Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year's Eve

Left: Henry. Right: Al
I wish each of you a very happy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you are out partying (as it appears my grandfather and his partner were doing in this picture); be safe, don't drink and drive, and if you are going to imbibe, have a designated driver in place ahead of time.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Outside the Rex

Henry holding Gypsy
Mom and her dad standing in front of the Rex Theater which apparently is reshowing the classic "Frankenstein", staring Boris Karloff and John Boles, which was made in 1931. 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Father, A Mother

Henry holding Gypsy, Golda
This is only the second picture I have seen of my grandparents together. I am hoping that as I go through the rest of the pictures and negatives, that I might be able to find more. So I have to put up with the finger in the middle of the picture but at least you can see them together with my mom.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

A 1937 photo

Gypsy
Mom was such a cute baby. I am so glad I have these pictures of her. Not many of our family pictures survived when the water heater burst and soaked them. Not many thought about prosperity in the years that I was growing up. Me, included. It has only been recently (in the last 20-30 years) that I have really put any thought into it and wished that I spent more time on including details to the pictures I took. 

Friday, December 27, 2013

Picture perfect past

Not sure who the couple is, but it is at my parents home. How do I know? Why that is my mom's picture on the side table there. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

How Progressive

Dad and Mom
There are a few things I notice while perusing the picture. First the fridge is a Westinghouse. Next, the pig carving board. I remember it as a kid. And lastly, notice the washer...whoa, looks like my folks were ahead of their time. Or else washing machine companies realized they had a good thing going there and when back to a similar style.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

Me, Pawny (with bug in his lap), ddpuppies; circa 1966

See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

[Chorus:]
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies
From our family to yours. May your day be of peace and rest. May you enjoy the time you have with family and friends. May your memories of the preceding year bring you joy and happiness.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays from our family to yours

Happy Holiday
Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your ev'ry wish come true

Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you
Mom will not be with us this year as she passed away in September, but she will always be with us in our hearts and our memories of the years we got to spend with and share with her. Miss you mom.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Dinner

And it came to pass on a Christmas evening
 While all the doors were shuttered tight
 Outside standing, lonely boy-child
 Cold and shivering in the night

On the street, every window
 Save but one, was gleaming bright
 And to this window walked the boy-child
 Peeking in saw, candle light

Through other windows he had looked at turkeys
 Ducks and geese, cherry pies
 But through this window saw a grey-haired lady
 Table bare and tears in her eyes

Into his coat reached the boy-child
 Knowing well there was little there
 He took from his pocket,
 His own Christmas dinner
 A bit of cheese, some bread to share

His outstretched hands
 Held the food and they trembled
 As the door, it opened wide
 Said he, Would you share with me Christmas dinner
 Gently said she, Come inside

The grey-haired lady brought forth to the table
 Glasses two and her last drop of wine
 Said she, Here's a toast to everyone's Christmas
 And especially, yours and mine

And it came to pass on that Christmas evening
 While all the doors were shuttered tight
 That in that town, the happiest Christmas
 Was shared by candle light

(Paul Stookey, 1963)
This was on the menu last year for dinner at my sister's house. Looks yummy, huh? My BIL cooks the meat out on his grill and green egg while ddpuppies takes care of the veggies and desserts. Am really looking forward to seeing what is on the menu this year. 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Wonderful Christmastime

'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and i in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window i flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and vixen!
On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and blixem!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all! "

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and st. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, i heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As i drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And i laughed when i saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But i heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"happy christmas to all, and to all a good-night! "
 
Recently I came in possession of a childhood memory. But then there was the problem of what to do with it. I had considered having it framed, but where would I hang it? Then I remembered that our doors are metal and Pan has a stack of really strong magnets. The banner is just long and wide enough to cover the window (though I really need a better shot of it). It's going to be a great addition to our family traditions and I need to start thinking about something similar for the front door, don't you think?

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart

Feel the cold wind blowing-winter's coming on
'Tis the season, so they say
If you need help believing 'cause your spirit ain't
Too strong
Hold my hand - we'll push that cloud away

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

There's a man on the corner who doesn't have a name
People pass and turn their heads away
But to share a simple kindness would set there heart aflame
And you'll get more than you'll ever give away.
Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

It starts with you, it starts with me
This ain't no stranger, he's family and it don't
Matter if we agree
It all comes down to love

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart
At least he opened his eyes for this one. Still not happy with the idea of wearing a hat and managed to rip it off within seconds of this picture being taken. 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Santa Looked Like the Cat

Santa looked like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked like him.
 It's not the way I had him pictured,
 Santa was a' much too thin.
 He didn't come down the chimney,
 So Pan must have let him in.
 Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.

Well, he thought I was fast a' sleepin',
 He thought that I was tucked in bed.
 He never thought I'd come a' peepin',
 Or that I'd hear what was said.
 Santa put his paw around Pan,
 And Pan put his arm around the Cat.
 So if Santa Claus ain't the Cat,
 Then I'm a gonna tell on them.

