HERE'S RUDOLPH (UPDATED)

Cater your decorations to the younger set because Christmas is really for children. . . . Christmas began with a family; that's why it has such a hold on the heart, why it's important to endow children with memories of family and home they will treasure. Better Homes and Garden Christmas Ideas, 1957

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows.

I thought that readers were imagining that they saw Rudolph in the picture of Mike and Nellie on the previous post. Turns out I'm the one with the fertile imagination. However, now that the correct photo has been pointed out, yes, that's Rudolph peeking over the counter at the Christmas cookies. And here I thought he was just placidly awaiting his bath and a press job on his red velvet ribbon. Instead he was participating. Here's that picture again in case you missed Rudolph, too. 

So, it's time to talk about Rudolph.

Mike and I attend several parties during the holiday season, mostly related to organizations and commercial interests. It seems like this is the way of Christmas parties these days – at least, it is for us.

A few years ago, we attended a party given by a member of the bicycle club. The house looked great. The tree cast subdued lighting in the living room, and the whole effect with other decorations was one of a Christmas fairyland. I remarked to the host that his wife had done an excellent job with the decorating. “It must have taken a lot of time,” I observed.

“What! This?” he replied. “It doesn’t take time. Everything comes out of storage bins from the garage. And when it’s over, it all goes back in the storage bins.”

Instant decorating! I had never thought of it that way. While I was laboring long with ‘50s ceramics, others were tossing stuffed animals and bigger, non-breakable items around the room to make it merry in a hurry.

Yes, and I can hear you saying, “But that’s just not your style,” and you’re right. Nevertheless, when I see a stuffed animal / character that strikes my fancy, I buy it. And I have a storage bin for them, and maybe I should think about getting another. And they do make a room look festive in a hurry.

Another thing – it awakened me to what holiday stuffed animals I (and Hallie) already had. Hallie had one of those dogs that barks Christmas songs. She also had a holiday “Puff-a-Lump.” Remember “Puff-a-Lumps”?

And I – well, I had Rudolph. He’s old and tired – and I remember him as always old and tired. When I was growing up, many of my toys actually belonged to my older sisters, so one day (when I was an adult) I asked Mother where Rudolph had come from. “Rudolph is yours,” she said in some surprise, as if I should have known. He had been given to me, she said. She didn’t remember the details.

A couple of years ago, the Lewiston Tribune published this old picture of a shelf-ful of “Rudolphs” at Montgomery Ward in Lewiston, 1949. Of course, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was a Montgomery Ward promotion. Well, the timing was right for that Rudolph to be mine. KW

[The postcard is from Vance's postcard album and was his gift from his grandmother, Lucy Dickson, Christmas 1910. He was five years old.]

FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES

Glistening sugar and colored icing, red and green sprinkles and silver dragees, cutters in the shape of bells, bows, reindeer, and toys – by the middle of the 20^th century, the decorated cut-out cookie had become the holiday pastry . . . The cookie cutter was born in America, the invention of Pennsylvania Dutch tinsmiths who devised them as an affordable alternative to expensive, hand-carved cookie molds. With the first crude star or Santa, the American style Christmas cookie was born. It’s a Wonderful Christmas, Susan Waggoner, 2004

On a previous post, Leah reminisced about her mother baking rolled sugar cookies for Christmas. She said the cookie cutters her mother used were handmade by her father out of tin cans. How special!

Back in the day, one of our December Saturdays was devoted to baking cookies.  My mother and sister joined forces to make traditional Christmas cookies – spritz, shortbread, and rolled cookies. Mother mixed and baked while Nina decorated and frosted. The cookies were beautifully done. Red candied cherries made holly berries while green candied pineapple was sliced for leaves. I always loved the rolled cookies best, though Mother’s recipe was rather delicate for my taste. “Couldn’t we try a different recipe,” I remember asking her, and I don’t think she appreciated it. However, in reviewing her recipe box, I notice a lot of recipes for rolled sugar cookies and wonder if she was entirely satisfied.

