For this edition of Memory Monday my daughter provided the inspiration.
I posted this photo in a collection on Facebook. We moved a lot when I was a child and were living in this "modern" split level on Christmas 1968. This would be a posed snapshot of me writing in a new diary. I would not have done this in real life with an audience.
I would like you to ignore my green mini dress and fishnet stockings, the gift boxes from Lazarus Department Store in Columbus that I still use to store ornaments and my favorite suitcase of all time and notice the little elves on the windowsill behind me. My mother always decorated with them.
She gave them to my youngest daughter a year or so before she died. Here they are on a shelf at her house this Christmas.
My daughter saw the elves on the windowsill behind me and alerted me and reminded me that they are her elves now!
And - drum roll - I wrote my Christmas cards yesterday and took them to the post office.
Miss Merry you are pretty as a picture with your green dress and stockings, I'm digging the diary pose! I grew up with 3 sisters and remember those little books with the lock and key well. Those elves look new still, and I just got a card in the mail from my Aunt Dena so you're not alone! I just hope you're feeling better 🙂
ReplyDeleteNot ignoring the mini-dress or the stockings. I love it!!I remember wearing go-go boots.😄 The elves are in great shape.I grew up in a 1950s rambler.
ReplyDeleteGreat scene, full of interesting history. Not forgetting the elves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful photo. It captures an era many of us can relate to. I love that suitcase and hope you still have it. The window is classic, split level modern for the times. Thanks for sharing the photo.
ReplyDeleteMiss Merry, I love your Memory Monday and the pics! You made me think of 1968... (DH and I were just married on January 20, 1968). And I love the elves... and that they were handed down from your mom. Makes Christmas even more memorable each year.
ReplyDeleteGlad you feel better! I like your dress very fitting for the time period! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that my Christmas cards went out ... like 3 days before Christmas, so they will be late too. Reason: bought them last year after Christmas, but couldn't find them when needed.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet to have that teen-memory captured for dreaming, whether posed or unaware. It's a precious moment, freezing your young self in that writing in promise of all the wonderful words you were to share in future.
ReplyDeleteI'm also captured by all the CHARLIES and his smug cousins (Charlie is the name of Sweetpea's sneaky stalker, and probably in tatters at the bottom of her closet now, her being a sophisticated Senior this year, and all---also probably with his little red trousers singed---her mother rose one morning to find the little cottage scent-melter lit, with Charlie trying for his Eight Seconds astride the chimney, but no harm done). Those eyes---they're not the calm, forgiving eyes of a little childhood friend---NO---the shelf-elf people captured perfectly the stunning side-glance of Mrs. Dunn, the third-grade teacher who could smite your sin with a single glance without moving her head (thank heavens not MY third-grade teacher). All that gloating AHA of the tribe is smoothed out to Love for having lived with your Mom and her loving ways, and I know your daughter is proud and happy to display such sweet heirlooms.
Oh Merry, I'm sorry that you've been so sick ever since we left. I was terrified of catching something on the airplanes but I seem to have escaped the plague so far. I usually get deathly ill on long flights so I'm grateful.
ReplyDeleteThose amazon boxes sound fun and a bargain. Take care and get better soon.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Love your pose and that mod suitcase, totally cool! I didn't know Shelf Elves have been around so long. Nice memories. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI recall getting a diary for xmas. It had a lock and I hid the key to keep my mom from reading them.
ReplyDeleteThat outfit! I recall wearing that too. I thought it was hip until we were able to start wearing bell bottoms to school. Never a dress and fishnet stockings again!
Good memories.
I never did have a Diary, but I remember Autograph Books being popular and I had those and was Sad that they got lost in transit during our Global Nomadic Years when we moved so frequently. Those Elves are Timeless and still madly Popular, I Wish I hadn't Sold my Old Collection of them now...
ReplyDeleteYeah...I have cards to get out as well. Hope you all are better at your house. Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Miss Merry! Half of my holiday list is by mail. The other half is by email. I had to get them out early since my daughter and family are arriving tomorrow from Chicago.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love how you already got your headstone. We won't have that since we'll be in a niche in a military funeral facility.