[Chorus:]
 Santa looked like the Cat,
 Or the Cat looked like him.
 It's not the way I had him pictured,
 Santa was a' much too thin.
 He didn't come down the chimney,
 So Pan must have let him in.
 Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.

I never saw Dancer or Prancer,
 I never heard the sleigh bells ring.
 An' I never saw the Red Nosed reindeer,
 Like they show on the TV screen.
 But he sure brought a lot of Screams,
 So Santa Claus, he must have been.
 And Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.
The holidays are a time for enjoying photo moments with the cat. Especially when he really doesn't want to be wearing a Santa hat nor having his photo taken with it on. But after chewing on my shoes all day, turnabout is fair play.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

O Tannenbaum

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!
Du grunst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannembaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
A work in progress is the Christmas tree. Ornament boxes still surround it as well as wrapping paper and bows. At a whopping 9 feet even Pan needs a ladder to place ornaments near the top and, of course, to place the Tinkerbell topper. Hidden within are birds, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, wine glasses and many more to numerous to count.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Shining afar through shadows dim
Giving the light to those who long have gone
Guiding the Wise Men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Beautiful Star the hope of light
Guiding the pilgrims through the night
Over the mountains 'til the break of dawn
Into the light of perfect day
It will give out a lovely ray
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Beautiful Star the hope of rest
For the redeemed, the good and the blessed
Yonder in glory when the crown is won
Jesus is now that star divine
Brighter and brighter He will shine
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on
I love wreaths. (Can't you tell?). Several years ago, I made this one to replace the light in our dining room. It worked one week. So the following years, I didn't put it up. This year, I let Pan take the lead with it and now it works perfectly. With ornaments, icicles (the same ones I plan on putting on the Blue Santa wreath and the tree) and a tin star from Pan's sister, this wreath adds a beautiful, soft light to the dining area.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
And he hiding all the cords behind him. I bought this 3 foot Santa just a couple of years ago and I love him. Added some lights to the tree and he helps bring the cheer of the holiday into the house as he greets you once you enter from the foyer.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Angels We have Heard on High


Angels we have heard on high
 Sweetly singing over the plains
 And the mountains in reply,
 Echoing their joyous strains.
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o

Shepherds, why this Jubilee?
 Why your joyous strains prolong?
 What the gladsome tidings be
 Which inspire your heavenly song?
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o

Come to Bethlehem and see
 Him whose birth the angels sing

(French carol, ca. 1862)
Sitting directly across from Blue Santa, is my Blue Angel. No lights on her, but then she really doesn't need them. Underneath is a Christmas cross stitch I had done years ago and just came across again recently. Nice to have some of my own work on display as well. Last year just the garland hung here with ornaments adorning it. But this year we way to many pictures up and moving things around is getting hectic.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

I Believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe there's always hope when all seems lost
I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus, I'll tell you why I do
'Cause I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true
I believe in miracles, I believe in magic too
I believe in Santa Claus and I believe in you

I believe in family in country and is smiles
I believe in turning negatives to positives in life
I believe in lookin' farther up the farther down we get
I believe when someone hurts we should forgive and forget

And I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe love should prevail at any cost
And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in saying what you mean and meaning what you say
I believe a better attitude can make a better way
I believe in viewing life as a journey that we're on
And lookin' at our troubles as another stepping stone

And I believe that everthing in life is what it's meant to be
I believe there is a God somewhere although He's hard to see
I believe I am so therefore I should do all that I can
To be a better piece in the puzzle of God's plan

And I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe there's always hope when all seems lost
I believe In Santa Claus

Let the little children sing
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus

And I believe in Santa Claus
Let the whole world sing

I believe in Santa Claus
This wreath will soon get a revamp with the addition of icicles which I got from mom's house. I love this wreath. And it is prominently displayed so that you see it as soon as the front door is open. For some reason I had a hard time getting it hung this year, so after many scraps and bloodied fingers, I got some picture wire on it.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Sleigh Ride

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
 Ring ting tingling too
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you,
 Outside the snow is falling
 And friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 Let's go, Let's look at the show,
 We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
 Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 It's grand, Just holding your hand,
 We're gliding along with a song
 Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
 And comfy cozy are we
 We're snuggled up together
 Like two birds of a feather would be
 Let's take that road before us
 And sing a chorus or two
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
 At the home of Farmer Gray
 It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
 We'll be singing the songs
 We love to sing without a single stop,
 At the fireplace while we watch
 The chestnuts pop. Pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
 Nothing in the world can buy,
 When they pass around the chocolate
 And the pumpkin pie
 It'll nearly be like a picture print
 By Currier and Ives
 These wonderful things are the things
 We remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
 Ring ting tingling too
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you,
 Outside the snow is falling
 And friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 Let's go, Let's look at the show,
 We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
 Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 It's grand, Just holding your hand,
 We're gliding along with a song
 Of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
 And comfy cozy are we
 We're snuggled up together
 Like two birds of a feather would be
 Let's take that road before us
 And sing a chorus or two
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you

