Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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!

12 comments:

  1. Love the photos! I stick to tradition during the holidays, too. And I just made old-fashioned caramels last week, lol. Great post. Happy Holidays!

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  2. LOL! Everyone is sure to be making candy this month. I plan to try these with dark Karo and mixed nuts next time. Thanks so much for stopping by and happy holidays to you too!

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  3. Thanks for the recipe, Teresa. You always make your blog so cozy.

    When I was a kid, I loved the Christmas stockings the most. Our mother would secretly leave them on our beds to have when we woke up.

    All the best, Annette

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  4. Great post, Teresa. I'm tempted to try the candy...though my scale says I shouldn't. A very Merry Christmas your way.

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  5. I loved this post, Teresa! The warmth and genuine sweetness of your personality shines through! May your Holidays be fun, your Christmas be merry and your New Year be filled with discovery, joy, and good will.

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  6. Oh, Annette, the stockings! Of course and what a fabulous surprise to wake up to! For many years I recieved those red fish-net ones. LOL. Filled mostly with hard candy but still a fun time.
    Thanks for coming by!

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  7. Hi Maris,
    In all honesty I can't eat just one. It usually runs into about...three! But oh my goodness, these are worth it. At least until Jan. Thanks for stopping by.
    A very Merry Christmas to you too!

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  8. What a nice thing to say, Patricia! Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the post and thank you so much for commenting. Wishing you much joy this season too! And into the new year as well!

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  9. What great traditions. It's always interesting to read what others do at this time of the year. When we were kids, we always got oranges in our stockings. Back then (in the really olden days) oranges were a rare treat.

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  10. I remember those days, Diane! Oranges were a treat for us too and every time I peel one, I feel Christmasy.
    Have a wonderful Christmas and very Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping!

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  11. Hi Tere, Loved your pictures and am so jealous of your Rudolph book! I love him, and the claymation movie is still one of my favs! As for your cards, I'd have snapped them up too. I have a box full of Christmas cards that belonged to my dad. They are all written in, mainly from family member that had mailed him cards from the time he was a child all the way until he and my mom married. I love them.

    Thanks for sharing:)

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  12. I have to admit, I had a firm grip on the box of cards because I was sure if anyone else seen them, we'd have a tussle. LOL. How wonderful that you have your dad's. And extra special that he saved them. How great! So glad you stopped by.
    Tere

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Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. You're awesome!