Good morning, ah winter is so hard—had to have the A/C on last night—in 80’s yesterday….and how are you people in the cold north handling it?

 check out my store just click above

Back to JAMIE FRASER today:

Check me out on https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

Comments on Society:  This week I picked up some tooth paste….After sorting through stacks and stack of ones to make my teeth whiter which cost totally inflated prices I finally found one (Aim) which actually claimed—who would have thought?–that it helped prevent cavities.  What is wrong with this world?  We have to have white teeth but we don’t mind if they have hidden cavities.  It’s all about looks and not substance.   A sad way to enter another year.

and at https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/why-i-love-outlander/

TODAY instead of a town we’re going to the Florida Keys and look at Torches….Big Torch, Middle Torch and Little Torch Keys that is.  These Keys were named after the torchwood tree which is a small tropical tree native to the area that burns slowly and so—you got it can be used for torches.

The Keys lie like a loosely strung necklace from the tip of Florida connected by the Overseas Highway, at places nothing but a small causeway with the Gulf on one side and the Atlantic at the other.  The highway ends at Key West, though there are more Keys beyond they can only be reached by boat or sea planes. The word Key comes from the Spanish “cay”. 

LITTLE TORCH:  Is the only one of the 2 Torch Keys connected to the Highway.  It is about 120  miles (or so) south of  Miami and 28 miles north east of Key West.

Little Torch is known more for a departure site than a destination.  It is here that you find Little Torch Key Shore Station to catch a ferry to Little Palm Island.  http://www.littlepalmisland.com/luxury-florida-resort-deals.aspx?/_vsrefdom=littlepalmisland-ppc&gclid=CjwKEAiAt4mlBRDXwt_m9ICU4DcSJAAS_X0WusrcUFo83nsX06RsqUOL4KPIYxBIIId2N9uMYlVSVxoCxfbw_wcB  Little Palm is about a 15 min (or more) boat ride from the small site where you check in, park your car, shop at the gift shop and catch the ferry.  Little Palm is not for everyone.  It is the playground of the rich and famous.  A beautiful resort with an award winning pool, exclusive individual tropical cottages, and a price that keeps the common people at bay.  The food is fantastic (there use to be a Sunday Brunch for those of us who couldn’t afford the overnight and it was a beautiful place to behold–and we were only allowed in a limited area).

Kiki’s Sandbar (formerly Little Torch Sandbar)        http://www.kikissandbar.com/    
183 Barry Avenue
Little Torch Key, Florida 33042

It’s also listed at MM 28.5  In the Keys there are two addresses and the most common to the local are Mile Markers.  This starts at the beginning of the Keys and ends at Key West.  “The business center of unincorporated Key Largo is at about MM 100; therefore, about 100 miles northeast of Key West. The Florida DOT tries to maintain small rectangular green with white number mile marker signs every mile on both sides of the highway. ”   http://www.keyshistory.org/MileMarkerChart.html

Built on stilts above a Mangrove-fringed shore the restaurant has a great view of the Pine Channel.

The island is also close to  the Looe Key National Marine  with its incredible coral.     http://www.floridakeys.com/lowerkeys/looekey.htm

There was a settlement in the 1930′s at the north end of the island, but this was basically deserted when the highway came through on the former railroad right away after the Labor Day Hurricane (1935) which destroyed the railroad.  One of its few claims to fame is that it was a favorite site for fishing for Harry Truman, the present spent considerable time in Key West in what became known as The Little White House.  http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/Today the island is a quiet place where locals live and some tourists visit.   It’s shops and businesses limited.

Middle Torch Key lies between Ramrod and Little Torch and is connected to the rest of the keys at MM 28 on US 1 (Overseas Highway).  It is mostly residential with homes occupied by long term locals and short term tourist rentals

Big Torch Key is north of Middle Torch Key and is connected to Middle Torch (and eventually the Overseas Hwy) by a causeway, however this biggest of the three keys has no direct contact with HWY 1.   It was once the site of an early Keys settlement, but now is basically residential.

