Showing posts with label Christmas 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas 2017. Show all posts

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Christmases Past

Before we take down the tree, here is a little tour of some of our special, nostalgic ornaments.

These blue ornaments were on Scott's parents first tree, way back in 1943, I think.  And the cutie in the center is one of a few we have that they made together!  I cannot imagine my father-in-law doing this type of thing, or my husband either. He would try, but he's kind of a fumble fingers! These remind me of sputnik!

These beauties belonged to my Grandma Johnson, in Minnesota.   She passed away back in 1967, so they're older than that.  The top one is more "modern" , the lower one much older - and fragile.

More really old beauties.  Some of these have PAPER caps at the top, holding the little look of wire for the hanging string.  We used to have lots more of these oldies, but our old lab (Maggie) knocked the tree down and there were several ornaments that were destroyed.  I heard a crash from the other room, and when I went to investigate, Maggie ran past me, with the treetop angel in her mouth!  Too funny!

This one is old and kind of beat up looking, but I don't care.  I love the hot pink color, and the children-inspired illustrations  - especially now that I am a grandma!

This pewter rocking horse is our most special ornament.  We bought it in Bayfield, Wisconsin on our honeymoon.  We stayed just up the street at the Rittenhouse Inn, highly recommend (yes, it's still there, 39 years later).  We start decorating the tree with the little horsey, giving it a place of honor, and then add the other ornaments around it.   Time to take down the tree until next year!

Sunday, December 31, 2017

December Fun!

Buddy the Christmas Elf!  Buddy is actually our daughter, Genevieve's dog, but he has become a permanent resident at HQ (what our daughers call our house) due to her boyfriend's dog allergy.  Buddy is a lot of fun to have around!

Our yearly St. Lucia breakfast at Tre Kronor in Chicago.  This charming Swedish bistro serves a delicious St. Lucia Day breakfast, and the servers double as singers, singing traditional Christmas carols.  Note the crown of lit candles!
We see the same people at this breakfast every year.  It's part of our Christmas tradition, and many others as well.

Another Christmas tradition - my piano students' Christmas "recital" and party.  The kids each play a Christmas song for each other (no parents are invited!), then we make a small craft and enjoy some cookies and juice.  They look forward to this every day, as so I.  Such nice kids!  I have a great job. 

Scott's Christmas gift was tickets to "Not So Silent Night", a jazz version of the Nutcracker, and other Christmas selections, performed by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.  They really cooked!

Happy Holidays!

Happy New Year!

Happy new year!  Here's hoping for peace in our world!  A quote that I carry around with me is from my hometown pastor, from years ago -...