Long Ago Christmas Memorabilia

Carolyn at http://leeprairiedesigns.blogspot.com/ sent me a folder containing this wonderful picture and memorabilia that her mother, Virginia Lee, had done in the early part of the 1900's.   She was going to do (and did)  a post on her blog at Christmas time but thought I might not get to see it when I was gone over the holiday.   I asked her if she would mind if I did a post using these lovely pieces and she was happy to let me do it.  The picture is of her mother when she was five years old in 1916.  Then comes the envelope and letter to Santa Claus from 1918.  What a sweet letter - I love the "And thats all" underlined to emphasize her wishes which are very specific and not excessive at all.  Along the side is something about a ring, I think, which she would like to have if he has any.  She has underlined "go to" then added the address of her home. 

There is also  one of her colored drawings which is what Christmas is all about.  How sweet, how refreshing,  and how fortunate for Carolyn that she has this wonderful group of items from her mother's childhood.  Thanks for sharing, Carolyn.

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Wrapped Up in a Game

Christmas time in Topeka, Kansas, and our kids are intent on a game - don't know if it's chess or something similar.  I don't recall ever having a chess game but my recollections are not always accurate.   In the dining room behind them is the toothpick tree in the middle of the table  and hanging on the wall is an oil painting of a barn that my brother did.  Nice to look at the old pictures again and be reminded of days gone by.    (Click to enlarge)

A Great Christmas Website

In looking around a little while ago, I ran across a really great website with lots of Christmas pictures and old decorations, etc. http://www.papatedsplace.com/Christmas1920s.html   This is a picture of a tree in the 1920's  has been colorized  - you can also see the black and white version on the site.  There are tons of pictures of the little houses that so many people had.  I can remember we had a set that went under our tree with a string of lights was placed so that a light was in each house and the colored windows glowed.  Wonder where those old houses went.

From the 1920's.   Lots and lots of things to see - see the tunnel openings the train used.

This picture is a "staged" one from 1906.  Isn't it super?  If you have a few minutes, I think you would enjoy some of these Christmas past pictures and stories.  (Click to enlarge)

Christmas Past in Topeka

Last year I posted one or two of the Christmas cards we made for a few years.   Ray was into photography and he would take our pictures for the cards.  For this one, I did some snowflake cutting.  I have two more I will post later on.

Here is a picture of our living room before we went to bed and after Santa had shown up.  Bill was wanting a big bicycle so bad and I think he had looked all over to see if we had bought one.  We kept it at our neighbor's house and put it under the tree the last thing.  He was so thrilled!  Wanted to point out some of my crafty things back in the 60's.  A white bamboo blind, some gold felt and sequins were used to make the Madonna and Child wallhanging.  I also sprayed clay flower pots gold, painted branches white and hung small ornaments on the twigs for a mantel decoration.  On the coffee table (I still have that table in the middle of my living room) is a tree that I think is made out of cotton balls on a cone with ornaments glued to it.  Don't know where those things ended up but they are no longer around.  I can make out that the stocking I made Sherry (and the one for Bill is probably on the other side) lies on the floor and looks like it has been filled.  Good days and good memories! 

The reason I am posting this is for the earrings - it was actually taken a few years earlier when we were still in Iowa.  I am wearing my wooden snowmen that I had for a long time - in fact one of them is still in my old printer's drawer.  Goodness, I was young!  Another picture Ray took - where have the years gone.  (Click to enlarge)

A Piece of Christmas Past

A family picture at Christmas in 1977 with the center of attention being 4 month old Norah Lee.  Her other set of grandparents, Lewin and Jeanann,  are to the left of Sherry and Norah.  I am on the right with her daddy Barclay behind me.  Grandpa Ray is in the front next to Uncle Bill.  Doesn't Christmas become more magical when there are little ones to help celebrate?  I also want to call attention to one of the many  decorations I have made over the years.  Right above Barclay's arm is a golden tree.   Somewhere I read that you could buy one of those old bamboo rakes with the handle that looked like a cane fishing pole, take the rake end off and screw it on part of the handle upside down then spray paint it gold.  Final step was to glue little gold ornament balls randomly on it and you have a golden Christmas tree.  That one was kind of cute!  However, another project I did was stick the round toothpicks all over plastic foam balls, then pile them in a cone shape and spray paint it white - a toothpick tree!!  However, I should have stuck glue on the ends of the toothpicks and did not do that.  It was shortlived! I don't even think there is a picture of it.  I think I have pictures with glimpses of some other crafty things done over the years and will post them later. 
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