(Mitchell Parish, Leroy Anderson, 1948)
My Christmas sleighs with an upgrade of a few big bows just to fill them out again. I love these sleighs and don't know what I'm going to do when the poinsettias need replacing (which will be soon). Oh yeah, I have a friend that does floral arrangements. :)

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Time is Here

 Christmas time is here
 Happiness and cheer
 Fun for all
 That children call
 Their favorite time of year

Snowflakes in the air
 Carols everywhere
 Olden times
 And ancient rhymes
 Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
 Beauty everywhere
 Yuletide by the fireside
 And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
 Families growing near
 Oh that we could always see
 Such spirit through the year

Sleigh bells in the air
 Beauty everywhere
 Yuletide by the fireside
 And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
 Families growing near
 Oh that we could always see
 Such spirit through the year
The decorating has begun. Actually we started last weekend, but it is taking time, what with Pan working 16 hours a day. He got the outside lights "out," for the first time in many a year. But that's all we do outside. Lights. I do lights inside too. Have more remotes than I can count, LOL. This is the top of our new "cabinet/china closet" in the dining room. Below is the actual china cabinet. Need to add some lights up there as well.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Memory Lane-School 1954

The cutie, dead center is my uncle. In just two short years of this photo being taken I will be born (or maybe just a year and a half, lol). Styles have changed, but a friend who is teaching at the school where this was taken said she recognized the room. Though by the time I went there, we had desks instead of tables. Though I was in the 5th and 6th grade by that time and don't know if the 2nd graders still used tables.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Greenland Coast

Another fly-by picture of the Greenland coast. So deserted and barren looking. With caps of snow sprinkled over the top of the hills/mountains. Fewer ice floes, but I imagine they could be just a destructive as a whole sea of them.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sondrestrom Air Base

in Greenland. Sunny and cold, I would imagine. I spent most of my formative years in the south Pacific so it is interesting to see pictures of the northern hemisphere.

Monday, December 09, 2013

A ship at sea

The Artic Sea that is. FIL took this from the air as they were flying by. Look at all the ice floes. Not sure I would like to be traveling across by sea while all those are in the water.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Off the coast

Off the coast of Norway, Ireland, England? I just don't know. But gut feeling has it off the coast of Norway, where FIL was stationed. Oops, just a minute. Found out. this is the coast of Greenland. Awesome.

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Company Picnic





Ever watch the movie "On the Beach" with Gregory Peck and Fred Astaire? These pictures remind me of that movie, although they were taken in the northern hemisphere and not the southern. And everytime I see them, I start humming "Waltzing Matilda."

Friday, December 06, 2013

Governmental building or barracks?


Judging by the cars in front it really could be either one. I put my money down for the government building though.

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Westminister Abbey

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic, church in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdom and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and between 1540 and 1550 had the status of a cathedral.

According to a tradition first reported by Sulcard in about 1080, a church was founded at the site (then known as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island)) in the 7th century, at the time of Mellitus (d. 624), a Bishop of London. Construction of the present church was begun in 1245, on the orders of Henry III.

Since 1066, when Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror were crowned, the coronations of English and British monarchs have been held here. Since 1100, there have been at least 16 royal weddings at the abbey. Two were of reigning monarchs (Henry I and Richard II), although before 1919 there had been none for some 500 years.~Wikipedia
FIL took really great pictures and I am glad he decided to share the slides with us so that I could get them in digital form for all the family to have copies.

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Happy Birthday Pan


That darling blonde haired tyke on the trike grew up to be my black-haired and wonderful husband, now of 24 years. Happy Birthday Honey, and I look forward to spending many more with you.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

A monument unnamed


We all know it has a name, but I couldn't locate it and haven't asked the FIL about it yet. If you know, please leave in comments.

Monday, December 02, 2013

Buckingham Palace in the 50's

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.[1] Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.
Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761[2] as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and known as "The Queen's House". During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front, which contains the well-known balcony on which the royal family traditionally congregates to greet crowds outside. However, the palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb in World War II; the Queen's Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection. ~Wikipedia

I had to do some research to locate some of places FIL took pictures of. I'm hoping soon that he will be able to give me more personal insight into the pictures.

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Guards Memorial

Guards Memorial, Horse Guards Parade Erected in 1926 and dedicated to the five Foot Guards Regiments of the Great War.

To the Glory of God. And in the memory of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Guardsmen of His Majesty's Regiments of Foot Guards who gave their lives for their King and Country during the Great War 1914-1918 and of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers , Men of the Household Cavalry, Royal Regiment of Artillery Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps and other Units while serving the Guard's Division in France and Belgium 1915-1918, fell with them in the fight for the World's Freedom

Taking time now to post some pictures my father-in-law took while he was stationed in Norway and England.