Finally check out:  https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/run-away-you-deserve-a-change/

– Vikrant Parsai

OK it’s that week between Christmas and New Years where we all sit in limbo doing as little as possible and trying to think how we an improve our lives for the next year while we waste away a week in idle ramblings…humans are nothing if not aimless.

and check out my great items offered on line:   https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

Went to #MT. DORA this weekend and visited one of my favorite stores  #JULIANNE’S COASTAL COTTAGE (http://www.juliannescoastal.com/) and got my 2015 SUZY TORONTO’S calendar.  I love this shop, but a Key West addict like me would.  In addition to all things Suzy (who lives nearby)  They have Kermit Key West & Key West Lime Products.   There’s also work of many other Florida artisans, Florida Gourmet Food, Regional Florida Wines (of which there are usually sampling available) and Florida and Caribbean gifts and Décor.  It’s at 135 E. 4th Ave in Mt. Dora—and if you haven’ been to Mt. Dora check it out soon (http://www.whattodoinmtdora.com/)

and of course I wouldn’t forget Outlander--today I thought I’d look at an older hunk on the series:

DOUGAL MCKENZIE  

Today I thought we’d look at some more collectibles.  This time Children’s Books:

Fairy Tales that Never Grow Old (1923/127) hardcover  $50

Since 2001 Random House has published the Little Golden Books.

Bobbsey Twins Novel (1913 & 1924)   $73.20

Very early editions of Little Golden Books can sell for high prices.  Higher priced books are usually for first or early editions.  If you are a collector you probably can find some on line for a lot less.

Little Black Sambo 1978 Golden Press  $85.69

Many of the authors and illustrators of Little Golden Books are well known.  Margaret Wise Brown (The Wonderful House) wrote the classic Goodnight Moon.

Nurse Nancy with Johnson and Johnson Bandaides 1952 has sold for as high as $400 (AlephBet.com)

Richard Scarry (illustrated Duck and His Friends) became famous for his large-size picture books.

The Pokey Little Puppy 1942  selling as high as  $850 (AlephBet.com)

“Golden Legacy:  65 Years of Little Golden Books”   (http://nccil.org/experience/artists/goldenbooks/index.htm)   Organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature  (http://nccil.org/)   Has been traveling around the US for 5 years.  Future dates:

 

Until Jan. 4 at Memorial Art Museum (Univ of Rochester, NY)  http://mag.rochester.edu/

 

 

June 2015 at Provo (Utah) Public Library    http://www.provolibrary.com/

 

 

June 2016 at Tampa (Florida) History Museum        http://tampabayhistorycenter.org/

 

 

 

get a preview of  my Novels at:     https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/

 

 

 

 

Another Great Shop in Mt. Dora: 

 

THE GATEHOUSE   (http://www.lakeside-inn.com/the-gatehouse)  at the lovely Lake Side Inn  (http://www.lakeside-inn.com/)     Located on the first floor of the 1906 Gatehouse Building, The Gatehouse Gift Gallery is a delightfully warm and inviting shop, featuring the works of artisans and craftspeople from the Central Florida Region.  

 

 

 

Don’t forget to check out my listings like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLF-THEMED-PAPER-WEIGHT-MADE-IN-ENGLAND-/261710895553?ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

 

 

~Friends to the end, friends from the start. Friends forever, friends in our heart!~
-Pokey Little Puppy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My roomie informed me, not too happily, last night that I was the only person he ever saw that decorated my utility room.  Technically it’s a laundry room (see washer above)and I am notorious for decorating everything—not the garage for Christmas…though I do for Halloween.

NOW THAT’S ONE DECORATION I DON’T HAVE….love the Scots

So do you do the décor for the holiday?

In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ. They are also used in ceremonial events in many cultures around the globe. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them.    Protestant reformers such as the Puritans saw wreaths and the holidays they were associated with, such as May Day, as being pagan corrupting influences that destroyed healthy Christians. morality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreath

So just one shelf of my laundry room has a former pagan symbol that has become a celebration for Christ’s birth and bringing loss sheep into the fold. (wreath made of bells)  I have no idea what the fuzzy blob with the top hat on the next shelf signifies other than weird choice of ornaments for the holidays.

Another pesky bell and an angel dressed in red.

