Almost done

This is what the garden looked like a week ago - not really very neat and tidy - the shapes all blurred and mussed. But I do like to leave a lot of the plants in the beds. It leaves seeds for the birds and for replanting. I haven't bought marigolds or zinnias in years. And I always get some self-starting pepper plants.

So last Saturday afternoon was garden clean-up time. I just try to break or cut the plants off at the ground and lay them down in the beds. The seeds are still there but my Winter Garden shapes are back. After I got the raised beds done, grandson Jake came out and helped with the fallen branches in the back fence row. Then he helped put up the lights on the front of the house.

And got a ladder from the barn so we could hang Pinecones & Hollyberries in the front hall. He does the climbing - I give encouragement - much better arrangement these days.

And Whiskers does his part. What is Christmas without a kitty asleep on a quilt.

Come back if you can on the 26th. We're having a one-day-only "After Christmas Sale" and giving away a few more little stockings.

But meanwhile - the last minute things need to be done - some wrapping and some baking and waiting up for Santa with the grandkids.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us.