Celebration continues

December 22, 2012
Site 6 Oscar Scherer State Park
Osprey, Florida

 

Santa does find us here in Osprey Florida.

After a wonderful Solstice Eve and a great night’s sleep, today is our day to exchange gifts and be thankful for the rising sun, longer days, love, laughter and life.

Our gift giving takes all day long.  We like to savor it.

 

 

 

Remember those pastries - finally.  Mmmmmm

Totally worth the wait.

 

 

A little coffee for those who enjoy the evil brew.

 

Then it’s on to opening.  Santa brings Carrie a small umbrella decorated in the shells she’s seen on Nokomis beach.  It’s a hit.  Well done Santa!

 

Santa brings me a Florida Parks Pass and a Passport book to go with it.  Yea Santa!  He even got it stamped at Gamble Rogers.  How DID he do that?  Now I can go back to all the parks I’ve been to and get those stamps!

 

Santa thinks David needs more light in his life for 2013 so he brings him some.   A huge roll in fact.  He can drape them anywhere he wants.

 

 

It’s over 2 hours later now and time to fix some real breakfast.
Carrie and I go out running and when we come back the traditional feast is ready.
All Hail the chef!

 

It tastes as great as it looks.

 

 

And now for a few more gifts.

The Boyd women like books.  They give them to each other.
Carrie gets 4 new to her books and two new journals.  Like her mother, she’s a journaler.

 

 

 

 

 

I am speechless when I open a package with the latest book in hardback by two of my very favorite authors, Mary Oliver and Barbara Kingsolver. 
Oh what fun!  Carrie you are the best!

 

 

A special award for David.

 

A gift certificate actually.  We don’t have TiVo, don’t want to have to watch TV at a certain time on  a certain day and can’t stream videos because of limited band width.  SO David’s gift certificate will bring Season 3 of Downton Abbey right to him on DVD.  Thanks Carrie!
Just click the photo if you’d like to read the “award”.

 

Time for a card break.

In her stocking Carrie finds a pack of Uno Cards so it’s time to stop and play a few rounds. 

 

We’ve had a late breakfast and lots of stocking snacks.  No one is hungry for lunch.  More presents?  You bet!

 

Fleece shirt and pants for the guy with no fat on his body.  Even in Florida it gets cold in the winter.  Define that as low 40’s and upper 30’s.

 

Great T shirt from Gamble Rogers.  Online Dating!  Too cute.  :-))

 

Star fish earrings.

 

 

It’s 3:30 in the afternoon by the time we make it to the final gift.

 

The final gift is a DOUBLE box from that famous Ohio Chocolatier Esther Price.  Milk chocolate coconut creams.  Be still my heart!
With thanks to my brother David and his wife Cindy.

Once upon a time I was Sherry Lloyd and my brother was and is David Lloyd and I married David Boyd.  There is lots of David confusion in my family.

 

 

After such wonderful sustenance I am ready to make the holiday dinner.  But first, I have to make the Solstice Cake and get it in the oven.

 

 

While the cake is cooling I put together another buffet extravaganza.  Good thing these eating holidays are almost over.

 

 

After dinner, the park provides the perfect evening entertainment.

They are having a holiday sing around the campfire complete with cookies and hot chocolate. Carrie and David head on over while I ice the cake and join them a little later.

 

It’s karaoke style and good thing too since lots of folks, including one of our three, don’t know all the words to the songs.  But at some points many of the singers are at the drinks and treats table including Mr. Boyd there on the left.

 

 

About 8:15 things wind up and we walk back to Winnona ready for our final Salute to the Sun and brighter longer days.

 

The Solstice cake! 

This is the world’s best chocolate cake with thick butter cream icing and will make any dedicated Vegan cringe but we cannot eliminate all traditions now can we?

 

 

 

The end of a GREAT day!!

Happy Yuletide to all and to all a good night!