It's often fun to get together with friends and family and talk about holidays of the past. One of my favorite memories with having to stay awake on Christmas Eve and put the Christmas tree up after our children went to bed. I recall one year having a natural spruce tree and we were very happy when the last ornament was hung. Morning came quickly only to discover during the night the tree's needles had quietly detached and covered the tissue wrapped presents. We laugh about it now but at that time it was a Christmas morning disaster.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit a home with many trees----trees and home beautifully decorated with an Annalee doll theme. The decorations were meticulously placed and it was absolutely beautiful.
Santa welcomes visitors to the wonderful world of beauty and charm.
Annalee dolls are bendable felt bodies dolls with painted faces. Each doll has it's own creative personality.
This scene was one of my favorites, Santa and friend are looking through a French door showing the joy of Christmas.
There were hundreds of doll ornaments decorating the trees.
Now Dasher, now Dancer, up, up and away.
There were big trees and little trees, each one was decorated with the spirit of the holidays.
Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!!
In 1992, an annual Annalee Doll, a ten inch Halloween girl doll created in the 1950's was auctioned off for a record $6000. Without a doubt they are classified as collectibles.
Mrs. Claus has a loving smile, rosy cheeks and expels happiness.
Annalee dolls can range in height from a few inches to 6 feet tall. They are all hand painted and reflect different features.
It was very nice of "Barbie" to invite us into her home and have this truly enjoyable experience. Soon the time will come when all the dolls will be returned to their resting place waiting until next year when they will lovingly be displayed once again. " NICE" certainly is the appropriate word describing the visit.
Bob's Garden Center is a family owned company that has been in business for over 40 years in South Jersey. Apparently it had its beginning as a roadside stand, but today it entertains a special place in the hearts of those who have watched it grow into a wonderful New Jersey garden, gift and seasonal showcase. It is a place I enjoy visiting (with my camera) many times during the holiday season. We recently had our first snowfall and I new the exact place to go to celebrate the delightful world of snowmen.
Mrs. Bob welcomes all her customers with a cheerful smile. She and her family must take great pride in their wonderful creations.
Once there was a snowman
Who stood outside the door,
He wished that he could come inside,
And run around the floor.
He wished that he could warm himself,
Beside the fire so red,
He wished that he could climb
Upon the big white bed.
So he called to the North Wind,
"Come and help me pray,
For I'm completely frozen,
Standing here all day."
So the North Wind came along,
And blew him in the door,
And now there's nothing left
But a puddle on the floor.
From my house to yours, I wish you health, peace, love and happiness.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Today it was raining, but my holiday shopping was not a task, it was an enjoyable experience. It's a busy time of year and one can feel the start of the holiday pressures, like shopping for the right gifts for the loved ones in your life. Sometimes we lose focus and we must remember slow and easy can win the race. Joyfully I found strangers giving smiles, sales personel very cordial and willing to assist with individual problems or questions and Boscov's free gift wrapping center was a super hit. Before the evening ended I had to stop at Bob's Winter Wonderland. It's a dream world of decorated trees, holiday decorations and the scents of the holiday. During the spring, summer and fall it serves as a garden center with decorations for that particular season, but for me it's this time of year when it becomes magical.
Folks like to remember and tell how they used to rejoice the holiday. Make the memories happy and they will last a lifetime.
Time to get out the ingredients and make the holiday cookies. I can almost smell the kitchen with the wonderful aroma of baked gingerbread men.
This wise old owl is telling us to get out and be part of this joyous season.
Jolly Old Saint Nick lean your ear this way, don't you tell a single word of what I'm going to say.
There's a magic that comes with the season, a magic that fills the heart.
There's a magic that comes with the season, a magic for old and young.
Of course you know the hat does not belong to you, but I bet you know someone it would fit quite well.
Yes, the famous old seasonal stories are refreshingly new ... and we tell again the pleasant reminiscences of our own seasonal yesterdays.
Seasons Greetings
Bob's Garden Center is located at 6610 Black Horse Pike, Cardiff, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. www.Bobs Garden Center.com
