It's Here! It's Here! It's....Santa Claus?

When Kate from Gardening Without Skills said that my comment had randomly been chosen to receive the gnome she was giving away, I originally thought it was a 'virtual' gift and was just tickled to be able to post a picture of it on my sidebar. But true enough, the gnome was tangible; it arrived at the house and the gnome's features expressed an eagerness to be out of his box and in his new garden home so he could get to work.

Rather, this, of course, is what he would have been thinking had a 2 yr. old not intervened. I had my back to the counter while digging the refrigerator for dinner. The girl declared it was Santa Claus sitting there on the counter. I agreed, and humored her, for yes, in spite of its yellow coat, pointy hat, greenish pants, and watering bucket, it did have a beard and all things with beards are Santa Claus. My foray though the refrigerator must have masked the sound of a chair being lugged across the floor, for the next thing I knew, the girl snatched the gnome and tore off through the house kissing and super speed rocking it. I just knew she was going to break it.

To ensure the gnome's inevitable fate, I dropped the bucket of beans and took off after her. The dog caught wind of the action and chased me chasing the girl super speed rocking and kissing a brand new, breakable, gift gnome that I was going to be dam*&$ if it were to break before I got it in the garden to get the chance to decapitate it myself with the sprawling water hose. It didn't help the commotion that the boy jumped on the ottoman and broadcasted a play by play of the dog chasing me chasing the girl super speed....well, you get the picture.

When it was all over, I do believe the lovely gnome rolled his eyes and pleaded to go home to Kate and Crew.

Here he is, after much initial excitement, all in one piece, and in the side yard guarding the tomato bushes with all his might. He was moved in between the two tomato plants after his photo shoot where he'll be more protected from the hose, 2 yr old rascalls and able to survey and maintain the side yard to perfection. He's an absolute dear and I love him already. He, on the other hand, is kindly reserving judgement on us.

Thank you, Kate!

The morning comes early. Sweet gardening dreams.... Gnome, get to work.