Memories of Christmas past and present.

Being I'm at the ripe old age of 79 there are too many Christmas's to remember. I'm grateful for all of them. I

think because of the war years I don't remember the holidays much during that time. My cousins and I always had Christmas stockings. We always had Christmas at our house because we had the biggest house, my aunts lived in Victorian era row houses, we lived in a more modern council house. I do remember one present in particular it was when I was about 10, my favorite gift was a craft set. It was several colors of sealing wax, the kind they used to seal envelopes, in the "olden days". The project I was working on was to melt the wax and drop it on to the end of a pencil and the shape the wax into a flower. I had a lighter to melt the wax, and big blob dropped on my left index finger. The grown ups were all play cards and telling jokes, probably having a drink. I didn't want to bother them so I stoically waited until the wax cooled, and peeled it off. I think several layers of skin came off with it.
The next Christmas I remember I was 14, and they said I was old enough to have a mixed drink. So I had a gin and orange, the drink of choice in those days. The orange is not the orange juice as we know, it was like cool aid with little flecks of dried oranges in it. I have never been sicker, I blamed it on the orange. Years later when my Mother in law, offered me a G and O, I said I'd have it without the orange. I'm sure she thought her son was marrying a drunk. I think after that Christmas got better, just those two stand out in my memory. Here is a picture of a Christmas stocking from the 1940s we usually had an orange in there, only if you had a green ration book. Green books were for the infants, guess they need more vitamin C.

I remember when we lived in Canada and the children were still little. Karen was an infant in her play pen, she got a clown with a nose that lit up and it twisted to play a tune. Kim (2yrs.) got a doll, and Steve (3yrs) got a gun with a target. The gun fired a stick with a suction cup on the end, which ultimately was supposed stick to the target. I was terrified he'd hurt one of his sisters, so I asked Daddy to stand there and let me fire at him to see if it hurt. He manfully stood with his arm clutched in front of him, and I fired. My aim is not good, I hit him in the neck. I don't how much it hurt, but it sure left a hickey.
In 1972 we had moved to Pennsylvania, Steve became an avid Steelers fan and that year, he got everything with their logo on it. Jacket, belt buckle. I even got into football then, loved watching Franco Harris, Lynn Swann such great players. I think Terry Bradshaw was the quarterback.

Steve in his Steelers jacket, his sisters will not like this picture.






Here's Cher's favorite Christmas Picture, the girls are wearing green velvet styled by their Daddy. This was our last year in Canada. Love that aluminum tree.

This is getting to be too long! Fast forward to Christmas 2012 when I went to Florida. Ed and Cher are like kids when it comes to celebrating Christmas. I love this picture Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Tree

Christmas Memories continued....

Guess I wrote too much. I wanted to post more of last Christmas. Three years go I started a Santa collection for Cher and Ed. The first one was Surfer Santa, the next one was Football Santa with Bucs logos, and this year was Golfing Santa. I loved him for his tartan cap.

I think I better get to this year. Since Karen moved to Denver, and Steve and Cher are in Florida, I thought all of my Christian kids are far away, I didn't expect my Jewish children Kim and Philip to celebrate so I was resigned to a "Charlie Brown" Christmas. I didn't mind to much I don't mind being on my own. Kim called one morning and said Mummy I thought of what to do for your Christmas. And so started a new tradition. She said we would go to lunch and then to a movie. I thought that was so sweet. First I have to talk about Christmas Eve. Ann and John Jordan are part of my church family, I always say they adopted me thirty some years ago, when I first started going to Deep River Friends. Every year they have a tradition of going to the Red Lobster. It's been my blessing to be included for several years now.

this was Red Lobster 2011

This year there were fewer of us and the pictures are in groups.

Grace, Cameron, and Faith

John, Ann and I

Quinn 

Evan and Julie

Kim and Philip came over on Christmas day to take me to lunch. First they gave me my present, I was overwhelmed, a Kindle Fire. Now I get to see my books in color. Plus Cher and Ed gave me a very generous gift certificate for Amazon. Karen gave me the cover and stylus for my new Kindle. I am one Happy Camper.

