Come on We're Going for a Sleigh Ride

It's a beautiful sight, we're happy today, walking in a winter wonderland. Merry Christmas! Last night and is our custom when here at the Biltmore, we leave the curtains open at night. We have enjoyed some beautiful sunrises this week. This morning we were not greeted by a sunrise at all, but heavy flakes of snow falling from the sky. It began around 7:30 and has not let up at all. It is now just a little after noon. The snow plows are out, bellmen are shoveling snow off the sidewalks and riding lawnmowers with large plow like apparatus continues to clean off the sidewalks and walkways. Roy and I ate breakfast in the library and had a ring side table to catch us some snow watching. After having a lovely breakfast we hurried to the room to get all our winter snow gear on. Actually, we are rather prepared for Houstonians. We both have water proof hiking boots and ski gloves. We started out on our snow walk and Roy is taking a massive amount of pictures. I made a little snow man and from the top floor of the Inn I hear a man yell out, that is the smallest snow man I have ever seen. I responded, not bad for a girl from Houston. He said wait for more snow, then roll the snow down a hill. You will have the perfect snow man. I see some kids out there now doing just that. Roy and I walked around to the front of the Inn and even stopped by to see how Sequisha is doing. We took a picture of her covered in snow. Roy is now on one of the estate shuttles taking pictures of the area. He said the house looks beautiful and the snow is deep. The bus has to wait for the snow plow to carve out a path. So, it might be a little longer than an hour for him to return. We are having a wonderful Christmas Day and we are having a wonderful Christmas trip.


Last night we had dinner in the Vanderbilt Room. Dinner was served buffet style and there were so many choices. I have totally blown my healthy diet at a few meals. Tonight we have Christmas dinner in the dining room. Thursday evening we did the candle light tour of the house. Wow, blown away by the decorations. There were choirs and chamber music all evening long. We also enjoyed watching dancers perform in the late 1800 style of dancing. How elegant and beautiful. This trip we have spent a lot of time at the farm. The lambs are so friendly and the goats just like to eat and then produce fertilizer. So, you must watch your step. I have gotten in a good amount of shopping time. There has been plenty of book reading time. Yesterday I sat and read Luke 2 several times, just taking in the whole story. There was an article in the paper about modern day shepherds and how not much has changed since the day the shepherds were abiding in their fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds could not contain the good news of the Savior. God came down, here with us...that's the song of Christmas.


Merry Christmas is used here more than I ever remember it being a greeting at home. It's a wonderful way to bless people while passing through halls and the lobby. I have thanked every staff member for working on Christmas Day, just so we can enjoy our time and stay here. We've been asking about road conditions because we are to leave for Nashville tomorrow. Even though they try to keep the roads clear, we've been discouraged to take I-40 especially through the high part of the mountains. They said it stays like a sheet of ice when the weather is like this and it is not supposed to get above freezing until Monday. We may have to punt our trip to Nashville and start our journey home on Monday going back the way we came. Roy needs to get into the office for some time before the year ends and well Buddy surely is missing us. I do miss her but it has been kind of nice not being awakened every couple of hours by Buddy so that she can change her sleeping position.


Looking out the window, the sidewalks that were just cleared show not one sign that they ever were. I'm thinking I need to make another snow walk here in a few minutes. Going to see if Roy gets back any time soon. Maybe he will want to join me again.


They are doing carriage rides today. think I want to check into that. Seems like we are living out every Christmas song out there....Come on We're Going for a Sleigh Ride, Christmas time is here again.