Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Blog Hop Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the Cross Country 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.


Today’s featured designer is Terry Atkinson from Atkinson’s Designs.
Hop on over to her blog to see the fabulous project she has posted.



Today’s subject is: Favorite gift received or given.

Favorite gift received.

I really can’t think of any one thing. It seemed every year we would get the special thing we had wished for.
Well except for the horse- I never did get a horse


Even though I do not remember this Christmas,
it looks like we both received
new pjs, a doll and red slippers.
I don’t seem nearly as pleased with my slippers as sister Linda does.
Her shoe fetish started at a very young age.




Cottie
One of my favorite games.
The box says for all ages. ???



Krazy Ike
These were sort of the Legos of our era.
I loved playing with Krazy Ike.
A couple of years ago my Mom found a set in an antique store and bought it for me.
Every year I put them under the Christmas tree.



Both Linda and I had one of these.
For all of you young ones out there - yes that really is a cord -
yes it really plugged into the live outlet.
Miracle we all survived.


Dollhouse
I spent a lot of time playing with my doll house.
Although it really bothered me that I could not move the rugs.



Jell-O was not Grammies only talent.
She was very good at crocheting.
One year she made all of the granddaughters
this very popular (at the time) vest.
Mine was red, Linda’s was blue and I think Brenda’s was green.

As we become older we did not want toys anymore but instead the latest fashion.
One year we all received mohair sweaters.


Mine was like this only light blue.




And of coarse you had to have the stretch pants to go with the sweater.
I really did not have the body for stretch pants.
At that time I was tall and very skinny.
By the time the pants were small enough in the waist….they became very short in the body.
But they were “stretch pants”.
Just slip that little stirrup under your foot and stretch until they reach your waist.
Only problem was - the crotch was down by my knees.


The ultimate accessory to wear with the mohair sweater was a
baldy ring
to match your sweater.
So I had a blue baldy ring.
Linda’s was pink like this one.


I could go on and on - All of those special Christmas decorations that the kids carried home and so proudly presented to me. Every year they are placed on the tree - front and center.
I will blog more about the kids special gifts during one of my christmas blogs. (After I have time to take some pictures.)

Now for a favorite gift given.
On my side of the family we have always drawn names. But as the years went on we found we all had been blessed and really none of us wanted or needed a thing. It had become a flurry of everybody emailing each other item numbers from catalogs. Finally we said - this is silly

We decided we would pool the money we normally would spend in the drawing and adopt a family in need. We adopted a family with 4 children ages six, four, two and 16 months. My 2 sisters and their DH, plus Mom and Dad all met in Sprit Lake to shop. We divided up into teams. My sister Brenda was my teammate. Our subject was the 4 Year old girl. It stated that her favorite colors were pink and purple - gosh did we have fun. We also had enough money to buy each parent a sweater and gift cards for the grocery store and gas station.
We all agreed it was a wonderful Christmas. We are planning on adopting a family again this year.

There was one little flaw to our plan. We had set the weekend before Christmas to have our get together.
In the past we had never worried about a snowstorm moving in and preventing us from traveling home. We would just wait until the next weekend when the weather had improved.

Hmmm - Can’t do that when gifts need to be bought because….Santa is coming.
And wouldn't you know it, we woke up to snow - not quite a storm yet but it was moving in. It was quickly decided we would meet early to shop.
By the time we were done shopping it was snowing very hard and drifting quite a bit. (And nobody had a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.) :)
We caravanned and thankfully we all made it to the farm safe and sound.

So many Christmases… So many memories.

Now hop on along to see what the other designers are blogging about.
GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

Tomorrow the subject will be a Christmas tree story.
The featured designer will be Pat Sloan a Virginia native.

Happy Hopping.

From my heart,

Sandy

68 comments :

  1. I'll bet you all get much more "warm fuzzy" feelings buying for a family in need than for you family who doesn't need to have presents. That is truely celebrating the Christmas spirit and I think it's wonderful that you all shop together. Thanks for the touching story.

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  2. Oh my goodness. We grew up so similarly! I hadn't thought about my metal dollhouse or the vest my grandma knitte for me or my pink mohair sweater or the stretch pants for a long time. The old Cootie games worked better than the one my grandkids have. Yeah, ditto on the 'all ages'...??? Thanks for a trip down memory lane, Sandy! Love, love, love your fabric designs...and your blog!

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  3. Oh my gosh! We had the same childhood! I remember the Cootie game, the iron, the mohair sweater, the stretch [stirrup] pants, and the ring--what a nice trip down memory lane!

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  4. I love the "adopt a family" idea - that is so great! Your stories brought back so many memories - I hadn't thought of those pants in years, but you are right, they were the thing to own, with one of those sweaters - my cousin Kathy made them for all of us girls one year. We were so chic! I love the doll house too - I remember having one as well and spent hours playing with it. Thanks for the wonderful memories.