She’s dressed in red with some green trims:  According to a British researcher:  “For red and green, our comparatively recent obsession with associating these colours with Christmas masks a profound and long-forgotten other history.” -His research has focused on the art history of medieval rood screens, (14th to the 16th c) and were used to separate the nave from the chancel of churches. – Strikingly, the vast majority are painted in red and green. “The panels were painted by newly settled members of the Flemish immigrant population or by itinerant English and continental European artists who worked together, -, the use of red and green as symbolic colours goes back even further. “As one example, the red–green colour coding appears in the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh stories from the 13th century, but almost certainly based on an oral tradition that dates back to the pre-Christian Celts many centuries before. Here, the hero comes to a half-red, half-green tree that marks a boundary.”  http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/who-colour-coded-christmas#sthash.zK8HjoSV.dpuf

So my angel is marking boundaries—no there is no liquor in the cabinet, maybe just reminding me to stay away from the chip and dip plates.

and then there’s Santa:  Since the 20th century, in an idea popularized by the 1934 song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town“, Santa Claus has been believed to make a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior (“naughty” or “nice”) and to deliver presents, including toys, and candy to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the flying reindeer who pull his sleigh.  He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole and saying “ho ho ho” often.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

Need I say any more?

OK the last Hard to Find Gifts from a Catalog I’ve used before:

Solutions:  www.soluntions.com

He can dance roam, balance, play games even bring you your favorite beverage.

READY GRILL for indoor grilling heat food evenly, cooks meat, potatoes and vegetables all at the same time  Easy to clean.

HERBAL FOOT WARMERS:  With a soothing fragrances.

ZIPPER PULL:  With a built-in light and clock

BISON AIRLIGHTER:  Fast and clean way to start a fire.

OK I will be back on Monday…you’re on your own till then.

PS that’s my bathroom.

 PJ O’Rourke

MAY YOUR DAY BE MERRY AND FULL OF FUN AND FRIENDS AND MAY YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU FROM NOW AND INTO THE NEW YEAR.

MERRY KRINGLE =—John Lennon

HOUSE IS ALL DECORATED, CARDS SENT THE MONDAY AFTER THANKS GIVING.  TREE UP, DECORATIONS ON PRESENTS ALL BOUGHT AND WRAPPED AND SO ON….EVEN GROCERIES ARE SECURED AND THE FRDGE IS SO FULL NOT EVEN ROOM FOR ANOTHER ROLL….I HAVE SOME WHERE TO GO FOR CHRISTMAS EVE WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS AND MORE FRIENDS JOINING ME HERE ON THE BIG DAY…SO HEY WHAT MORE CAN I SAY????  and all day yesterday will be spent on a bit of sprucing up  before the friends drop by.

check out the novels I’m working on  at https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/

My fall back since romance has been acknowledged as dead in my universe:

BESIDES:  Where would I find something like this in present day Florida:  Jamie Fraser forever

And you might enjoy my twisted look at life https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-world/

I lost my mom last week.  Not the way you want to remember he holiday season (added to the fact that it was seven years and 3 days from when my father passed).  So I thought I’d celebrate family today.

I grew up in West Virginia—I’m proud of that fact—I always had family there when I needed them.  I always felt like I belonged.  It was a wonderful childhood until I turned 8 and moved to Michigan.  I lost all those cousins and uncles and aunts and all the neighbors who acted like relatives too.   But we returned for Christmas when possible and it made the big city easier to bare.

When I was in my early 20’s I got married and made another move–this one to Florida and left the last of my family far behind.  I was in a land where there was no snow (well I think it did snow once in the mid 90’s but it did not stick except to my car so I didn’t think that counted) and no relatives.  I got by with a little help from new friends some of who became as close as family and for several years my sister lived in St. Augustine and we took turns at having Christmas at the others house.

Now I’m growing older, my siblings and other family members are scattered about the country, both dad and mom have passed on to bigger and better celebrations. I divorced the first husband and the 2nd has also gone beyond the vale.   I still have my close friends here to celebrate with–thank goodness for them.

What I am trying to say is that with or without snow or even all those fun decorations and presents I have been able to get by with a lot of help from my family (both blood and love relatives).  I think that too often we take this so for granted.  That we become isolated in the crowd–then you loose someone and it hits you right in the heart how different the world is without them, and that you aren’t made of stone.   So show a little more love and appreciation this year please–no you don’t have to give bigger presents–love isn’t about money—family isn’t bought or sold—but those extra hugs–if you’re not able to get together then call them…not texting or email—(a real call–or the computer equivalent) a real call with real voices.  Love is better given in person…honest.  If they’re near by, you might want to drop by to say hi…take them some cookies and spend a few minutes with them.  Or meet up with some of those you don’t get to see a lot for a drink or dinner or even going to a movie together.  IN OTHER WORDS TAKE SOME TIME FOR WHAT REALLY IS IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE—AND I DON’T MEAN YOUR FACEBOOK.

