An old fashioned Christmas

I love Christmas and even though it's a hectic time, it's a wonderful time as well. An entire month filled with colored lights, cheerful music and wintry scenes that will take your breath away. Not to forget those warm holiday stories on television...channel, after channel, after channel. And so, dragging out the boxes of stuff stored in the basement, I can't help but find myself caught up in the season. And discover a perfect opportunity to reflect on memories of Christmases past.

A favorite of mine is the story of Rudolf. Written in 1939 by Robert L. May who worked in advertising at the time for Montgomery Ward. His creative story idea was about a shiny, red nosed reindeer that helps Santa deliver toys on Christmas Eve. Gene Autry immortalized Rudolf in a song in 1949 and then in 1964, the cheery little reindeer starred in his own television show! Of course we know the rest of the story ...
has gone down in his-tor-y.
An orignal copy of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is valued around eighteen hundred dollars!



And how about all those holiday tins filled with shortbread cookies? Mmm, that buttery tasting biscuit stacked in a tin and glistening with sugar. A container too pretty to throw away becomes a collectable. This tin was created in the 40's by Douglass Crockwell, an artist whose work rivaled the other well known artist of that time. This Tiny Tim tin (say that three times ) has quadrupled in value.

I always pair it up with THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP plate. This plate was produced by the Royal China Co. A popular pattern that resembled the wintery London scene when Bob Cratchit popped the 'blooming topper' with an icy snowball. (The top hat just happened to be sitting on Mr. Scrooge's head!

These lovely note cards I found at a treasure store in town. Called select-a-notes because of the small stickers designed to personalize the invitation to said event or luncheon. From the moment I saw them (I found an entire box) I loved them.




December is a busy month but when I get overwhelmed at all there is yet to do,
I crack a couple of chestnuts or maybe peel an orange. And reflect on the warm fuzzy memories of season's past...in this century and others.

Finally, let me share a very tasty and simple candy recipe for delicious, creamy caramels. I've made these four times already since Thanksgiving. They are wonderfully addictive and so easy to make!

CARAMELS

2 c brown sugar
1 c Karo syrup (light)
1 14oz can sweetened condensensed milk.
1 c butter
1/2 c chopped black walnuts (opt)


Butter dish or cookie sheet. In a med. saucepan add all ingredients and cook over moderate heat. Bring to a gentle rolling boil and begin timing. Boil for 12 minutes -set timer- stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add nuts if desired. Pour into prepared pan. Allow to cool at least several hours. Cut and wrap in wax paper. This candy keeps a very long time in a holiday tin. Enjoy!