Dec11th: Merry Christmas

Daytime picture

Merry Christmas to everyone! Here is a picture of my nice little tree. With Wendy's help, I was able to find the tree, and some small retro ornaments, lights and old fashioned garland at a couple thrift stores. Great approach to recycling!

Night time picture

 I also was able to purchase this wreath and Matt fixed the lights so they worked. Great fun.

Well I think my blog covers the need for a Christmas letter. So What to do? I decided some pictures of great memories would be the way to go. I will say, I spent far longer looking at pictures than I thought I would and have included a lot!

                                    Merry Christmas from the gang here on Yesterday's Dream :-)

And yes, Cactus Guy is the same one that sat on the kitchen counter at the farm for all of those years!

The famous/infamous cactus gift to Scott in the gift exchange from Johnny. That was the last year we did the gift exchange!

Where did the time go! The grand kids sure loved Grandma and vice versa!

This is going back further than I can recall. I honestly don't remember the mustache!

Santa came to the farm!

I believe this is a picture worth a 1,000 words. Fortunately captured Linda's fun personality.

And this picture captured where Linda got her fun personality from. The best Mother-in- law ever.

It might help to understand my big Christmas tree obsession. When my twin brother Andy and I were kids we were allergic to pine trees. Therefore, our family couldn't have a live Christmas tree. Rather traumatic for us as little kids but my Dad rose to the challenge with artificial trees and a color wheel which he made himself. Child's play given his phenomenal creative and mechanical expertise.

In 2,000, after we moved to our new house with a vaulted ceiling, a friend said, "You know you could get a live fir tree and it would not bother your allergies. Who knew? 

 So I made up for lost time, Linda rolled her eyes and said, "Whatever!" 

Grandma Drouhard was concerned about my leaning but she was all in on the big tree. 

I really believe Linda enjoyed the big trees as much as I did.

We had so many enjoyable Christmas gatherings.

This picture was taken in Encinitas, CA. The fish on the wall was passed to Wendy when Linda and I moved to our trawler. Linda and I purchased the fish in Bobcaygeon, Canada, to put over our fireplace. Bobcaygeon and the fish brings back way more memories than I can count.

Here are a few more pictures/memories.

Wendy Susan and Rebecca constructed several ginger bread houses over the years.

And then there was Aunt Josie's recipe fabulous buttercreams. Very labor intensive and a secret recipe. Matt helped with working the paddles to mix the centers and covering the final balls with chocolate. This batch turned out great. (Not always a given!)

At the farm waiting for the shrimp to come out, followed by a prime rib dinner and presents!

Rebecca wanted a picture of me and my twin brother Andy.You can guess who is whom in the picture. I think I'm the better looking one, and I'm younger! Seriously Steve is on the right, Andy on the left.

A great Christmas present. Browns jerseys. Never give up!

I recall this great Christmas gathering in Cleveland. The whole Franko family attended as I recall.

Being in California I had to include this picture of our deck one Christmas. It was very beautiful and peaceful.

But then it was quite nice in the summer! Linda's brother Tom who gave her a kidney and his Mom are enjoying our back yard on the swing.

Have a very Merry Christmas!