AND A QUICKIE WAY TO MY ITEMS  (YOU CAN CHECK THE STORE ABOVE TOO):  https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

Even though it’s too late to send presents I still have a couple of catalogs with items in it that you could pick up for that birthday present or a new year present for the person who has everything.

BAS BLEU www.basbleu.com

 

that Organizer can PLAN THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE

FOR THAT PERSON WHO LIVES IN A NO PET APARTMENT:

knit your own dogs

For that person whose parties are always a yawn:

Chat Packs – Extremes

UG4302

$12.95

Chat Packs – Christmas

Chat Packs – For Kids

Chat Packs – Original

Each have 156 cards featuring clever conversation starters. 

Here’s an item that well just boggles the mind

Puzzle of 1941 White House Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

FOR THE MECHANIC

 WRITING TOOLS PEN SET

 

I’ll be back tomorrow and then next week.

REMEMBER TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR BETTER AND HEALTHIER TOMORROW.  Anurag Prakash Ray

 

 

COLD for me….how about you?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/chas1849_ekbyo8/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=   Check this out for my sales on Ebay.

 

MY DESK NEVER NEAT BUT ALWAYS FESTIVE.

Jamie, really again–yes again….

or rather Sam in a before Jamie commercial.

Today I’ve decided to rant:  On  A POLITICALLY CORRECT CHRISTMAS…..

First of all let me advise you that I hate, detest and abhor politically correctness.  I am a full believer in living life to the fullest and that in my book is totally impossible if you’re constantly trying to live that life with out offending anybody including the most bias and unhappy beings on earth.

Now don’t get me wrong I have never been a rude or insensitive (or at least I’ve tried) person.  I don’t push my beliefs (or lack there-of)  in the face of others nor do I push persons that I know may be over-sensitive  But saying that I refuse to let a crazy world,  that is constantly insensitive unless they are censoring someone else,  dictate what I say and do.

First of all a season that is based on Peace on Earth and Goodwill to man (and hopefully women) can’t be all bad.  If you’re a Christian you must remember that you’re leader was a poster child for bad behavior per the Jewish society he grew up with–somehow cleansing the temple to me surely wasn’t a great idea from the establishment point of view.  And while I don’t think that having manger scenes at big municipal buildings is a great idea as they don’t represent all the people who the government represents, I do not think that they should be banned  in smaller towns about the country there they do  represent the entire town.

Another thing that bothers me is when an office or business only allows vague Christmas décor but allows other (non-majority) religions to have full freedom to decorate and spot light their beliefs and traditions.  It should be equal for all.  Just because Christianity is in the mainstream in the US doesn’t mean that they should be restricted.  Equal opportunity for all, or everybody keep it vague.

AND then there’s the atheists.  I am not a religious person, most organizations are far too self-centered and too do what I say, not that I do to impress me.   Again I do not feel that the government should push the practice of religious décor but other than that I again see nothing wrong with peace, love and getting really nice presents.

Some Christian religions don’t celebrate the holiday as it is based on pagan origins (25th is the birthdate of a Roman god; Holly dates back to ancient Druid festivals and so on–if you read my Blog regularly you’ll have noted a lot of those references.) .   That is of course their right and hopefully they are not offended when others do believe or choose not to dig to deep into the origins of those practices.

So basically what I am trying to say is that I mean no disrespect if I say Merry Christmas cause to me its a wonderful reason to embrace my friends and family….give presents to people that have made me happy and those that I wish to apologize for not spending enough time with.  It is not pushing religious beliefs, I know that the origins are misted like most of ancient history in the fables and people long past—I am a white, woman of Celtic (mostly Scot), heritage who was raised in a Christian home and though my beliefs and thoughts on most of this has been altered I have found and kept Christmas in my heart and there it shall stay and I do not apologize or wish to offend, it is a much a part of me now as my green eyes and crooked smile.  And if I wish you a Merry Christmas I am wishing you all the happiness and warmth that I think of when I think of the day.

https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/     check out my pins with quotes and ideas from my King Arthur trilogy that I’m working on writing….I think you may well like this one.

