by Cheryl Batavia

Christmas in Virginia/ Christmas in Florida; A Little Chat with Santa

Brazilian Pepper Tree, formerly known as Florida Holly. Photo by Ann Murray, University of Florida.

Christmas in Virginia

Poinsettias indoors.

Cardinals at the feeder.

Red holly berries.

Red bow on evergreen wreath.

Christmas time in Virginia!

Christmas in Florida

Poinsettias outdoors.

Red poison ivy, palm trees.

Red Bow on faux wreath.

“Florida Holly” berries.

Christmas time in Florida!

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels.

A Little Chat with Santa

Q. I know you grew up in Virginia, Cheryl. Do you feel that Christmas is too hot in South Florida where you now live?

A. No, South Florida weather is lovely at Christmas, Santa.

Q. Why do you have a fake wreath on your door?

A. Real wreaths dry out and turn brown within a couple of days here. Fake ones last forever!

Q. Florida Holly Trees are so pretty! Why don’t you plant some in your yard?

A. Brazilian Pepper Tree, sometimes called “Florida Holly,” is an invasive alien species related to poison ivy. It is irritating to some people.

Q. Oh! Why do you even have such a plant in Florida?

A. Florida has outlawed Brazilian Pepper Trees, but birds eat the berries and spread seeds everywhere! Despite our best efforts, I think that tree is here to stay.

Q. Why don’t you have a bird feeder? Don’t you like birds anymore?

A. I love birds! But Florida birds can find their own food all year long.

Q. Don’t you ever wish for a white Christmas? Snow is so beautiful!

A. No! I enjoyed snow when I was younger, but it got old scraping the windshield. I am glad we don’t have snow here. I wear flip flops and shorts every day. No need to bring me any mittens, Santa!

Q. Don’t you ever miss Virginia?

A. Sometimes…although I have lived in Florida for thirty years.

Q. Thank you for taking time to chat with us today, Cheryl. Merry Christmas!

A. My pleasure, Santa. Merry Christmas to you! I am sorry we don’t have a chimney, but I will leave you a key in the poinsettia pot by the door.

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

A Very Merry Christmas

to All of Our WordPress Friends!

Robert and I hope

you get something special

in your Christmas stocking!

We wish you peace, love, health,

& lots of smiles in 2024!

❤ ❤ ❤

 

40 Comments

  2. Unknown's avatar

    This post was so fun! I love the contrast of the two Christmases—I’ve yet to experience a warm Christmas, so it’s interesting to my Midwestern brain to picture December in flip flops, haha! Have a wonderful holiday season, Cheryl. 🎄

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind comment, Samantha! It made me smile! ❤ Glad you enjoyed the post. I remember white winters and playing in the snow with great fondness, at least briefly. 🙂

      Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season! ❤

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  10. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, your Christmas vibes in Virginia and Florida are so cool! Poinsettias indoors and outdoors, Florida Holly debates, and the practicalities of fake wreaths—love it! Your chat with Santa is hilarious and so relatable, especially the flip flops and shorts preference over snow. Wishing you and Robert a fantastic Christmas, full of peace, love, health, and lots of smiles in 2024! 🎄❤️

    ~David

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  12. Unknown's avatar

    I love your poem and your discussion with Santa, Cheryl. I enjoyed the contrasts between living in Virginia and Florida. I did just the opposite since I am a Florida native and spent many a warm Christmas there as opposed to currently living in Georgia and enjoying the four seasons. Wishing you and Robert a merry holiday season. 💖

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      I am glad you enjoyed the post, Eugi! Thank you for your kind words. ❤ Georgia seems like an excellent choice. You have the four seasons but still enjoy a fairly mild climate. If you have a white Christmas, I may be a tiny bit envious! 🙂

      All the best to you and yours, Eugi! Happy Holidays!

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  14. Unknown's avatar

    lovely and inspiriting Cheryl. Love that you have enjoyed so many wonderful xmas’s with memories near and dear to your heart. Fun to hear your answers to the questions. Have a wonderful holiday and lots of love to you, Robert, and your family. 🎄💗

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  16. Unknown's avatar

    Red poison ivy!? Is that the same as the Brazilian Pepper Trees? I will have to look that up and stay away from it when I come to Florida. Sometimes I miss snow, but hubby does not since he lived in CT most of his life. Do your summers get terribly hot?

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      We have two kinds of poison ivy here, the usual one and a miniature one with tiny leaves. About Christmastime, those tiny leaves turn bright red along the edges of the woods. the Brazilian pepper tree causes skin irritation in some people, though it never bothered me.

      Our weather is a little more unpredictable now due to climate change, but SW Florida in summers is rainy with temperatures that rarely reach 95 degrees. We used to get freezing temperatures about once every 10 years, but we had two freezes last winter. I am with your hubby on the snow. It’s beautiful, and I have fond memories of playing in the snow, but I don’t miss it.

      Happy New Year, JoAnna! ❤

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  17. Unknown's avatar

    I was not aware of the contrast between two places, but I loved your chat with Santa. It’s true that in many cases, we go for fake things, as convenience demands. Wishing you and Robert, an enjoyable holidays. Merry Christmas and happy new year 2024 with lots of love, health and joy 🎉🎄💐💖

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, KK, for your kind words and holiday wishes. ❤ I am so happy you enjoyed the chat with Santa. We had a quiet, but enjoyable Christmas. The time we spent together and phone calls and thoughtful gifts sent from our families made it a holiday surrounded by love.

      Merry Christmas, KK! Wishing you a joyous, peaceful, and healthy 2024!

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  19. Unknown's avatar

    Hey Cheryl. How are you, dearest. I missed your posts. It so happens that notifs were off on your posts. I swear I didn’t do it.
    But now they’re ON like I like them to be.
    These parallels are lovely. I grew up with no snow in the Caribbean but at Christmas (on Christmas) the sweaters came out. Hehe. I like this post with the two realities and the Q&A with Santa was such a joy to read.
    Late but here I am. Bless you my friend. Hope your February has been spectacular. (Of January I don’t want to talk) 🙇🏽‍♀️

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