Santa’s elves were shining bright at Cindy Ellis’s home where we gathered for our annual Christmas auction Wednesday.
One by one folks gathered, arm laden with auction ready item as elves arranged them in front of the fireplace decorated with magnolia leaves and antique books.
Elves Amy Clark, Becky Gresham and Royanne Lewis, decked out in bright Christmas sweaters, kept the bidding lively and quick as North Pole president Sara Wilson supervised no cheese straws were left unsold. Santa, aka Letitia King, stood front and center with the bidding and may require a gavel next year.
A very Sweet Scrooge, aka Sylvia Murphey, took all the money everyone had, laughing with delight, not a bit sorry.
A quick break was offered in Cindy’s sunlit dining room overlooking the Cassidy Bayou. The table held such an array of refreshments and beverages, there would be no more room at this inn. Plates with Christmas trees and matching napkins, to fill with delicate puff pastry, a warm shrimp sauce for dipping for which I would have gladly offered a bid, everything lovely and shiny.
It wasn’t a wedding feast, but miracles happened to the bottles of special water and all of a sudden all of the school teachers in the room refused to return from recess.
They were so happy about something in the dining room while the rest of us were very proper just waiting to start bidding again.
Someone would go one way to gather them, then get lost, and someone else would appear through the kitchen like magic. That show was worth the price of admission.
Then that Christmas spirt kicked in, and we had three Wise Women guests from the West. They followed our beautiful Sumner sign and lighted bayou Christmas trees all the way from around Cleveland/Marigold. Becky Tollison, Mitzi Vance and Terry Meek brought gifts of old school memories, smiles and new friendships.
Santa pulled out a beloved hand-carved jade rabbit from a factory she visited with her father as a child in Colombia. The rabbit was so tiny I believe he must have been called Tiny Tim.
Santa, aka Letitia, offered up Tiny Tim for bidding which climbed high and swift and went to one of our Wise Women from the West who promptly returned Tiny Tim to Santa, leaving the room in awe, tears and applause.
Now, that’s how you party, leaving hearts filled with love when they drive out of sight.
Merry Christmas to all. Go be merry and bright.