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  5. What a great post! I still have that dollhouse (mine has an attached garage)with the furniture.
    As for the Cootie game and the iron I remember my mom saying "How did we all live this long?"

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  6. Thanks for sharing...I love all the stories

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  7. I loved your story. I also had the Cootie game, it is long gone, but I still have my iron and it still will get hot! Seriously, I wonder how many houses had small fires after that gift on Christmas. :)

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  8. I had the same problem with those pants! What are those designers thinking anyway! Love to hear your stories.

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  9. Am enjoying your stories, love your sense of humour, and need more hours in a day to keep up with the designs and recipes. Thanks for sharing, K

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  10. Cooties! I had that game. And that iron! Wow. We must be from the same "era" although I suspect I'm a bit older then you! Thanks for the great trip down holiday memory lane.

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  11. I will always remember the Christmas when I was a child and we adopted a family. I want to do that with my kids.

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  12. I remember Cootie! And the metal dollhouse, and yes, not being able to re-decorate with the rugs bugged me too! Thanks for the memories!

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  13. I do so remember all of the toys and clothing styles. The adopt a family idea is perfect. How did you find a family?

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  14. Cootie, stretch pants and remember mood rings? I had a bubble ring that was my favourite colour - turquoise. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

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  15. I just took down memory lane.. thanks for sharing! I love the adopt a family.. last year we did the Road Home shelter.. another great place.

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  16. Wow you and I are about the same age and have many similar memories.I had the doll house (Loved It!) the stretch pants, mine always pulled and bagged at the crotch! And yes the iron! It is a wonder we survived isn't it! Thanks for the pattern very cute.

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  17. Oh my word - COOTIE - who doesn't remember COOTIE? And those stretch pants - you're SO right - the crotch always was so low that you'd feel uncomfortable walking like you had to pull up your pants.

    I swear, that's the doll house I had too! These 12 days are sure of memories - and so many of those memories are similar.

    Got to love it all.

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  18. What a wonderful way to share Christmas - adopting a family in need.


    Darlis

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  19. What a great flash back to the past! Those stretch pants - did anyone look good in those!?!?!? I love the toys and the mohair sweater - I loved it all!
    Marsha

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  20. Ohmigosh!!!!! I had completely forgotten about those Crazy Ike things. I had some of those too!!!

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  21. Oh my goodness! The memories that are coming back, why can't an iron be as awesome a gift today to a young lady as it was for us!?!?!?!

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  22. I had one of those irons too! I remember plugging it in and then getting frustrated because it didn't get hot and I couldn't iron the wrinkles out of my doll clothes. We also had a doctor kit with candy pills - and candy cigarettes! It is amazing that we're still here. . .

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  23. I am SO enjoying this blog hop. Loved all the gifts.

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  24. What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing!

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  25. COOTIES!! I haven't thought of those in years! thanks for sharing your wonderful story, too.. pay it forward - so wonderful to help out where and when needed.... the best 'warm fuzzie' of all!
    Beth in Dallas

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  26. LOVE that you adopt a family!! Very touching!

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  27. Seeing the photos of your Christmas gifts was like taking a walk down Memory Lane. My grandma made some of those crocheted vests and I clearly remember mohair sweaters and stretch pants. I can still see the box under the tree that had this cool sweater with fringe and a pair of black stretch pants to go with it. I still have some of my dollhouse Christmas gifts. And my mom bought a little iron at an auction that is similar to the one in your photo. I keep it in my sewing room because it is just to cute. I've never plugged it in to see if it works as it has a very old cord and I don't want the thing to catch on fire! I really enjoyed reading your blog. :-)

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  28. Thanks for the memories. I had the same doll house and my mom crocheted me a vest.

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  29. I had that same dollhouse...and have never had a picture of it...but there it is! It always bothered me that I couldn't move the rugs either...I wanted fewer things "painted on" and more things to move around!

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  30. Gracias por sus recuerdos. Para mi los regalos más bellos y menos honestamente utiles Son los que han Hecho mis niños con sus manos.
      Ahora he recibido mayores camara fotografica, cocina microondas, y un monton de electrodomesticos que nunca habia Podido comprar.

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  31. love this story,it is so nice that you adopt a family :) I totally love that idea

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  32. I remember playing with cootie. Sounds like a very generous family, and a great way to celebrate Christmas.

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  33. Mi nombre es Sayda, escribo desde Bogota Colombia, encantada de visitar su blog y participar en los 12 proyectos de Navidad.
    Un abrazo, sayda

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  34. Wow, several of those gifts were at my house also. The metal dollhouse, the iron (never quite hot enough), cootie...loved that game. Thanks for the memories!