When my children were young, I rolled and frosted both sugar and gingerbread cookies and they were allowed to frost them. No piping at our house! Slap that frosting on the cookie, decorate with red hots or squashed mini marshmallows, and there you have it! Delicate is just not my style! I never found my ideal sugar cookie recipe, and this year I tried yet another -- “McCormick's Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies,” which was featured in an advertisement. The spice is cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter.

We had a skiff of snow last night which made our world almost white. And it's cold -- I don’t think it warmed much above 25 today. After lunch, Nellie invited Mike to take her hunting, so out they went for a couple of hours. The time seemed right for baking the cookie dough I had mixed. I don’t know what Hallie will think, but Mike likes them and I’m pretty sure Nick will, too.

Ms. Waggoner, quoted above, states that “throughout the 1950s and 1960s, new varieties [of Christmas cookies] were added at a staggering clip, and the annual holiday cookie section became a major feature in magazines . . .” Yes, I have certainly noticed the plethora of holiday cookie recipes and yet, just what is it that makes a cookie a holiday cookie if it isn't traditional? One magazine feature this year suggested no-bake cookies to be made Christmas Eve. That just didn't appeal to me. I know how to make Rice Krispie treats if I need them.

Look what I found today – just after I said I didn’t think I would find more treasures. It’s my dad’s childhood postcard album. Talk about a much-loved book! Much loved and much worn. It holds many postcards commemorating many special occasions. KW

A DECEMBER HIKE

So may I suggest the secret of Christmas

Is not the things you do at Christmas time

But the Christmas things you do all year through.

John McDermott

My nostalgic advent celebration keeps being interrupted by real life. I keep telling myself that it's good to have a real life.

Perhaps you know that Mike has trouble sitting still, so he thinks of together activities for us. But when December comes, I just think it all ought to be about the coming holiday – the music, the television programs, the reading material, the activity of preparation, etc. I know – that just isn’t realistic.

When Mike said he wanted to geocache on a hiking trail at Dworkshak Dam today, I admit I didn’t want to go. But I need to push myself to get out of the house and out of my very comfortable rut. You know what they say: standing is better than sitting and walking is best of all. So, I reluctantly agreed to go.

 

We set off from the head of the West Ridge Hiking Trail at 10:00 a.m. I was freezing and suggested this wasn’t the right day for such a hike, but Mike wanted to give it a try. That was the last time I thought about being cold. It was a good trail but rather steep – not dangerously so, just continually bearing upward, and I came to bless the fact that it wasn’t summer. I was indeed warm enough. And slow -- oh so slow. I vowed to myself that I would never burden my family by backpacking with them. I managed to sort of keep up by moving on up the trail while Mike recorded the caches. [Through the trees in the picture above you can see Orofino, the Riverside area.]

The geogaches along this trail, 18 in all from one end to the other, had been hidden by a cacher out of Orofino. Most of the caches were straightforward and easy to find. A couple were more challenging. We found them all. Only one other party had found them before us, but Mike was the first to find an off-trail cache. 

I had never hiked in this area before, but of course I know about the Dworkshak Construction Quarry. A perfectly good mountain was sacrificed in order to provide material for the earth-filled dam, and now this monument [left and above right] stands to tell the story. Back in the day, when work began on the dam in the mid ‘60s, locals were provided with small granite drill cores from this quarry (at least, I think they were from this quarry) made into paperweights. I still have one someplace.

 

We were warned of the dangers of not staying on the trail and told not to climb over the fence. We weren’t tempted.

And as we came over the mountain and down to the reservoir, we could see houseboats on the lake.

 

Neither one of us were interested in returning to the pick-up the way we came. We walked back on the roadway – downhill all the way – arriving back at the trail head at 1:30. Mike said round trip it was 3 ¼ miles. It was every bit of that.

