A Joyous Christmastide -Postcard Friendship Friday #485

I just love this postcard.  Though as a Mom I'm saying to myself, "Where is that child's coat?!"  With all the snow and what looks like ice, it seems pretty cold.  lol  But what fun they're having--Christmas is near and they've loaded their sleigh with holly.  I imagine it will be used to decorate their home.

I have a special place in my heart for the Netherlands.  I love their traditions and stories and some of my ancestors came from there.

Have a joyous weekend, dear ones!  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, and Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Pine Cone Boy -Postcard Friendship Friday #483

Isn't this little fellow with the pine cone fringe cute?  I adore this unusual Christmas card.  As you can see there are windmills in the background--I wonder if this one is from Holland, inspired by a tradition I haven't heard yet?

If there's a story behind this beautiful boy decked with pine cones, I'd love to hear it!

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a fabulous weekend!  Merry Christmas and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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A Joyful Christmas?! -Postcard Friendship Friday #482

This postcard is a bit odd--that Santa mask looks downright dastardly!  What a contrast--the young lady is quite lovely and sweet looking.

Have a lovely weekend!  Merry Christmas and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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A Joyous Fairy Christmas and a Happy New Year! -Postcard Friendship Friday #437

Hello sweet Friends.  I love fairies.  From the time I was a little girl, I imagined they were real.  Indeed, I had many vivid dreams about them which were quite convincing!

This wonderful Christmas Postcard features the joy of the fairies celebration Christmas and the New Year.  It is rare to find fairies, Christmas and the New Year in one vintage postcard!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

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Christmas Memories

I just had a Christmas memory flash.  In past years, my family and I would often end up traveling home from performances we'd done during the holidays.

Driving over the snowy mountains at Christmas time, Alan would pull over and the kids and I would tie treats we'd made for the animals onto the fir trees.  The treats consisted of pine cones rolled in peanut butter and seeds.

Such laughter and fun. There were snowball fights and, as I recall, hot chocolate from a thermos when we were done. What a lovely memory that is. I miss those long ago adventures.

Merry Christmas, dear Friend!

A Merry Christmas -Postcard Friendship Friday #385

I apologize for getting this up so late.  The past week has been incredibly busy this year.

This Christmas Angel is especially lovely--so graceful and lovely.

Thank you for dropping by.   Merry Christmas, dear Friends.  And Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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A Great Light -Postcard Friendship Friday #338

"...The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a Light has dawned."  Matthew 4:16

Those words give me great hope--especially with the unrest in the world around us.  Hope is a good thing--maybe even the best of things.  

Merry Christmas sweet Friends.  May God bless you with light and hope this Christmas Holiday and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!


* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

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A Glad Yule -Postcard Friendship Friday #293

I love this old picture from Christmas past. I posted this back in 2009, so it has been awhile.  Can you imagine the fire danger there would have been with those candles on the Christmas tree!  But it is charming all the same.

The angel reminds me of a grown version of the little girl who's face has won so many accolades. As for the two little girls, they're awfully cute--I love their dresses. I'm not sure what expression adorns the elder girl's face, but it seems the little one is either shy, or doesn't want the doll!

Merry Christmas dear Friends!  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, too.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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Angel Hugs

This is a wonderful old postcard featuring a beautiful girl and small cherub. These old photographs are so precious.  So much work was put into them. 

I often wonder about the lives of the people one sees in these pictures.  Life is so different now-a-days.  These folks knew how to celebrate Christmas beautifully!

Merry Christmas, dear Friends!

Helpful Christmas Angel -Postcard Friendship Friday #291

It is a beautiful time of year.  I often imagine angels all around this house spreading God's sparkles of joy throughout my home.  I look for them, and when I do--I find them. Even though there is sorrow because I cannot spend this Christmas with my Beloved, I see him in the faces of my children.  He is there in a whispered kiss just before I fall asleep.

Merry Christmas and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear Friends.  May God keep you safe in His arms and let His angels bring unexpected joy into your lives.  These are difficult days in the world--yet the truth is, God is good and He is walking with us.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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An Xmas Greeting

I found this wonderful postcard in my files--I have no idea where it came from, but it is one of the more unusual vintage Christmas postcards I have found. 

