Christmas Season

As the New Year begins, and 2008 has come to an end, we'd like to share some holiday photographs with you. December was a wonderful, magical and wild month in Gardner! We were hit by a major ice storm that will be talked about for years to come. During the ice storm we lost power, but gained insight into the meaning of the season. We huddled around the fireplace and read stories by candlelight. We regaled each other with memories of past Christmases and shared favorite poetry. Sheila prepared gourmet meals in our grandmother's chafing dish over heat tabs our father had used in the 1940's to melt lead to make his soldiers. We think she should author a cookbook "101 Gourmet Meals to Cook Over Sterno." All the while the lights were out we were still planning for 50 guests for our Christmas Eve party. The lights came back on, the party planning continued and the party was glorious...Christmas cracker pull; hunt the pickle; violin music; piano music and sing along; charm cake; peppermint pig; letter to Father Christmas; food, friends, family and fun.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wandered mony a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.