Then – because I was so good as to do all that hiking, I insisted Mike take me shopping. That’s a joke. There is no shopping in Orofino, especially if you can shop someplace else. But we visited the King’s discount store, where we didn’t buy anything, and Harvest Foods, where we picked up some staples.

It was good to be home, to take care of our chores and sit by the fire. KW

FRUITCAKE AND PHOTOS

We came to the farm Thursday. It was cold – probably about freezing – and cold in the house. I brought with me another fruitcake trial – this time a recipe from Mother’s box in her handwriting. I had mixed the fruit and dry ingredients in town. I mixed in the eggs, packed the fruit-rich mix into bread pans lined with greased brown paper, and set them to baking in the oven at 275.

Mother baked fruitcake while I was at school, so I never saw the process from beginning to end. I don’t even know for sure that this recipe is the one she preferred. And anyway, I used my own mix of fruits, substituting golden raisins and fruitcake mix for much of the candied fruit.

I wasn’t sure when the cake was done. With so little batter it was hard to test. I baked it 75 minutes and then removed it from the oven.

But – in two days Mike and I managed to eat one of the loaves by ourselves. Note to self: get more fruitcake supplies and start earlier next year.

Mike got up about 5:45 this morning to let Nellie in. The wind blew the woodshed door open and that was too weird for her. He checked out the lunar eclipse and took this picture of the Christmas tree. 

 

When I got up, I noticed a deer at the far side of the “north forty.” And then there were five in the middle of the field. I think they know the season closed. KW

TRIMMING THE TREE

Decorating the Christmas tree is a family affair, whether you choose a majestic tree that reaches to the ceiling, or make your own miniature model to place atop a table or buffet.

Set aside one evening just for this project. Maybe in your home it’s traditional to reserve this fun for Christmas Eve. Or, perhaps you put up your tree on a much earlier date, and invite friends to help string popcorn and cranberries, wire balls, or cut stars of paper. But whether you include friends or just your own family, make this occasion a real party, climaxed with carol singing and festive refreshments.

If you like, make your tree the old-fashioned kind – loaded with ornaments saved through the years. Or, perhaps you prefer the modern, themed tree – one with a definite color scheme, or one which holds just one or two kinds of ornaments.

You’ll find all kinds of exciting decorations in the stores, but don’t overlook the many pretty ones you can make from yarn, string, paper, and paint. Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas, 1954

Don’t you love the way the editors of BHG state that decorating the Christmas tree is a family affair? Have you looked through BHG Christmas issues in recent years? Looks like the “just so” Christmas to me.

When I was working, I overheard a December conversation between two other employees in the break room. “How much longer do I have to put up with this?” said the first, a tone of frustration in her voice. “All the ornaments are on one branch. I don’t know what to do about it. Can I move them when the kids aren’t looking? It’s so frustrating. I want a nice Christmas tree.”

Today as I decorated our Christmas tree, I couldn’t help but think of the days when the youngsters helped. And yes, one little guy decorated just one branch. And when I began to insist on more balanced decorating, he quit helping. Maybe he would have lost interest anyway, but I wished for the old days today.

At the old family home, my dad put the lights on the tree and also climbed the ladder to hang certain special ornaments up high. Then he was through. Mother and I decorated the tree, but I remember one year when I noticed that she was mostly busy in the kitchen while I decorated the tree. When I mentioned that she had missed out, she said, “It’s all right. During the week I will re-arrange it.” I honestly never noticed.

When I was growing up, we made quite a few ornaments. I remember making them of Styrofoam balls and old Christmas cards. In the ‘70s, Mother began making boutique ornaments from kits, which she gave to her children and grandchildren at Thanksgiving. She also made felt ornaments and crocheted snowflakes. We each have many ornaments that Mother made.

 

I have enough ornaments to make an old-fashioned Christmas tree, but these days I keep it simple – Hallmark houses and a few other favorites. After Christmas, when Hallie and Nick leave, Mike and I will winterize the house and close it until spring. The tree I decorated today will come down quickly. 