At first I thought it was Santa in a funny looking sleigh.  However, looking closer, it is a stage coach, driven by fellows in red--and someone dressed in green bending out of the window.

Merry Christmas!

A Meowy Christmas -Postcard Friendship Friday #290

This Christmas two cats will be sharing the holiday season with me--Snowboots the Gargantuan Kitten and Toez the Polydactyl Cat, my lovely "fur babies."

Boots is only seven months old and is far larger than three-year old Toez.  In fact, this is Boots' very first Christmas.  I had visions of that BooterBoy climbing the Christmas tree, knocking it over, pulling things off...well, I put the Christmas tree up this morning (we'll be decorating it tomorrow), and though he is quite interested--he hasn't tried to climb it...yet!

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Merry Christmas and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Hearty Christmas Greetings -Guest Heart Thursday

I know Christmas is past, but I like to linger in its glow.  If you look closely--you can find hearts in the lovely fine lace and one made of berries. It is my heart's prayer that all of you--though you may be going through hard time, loss and great pain--would sense the love and comfort of our mighty Creator all around you.  

May God's lovingkindess bring you your heart's desire.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hide the Broom on Christmas Eve

 

I was doing some research on Christmas traditions, when I came across a charming tradition I'd never heard of before.  It comes from Norway, where at 5 p.m. church bells begin to ring.  People dress in traditional finery to attend the service.

Afterward, there is a big family dinner, which includes a bowl porridge with almonds for the children.  There are carolers, most of the time choirs of school children, who join hands to sing around the Christmas tree.  Later, children eagerly anticipate a knock at the door.  The Julenisse, with a sack full of gifts asks, "Are there any good children here?"  After opening presents--coffee and cakes are served.

But once the celebration is done and evening falls quiet and cold--all the brooms in the house are hidden!   This is because of an ancient belief that on Christmas Eve, evil spirits slip in to steal brooms from families in order to ride them around in the sky.

Another enchanting fact about Christmas in Norway is that white is the color of the holiday.  Not just the whiteness of the snow, but white lights are used for decorating and white candles light the tree.  Not one colored light can be seen.

It must be absolutely beautiful.  Someday I would love to visit Norway at Christmas time.

Have a lovely Christmas Eve, dear Friends.

Hooray for Christmas Plum Pudding

 
I've heard of Christmas plum pudding my whole life.  One can find it in early fiction and of course, on movies such as Scrooge.  I've always wanted to taste it.  The pudding that young man is decorating with holly seems quite huge.

I did some research to find out what plum pudding actually is--According to the Oxford Dictionary the pudding originated in Britain and is a "rich boiled pudding made with flour, suet and dried fruit." The pudding itself takes hours to cook and then it is usually served still flaming hot or actually flaming.  Sounds so intriguing.

A charming tradition concerning plum pudding is that anyone who takes a turn stirring the batter can make a wish.  I'm wondering if some very smart Mom started this tradition to get help from her kids.  (grin) According to another legend, a coin was dropped into the batter before baking.  Good fortune was said to follow the person who found the coin in their bit of Christmas pudding.

A day of joy,

A year of pleasure

Smiles without stint

Mirth without measure.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, dear friends!

A Christmas Pickle?!

I had great fun reading about Christmas traditions across the world.  I laughed when I found the story of the Christmas Pickle.  This postcard is the closest thing I could find. 

As the tradition goes, a decoration in the shape of a pickle is the last ornament hidden on the Christmas tree.  The child who finds the Christmas pickle gets a special gift and good fortune is said to follow over the coming year.

Though many believe this odd tradition comes from Germany (Weihnachtsgurke), some suggest the origin of the Christmas pickle is actually American, developed for marketing purposes in the late 1800's.  The story was said to coincide with the sale of hand-made blown glass Christmas tree ornaments imported from France. 

Another tale I read is that the tradition of the Christmas pickle came from Camp Sumpter during the American Civil War.  Private John C. Lower, born in Bavaria, had enlisted in the 103rd Pensylvania Infantry.  He was captured in 1864 and taken to a prison camp. There he stayed through the freezing winter.

Christmas Eve, Private Lower was not only cold, but he was starving to death.  He was so hungry, he begged one of his guards for just one pickle.  The guard took pity on the prisoner and gave him that pickle.  Lower credited the guard's gift for saving his life.  When the war ended and he returned to his family, he began the tradition of hiding a pickle on their Christmas tree each year.

