When I was growing up (the 1960’s) it seemed like we received tons of Christmas cards. Maybe my parents were just incredibly popular or maybe, because there was no internet, email, facebook, blogging, instagram, or twitter, that was how people wished each other a Merry Christmas. Actually, it was probably both. But really, we received a billion cards each season. My mom would string them up and display them or keep them in baskets to look at. I loved checking the mailbox across the street and bringing in a veritable pile of cards. (I still love checking the mailbox which is 1/2 mile from my house and usually only contains junk mail or the occasional bill that can’t be paid on-line. Old habits die hard.)
The best part was after Christmas because then my sisters and I got to “play” with the cards. We hoarded them, traded them, and sorted them. Remember, I have five sisters and even so, there were enough cards for all of us to have some. This was a ritual for us and was something to do after the excitement of Christmas had mellowed and we still had that second week of school vacation. When we sorted them, we classified them in two groups; the ‘Holy’s’ and the ‘Jolly’s’. You probably know which cards fell into each pile.
The Holy’s:
or maybe –
These were fine. They were pretty and, attending Catholic school for the first eight years, we knew this was what Christmas was (supposed to be) all about. But then there were these – the Jolly’s.
In large part (no pun intended) isn’t this what Christmas is about to a kid? It was for me.
I wish people still sent cards in the mail. I know that the postage has become ridiculously expensive and usually I am up-to-date on the news and what everyone’s kids look like because of Facebook but I love the tradition of finding a card in the mailbox! Such a simple pleasure.
Christmas is just around the corner. As my family says, only three more sleeps and my boys will be home. Time for major grocery shopping and a bit of house cleaning as well as finishing up the gift wrapping. This will leave no time for sewing or blogging. I have still one gift that I am making and I am fairly certain it will not be done in time for Christmas. It is turning out so pretty and I don’t want to hurry it. The recipient will have to wait patiently and I think (hope?) it will be done shortly after Christmas. 🙂
Before I wish you all a Merry Christmas though, I have one bit of news. I am so excited! This is my 51st post and I just got my 51st follower (between email followers and Bloglovin followers combined.) Doesn’t that seem auspicious? Fortuitous? Just sort of cool? I had hoped to have 50 followers before the end of 2014 – that was a goal I had set when I started posting earlier this summer. I made it! I was so nervous when I first posted on Needle and Foot – that feeling of what if I have a party and no one shows up? But look, all of you showed up!! I have had almost 20,000 page views so far. Yikes!!! That makes me happy.
Giving thanks for the friends that I have made through this little blog of mine, I want to do a small giveaway. If you are a follower of mine, leave a comment as to your preference – tea or coffee? Easy peasy. I will draw a name in a couple of days and send the preferred treat off to a lucky winner. (Be specific – coffee – whole bean or ground? Decaf or Caffeinated? Teabags or loose tea? Have a special flavor that you love?) We have some really yummy local teas and coffees and I am looking forward to treating someone to this. Note: be sure that I have an email address to reach you if you are chosen.
By the way, I am not going anywhere close to the post office until after the holidays. Etsy sales were good this month and I have been going to the post office constantly so I will mail this off after Christmas.
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season. Hope you are able to spend it with your friends or family as the case may be. See you in the new year!
My favorite is Irish Breakfast black tea, but I am open to any teas. I used to drink coffee, but I had surgery in September and ever since, I don’t really like it anymore. 🙂 WEird, lolol
Hi Bobbi, it’s funny but when I am down with a bug I always switch from my beloved coffee to tea. Coffee just doesn’t taste good to me if I am sick. Maybe your taste for coffee will return? Thanks for commenting! Have a great weekend.
B.
Oh, congratulations on both counts! Plus making lots of trips to the post office to send off those Etsy goodies. It’s all good, eh? I’m partial to coffee, French Roast, strong, black, ground. Hot. I’m probably too partial to it, if truth be known….Merry Christmas!
Hi Barb, A good cup of strong coffee is the best. It has to be hot thought. I’m not a fan of lukewarm coffee! Who knows, maybe some will find its way to your mailbox? Have a great Christmas and thanks for reading.
B.
Congrats on making your goal of 50. I’ve been following, I get your email notices. I am a tea bag drinker. Depending on the time of day I go between the decaf and the caffinated stuff.
Have a great Holy and Jolly Christmas and a joyful New Year.
Thank you Selina! Wishing you a Holy and Jolly Christmas as well. 🙂
Just wanted you to know I love reading these. I don’t drink coffee or tea. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hi Judy,
I am so glad you like these posts. No coffee or tea, huh? My best guess would be Diet Coke, am I right? Have the best holiday season. Loved seeing the picture of your tree on Facebook earlier. Merry Christmas!
B.
Congratulations on so many posts and followers! Excellent! And I know what you mean about Christmas cards. We used to get tons of them, but this year I think we got three. Hard to see some old traditions go by the wayside. But I do love Facebook so I can see my nieces and nephews all the time, not just on special occasions. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Try a cup of a nice strong black tea–better than coffee any day!
Thanks Mari. I hope you have a relaxing (hahaha) holiday break. At least no grading, right? Merry, Merry Christmas.
As for the tea….I do like tea in the afternoons but I am an Earl Gray fan. Looking forward to the visiting and family time that is coming up. Hope you get to enjoy your kids this week too!
Take care,
B.
Coffee – whole bean, dark roasted
And Merry Christmas!!!!
And congratulations on the 51st follower. I think it is so cool that I personally know a blogger, which is you.
I especially liked this post. It brought back lots of memories – my family also got loads of Christmas cards when I was growing up. Handwritten letters also becoming a lost art, but when you receive one, it sure is special.
May you have a wonderful holiday with your whole family.
So…. You are a grind-your-own-beans kind of gal, huh? I do love getting hand written notes in the mail. I bet our kids won’t have that same appreciation of them since they didn’t grow up with them but somehow they are more meaningful to me than an email.
Merry Christmas to my most loyal reader. 🙂
Thanks for the rush down memory lane. I was ALL about the Jolly’s
I’m sure if each of the six of us is honest…. We were all about the jolly’s! I love those memories though.
I love the smell of fresh ground and a like a french roast.. I like tea too.. but I havent found one I like that I can brew, so I drink Lipton.
I popped over to say thank you for my beautiful Card and wrapped Giveaway surprise, I was totally surprised. I was chatting with Mara this morning, she didnt say anything and in the afternoon it came. LOL, Yes we are buds, I think we were sisters from another mother, plus she’s a Texan and us southern girl are friends forever, I hope to visit her one day…….I like cards to and I save them…… its crazy. I get my mom to make special cards, they are beautiful. Thank you and Mara again.
Hi Shirley, I am so glad you received your package! Hope you enjoy the different bits of fabric. Come back and visit again!
Happy New Year!
Bernie
MERRY CHRISTMAS Bernie,
My favorite is VaLentine’s latte in Grass Valley Ca
Congratulations on the over 50 followers, I am not entering in the contest, but I do love getting cards in the mail also, so e-mail me your address and next year I would love to send you a Christmas card, now here is my question are you still more fond of the Jolly’s or have you gone to liking the Holy’s more?
I love them all now! Probably because we don’t receive nearly as many. Hope you received a bundle of Christmas cards this year. Come back soon!
B.