Look at this beautiful December moon glowing in the sky as daylight wanes. KW

"Only 15 shopping days till Christmas"

It was December 2 and I was feeling the holiday crunch, realizing I could never accomplish all I want to do before Christmas. Seeing I was at the point of hyperventilating, Mike's response was a reassuring "there's plenty of time." 

While I appreciated his calming words, within myself I was saying, "That just isn't so." And I know what's going to happen. On the morning of the 15th, Mike will lay aside the newspaper and say, "What do we have for . . .? What do we have for . . . ? Have you done anything about . . .? What about our cards?" 

And that very night I listened to this song performed by The King's Men on the old-time radio show, Fibber McGee and Molly. I loved the words and with just one time through the catchy tune was in my head. I searched the internet in vain to find the song. I finally wrote out the words as best I could by listening and typing. I suspect this novelty song was written by the group's talented leader, Ken Darby, who also set "The Night Before Christmas" to music -- and did a lot of other wonderful things in the music world, too.

Only 15 shopping days till Christmas,

Still have lots of time.

I’ve decided to skip this year,

I won’t spend a dime.

Only 14 shopping days till Christmas,

Gee! That’s not so long.

I’m just sending out cards this year,

Then I can’t go wrong

I’ll have to buy one little present for Aunt Sarah,

That can wait awhile,

Lots of time to choose . . .

Still got 12 more shopping days till Christmas,

Gee, but it’s a bore!

Let’s see -- 12 days that’s not bad!

Still got plenty more.

Take your time, take your time,

What’s the rush about?

Stop that hurryin’, stop that worryin’;

Hurry and worry is out.

All you’ve gotta do is make out a list

And decide upon the price to pay.

All the dither and the bother and the lather and the pother

Will be done before Christmas Day

Trust me I’ll be ready then

(jingle – jingle – jingle - jingle)

Don’t tell me that’s ol’ Santa Claus comin’ again.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – yipe!

Only five more days till Chistmas --

Better go buy a tree.

Must get Mama that new fur coat

Or she’ll be mad at me.

Only three more shopping days till Christmas,

Lots of things to buy.

Should have started it weeks ago,

How the time does fly.

Almost forgot to get that streamline train for junior

Where’s my shopping list?

Molly and Tony and Michael and Fred --

A dolly, a pony, a cycle, a sled.

Hear me callin’ Santa Claus?

I need your help because there’s only

One little shopping day till Christmas;

Now it’s almost here.

That ol’ feeling gets in your hide,

Comes a stealing up here inside.

I’m not sorry that Christmas time

Comes but once a year.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[Forgive the old and broken illustration. I'm here at the farm with a slow connection and no applicable art work.] KW

DOROTHY AND VANCE DOBSON (1947-1987)

“Share your Christmas with your neighbors. Give the outside of your home a glorious setting with lights of many colors, and yuletide symbols as lively and cheerful as old St. Nick himself.” Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas, 1954

My parents’ wedding anniversary is always part of my advent celebration. They married December 7, 1947. Daddy passed on just ten days short of their 40^th wedding anniversary.

The front porch of our family home in Orofino was my dad’s inspiration for holiday decorating. With few exceptions he made all the decorations himself. He had sturdy wreath forms, plenty of lights, and skill with boughs. When mini lights (initially called “Italian lights”) came on the retail scene in the late ‘50s, he was only too willing to make the switch from the big colored lights, which drew a lot of electricity and became hot. For several years before mini lights became generally available, we would travel to Spokane (4 hours one way) early in the holiday season so that he could buy these new lights at the Crescent (department store).

Daddy did study catalogs and holiday magazines for ideas. The photo above, taken about 1972, shows a Santa he purchased, but he made the harp. He asked me to pose with Santa but I didn't bring much life to the concept.

Daddy’s passing on November 27, 1987, was just prior to the holiday decorating season. Grandson Shann (Nina’s son) continued the holiday decorating tradition for Mother until 1990, our last Christmas at the house. KW