WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Friday 29 November 2013

A christmas morn

Hello everyone.  ..Its great to be blogging again.  I have missed you all.  I would like to thank all my good blogger friends for their kind comments on my last post.  I apologize for not responding to each comment, as you know I try to reply to you all. Its been a very hectic couple of months for me. 
recently the family having the shock of Mr. M being in hospital.  please forgive me if I dont write about it. as I need to stay focused and get things sorted around the farm.
                         The sun is still shining so brightly, our weather is wonderful. Today I took the dogs up to the top hills for a walk and ramble.  It was lovely. I even found some holly.. too prickly to break without some clippers.        

                                                                     My roses are going crazy. They are looking so beautiful. blooms all over the place. We had 4 days of rain only this month. on the return from my walk, i watered the garden..the flowers were starting to wilt.

While walking, I thought about what I might post about today.    Its a little story of  a christmas morn.
It was around 1953 , If I remember correctly. I was in love with dolls.  I didnt have many, as the one's I had i really loved.        In my home as a child. Christmas morning was always so exciting.  For me anyway. . My sister being 10 years older , was still fast asleep when i woke.    My mother had her little way that she started of christmas morning.  ...I would wake.. and straight away, would look under my bed. there would be a couple of wrapped boxes and some books.


That christmas morn, was a very special morning for me. For not only did I have some presents under my bed.  But staring me right in in front of my bed was the most beautiful pram that i had ever seen.  It was a red silver cross children's twin pram.  (like the one above, but in red)..  Sitting on either side were two beautifully dressed most elegant dolls my eyes had ever seen.    You can just imagine my delight upon seeing this wonderful present. I ran to my parents room... There the two of them were sat up in bed waiting for me to run in and tell them what santa had brought me..    Mum and dad replied.. "Yes,my darling its a pram fit for a little princess.".. I was their little princess you see.


The dolls were dressed in red velvet dresses and red velvet coats with white fur trimmings.. My mother had her dressmaker make the clothes specially for me. They even had hats to match..    
 They looked so pretty. I didnt want to move them.  Their dresses were similar to these above..but the coats were so lovely deep red velvet and white fur, trim.                             Pretty covers to keep them warm.

Christmas was a time for new clothes and new shoes. That perticular christmas... I was dressed the same as my dolls.. red velveet coast with white trimmed colar  .. white socks and red patent shoes. with a matching hat.  How I would have loved to be able to show you those photos.. They got lost along the way somehow.   The coat was similar to this blue one but ever so much nicer ..in red velvet..but the style is similar.




 So dear friends. That is the story of my 6th birthday christmas morn.  
Breakfast  was served after we had seen that Santa had eaten his mince pies and drank his cocoa... then we would sit down to a wonderful christmas breakfast.. Then open the rest of our presents that were under the tree.    It was magical in my home.  The fire was lit.. the christmas lights on.  Mum and dad brought my pram downstairs... I had that pram for many many years.   I myself when born had a silver cross pram. .. I still think they are so lovely and traditional.

You will soon all be getting ready with your decorations.   I have decided on light decorations this year.

I would love to hear about some of your christmas stories from when you were young... and I wonder what will be under your trees. !

wishing you a happy Friday..

Val..

29 comments:

  1. what a sweet memory of how your parents loved you. :)

    i am sorry that mr. m. has been ill. i do hope all will be okay for you and your family.

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    1. Thanks Tex..
      I had wonderful parents.. it was just about christmas every day in our house. They were a very happy couple..
      Mr. M. is very ill.. we all take it day by day.xxx

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  2. Dear Val, Welcome back! I have missed your happy self, and this is a cracker of a post. You tell the sweetest Christmas story and have found such evocative pictures to illustrate a golden time. I love the idea of you being dressed in red velvet with those cute red shoes, matched to your dolls. At that age, I would have absolutely loved the same experience. You bring out the nostalgia in me for Christmas long ago! Happy days, Val. With love from your friend Patricia xoxx

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    1. Oh..thank you Patricia..
      Those certainly were golden days.. I think as we get older we remember more. sending big hugs..val

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  3. Val, me again, I forgot to say how sorry I am to hear about Mr M, and wish you and the family all the best at a difficult time. Hope you are going OK sorting the farm, too. xx

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    1. Thank you Patricia..
      Things are going day by day..
      We all have to accept things..good or bad..
      Our youngest is now taking care of the farm.

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  4. So lovely to see you on my sidebar again Val, but really sorry to learn that Mr. M is in hospital.
    My eldest son and his family will be arriving from Paris, so under our tree will be presents for them. The magical christmas memories that you have shared are the ones that I want to create now for the grandchildren.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary.
      Yes.. We can do our best to give the grandchildren magic at this time of the year. Mr. M. is very ill.. and we take it day by day.
      xx

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  5. Welcome back Val :) Glad to see you blogging again! The christmas story that you shared is so endearing. Have a lovely weekend and hope the beautiful weather continues :)

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    1. Thank you Pallavi. Its thanks to dear Perpetua..that i am back again.
      x

