Hey, Eliot! Oh, there you are. I’ve got the Christmas music here. Gimme a minute to get this set up and hidden behind the sign, and I’ll open the gates. Yeah, looks like a big crowd already. I meant to tell you, the ice sculpture looks great. That little fountain never looked so good. Why didn’t we know about this talent of Bethany’s before? Maybe she could do a “butter cow” for Wool Week next year. You know, like they do at that big off-island State Fair. Hmm. Maybe we could make it a “butter sheep”. Okay, okay, I’m going.
Hey, girls. Is that loud enough or not? Once the people come in, it’ll be hard to hear, but I don’t want it to drown out conversation. How ’bout that? Good? Okay, thanks.
♫ We wish you a merry Christmas ♫ Hi, Harold! What do you mean how’d we get in? We came through the gate. Well, I opened it, since there were so many people waiting and it was already after 5:00. Hope you don’t mind. Good. Glad to help. What ice sculpture? Wow! Did you did that? Stop laughing, you goof. I’ll have to get a closer look before we leave. Right now, Trudy needs to get some photos before she gets crowded in, and I’m in charge of carrying her camera bag and tripod. See ya later!
Merry Christmas, and welcome to Islandshire’s Christmas Tree Walk! You’ve started at the right place. Just follow the path on around. No, no hurry. Take as much time as you’d like. Would you like something sweet to make your walk more pleasant? Well, we have hot chocolate in ceramic mugs and to-go cups. And there are gingerbread cookies and candy canes. ♫ and a happy New Year!♫
♫ Have a holly, jolly Christmas; It’s the best time of the year ♫ You’re right, Janie, I should have said they’re welcome to sprinkles and extra whipped cream on their cocoa. Janie is in charge of the whipped cream, so you’ll make her day if you ask for extra. We thought this would be a nice addition to the spirit of things. Oh, my, no! There is no charge for anything. Just enjoy yourselves, that’s all we ask. Yes, it is a lovely night for this. Thank you for coming, and don’t forget to look under the trees, too. Enjoy! ♫ I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer! ♫
♫ Have a holly, jolly Christmas ♫ Oh, you would?! Just tell me “when”. Here, you can’t leave without a candy cane. You’re welcome! And if you need more, you know where to find me! Oh, Johanna, isn’t this going to be fun?! ♫ And when you walk down the street, say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet! ♫
Now, where did this little guy come from? ♫ Jingle bells, jingle bells… ♫
Johanna, did you see a little green fella with big ears and a Christmas robe toddle by just now? Janie? Ooh, maybe I should take some hot cocoa after all. And some extra whipped cream. And sprinkles, too. I need a vacation. Thanks for this, and ta ta for now!
♫ It came upon a midnight clear ♫ Girls, do you hear music? Oh, good . . .
♫ Hark, the herald angels sing ♫ What d’ya think of that, Sun-Ho? A song for me. Get it? Hark, the HAROLD angels sing? Oh, never mind. Let me know if you think we need to turn the volume up or down. Isn’t that great? Bethany did that. She’s going to do a “butter sheep” sculpture for Wool Week next year. Have at it, but don’t go in before you get a snack. And make sure you ask Janie for extra whipped cream. She gets real excited when someone says “yes”. No, I can’t leave right now. I’m the official Greeter, and I’m waiting for Bunty to get here with my baby sister. I’ll catch up with you later. ♫ Hark the Harold angels sing ♫ See, I told you! Ha ha!
♫ O Christmas Tree ♫ Ooh, look at that. Hey, over here. You gotta see this. Wow, I love that. There sure are a lot of nice things to look at. I’m afraid I’ll miss something. I think I would have put that one up higher. Yes, Janie, I’d love some extra whipped cream. Oh, this is ever so much fun. Come on in! Is the music too low? Where do you think they found all these lovely ornaments? Can you guess who decorated this tree? Look at that, George, even a topper! ♫ O Christmas Tree ♫
♫ Up on the housetop reindeer pause ♫ Stay right there, Blitzen. You’re being a good boy tonight for Santa. I know it’s been a long time, but someone must be coming soon. I can hear the voices getting closer. Ssh.
No, there’s no one there. Don’t worry, though, pretty soon we’ll have visitors. Good boy. Stand up real straight and tall. Ho ho ho. Just practicing. Ho ho ho. How’s that sound? Ho ho ho. ♫ All for the little ones’ Christmas joys ♫
Continued in the next blog entry . . .