Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Time of Year for Memories

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I have so many memories of Christmases gone by. I am sure we all do. Mine are particularly strong this year.
I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. We moved from Brooklyn to our apartment when I was three years old. I think that first Christmas there is really my first memory of the tree. My sister and I shared a room. I knew there was much activity going on in the living room. My father let me have a peek at the tree but cautioned that I would have to get to sleep so that Santa could come. We put out cookies and milk of course. The lighting was magical to me.
The tree was my mother’s job because it had to be done a certain way. My Dad would put the lights on. My mother would do the ornaments and then the rain….one strand at a time wrapped carefully around each branch. As the evening wore on the strands would get clumped together and if my father ended up helping, handfuls would be tossed from afar. The front of the tree was always perfect.
We moved when I was 6 and my grandmother became a part of our Christmas for many years.SCAN0002
Notice the single strands of “rain” on the tree.
One of my favorite trees was the one with my village around the base.
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A little vignette for the coffee table. Lace snowflakes and ornaments to be tied to packages.
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I am not linking this post to any particular memes today. However, there are lots out there to go and visit. Thanks for stopping by and if you have a moment, I love comments!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree dear Carol Christmas is a time for memories and memories of the dear people.
Kisses.

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

What a beautiful post. It gave me goose bumps!

Vee said...

Loved the journey back through time and the family photo. I laughed to read that, if your dad helped, the "rain" would go on in "handfuls from afar." You and your sister are so cute and I have no idea which is which. Your dollies look like ones I have known. And one last thing, I love how your dad has his arm around your mother with his hand upon her back. So sweet.

Unknown said...

Ahhh, precious memories. So wonderful to be able to just have them surface over the slightest little jiggle or thing ... love the pictures.

Have a lovely winter's eve ~
TTFN ~Hugs, Marydon

podso said...

Look at your dolls! Beautiful picture! I also like your colorful yarn pics! Very nice.

Kathleen said...

I remember those strands of tinsel, one by one. We always put our tree up Cmas Eve. I lived in Queens when I was young, not that far from Bklyn, so long ago!
Your village and snow flakes are just beautiful!
It is frigid here in NY, but some parts of Fla are cold too I heard!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Ahhh, the memories! Love your family picture, those beautiful dresses and the maryjane shoes, so special! Your trees are all lovely...I have a lot of the same pieces to the Dickens village (I treasure it) Under the tree is a beautiful way to display it! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season and creating many more happy memories!!

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Hi Carol

I don't have great happy memories of Christmas as a child but I made sure my children had good ones and also my grandchildren!! Your lace snowflakes and ornaments are delightful.

Very cold here and snow is forecast for the weekend if not before, Brrrrrrr

Take care, Jackie in Surrey, UK.

From the Kitchen said...

Lovely post today. My grandmother lived with us until I was 18. She looked very much like your grandmother--same hairstyle! Nanny was the baker and mother did everything else. She was my paternal grandmother and my father was an only child. My mother was one of 17! Nanny was never overwhelmed by the large group that descended upon us on Christmas day as we had the biggest house. She and my mother spent days preparing the feast. When we were old enough, my sisters and I put the icicles on the tree. We did a good job to start. When we became tired (bored), we stood back and tossed the icicles on the tree where they landed in great ugly clumps!

Thanks for the memories.

Best,
Bonnie

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

This really is a special time of year, isn't it? What a beautiful tree, Carol! Merry Christmas!...hugs...Debbie

From the Kitchen said...

Carol: Those are Weck jars. I purchased some years ago and gave them all away. Fortunately, I recently found a source for sizes and shapes I didn't know existed. If you need some, I'll give you the name.

I am almost exclusively, and timidly, using the Rebel now. I just love it!

Best,
Bonnie

Sandy said...

I have a doll like yours (not your sister)! I still have it. I got it when I was six years old. I will have to hunt to see if I have a photo of it when it was new.

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