YOUR CATALOG FOR HARD TO FIND ITEMS TODAY:

SIGNALS

www.signals.com

View large image

Himalayan Salt Crystal Foot Detox Blocks

MATCHBOX MICE

CAMERA PENCIL SHARPENER

ALUMINUM MAN DESK LAMP

YOUR STATE (49 AVAILABLE) CUTTING BOARD

PERSONALIZED HOMETOWN JIGSAW PUZZLES

Some religions

SETTING RIGHT THERE IN THAT BIG CHAIR WRITING THIS.

https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/floridays/   CHECK OUT MY PICTURES AND COMMENTS ON FLORIDA IN PARTICULAR AND GENERALL ON THIS LINK

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonLaire?ref=hdr_shop_menu   AND I ADD DAILY TO MY STORE ON ETSY–CHECK IT OUT   PLEASE

And Sam/Jamie

I thought I’d do some more  Christmas Trivia :

In Finland Christmas Eve usually involves a trip to he sauna and family listen to the Peace of Christmas radio broadcasts.  It’s also a time to visit family grave sites.

Did you know that Elves are a new thing for the Christmas season becoming popular in the late 19th century (from such sources as Tolkien)

The manger crib of the babe Jesus filled with straw originated in Italy and though Father Christmas passes out presents for some on the 25, many families only exchange gifts on Jan 6–Epiphany.

Santa’s reindeer got their names (Dasher, Dancer, etc) from the poem T’was The Night Before Christmas

India:  While only 2.3% of the population is Christian, the British influence (India was a colony till 1946) is still evident in the fact that Christmas is still a state holiday and it is a fact that many non-Christian, as well as Christian groups celebrate the holiday.

Poinsettias as the Christmas flower is said to date from 16th century Mexico were legend has it that a poor girl wanting to provide something for the birth of Christ gathered weeds from the roadside.  When these were placed before the altar they burst into a red blossom.  By the 17th c they had become an intricate part of Mexican celebrations.

In Germany on the evening of December 5th children place cleaned boots along with a plate of bread for Santa’s horse in front of the house.  In the morning of the 6th if they’ve been good they get treats (nuts, oranges, chocolates) and small presents in their boots.  If they’ve been bad then it’s a switch so the parents can punish them.

Wreaths long a pagan symbol were first used by Christians in 16th c Germany to celebrate Advent.

In Puerto Rico on Jan. 5 before they go to sleep children traditionally leave a box of hay under their beds so the three kings will leave a good present for them on the 6th–Three Kings Day.

AND YOUR CATALOG WITH MUST HAVE FOR THE HAVE EVERYTHING ITEMS:    Is National Geographic   www.shopng.org

$49.95

Sol Outdoor Multitool

$40.00

National Geographic Who’s Who in the Bible

$39.95

Projection Clock with Temperature

$24.95

English Pub Cribbage Game

$99.00

Scottish Sgian Dubh

They gave Claire one in Outlander

$75.00

Programmable Robot Rover

$39.95

Laser Khet 2.0 Game

 Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer…. Who’d have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? ~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

COLDER–LIKE ONE DEGREE hey been in Florida too long when 50 is like freezing

Check out my items of note from my various stores and auction sites:    https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

Just Jamie Fraser

check out my outlander Pins:  https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/why-i-love-outlander/

AND SO WE MOVE ON TO THAT JOLLY MAN IN RED OR GREEN AS THE LEGEND MIGHT GO.

First there really was a Nicholas and of course he was a Saint.  Born near Myra in what is now Turkey, he from my limited reading appears to have been a wealthy man who gave away all and became a monk during the 3rd century.  He roamed the country helping the poor and eventually became a bishop (at which time I would assume he was no longer living in poverty).  He died on December 6 (his feast day) and eventually became the patron saint of children and, who knew, sailors.  Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishment was that his popularity survived the Renaissance and Reformation which many of his fellow saints failed to do—in fact in some European countries they still give gifts on his feast day rather than the later Dec. 25 date

The Dutch (who originally owned Manhattan if you remember that old story) seem to be the first group of settlers who celebrated Santa on his December 6 Feast Day in the 1770’s.   In fact the name Santa Claus came from the Dutch Sinter Klaas.