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  6. Welcome back dear Val and hope you're well. Missed you hope your blog problems have improved. Loved hearing about your childhood Christmas. I remember well waking up in the very early hours of the morning hoping to see a mound of presents in the pillow case at the end of he bed. Disappointed that "He" hadn't arrived yet I'd quite happily go back to sleep. When the mound did finally appear, my sister and would rush to our parents' room to unwrap. It's funny how little things pleased us in those days. We may have had one main present - a doll, a game or suchlike. But it was all the tiny bits and pieces that were difficult to unwrap that pleased us. Yoyos, pencils, mini puzzles, a ball, five stones (I think they're called Jacks) and of course there was always the obligatory Selection Box of sweets as well as tangerines and nuts! One Christmas I was led blindfolded to the sitting room where I was to find a wonderful dolls house that dad had made for me. Oh those were the days Val. What memories you've given me, they are all flooding back. Have a lovely weekend.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thank you Patricia..
      Things have been hectic.. but i am trying to get things back to normal, and take everything one day at a time..
      Yes, christmas when we were young were magic... today the young children want tv games and mobile phones and i pads.. so antisocial for them at a young age.. the children dont play outdoor games anymore.
      pleased you enjoyed my post.. I remembered that christmas so well.

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  7. Hi Val,
    What a cool blog you have. I found you on Red Rose Alley blog roll. I look forward to following you and seeing your future posts. Happy Holidays!
    Sharon
    @novaraway

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    1. Thank you Sharon. Nice to meet you. Look forward to getting to know you.
      Our holidays are not started yet.
      best wishes val..

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  8. Val I love this story about your Christmas as a six year old! The times were wonderful weren't they? Such precious memories that no one can take away from us! I remember the year Santa brought my first bicycle. I was 7. Of course we were up way before daylight but I was so excited to try my new gift I sat in the window and waited for the first glow of daylight and then dragged my poor dad out of the warm house to teach me all the new tricks of my new toy. Hoping the magic of Christmas finds its way to your door this year. Sorry for the family sickness you have been dealing with. Always enjoy hearing the latest from your corner of the world.

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    1. Thank you Sanda.. I am pleased you liked this "memory lane " post.
      They are indeed memorable memories that never leave us.
      I can just see you with your dad helping you to pedal on your new bike.. My dad did the same.
      Thank you for your kind words.. We just go day by day. big hugs.

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  9. Good to have you back,Val. Hope your day is going good.

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    1. Thank you sylvia.. am getting there.. some wording mistakes.
      have a good weekend.. val

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  10. Dear Val,
    Sorry to hear about Mr M, I am thinking of you all. I loved reading about your Christmas memories you and your doll must have looked so lovely on Christmas morn. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to see Father Christmas had been and left me a miniature shop. Dolls and soft toys were some of my favourite toys too. I see you have Lucy and Tom's Christmas book -this has always been a favourite here too.
    Sarah x

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  11. Take care Val and thankyou for sharing your precious Christmas memories, one never forgets her dolls in life. It is a shame we are expected to grow out of them. Adorable. I wish your family health and happiness and especially Mr M. Best Wishes Shell - A Darlings Nest

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  12. Such a nostalgic post, Val, with lovely illustrations. My parents didn't have a lot of money, but we always had one big present and some stocking fillers. The big presents were sometimes home-made, as when my father made my younger sister and me a a doll's house each, or when my mother dressed a walkie-talkie doll for each of us. Happy memories.

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  13. Hello Val, I've just seen your plea on Sarah's blog so thought I'd come and have a look. I spent two wonderful summers in Lisbon in the mid eighties so have a very soft spot for Portugal and will really enjoy following you, wherever you might end up, blog-wise! I'm going to click the follow button and hope you might sort out blogger or at least let us know where you go.

    My childhood Christmases were always a disappointment I'm afraid and I take HUGE delight now in watching my son's joy. I do remember loving the smells of Christmas though - satsumas, the tree and my Grandmother's dripping melting ready to put the roast potatoes in.

    Best wishes,

    Em

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  14. Hello Valerie

    What glorious memories of times past and of loving parents.
    The lines and design of the pram is very elegant. Reminds me of a rolls-royce.
    I love your new blog colour and design.

    Helen xx

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    1. Hello Helen. I am back again..
      dear Perpetua has helped me so much.
      Thank you for your kind comments.
      x

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  15. So glad Perpetua has got you back on your blog again!
    Sarah x

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    1. Yippee Sarah..
      Its one letter that was the problem.. i hope i will be here for a while.Thank you.

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  16. I love hearing about your memories. It was a magical time for me, too as a girl. We didn't get toys and gifts all during the year like so many kids do now....Christmas and birthdays were so special. I always loved the stocking with an orange and apple and candy. I need to write some of my memories down too....before I forget them all! Sweet hugs!

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  17. Dear Val,
    It's so good to see you back! I have been concerned for you as it has been quite a long time. Then I saw a note on Patricia's blog saying that you were having problems. So kind of Perpetua to come to your aid. I think blogging friends are wonderful!
    Such a lovely post Val. Wonderful to see your pretty olive grove on such a sunny day and gorgeous roses. Then to read this lovely Christmas story.
    Thinking of you and your family.
    Hugs, Betty

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  18. Dear Val,
    It's good to have you back. I enjoyed reading about your Christmas morning when you were six. You must have been so excited seeing your dolls and their pretty clothes. I had so many nice Christmas' growing up, but one year I remember getting a blue sting ray bike, which was hiding in the pantry outside. It was just what I wanted that year, and was so excited. Christmas was always a special time in our house, and my mom had a few traditions of her own, which I still carry on with my own family. What little girl wouldn't love the doll that you got for Christmas? It was a treasure given to you by your mom and dad that you'll always remember.

    Enjoy the Christmas season, dear friend.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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