Dec. 31st 2009

Just wanted to get in one more post before the end of the year and the end of the decade.

I am hoping that everyone leaves 2009 with some happy memories... and hope that all of you are blessed with much happiness and good health in 2010.

I hope to be back into the royal wedding flower thing once the new year gets into full swing. Stan gave me many new "royal" books and publications for Christmas, so I have much new research material and many photos to scan and share here on the blog.

Happy New Year and God Bless! Terry.

St. Stephen's Day 12/26/09

Just have to say.... thanks to my Aunt Sibbie... she is such a sport. When I first posted the pic on the left, I expected some backlash and tongue lashing... but, she took it in stride. So much so that this Christmas she voluntarily recreated the scene. Way to go Sibbie.

And so, to everyone, a Happy St. Stephen's Day. St. Stephen was the first martyr of the church or the "Proto-Martyr". St. Stephen was stoned to death for professing his faith in Jesus, and as he died, saw a vision of Jesus standing by God the Father in witness to his sacrifice of faith. Here's hoping that everyone is continuing to have a Merry Christmas, as the new year of 2010 grows nearer. Later, Terry.

Christmas Day 2009

Well, the big day has finally come. No more days 'til Christmas, but now the Christmas celebration has officially started, and will go until Epiphany on Jan. 6th... that's when the three wise men/kings visit the manger.

Our Christmas started out with an evening vigil mass, then dinner with family and friends. We stayed up much later than usual to watch some wonderful Christmas musical shows and the beginnings of the midnight mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Wash., DC. This Christmas morning brought rain and wind to our island, and even tornado warnings. We braved the weather to drive to Savannah have brunch with Dad and Martha at the Westin's Savannah Harbor Resort. The hotel had beautifully unique decorations in browns, silver and aqua tones. The brunch was incredible with the most varied buffet I had ever seen... from oysters on the half self to creamed rutabagas, and everything in between. It was a great Christmas day spent with family and loved ones, no one could ask for a better day.

My gifts this year took a royal theme, and I received several vintage publications commemorating many special events in the life of the House of Windsor. I can't wait to dive in and read, as well as use much of that information when I resume my discussion of royal weddings and royal wedding flowers... which I hope to return to in 2010.

Thanks for looking during your holidays, and during my special blog segue into vintage Christmas trees and their decorations. Peace and Happiness to everyone in the new year. Terry.

Dec. 23,, 2009 Santa's Helpers

The wonder years of the sixties, what a great pic here. Mother, working 'til the wee hours, helping Santa of course. I think she was about 27 yrs. old here. I think this was our first Christmas in the house on Wilmington Island.

Here is another one of those great balsam trees with big lights, and the great old glass mix-matched ornaments. Not too much tinsel/icicles on this tree. Boy how that room has changed over the years. The room in the pic is the den. For some reason in those early years in that house, the Christmas tree was set up in the den, on the back of the house. I don't remember when, or why the tree eventually moved to the living room on the front of the house facing the street. That is something I will have to investigate. So, tonight with just 2 days to go 'til Christmas, I have been, like Mother in this pic, getting ready by "helping" Santa too. Lots of last minute wrapping being done tonight, making a centerpiece for Christmas Eve dinner, and fantasizing about sleeping later than usual in the morning.

Days 'til Christmas ......... 2!!!!!

Remmberin the Snow in Savannah...

12/22/09 - another 20 year milestone this week. It was 20 years ago that Savannah saw it's first white Christmas in recorded history. Snows starting on the 22nd, and ending early on the 24th of December. It was truly strange, let me tell you.

We had already had a sad week, since my grandmother has passed away on the 18th, and her funeral on the 19th. We were not ready for any such surprise as this. I don't even remember being mindful of the weather forecasts at the time. We were all home from work with the holiday vacation already starting, and from taking time off for the funeral and many out of town guests. As the week progressed on towards Christmas, we just stayed inside, made chili and jambalaya and watched it snow. Looking back now, I kinda feel like the world was sending us this beautiful sight in a way of comforting us at the loss of Nana. And, it was beautiful, so quiet, so peaceful. For years I felt sorry that Nana missed what would have been her only white Christmas in all of her 84 years... but maybe, it was God telling us, our little family, that something great had occurred, and this would be a sign that we could always remember it by. Her great beautiful presence had left us, but for a few days was replaced by the beautiful snowfall, to give us a few days of comfort and joy.

Certainly I can say without a doubt that in the picture above, this was the only time that Mother's house saw snow and Christmas decorations at the same time. Maybe, another white Christmas will be in our future, one that I will live to see.

Wow, it's getting really close! Days 'til Christmas ................. 3!

Those Crazy Christmas Gifts!

We just can't figure out for the life of us, 1. Why Nana wanted a picture of this on Christmas morning 1964 and 2. Why Sibbie would have posed for the picture in the first place. We all have been laughing over this old picture for the past few weeks. Certainly those wouldn't have fit her!

Some years you get those crazy gifts that, though well intentioned, just end up collecting dust, mold and whatnot in the top of the closet. The spirit of giving the gift is the most important thing, especially in the Christmas season. I try not to think "what were they thinking", but rather "what were they intending". I know that all the gifts I receive, no matter the size, expense, or usefulness, was chosen with the intention of bringing me happiness. Most important, since the greatest gift we as Christians have ever received was small, and not wrapped in fancy paper, but swaddling cloth, and not in a big fancy container, but in a lowly manger... now, there is Christmas.

I know, kinda weird to have the deep spiritual commentary right next to the picture of "The Ghost of Christmas Panties", but, it's my blog and the ideas just come when they come.

Days 'til Christmas ............................. 5!

Christmas Tree Backdrops 12/19/09

Christmas trees make wonderful backdrops for family photos. If you look through most peoples photo albums both old and new, you will probably come across many snapshots where folks are gathered in front of the decorated tree.

Here is our Christmas Card pic from this year. Marvin was getting a little anxious prior to the camera snapping.

It's our 6th anniversary, a great day to celebrate all the blessings and gifts of the last six years. Thanks to Stan and Marvin for making my life so wonderful!

The second pic here, one from the past, with my brothers, Jerry and Dan, left and middle. I am guessing thiswas about1977 or '78. I was about 11 or 12 that year. I think, a little to old for footed pajamas! Anyway, it must have been cold to have called for such warm sleepware. Goes to show you how the climates have changed. It was normally cold in December back then, even way down in Savannah. Have to mention the great old balsam tree with plenty of tinsel. I can even still see the old "snow-ball" lights still being used on this tree.

Days 'til Christmas ........................ 5!