Philip Liz Kim and I

Liz and her friends Sydnie and Haddas
I sat on Liz's lap so she said she was Santa.

these were pictures from the lobby of the Greensboro Auction.

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our White Christmas 2010

Nina's Birthday Bash

 Nina Hall celebrated her 80th birthday at Deep River Friends on Sunday Nov. 17th. Nina you sure make 80 look good. The fellowship hall was decorated so beautifully - it looked like it was for a wedding. Just like Alan and Jerry's annual picnic, there was a lot of work done by Nina's family and friends. I know they thought it was worth it, Nina was so thrilled. Everything was perfect. Alan and Jerry placed flowers in the sanctuary, an amazing arrangement with 80 roses. It was so exciting to me, seeing so many friends I felt like Facebook had come to life.

I took pictures but it was hard getting everyone so here are some of people I took. I can't remember some names. However I can name Nina's children and Amelia's children. What a great group of cousins.
The food was so good, we had chicken pot pie, green beans, potato salad, slaw and (drum roll please) Alan's pea salad. Not sure if it's called that because it's green peas, black eyed peas, kidney beans, and I think green pepper. We all want the recipe especially the dressing.

Susan, Randall, Nina, Roy, Alan and Richard.

Here is one of Bruce and Anita, Bruce was giving me a hard time about wandering around. I tried to tell him I was being a photographer. All I can say is if heads were cut off, and they're out of focus, he gets the blame.

Sandy and Florence

Russell, Bob and Mary Ann

Scott and Lynda

Charles and Wayne twin brothers. I better have their names right. Amelia will be picking on me. 

Nina, Doris Marie and Amelia listening to family and friends serenading Nina.

Don and the band. I wanted to clog, they were so good.

Susan Watts and Amelia

This was the "gang" singing to Nina, it was so lovely to see everyone so happy. It was a great party and Nina shared a few words. She told us the day before the party, she was driving past the meeting house and Don told her she had to go round the block. She couldn't figure out why, and Don pointed to the Deep River sign, she was so surprised to see, "Birthday Blessings to Nina Hall." She said after 80 years she was on a bill board. She thanked everyone for being there, and for everyone that worked so hard to put it all together.
Speaking for myself and quoting Winnie the Pooh, it was an absolutely splendiferous occasion.

Trip to UK 2008

I decided to write about this trip, maybe because I don't think I will be going back to England again. My Mum was 82 when she made her final trip here, she must have had more get up and go than I do. My baby sister Chrissie, she's 12 yrs younger than me, met met me at Heathrow. I love it when people ask if she's my niece?

 

I never feel jet lag going there, I'm too pumped, coming home is another story. The next day my
cousin Roy who lives in somerset came to visit. I love Somerset but didn't get to go there on this trip.

My sister works hard to make her back garden so pretty.







My grand nephews or is it great nephews? anyway when I went "home" in 2004 Oli was just a baby now it was lovely to see him at four years. His big brother Jake is growing up to be a handsome young man, I had fun visiting them.

On the 18th September Chrissie and I went to lunch with my best friends from school, we went to the Stag and Hounds, nothing better than Pub Grub! It was our first time seeing each other in 57 years. We talked like we'd never been apart, Chrissie was taking notes, she said she hadn't heard some of my "stuff" before. 

 Shirley Pat, Joan, and Mavis. Great memories.

Chrissie has a wonderful friend and neighbor her name is Jen. Jen and Danny are the best company, we always have such fun. Chrissie, Jen and I went to a local garden center, it's also has gift stores and a restaurant. Wellington boots are a staple of the Brits' wardrobe. Named for the Duke of Wellington, we call them Wellies. Since these pictures were taken I've seen Wellies in our stores, when I was growing up they only had black.

