Oh, Christmas Tree! - Postcard Friendship Friday #41

My family comes from Austria and Germany, so it was fun to learn some of our Christmas traditions began there.  In the 1700's the tops of evergreen trees were cut and then hung from the ceilings.  These first Christmas trees were decorated with apples, gilded nuts, candies and red paper strips.  Because of these edible ornaments, they were often called sugar trees! 

Though the French believe they were the first to put candles on Christmas trees, others attribute the tradition to the Germans.  Christmas trees themselves, were then introduced to the United States by German settlers.  The first glass ornaments also came from Germany.  By the mid-1800’s Christmas trees were harvested at random from America's forests and sold commercially. 

In 1853 Franklin Pierce brought the first Christmas Tree to the White House.  In the early 1900’s due to over harvesting, the natural supply of evergreen trees was nearly decimated. Conservationists became alarmed and many magazines began to encourage people to substitute an artificial “snow” covered tree, consisting of a branch of a deciduous tree wrapped in cotton.  I wish there were pictures of these--anyone out there know of any?  Let me know, I'd love to see one!

The first Christmas Tree farm was started in 1901 when W.V. McGalliard planted 25,000 Norway spruce on his farm in New Jersey. This was around the time President Theodore Roosevelt decided to ban the tradition of Christmas Trees out of concern for the destruction of  forests. His two sons didn’t agree and enlisted the help of conservationist Gifford Pinchot to persuade the president that, done properly, the practice was not harmful to the forests.  Thirty years later President Franklin Roosevelt started a Christmas Tree farm on his estate in Hyde Park, New York.

In 1966, the United States National Christmas Tree Association began the tradition of having the Grand Champion Christmas tree grower present a tree to the First Lady for display in the Blue Room of the White House.

Today approximately 25-30 million Christmas Trees are sold each year in the USA.  Almost all of these come from Christmas Tree farms.  Hurrah!   Oh, Christmas Tree!

To see all things postal, including delightful old letters, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory at Weekend Mailbox!

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Gripper Snap Fasteners for the Wee Folk

I was cleaning out my sewing machine desk, and found a whole bunch of old, odd and fascinating items, including this wonderful set of Gripper Snap Fasteners. I was so taken by the illustrations of the children on this package.  I love the look on those little one's faces!  Whoever this artist is--he or she has captured the essence of childhood here.

I included the back of the item, too.  Reading all that fine print is kind of fun.

Does anyone know what "Play Togs" are?  I have no idea when or where these were sold, or the history behind them--if anyone out there can tell me more, I'd love to hear from you!

Rizpah - Pink Saturday

This is the dust jacket from the novel Rizpah, written by Charles Israel.  The artwork is beautiful, but the book made me cry.  Rizpah's story, which took place thousands of years ago, is one of the greatest acts of a mother's devotion found in the Bible. Her story is not very well known, but God considered it important enough to be included in the narrative about King David found in 2 Samuel 21:1-14 of the Old Testament.

In 2004, the story of this brave woman's tragic act inspired a group of Moms to meet together to intercede for their own children.  I find it amazing, that after thousands of years, Rizpah's loving heart inspired mothers across the world to join hands together in prayer for their own children.

The Holidays can be a sad and lonely time.  Especially for those whose children have gone on too early, who have chosen a difficult life's path, or who are caught in the grip of alcohol and drug abuse.  You can find more about this lovely group of intercessors at Rizpah Sisters.

For more precious things in pink, visit Bev at How Sweet The Sound!

Under the Mistletoe - Postcard Friendship Friday #40

This wonderful old postcard comes from Jann.  She has the most marvelous and extensive collection of old postcards and other vintage ephemera.  Please drop by for a visit at Banquet of Tulle Roses.

As you can see, this is a postcard which celebrates mistletoe.  Here in the Pacific Northwest one can find large balls of mistletoe adorning the tops of the bare oak trees.  I can remember my sister and I snagging a mistletoe ball which had grown several feet wide.  It hung outside our parent's house for years.