So we had the name and by the 1800’s the look.  Thomas Nast’s drawing (above) of St. Nick in 1881 cemented our concept of the fat jolly man in red.  His popularity was furthered by such writer’s as Washington Irving and an Episcopal Minister Clement Clark Moors who wrote a poem for his daughters which would become our Night Before Christmas.

By the 1890’s there were lots of commercially hired Santa Claus’ including those working for charities and those in commercial establishments catering to children and the parents who bought them gifts.

Of course there are claims of pagan origins such as the head of the Yule (occurred around Christmas time in pagan times) time Wild Hunt and the bearded leader of the hunt , but these seem a bit of a hard reach to me.

Some of our present ideas of Santa though are very probably from Father Christmas, who was a character which was born around the time and court of Henry VIII.  He was a large man (not to be confused with the king who while fat was far from what anyone would call cheerful)  who wore green or scarlet robes and the celebration was on the Dec 6 feast day.  He lived on in history and was revisited by the Victorians who took him as an emblem of “good cheer” and added him to the December 25th celebration date.

Today our Santas still stand on street corners for charity and in commercial places to sell toys to parents who bring their children to visit.  And of course there is print, TV and radio ads featuring the old man to sell everything from Coke (above) to (in the past –see below) Cigarettes.

AND I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN MY CATALOG FEATURE FOR THE DAY:

NORTHERN SUN www.northernsun.com

in quest for our quest for the gift for those who have everything:

Ladies Sewing Circle Mug
SKU 2601	$12.00

and terrorist society

there are also Poe mugs (complete with likeness, images and quotes) and a Brief History of Art mug to name just a few.

Tree Of Life Tapestry
SKU 6485	$25.00

as well as Dancing Bears, peace and love and Pink Floyd to name a few of them.

Periodic Table Of Condiments Poster
SKU 4298	$8.00

an bunches of great posters from Poe Boy to Woodstock.

Witches Datebook
SKU 2730	$11.00

calendars from Pink Floyd, Tree Huggers and even Outhouses.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT HELPED WITH YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS.

Beautiful but cold here only 50’s today—Burr…We’re looking at dolls with a pair that are long lived as our main focus in our collectible day today and we’re doing a catalog that might help you find something for that person on your list that’s hard to find for.

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves. ~Eric Sevareid

FINALLY got the star on the tree.  Tinsel on today and she’s all set for the holiday—thanks ROOMIE.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today were looking at Doll Collectible and specializing on Raggedy Ann & Andy:

Raggedy Ann will be 100 years old next year.  According to Kovels (Dec. 2014) Raggedy Ann is one of the few dolls that have been made continuously for so long.

Miss Ginny Bride Doll Vogue 15 inch all original

$39.99

The earliest Raggedy Ann dolls may have been made or  at least hand-finished in 1915 by illustrator and author Johnny Gruele (1880 – 1938), at least that’s when he received the design patent.  He wrote the first story book about the doll 3 years later (1918) and both book and toy were a hit.  Volland took over the production of the doll and over time used different companies to produce it, giving the dolls a variety of appearances including different facial features.

Barbie Collector Wizard of oz  Dorothy Doll

$79.99

Exposition Doll & Toy Co. made the dolls from 1935-36 and an unlicensed company Molly-‘Es Doll Outfitters started making the dolls as well but the halted in 1937 after a lawsuit.  They originated printing the dolls’ hearts instead of sewing cardboard hearts over the fabric.

Cabbage Patch Kids Limited Edition 30th Birthday

 $124.99

Beloved Belindy, The pairs nanny was introduced in a 1926 story and dolls based on the character son followed.

 

 Exposition Doll & Toy Co. made the doll from 34-36 while an unlicensed manufacturer, Molly-‘Es Dll Outfitters also started up but ceased after a lawsuit in 1937.  Molly-‘Es  started the practice of printing the dolls’ hearts under the fabric.

Antique French Boudoir Doll Pink

$245.00

Georgene Novelities made the doll from 1938 – early 60’s.

