving secret. During World War II, The United States Playing Card Company joined forces with American and British intelligence agencies to create a very special deck of cards. They distributed them as Christmas gifts, but they also helped Allied prisoners of war escape from German POW camps. When wet, individual cards peeled apart to reveal maps of escape routes. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
We did our morning walk in the garden and put down some additional straw where it was too thin. We picked a couple of strawberries and dined right there on the spot.
We got cleaned up, and I waited for Robin & Bob to join us as we are headed to Rogers Gardens for a walk to the property and then a 2:30 PM launch.
We walked to Roger’s Christmas decorations first because that always brings happiness. The little guys believe we’re almost saying, “have a great day.”
Shopping at Roger’s Gardens
Mary and Bob found some attractive red Christmas trees, so I had to grab a snap of that image. I guess you would need green balls to go with it?
Think Red
Walking through the gardens, I spotted a squirrel who happened to be jumping around and having a good old time. I hope you can see him sitting on top of the box. He’s about to pounce on something lying on the ground; I hope it’s not a mouse.
An actual squirrel joined the activities.
We found Santa Claus sitting on a bench. Last year he was in the upper level, and I remember everybody trying to put a mask on him because it was right in the middle of the Covid mess. Bob set up the camera with a timer and did a magnificent job.
We sat with Santa
We had to get a picture of us with Santa, and we both whispered in his ear and told him what good little boys and girls we were this year.
Just us and Santa
I saw the Rogers Gardens choo-choo train running around in circles. The little kids walking by thought this was the greatest thing since ice cream.
Choo Choo!
We were a little early for our lunch appointment, but we got a chance to sit at the bar and have a glass of wine and a small cheese plate.
We are having fun!
We were set right at the proper time, and they put us in the gazebo, which was very nice since the ceiling head for built-in outdoor heaters. We had a great time with everybody getting introduced and sharing stories.
We gather together.
They almost got it right. Can you see the problem with this picture?
Oops!
Bill knows this pose very well, as I’ve captured it several times.
We had terrific seats in the gazebo.
Lunch was excellent, and we sat and talked for almost 2 hours, enjoying each other’s company.
Enchilada’s Farmhouse Style!
After we finished lunch, we headed home as Robin & Bob wanted to be with Nick tonight since it was Christmas Eve. Mary and I decided to go into the swim spa and spend a good hour soaking in hot water. I swear I saw Santa Claus fly across the sky, but perhaps it was just a jet airplane.
We had to stay up till at least 9 PM because the Christmas feast consisted of many bags of Chinese food to be delivered someplace between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM this evening. Finally, at about 9:15 PM, the doorbell rang, and the lovely lady was there with tomorrow’s feast. Immediately after that, we hit the sack. I plan to stay awake and listen for Santa, and I did not turn the fire on in the fireplace tonight.
