Have I the Real Spirit of Christmas ? -anno 1938

                                                            Christmas

    Christmas, you know, is the holiday that everyone celebrates in some way. One person might celebrate it one way, while another celebrates it entirely differently. Some people lose the real idea of Christmas in the maze of parties and gaieties they attend and give during the holidays.

     The idea of gifts at Christmas was originated when the three Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child. They gave these to Him, thinking that He would benefit by them. Through centuries and generations this thought has come down to us. We help those who need help, and in doing so we make ourselves happy.

      The celebration of Christmas is stressed in every country for the same reason, but is different in some way in each. Still the spirit is the same.

       During this whole holiday season ask yourself this question: "Have I the real spirit of Christmas?"

(By C. -Editor Chapman)

On Facebook yesterday, my dear brother published this piece written by my dad when he was the editor of the sophomore journal publication in January 1939. I took the liberty to transcribe it above for easier reading. [As a side note, Daddy's father (our grandfather) passed away on December 24, 1940.]

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2014! Hugs, Linda

One More Garland

Last week while decorating my mom's tree, she mentioned that she wanted a new garland for her fireplace mantel. 

So while we were out for her doctor's appointment on Friday afternoon, we stopped off at a local garden center to see what was left in their sale items. You guessed it! Not one, but two garlands! She chose the one with colored lights to match her "vintage Christmas tree," and we came home with the clear lights (Hub's favorite!).

As our mantel was already decorated with a similar garland, I looked for another suitable place to decorate. And I found it here in our hallway:

But it looked rather bare, so I added these cuties:

This bearded fellow is pure Scandinavian bought years ago at a Christmas Fair in Europe.

Isn't she sweet and so simple? Let's get another view. 

And another. 

Must have bought that in Europe, too.

What an angel!

This cutie has been in my Christmas collection for over 30 years. Still see the glued on arms!

Must be a collectable!

A "real" vintage nutcracker and a stuffed Santa.

Now to get these back up to the "box room."

Simple is Better

This beautiful mirror graced my in-laws' foyers for many years. It was always flanked by sconce-type lamps. We left off the lights, and this cutie shines on its own.

You can see it in the background of this following photo:

Speaking of this photo, my thrifted dry bouquet (free from our front yard) looks great in a 33 year old white Delft vase on top of 40 year old white American pedestal cake plates.

Think I like it better on top of the pedestal cake plates, don't you?

And here are close-ups of the seed pods.

The Holidays are Here At Wetcreek

The first Christmas for our new fireplace mantel.

I am still happy that I thrifted that lighted garland a couple of years ago.

The start of a collection? Maybe ;)

Simple, but blingy.

Wish I had the real gong "hammer." The vanity set is a family heirloom, though.

Mr. Snowman does "smoke" a really stinky incense. He is in charge of these "nutty" crackers.

Attention!

What an angel! More a Prima Donna than a Prim Doll.

Oops! Wrong house! These were some guests at our son's 30th birthday party on Saturday night. 

Primitive Rag Dolls 2

Remember those really cute primitive dolls I found a couple of months ago? 

Well, I went back to the same shop and found these three dolls:

 Bought for only $1.25.

Don't you just love the Spanish moss hairdo?

Barefoot tootsies.

What an angel!

Old quilt wings.

Bought for $1.00.

Thumb sucker.

Love the rattle.

Back of the jammies.

Simple head.

Bought for $1.25.

Awwwww!

Behind

Corkscrew curls

Glued in legs means not really old.

Painted Mary Janes

<3 the mouth. Sweet!

My Mom's Sewing Treasures

Yesterday at my mom's house, she and I (mostly I) rummaged through the drawers of her century old sewing machine. Here is what we found:

This is a needle holder. Patent 1929. Boye

The reveal.

With needle contents

Bobbin

Probably not used in well over 50 years!

Attachments found in a bag. Wonder what the key opens?

Greist Tucker. I am still searching the Internet for one like this one.

Dutch Farmers' Cabinet

Yesterday while reading the Kom Achterom blog (http://komachterom.blogspot.com), I saw Yolanda's cabinet that is very similar to this one that has been in our home for over 25 years. 

The story goes that our cabinet was left behind in the old farmhouse that my in-laws bought back in the 1960's. At that time, it was completely falling apart with one leg missing. The finish is also not original, but I never was interested in doing more than dusting and an occasional waxing.

As old and feeble as it is, it is still a charmer.

Terre des Hommes Thrifting

If you read my Wetcreek Blog, you know that we are staying in our Beltway Apartment at the moment. In order to get away from the dust and stuff of our remodeling, I walked to the local Terre des Hommes shop to browse. 

A recent article in the local paper explained how the new garbage pick up charges had changed the charity and recycle shops' intake of donated items. Instead of residents of the community paying to throw away unwanted items or clothing, they now donate them to local thrift shops. 

The Terre des Hommes shop that I visited is so small that if someone donates furniture, that furniture is then donated to an even larger thrift shop in town. That way not many donations are going to the dump. And the sale of recycled items is on the rise. More and more people are "thrifting."

Whenever I visit this kind of charity shop, I am on the lookout for vintage items. I did see some DPS scarves with the care facility laundry labels still glued on. There is virtually no way to remove those labels, and who wants to wear another person's still labeled with their name scarf?

But I did find a few "bargains." In this apartment we needed an oven casserole dish. For Pyrex collectors, I found a Borcam (Turkish made) clear casserole dish without the lid for 75 Euro cents. It is in perfect condition. I would show a photo of it, but I am presently "packed in" our spare bedroom while the painters are painting the living, kitchen, and foyer. And the casserole dish is in the dishwasher.

I also found two spools of Durable Vissersgaren (durable fisher's yarn/thread) that were Made in Holland.

Price: 25 cents

And a vintage cotton tea towel.

Price: 25 cents

Since I was alone, I could search to my heart's content, too. ;)