Proximidade Award

I have been given this award 3 times by Janet the Researcher, George Geder and footnoteMaven.
I have stolen footnoteMavens graphic and put it here. She is so good at it I can't help myself!

by footnoteMaven :o)

I have chosen these blogs to pass the award too!

Digging Up Your Roots

The Lucas Countyan

Janet's Genealogy Blog

Renee's Genealogy Blog

Genealogy Lines

iPentimento|Genealogy and More

ANCESTOR HUNTING

Genealogy - Diggin up Dirt

I Hope You Had A Great Day!

I did!
Merry Christmas!

Welcome to Our Christmas - Christmas Tour of Blogs

Here I am, ready to welcome you. All dressed up with the itchy petticoats. It's 1960 and I am almost 6. I'm off to sing in the choir at the Christmas Program. Come on in and I'll tell you about Christmas' past and present.
I bought these icicles in 1973 at a mall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was on a trip to visit my Aunt and Uncle who lived there. I love Milwaukee. Love the foghorns, the lake and the excitement of the city. My eldest daughter was 8 months old.

This ornament was on that 1960 tree. It is one of the ornaments I have kept, a memory from my childhood. We had happy Christmas'. I crocheted a bunch of snowflakes one year. They made the cut this time and are on the tree.

My youngest daughter made me a set of these beaded ornaments several years ago. They catch the light nicely. I think she did a wonderful job.

This ornament was on my parents first tree. I was always fascinated by these. As a child I loved the way the light caught them.
Well I could go on and on, and show a thousand photos, but I won't. You'd go away before I was finished.

So, from my home to yours. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

from Cali and the rest of us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have a very Merry Christmas!

written for: Christmas Tour of Blogs

Blog Caroling? OK. Me, too!

This song was sung every Christmas at our church when I was growing up. It was a particular favorite of my grandmothers'.

What Child is This?
William Chatterton Dix - 1865

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Christmas 1958

This was Christmas 1958. I was almost 4. Some of the ornaments on this tree I still have. I keep them put away most of the time. This year, I am not hiding them. The name of this years tree is, 'Through the Years'. I put away the fancy ones and got out the old ones. Ornaments from my childhood and my children's childhood.

My brother was one in '58. You can see his presents. This photo must have been taken before we got out of bed. I can assure you it was not that neat after we got a hold of everything. I remember all those toys.

My brother was a real pain. Funny though. I would have missed him terribly if he had gone away. It's a lot more fun having a fellow explorer.

Tis the Season. . .

Well the season is here like it or not. But I'm actually feeling different this year. Unusual. I feel a strong longing for the rituals and celebrations of my childhood. The faith of my ancestors. I don't understand that. I have had my own way of doing things for a long time. I have not had that longing before. I find myself missing the marking of the seasons. Missing the Nativity. Missing all the things I thought I had put behind me. So what is different this year? I miss the communion with the sacred. The silent, holiness of the night, the still waiting, the quiet joy. I miss the voices of the past. There was an excitement and hopefulness in those days that I have lost in the passing of time. Why do I miss those things this year?

It's cold outside. Sounds like the beginning of a song. I can't believe it has been this long since I've blogged. Between being busy and a new mystery allergy, the time just flew past and I seem to have slept through. I may get into decorating for the holidays later. I used to be eager. I have noticed since my Dad died I have more trouble getting excited about it. I mailed out my out-of-state cards yesterday. So I'm beginning to feel it. I need to get involved in something Christmasy. I've always called it Yule in my house for many years, but we celebrate it the way I grew up celebrating. I love it all. Ok, I am feeling better about it. :o)