Antique Baby Dimples Composition / Cloth Doll Tin Eyes 21″

$499.99

Knickebocker Toy Co manufactured from 1962 -1983 and Applause Inc.  from 1981 – 2004

Mame Alexander 12″ Little Women Dolls: Beth, Jo, Meg,

$550.00

Hasbro currently had the license (in 2012 they licensed Aurora World) for the dolls.

SIS & BUDDY dolls by American Toy and Novelty (look-alikes) 1940s.  Sold at auction for $672

RAGGEDY ANN doll by Volland 1920   sold for $728

RAGGEDY ANN Doll by Volland 1930s sold for $784

RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY dolls by Georgene Novelities sold for $2,240

Auction info from Theriault’s for a Califorina auction in Oct. 5-6, 2014.

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

oh and no I didn’t forget

Sam Heughan  as a Prince for Christmas   before Outlander

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.  ~Washington Irving

CATOLOGE FOR THE DAY: www.signals.com

FOR THAT REALLY FREAKY FRIEND:

Winky Eye Crossbody Bag

FOR THE OUTDOORS PERSON

Tree Trunk Storage Stool

FOR THAT FRIEND WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT OR JUST KNOWS THEY’RE GREAT

Box Of Applause   (also a laughter one)

WHO COULDN’T USE THIS?

Pocket Monkey Wallet Utility Multi-Tool

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~Peg Bracken

BURRRRR it’s down to the 50’s and that’s chilly for here.

Have you done your shopping yet??  Well why not????

Don’t forget to check me out on Pinterest    https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS:

ALIAS JAMIE FRASER

also my store:  https://www.etsy.com/your/listings?ref=hdr_shop_menu

has many wonderful vintage items for the collector on your gift lists.

I thought I’d look at some of the little things that make Christmas:

Like HOLLY:

Originally worn in wreaths by Druids the European Holly plant has been included in Christmas wreaths since medieval times as a symbol of Christmas and more recently is find in other décor and cards.   In non-Christmas references it was a symbol of truth in heraldry and more recently as the wood in Harry Potter’s wand.

“Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, But which will bloom most constantly?”   Emily Bronte

The CHRISTMAS TREE

Many ancients revered the evergreen as a symbol of life because they did not “die” during the winter.  Druids decorated the live trees and it is believed that the trees were first brought inside by Scandinavian peoples with Germanic tribes believed to be the first to illuminate them.  They were also used to celebrate the Winter Solstice a festival that was given to reverse the shortening day light and the “life-lessness” of winter.

“The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There’s a kind of glory to them when they’re all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.”
― Andy Rooney, Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit

The TREE TOPPER

According to Wikipedia:  A tree-topper or treetopper is a decorative ornament placed on the top (or “crown”) of a Christmas tree. Tree-toppers can take any form, but the most common shape is that of an angel (a “Christmas angel“); tree-toppers shaped as stars (a “Christmas star“) or finials (a “Christmas finial“) are also very common. Other less common tree-toppers include paper rosettes, ribbon bows, Father Christmases or Santa Clauses, Christian crosses, Christmas owls, and sunbursts.

The angel represents Gabriel from the Nativity; the star the Star of  Bethlehem.

Jewish homes with a Hanukkah bush usually use the Star of David as a topper.

While Neo-pagans also decorate evergreens but with non Christian symbolism of renewed life and top with sun symbols.

“…freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin – inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night…”
― John Geddes, A Familiar Rain

FEATURED CATALOG FOR TODAY:   ww.thewirelesscatalog.com

and those gifts for someone who has everything:

MONTY PYTHON SILLY WALKS WATCH

BACON THROW

There’s also a matching pillow and a Bacon ornament for your tree (no idea of what that symbolizes but….) as well as a Tee that proclaims “either you like bacon or you’re wrong.”

FUN FOOD PILLOW – PIZZA

You can also get cup cakes, ice cream sandwich, sushi and a pickle.

BEER BOTTLE HOODED SWEATSHIRT

MUSTANG SHELF

MOUNTED SQUIRREL HEAD

There’s also a squirrel throw and pillow, a book THE SECRET LIFE OF SQUIRRELS, Bookends, an adult costume complete with two acorns, a tree climber in helmet and belts.  Also dress up Squirrel magnet, a big head squirrel bird feeder, a scarf and a tee that says “Excuse me. your birdfeeder is empty.”

