Guscio: Christmas holiday ends way too soon

Poof it is all gone ... Christmas festivities in full force, and as usual, they're over too early for me.

There were lots of Bluffton parties, all such fun, and merry elves galore.

Our neighbors Leslie Lessig and Brannan Walker were married in a beautiful wedding ceremony at The Church of the Cross on Calhoun Street. The church, all decked out in Christmas finery, was almost as beautiful as the bride. After the ceremony, the bride and groom joined family and friends for a lovely reception at the Moss Creek Clubhouse.

Leslie and Brannan bought Brittie and Raymond Beach's cottage at the corner of Colcock and Bridge streets and have retained architect Ansley Manuel for renovations. 2016 will be an exciting year for the newlyweds and for me, as I watch their cottage's transformation.

Good wishes to the couple for a very happy life in Bluffton.

MUSHING THROUGH THE SNOW

Sandy and Tommy Rhodes packed their whole family up and headed to Steamboat Springs, Colo., to celebrate Christmas and their 47th wedding anniversary. The temperature hovered around 15 degrees as our Lowcountry crew skied and got on dog sleds to go "mushing" through the snow. After a week of frolicking and celebrating, the clan is back among us in 80-degree weather.

A SURPRISE VISIT

I had delightful visitors in my store the other day.

The cutest couple came in and immediately began connecting with everyone within earshot. The gentleman said something that made my ears perk up. I don't know why, but I asked him if he was a minister.

"Why, yes," he said. "My name is Clyde Miller, and this is my wife, Anita, and I was a minister for 35 years at The Peoples Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. We are visiting our daughter here in Bluffton.

"In fact, we come down often."

I looked at his wife and she looked very familiar. I asked them what their daughter's name was and where she lived. They told me her name was Debora Ferguson and that she lives in Palmetto Bluff.

"Oh my heavens," I said. "Your daughter comes to my store sometimes on Farmers Market days."

And then I realized why Mrs. Miller looked so familiar, because she and Debora are both beautiful and very petite. The Millers have been married for 60 years and look like "spring chickens."

There were five people in my store listening to our conversation, enthralled by the whole story, and I am sure no one ever slept through one of the Rev. Miller's sermons.

WHAT KIND OF SALAD?

I saw a funny post on Facebook the other day. Two people were talking about a restaurant they had been to and what each had ordered. One ate something mundane like an omelet and the other one said she had eaten a cesarean (sic) salad with grilled chicken. I lost my appetite for lunch at once.

GO TIGERS!

Several members of our family and many friends were in Miami to watch Clemson beat Oklahoma New Year's Eve. We won't see them until next year, so we hope all ends well, because we don't want to hear about it if not. So go get 'em TIGERS!

'PARIS IN WINTER'

My friend Nancy Pogue gave me the most charming book for Christmas. It is titled "Paris in Winter" and is written by David Coggins. It is such a charming collection of ink and watercolor drawings set among wonderful little stories about the author and his family's annual visits to Paris on their New Year's holiday.

There are also snippets of the city's history, along with some famous people mixed in, which makes it great fun to read.

I suggest a glass of port and a cozy fire to curl up in front of while reading it and, of course, a cat or dog too for coziness.

Happy New Year, and once again, it will take me a month or so to remember I must write 2016 on everything.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 9:58 AM with the headline "Guscio: Christmas holiday ends way too soon."