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  35. Adopting a family is a wonderful idea! We like gift cards. Tammy L

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  36. Love reading about your memories and too funny on the Cooties set being for all ages! We had a set that looked very much like that one!

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  37. What to do when parents have everything they need? We, the grown up kids, have been giving our parents 'donation gifts'...you know, dig a well in Africa, or buy three sheep for a woman in the Philippines, or fill a classroom in South America with library books...we do this in their names. I think they look forwards to seeing what they 'donated' each year!

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  38. OMG I had the same doll house and iron that actually heated up.. a childs toy???? thanks for sharing great memories and great idea to help others who may be in need. Also, great patterns!!!! thank you and happy holidays. nurse payne

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  39. What great memories... thank you for sharing them with us.

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  40. This is so much fun. Thanks for sharing your stories. Chris G.

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  41. Ohh I love all the toys and fashions! They sure bring back memories.

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  42. Cooties!! And stretch pants!! We ALWAYS got new flannel pajamas from my Grandmother and our parents allowed us to open ONE gift on Christmas Eve. Somehow, it always worked out to be the pjs.

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  43. Hola !!! ESCRIBO DESDE COLOMBIA, ME ENCANTO TU DISEÑO DE NAVIDAD. GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR.
    uN ABRAZO, SAYDA

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  44. I played with cootie and had two of those doll houses. What a fun era and wonderful childhood I had. I am so thankful. Thanks for the memories.

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  45. Stretch pants, that stretched out when sitting at the knee area BUT remainded stretched out when you stood, ha!

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  46. I miss those stretch pants.. I wonder how many more years until they come back into fashion.

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  47. I can remember playing with a doll house like that...must have been one from the babysitters...wow that's brought back memories.

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  48. We must be around the same age because my sisters and I had that same iron along with a little ironing board. I was allowed to iron my dad's handkerchiefs using that little red iron. I also had that same doll house! Thanks for the memories!

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  49. thanks for the memories!

    deanna gipson

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  50. I love the little iron! Great memories :-)

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  51. I had an iron and ironing board, too. My doll house was magnetic. Would love to find one like it now. Thanks so much for sharing with us! This CC blog sharing is absolutely fabulous! It's getting me in the holiday mood.

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  52. Thanks for the memories. I had Cooties and Krazy Ikes too! I got the Crazy Ikes when I was in the hospital having my tonsils out!! And the stretch pants were when I was in college...

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  53. Thanks Sandy, for jogging some old memories, and making me giggle at the stretch pants, which similar to the stirrups later on.... yes my crotch was waaaay down there too!!
    How precious of you and your family for sharing your love and bounty with another family!!! Hugs

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  54. Oh how I loved the Cootie game. I did buy one for one of my grandchildren a few years ago. I had alot more fun playing it than they did.

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  55. I love your memories, wish I could have a horse, I love them!

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  56. I enjoyed the memories and also had stretch pants, mohair sweaters and vests crocheted by my grandmother!

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  57. We had a Cootie game, too. Do you remember the original Mr. Potato Head? Very similar, actually. And, my sister and I had a real, plug-in iron, also.

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  58. Thanks for sharing the wonderful memories - think I have an identical picture of my sister and me under the tree!

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  59. ohmigosh! I soooo remember the Cootie bug. I love it. I wish I could find one.

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  60. Cootie game, stretch pants and doll houses...been there!

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  61. I haven't seen that metal dollhouse in many years. I was always fascinated with the toilet, the lids moved and the playpen had little balls that moved. I couldn't believe that my Mom threw it away?! So many hours of fun. Thanks for your memories!!

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  62. I had stretch pants when I was about 10. And I wore them with a big oversize sweater. I was so cute! Haha!

    Cooties for all ages?! Boy things have changed! I guess somewhere along the lines they figured out that small pieces are a choking hazard. As the mother of a 9-month-old who thinks everything is food, the thought of cooties within her grasp terrifies me! But boy I loved those when I was a kid :)

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  63. Wow, I had forgot all about metal dollhouses. One day I will have to write my memories on that one. Thanks for the stories and everything. This has been quite fun. If only I could remeber to post a comment after reading the stories each day. But I get so caught up...........
    Happy Holidays to All!

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  64. I had a doll house just like that! I loved that thing and my sis and I would play with it all the time!

    Thanks for the memories!

    Hugs,
    Gina
    www.gigglekidsboutique.com

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  65. Looks just like my Christmas years ago. I remember that iron! and the doll house! Thanks for the memories.

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  66. I love blog, because any person can blog in their own feelings and to share things with. But i suppose the blog could only be improved if you posted more often.

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  67. The new line is absolutely stunning! I have been so entertained by your blog,keep smiling and take care!

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