STAR WARS SLIPPERS-CHEWBACCA

No Wookies were harmed in the making of these slippers.

OK another cold front and it’s dreary and rainy and 69 degree….BURRRRRR

MY CUTIE FOR THE DAY…From the Ft. Christmas Cracker Christmas I attended this weekend….great and a really, really good turn out on Sat.  when I was there.

and way beyond cute:

OUTLANDER’S JAMIE FRASER

LET’S LOOK AT SOME WEIRD HOLIDAY TRADITIONS:

The Japanese traditionally eat KFC for Christmas:  No lie according to  ABC News (KFC’s Colonel Sanders Signals Christmas in Japan  TOKYO, Dec. 20, 2010).  Infact sales at KFC are 5-10 times higher in December and if you want a Christmas feast it’s recommended that you get your orders in at least two months in advance for the traditional Christmas party barrels which sell for about $40 these days – a family pack that includes fried chicken, a salad, and chocolate cake. But the holiday menu isn’t limited to fried chicken.  KFC offers roast chicken, smoked chicken, even barbecue chicken for a limited time.).  It all dates back to about 40 years ago when visitors who couldn’t get the usual Christmas feasts went to the colonel to get a familiar meal for the holidays back when the holiday wasn’t widely celebrated in the area.   In 1974 they offered the first Christmas meal and have been doing so ever since.  Since then the Japanese have taken up Christmas in a non-religious way and they settled on the KFC with its certain amount of nostalgia attached to the KFC Christmas meal. People try to pass the tradition onto their children.

The first artificial Christmas trees In the US:  While the first artificial trees  were developed in Germany during in the 1880s  and were made of goose feathers that were dyed green  (they were one response to continued deforestation in Germany.)became increasingly popular during the early part of the 20th century   But it is a fact that the first American artificial trees were wooden, tree-shaped pyramids lit by candles, they were developed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by the German Moravian Church in 1747.

Ukranians Decorate their trees with artificial Spider Webs.  The tradition is based upon the following legend:
There once was a widow, who lived in a small hut. One day a pinecone dropped on the floor and it took root. Her children were excited that they would have a tree for Christmas. All summer long they made plans on how they would decorate the tree. They were very poor, so poor that they did not have anything to decorate the tree with. The widow went to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the tree would not be decorated. Early on Christmas morning, the woman was awakened by her children. “Mother, mother wake up and see the tree it is beautiful!” The mother arose and saw that during the night a spider had spun a web around the tree. The youngest child opened the window to the first light of Christmas Day. As the shafts of the sun crept along the floor, it touched one of the threads of the spider web and instantly the web was changed into gold and silver. And from that day forward the widow never wanted for anything.  https://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/ukraine.html

Greenland delicacy includes decomposed birds.  This Christmas food is ‘kiviak’. This is the raw flesh of little auks (a type of arctic bird) which have been buried whole in sealskin for several months until they have reached an advanced stage of decomposition!   OK I’m going to Japan for Christmas dinner.  http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/12/24/35-weirdest-christmas-traditions-around-world/

Belgium has a Covert Santa.  While Pere Noel does the present part there is a second Santa:  St. Nicholas who is the spy of the duo and about  Dec 4 he starts his spy misssion to investigate the backgrounds of unsuspecting children. This Santa who is more of a creepy stalker with late-night stakeouts and the like;  is quick though and has everything to Pere Noel in time for Christmas.  After that it’s close to our traditions with presents for the good and twigs (instead of coal) for the bad.   http://www.cracked.com/article_14991_6-insane-christmas-traditions-from-around-world.html#ixzz3LKTfsFWe

In Austria Christmas is more like Halloween.  With a  wolf-like creature, Krampus  (he works for Saint Nicholas—that guy has issues)  only it scares children into being well behaved  with fear, not presents motivating the change.   In December folks like to run around in the scary costumes….and I thought the stalker was bad.  http://www.flightcentre.co.uk/uk-travel-blog/weird-christmas-traditions-around-world/

and the Christms catalog is www.vermontcountrystore.com

for the woman who has given up on men forever

Women’s Lanz Cranberry Tyrolean Flannel Nightgown

For the Nostalgia buff:

 

Red

Black

Wall Phone

 

 

The one thing women don’t want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband. – Joan Rivers