Kissing under the mistletoe was first practiced by the Greeks during the festival of Saturnalia.  In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce, or warring spouses could kiss and make up!

In England, around 1800, there was a charming tradition of the mistletoe kissing ball.   At Christmas time an unmarried young lady standing Under the Mistletoe ball could not refuse to be kissed. (Woohoo!)  Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill.  If the girl remained unkissed, the story goes--she would remain unmarried for a year's time.  In some parts of England the Christmas mistletoe was burned on the twelfth night, lest all the boys and girls who kissed Under the Mistletoe never marry!  

In France, the tradition of kissing Under the Mistletoe was reserved for New Year's Day.  It was called  "Au gui l'An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year). 

The custom of exchanging a kiss under mistletoe is still practiced across the world.  Indeed, it has been said if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, they will marry and live long and happy lives. 

Joyfully--today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe by any one at any time during the holiday season!  I have had my own share of sweet kisses beneath the magical mistletoe.  Such a lovely tradition!    

To see more mailboxes and all things postal, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

Red Roses True Love - Guest Heart Thursday

I love red roses--this postcard is especially beautiful don't you think?  Can you find the hearts in the roses?   They're kind of hard to see--but they're there!
 
For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Cute Baby Things - Pink Saturday

My Grandmother saved every one of our birth announcements and shower invitations.  This shower invitation was for one of my cousins, who, of course is old enough to be a grandfather himself.  These small cards are so cute.  This one is only 2.5x3.5 inches!  I'm so glad Grammie saved them all.

Happy Pink Saturday--For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at How Sweet The Sound!

America's First Thanksgiving - Postcard Friendship Friday #39

 

What a joyful Thanksgiving it was!  I look around the room savoring this time with my family and wonder what those who first came to our country on the Mayflower would think of our Thanksgiving celebrations today.  How brave those first explorers were.

The first winter was so bad most of the colonists remained on the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see spring.

When the settlers moved ashore, they received an surprising visit from an Abenaki Indian who spoke English. Several days later, the Native American returned with Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery.  Squanto had escaped his captors, finally making his way back to America.  Despite his experiences as a prisoner, Squanto took pity upon the Pilgrims and taught them how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag Indian tribe -- which lasted for more than 50 years.

In November 1621, after a bumper crop of corn and other staples, the grateful Pilgrims organized a great feast and invited their Native American friends to join them. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving,” the festival lasted for three days.

To see another darling Thanksgiving postcard by the same artist visit Postcardy's fabulous blog!

To see more mailboxes and all things postal, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

 

Beach Dreams

Sissy and I are off to the beach--though I don't think it will be as balmy as this--we're expecting snow down to the water's edge.  My poor husband will be "baching' it over the next few days.   I'm so looking forward to time with my darling little Sis.  See you next Tuesday!

Upside Down - Pink Saturday

This is a Get Well Card from a set of wonderful cards given to me by my beloved Sister Clytie.  I adore these babies--and this Upside Down girl is especially cute.  I thought her perfect for Pink Saturday!

For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at How Sweet The Sound!

Noble Lincoln - Postcard Friendship Friday #38

The Gettysburg Address was given in Pennsylvania at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on  Thursday, November 19, 1863, by one of America's most beloved Presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

The United States was still in the grip of a terrible civil war when President Lincoln spoke those famous words.  His carefully crafted address came to be regarded as one of the greatest speeches in American history. In just over two minutes, Lincoln invoked the principles of human equality found in the Declaration of Independence and redefined the Civil War as a struggle not merely for the Union, but as "a new birth of freedom which would bring true equality to all of its citizens."  The fight for freedom for all peoples continues here to this very day.

I have a special place in my heart for this wise man.  Not only was he one of the greatest men who ever lived, He is a distant relative of mine.

To see more mailboxes and all things postal, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.