Here we are having dinner before going to see Chicago. Danny is so good to us he has his own Taxi, the lovely old

My last two days in Beautiful Colorado

On my next to last day we went to Boulder. I loved it there, so many cute gift shops, outdoor cafes and taverns. It's a busy town lots of traffic and so many people, but so much fun. As with all our trips the views were spectacular, but this was the first time we saw horses.

These are some of the pictures

 this was the view as we approached Boulder.

My favorite gift shop, I bought a figurine of a fairy. I know I'm a baby I still love fairies.

I found a sign post, I look kind of glum, guess it was seeing how far I was from London. I don't know Kilometers, but it seemed like a big distance.

Last picture in Boulder Karen and I both like frogs. We didn't kiss this one, but it was cute.

Next day we went to Estes National Park. They had an event going on, The Highland games. We decided we didn't want to spend 25.00 each to attend so I settled for a picture of a man in his kilt. There was a beautiful hotel up on the side of the mountain. I would have like to get closer to it, but there's only so much we can do in one day.

The hotel, I don't know what it's name is, but I think it should be a red roof inn?













Here's my lone Scotsman.

This was the little river running through the town, I would never dream the pictures that I would I see the week I came back. The river was in many of the flood pictures that were on television.  

Izzy my grand dog loved this part of the town. There were little children and pet dogs splashing in the water. Everyone there seemed intrigued with Izzy, she is a Rhodesian Ridge back. Karen now has a group of friends that have ridge backs. I think she should ask if any of their dogs could open a garage door? Not that I'm bragging on my grand dog or anything. 

We drove home and Karen decided we should have my farewell dinner in downtown Denver. We went to Wynekoop's. It's one of the oldest brew pubs in Colorado. They had fish and chips, Oh! happy day. My turn for fish and chips, I can't even remember what Karen ate. They served 3 beers for 4.50, I thought that must be a lot of beer. It was sample size beers, about 4 oz glasses, and you could sample any 3 of a good sized selection.

In the foyer was a bronze sculpture of a gorilla, so as we left, Karen picked his nose, and I just rested on him. I look pretty worn out. It was worth it to see all the wonderful things that I saw in my 10 day visit.

Golden and Red Rocks

This was one of my favorite excursions. Golden is a wonderful little town, we took Izzy, who had lots of fans by the time we left. Most of the stores were posted as "dog friendly", and they allowed dogs inside. I don't know how many times I heard people say, "Rhodesian Ridge back." Apparently it's a well known breed in Colorado. The drive there was one beautiful view after another.

We even saw some wildlife.

Karen with her "baby" Izzy. I loved all the flowers that were everywhere we went. Reminded me of our English pubs.

We left Golden and headed out for Red Rocks, they have a huge amphitheater, and the scenery is breath taking. It reminded me of one of my favorite places in Arizona.

I guess you all know that Marijuana is legal in Colorado?  It strikes me that apart from the elevation it really is high. In Golden if you inhale as you walk around, it's not just the elevation that make you dizzy. I will say one thing the people are so friendly and seem to be happy. The next picture is the ramp to the overlook, my knees remembered that walk for days. 

Below is the amphitheater where Karen was thrilled to see John Meyer in concert.

Izzy and I ready for some theater action. If I'd have known I would have told the gentleman in the picture to put his legs down and sit up. Sheesh!

Love these rock formations, we actually saw a tree growing right out of the rocks.

After we arrived home, Karen decided to spoil me some more, and we went to GB Fish and Chips. A Brit owned establishment. 

  

Karen had the fish and chips, I talked to our server and she said the bangers were really English and made on the premises. Well I forgot there are different seasonings for the bangers, I think these were Cumberland style. I was so jealous of Karen's meal, but I made up for it at another pub on Saturday.

I missed out a picture from when we went to Pikes Peak - we were having lunch and had to take a picture of these two gentlemen. They really looked like part of the old West. We were told the man with the white beard once ran for Mayor of Golden. Well! thanks to my friends that indulge me by reading my "stuff". I still have some places to cover. Until my next writing frenzy. Have a great weekend.