We have some new friends in our lives this Christmas. A few years ago, some New Yorkers came to one of our Open Houses. One was a supporter of the carriage horses, and they fell in love with our town, and with life in the country. Life-long New Yorkers, they were used to loud noises, crowded streets, small apartments, high prices. They were enchanted by the peace and beauty of rural life.

Earlier this year, they bought a house in a nearby town and are spending the holidays here this year. We have really connected with them, and they, I think with us. We have long and easy nights of conversation, affection and connection. They mean a lot to us. It is a gift to have them here.

Yesterday we came home from doing chores and we found these white roses waiting for us, our new friends brought them over and left them here while we were gone. We are educating them on the sometimes strange ways of the country, they are city mice learning to be country mice. They are picking it up, they already have more friends than we do. I love these roses, flowers of new friendship.