happyflowerlady

Fuzzy Kid Bunny

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311 Posts
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From as early as I can remember, I have loved Christmas Trees ! 
My dad worked for the power company, so he was out in his big line truck every day. Throughout the year, he would spot what he deemed a perfect Christmas tree, and when it was time for us to put up our tree; he would cut it down (with his hand saw, of course) and bring it home tied on top of the line truck.

My mother had old ornaments that they had saved for years, and some that my grandparents had put on their Christmas tree.
One was a parrot made out of a piece of construction paper and colored by hand, and my dad had made it back when he was in First Grade.  That parrot always had a special place on every Christmas Tree.
The ornaments were very delicate, and carefully packed away every year and put in large boxes on the top shelf of the bedroom closet. The garlands were next, and then the tinsel (actually made of tin back then, and very breakable) went on top.
On the top of the tree was a very old ceramic-type of Christmas Angel, and she also had a little golden light  that illuminated her.
The only kind of lights that we ever had on our Christmas tree were Bubble Lights.
How I loved those Bubble Lights !
In the evenings, we turned off all of the lights in the front room, and just enjoyed the lights from the Christmas tree reflecting in the shining ornaments.  Mom would put on the Bing Crosby Christmas Carols record on the little phonograph, and as we listened to White Christmas, and watched the flickering Bubble Lights; the world was perfect.
Of course, underneath the tree were the boxes of presents , all carefully wrapped by my mother, some to be opened on Christmas Eve, and some not until Christmas Morning. 
On the old buffet (that had belonged to my Grandmother) was usually a plate of homemade fudge, and a very, very old wooden church that my German grandmother had brought over when she came to America in 1901. I have no idea how long it had been in her family before that; but it had a music box inside that we could wind up and it played "Silent Night". 
The little church was painted white and sparkled with something that looked like snow. Inside was a little red Christmas light that made the cellophane windows of the church light up.

Even though our house was  nothing special, when Christmas came; it was a Magic World all of its own.....

 

 

Rosyrain

Fluffy Toddler Bunny

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231 Posts
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What a great story Happy! I always get so excited to read the stories from your childhood, it felt like I was there decorating the tree with you and your family. Some of the most simple things, like bring home the tree and decorating it can be such sacred memories. I used to love helping my mom unwrap the ornaments when I was young because it really was such a magical time. Each unwrapping yielded a new surprise that you hadn't seen in a year. Sometimes I wish I still believed in San ta because there was so much happiness and excitement surrounding Christmas time.

 

hayrake

Newborn Baby Bunny

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HFL, I love your memories. They are so warm and you express them so well. I also like them because they coincide, sometimes, with some of my own earliest  memories. This one certainly does, with the bubble lights and everyone enjoying nothing more than just looking at the lights on the tree. I used to lay on the floor, almost under the tree, looking up through the lights and the branches just dreaming about Christmas and all kinds of things.
My grandmother even had a little sparkly white church with red cellophane windows and a light inside. Hers wasn't a wood one. Just a stiff cardboard one, but it lasted for years and I always loved it.

 

CpXi7z1

Newborn Baby Bunny

Regular Member
8 Posts
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Reading this story made me feel like I was there with your family, decorating, admiring the lights on the tree. One of my favorite aspects of Christmas is the peacefulness of the tree blinking in the dark. Because winter is so dark, I enjoy the lights on people's houses as well because the world looks more cheerful with that light.

 

Rosyrain

Fluffy Toddler Bunny

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231 Posts
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There is something about Christmas time that just brings out the best in people. The beautiful lights, the songs, and all of the memories that come along with it. I find that the world is a little depressing right after the holiday season is over, and does not return again until spring when everything is happy and in full bloom once again.

 

happyflowerlady

Fuzzy Kid Bunny

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311 Posts
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Rosy, I think that you are right that after the Christmas season, things are rather dreary until spring starts to come along. Many people spend a lot of money and time getting ready for Christmas, and afterwards, they have to pay the bills, and they are worn out from all of the festivities, and just need to recuperate.
Plus, in most places, winter is just kind of a cold and dreary season, in any case, and we are always looking forward to seeing the green grass and spring flowers again.

 

Rosyrain

Fluffy Toddler Bunny

Regular Member
231 Posts
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I think you are right Happy and I am feeling the full effects of the dreariness right now. It has been a weird winter around here. It is too cold to really go out and do anything, and yet there is no snow on the ground, nor has there been all season. I am just ready for things to start warming up and the gardens to start blossoming and coming alive once again.

 

happyflowerlady

Fuzzy Kid Bunny

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311 Posts
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Spring is coming, everyone ! !  Rosyrain, no more drearyness. Robin was out adventuring this weekend, and she has discovered the first sign of Spring.... a dandelion in full blossom.
Even though these poor flowers are often considered as a weed; they are always a welcome early sign of Spring.

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2AFMhCie62M/VNpfOHKYKqI/AAAAAAAAETA/N0lif6QvVMY/s2048-no/IMG_1663.JPG

 

Rosyrain

Fluffy Toddler Bunny

Regular Member
231 Posts
Karma: +33/-0
Oh that is a magnificent beautiful flower and I am so happy you shared it. That is the kind of thing I need to brighten up my day. I have been really bummed out lately and need all of the beautiful things I can get.

 



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Happyflowerlady (happyflowerlady) is a Storyteller who has made 311 posts since joining Creative Burrow on 02:46am Sat, Jun 21, 2014. happyflowerlady was invited by no one.

About happyflowerlady
I am a senior lady, now retired; and want to learn about becoming a freelance writer, so  I can supplement my Social Security pension.
I enjoy yardwork and gardening in the summer, and like to knit and crochet in the cold winter months.
I seldom watch television, but I  do like to read, both for entertainment, and for education.
I grew up in North Idaho, and am basically a country girl, and now enjoying the warmer climate here in the Sunny South.

Writing Style
I like to write short articles about current events, stories about my life, and usually have a bit of humor to add to the mix. When I am telling a story, I want people to feel like they are right there with me, and visualizing every thing I am describing.

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