Over the years I've seen those glass pickle ornaments and wondered about them.  How delightful to find the stories behind that, er, interesting Christmas tree ornament!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas and New Years Greetings

I enjoy pictures and drawings of Christmas as it is celebrated in far lands.  This lovely Christmas postcard depicting a family celebration of Christmas from across the ocean, just blesses my heart.

I was wondering, what game are these two playing?  I am so very curious.  If you know, I 'd love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

UPDATE:  Thank you Irene!  This appears to be an Asian version of the game of dreidel.  It is a game played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top.  Each side of the dreidel bears a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which together form the acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, meaning "a great miracle happened there."

According to ancient Jewish tradition, there was a time when the people hid in caves to teach the Torah.  Legend has it when the teacher would hear soldiers approaching, he would instruct the children to hide their Torah scrolls and take out their dreidels instead. 

So--now you know!  

Legend of the Silver Pine Cone -Postcard Friendship Friday #199

This is one of the oddest Christmas postcards I've ever found.  This wee girl is having tea with a very interesting fellow--a pine cone man.  I couldn't help wondering what the story was behind this one!

So I did a fair amount of research and discovered these postcards were a product of the Curt Teich Printing Company, founded in the late 1800's by German immigrant, Curt Otto Teich.

The only story I could find which might throw some light on this delightful pine cone character comes from Germany.  With a few embellishments of my own, I have re-written the charming Legend of the Silver Pine Cone.

      There once lived a poor family who had fallen on such hard times, the Father was forced to travel far from home to find work to support his family.  They did not hear from him for a long time.  

     Then came the day the family came to the end of their stores of food and did not have enough wood for their fire. Things became so desperate, the Mother decided to go to the forest to gather pine cones in order to build a fire to keep her family warm. She wrapped a tattered shawl around her shoulders and with a basket ventured into the bitter cold.  As she traveled, she dreamed of finding enough to take to the marketplace to sell, so her family would have food to eat.

       After walking for hours, the faithful Mother finally reached the forest and began gathering pine cones into her basket. Suddenly, she heard a voice say, “Why are you stealing my pine cones?” With that, an elf appeared beside her.

       Exhausted and choking back her tears, she explained her sad dilemma to the tiny man.  With a crooked smile and a flourish of his pointed red cap, the elf said, “Go to the next forest. The pine cones are much better there.”

       Pouring the pine cones back onto the ground, she set off once more.  By the time she reached the edge of the next forest, she could not take another step.   Trembling, she dropped to her knees in the soft pine needles and leaned her tired body against a tree, her empty basket tumbling down beside her.

       No sooner had she done this, dozens of pine cones started falling to the ground. Filled with renewed hope and energy, she tucked as many pine cones into her basket as she could and walked the long trek home.

       Foot sore and weary, she set the basket down on her doorstep.  A tired smile crossed her face as she heard the laughter of her children through the door.  Tears filled her eyes.  Even when faced with cold and hunger, her children still found laughter.  The dear little Mother's heart was filled with hope.

       But when she bent to pick up the basket of pine cones it was so heavy she could not lift it.  She opened the door calling the children to come and help.  When she and the children looked closer at the basket of pine cones, they discovered the pine cones had all turned to silver.  Not long afterward, the Father arrived home with a sack of food, which they prepared over a crackling fire. From that day forward, the family never had to face hunger and cold again.

     Legend of the Silver Pine Cone - Copyright ©2013 by Beth L. Niquette

Because of this legend, many people believe pine cones are lucky.  I've seen silver pine cones in stores around Christmas, but had no idea there was a story behind them.  In Germany, it is customary to keep a pine cone on the dresser, or hearth to make sure good fortune comes your way.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, and Merry Christmas dear Friends!  

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

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To Keep the Chaps Away -Guest Heart Thursday

I giggled when I read the note on the back of this lovely Christmas postcard.  It is addressed to Miss Mary Kersam, and the message goes like this:

When Mary walks abroad up North

She looks so sweet and gay

She has to put on lip-salve

To keep the chaps away

The fellow who wrote this poem was clearly smitten.  Fittingly, this fair lady, awaiting a kiss beneath the mistletoe, has donned a dress with a sleeve in the perfect shape of a heart.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.