Next Stop: Christmas Memory Lane

It's that time again...time for my annual trip.
I travel there every year about this time and don't even need to pack a suitcase.
 I'm going on yet another excursion down Christmas Memory Lane.
Wanna come with me?
~
I'm not really sure how old one has to be to consider themselves "vintage",

but I'm pretty sure, I fit the bill.
 This post is chock full of vintage things and people :)

~
While reading this post from Dayle a few days ago,
one of her photos instantly transported me back in time..

It was of a beautiful vintage cardboard nativity that had been in her family for 75 years.

As soon as I saw it, an image from an old family photo album came to the forefront of my brain.

I realize you can barely see it in this old black and white snapshot but I think you get the idea.

I imagine that it was really quite beautiful in it's day.

I can't say whether or not that I actually remember the cardboard nativity, itself,
 or just paging through the old photo albums and coming across it many times.

Isn't it funny how the memory works sometimes...or doesn't?!
~

As I was reminiscing, a good dose of nostalgia set in as it always does...

as I remembered the sweet simplicity of my childhood Christmases.
One memory led to another...and to another...

Anyone ever have any trees that resemble this fine one?

And get a load of that TV set, would ya!

It was all that poor tree could do, to support that angel-on-a-cloud tree topper...

(Look, I found this one on ebay!)

...it weighed a ton, or at least it seemed like it did when I was little.

One of my sisters still uses that old tree topper, today :)

The tree looks as if it's doing a hula dance...or maybe even a ball juggling act.

And then there were years we went to the other extreme...

That tree just is w-a-y too big for that desk.

Looks like Santa brought someone a new doll baby and stroller!

These are my sisters, Janet and Barbara.

Little Debby wasn't on the scene yet I guess...unless I was lying in a crib somewhere.

I hope they kept a better eye on their little sister than they did that poor little baby doll.

Quick...someone grab her before she slides out!

They certainly don't make baby items like they used to...thank goodness!

~

Below, in the back row are siblings, Jerry and Ruby

and that is Janet and Doug in front.

 

And then a few years later, here's me and my oldest sister, Lois,

who was pretty much my second mother.

 

She spoiled me rotten.

Everyone did...it was fun too...

until I started getting blamed for everything...because...well, just because :)

"Thank you, Santa!"

~

Below, several years later, sis Barb and I digging in to the presents.

I can tell this photo was taken with my dad's new, state-of-the-art Polaroid Instant camera.

Remember those applicators with that smelly liquid that you had to apply to "set' the pictures?

Ah, yes...photography at it's finest!

And one last photo, if you are still with me...

 of my brother Jerry standing in front of our elaborate Christmas lights display.
Those were the days :)
~
Well, it's almost here and I've still got tons to do!
I'm not sure how much I'll be hangin' out in blogland, but we'll see.
Happy Christmasing, everyone!

 

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