My dear old Dad loved Christmas and did his very best to provide a magical morning of surprises under the tree. During the years when he was left alone with four girls under the age of 9, his inner child often went shopping for the kind of presents that any small boy would adore.
We girls got cowboy suits, holsters and dart guns. (This once led to me hitting my younger sister between the eyes with a dart and there ended the gunslinging.) There was always lego, which in those days was for making white buildings with little red doors and once there was a corduroy bean bag, very cool for an aspiring teenager’s bedroom.
When I turned about 12 he decided he was now in jewellery territory. I was never a jewellery kind of gal but I did love that Roman coin charm bracelet. It made me feel grown up and is probably the reason I still love a good bracelet.
At some point in later years he surrendered to the feminine mystique and was able to show great love and affection for each of us. Like a lot of Dads he continued to get it wrong on a regular basis, but as time went on we became softer and very forgiving!!
It was always the fantasies of Christmas we enjoyed more than the real thing. Stories of Santa coming down our chimney; of North Pole elves making toys and snowy sleighs delivering them; of reindeer eating carrots on our roof in the middle of the night. We conjured the whole show. Made our own magic. Created a snowy wintery scene in our imagination.
So happy conjuring my dear, dear friends. I hope you have a wonderful hibernation, celebration or whatever it is makes magic in your life at this time of year.
How magical these images are! Your dad sounds like he was a good guy…best of the season to you as well!
And thank you Kerry for being here with me over the last year, few years? Where does the time go? x
How lucky you were to have had such a lovely Dad. I love that little red fairy hanging in the third pic. It is perhaps your imagination that enables you to see such beauty in everything and thus such a great photographer. Wishing you happiness and peace for the festive season and beyond and looking forward to more of your beautiful photos.
Thank you my dear. It's been lovely to have your company and your support here. Happy days to you, and see you again in 2016! x
Does Memory Lane get more magical as we get older? I think it does…Happy Christmas…x
I think FoxySue that we add a few more spoonfuls of fairy dust for sure!!! Happy Christmas my dear and I look forward to 2016 with you through the magic of the twinternet. X
Beautiful memories Catherine. Wishing you and yours all the best in this holiday season.
Much laughter and light!
Thank you Marcie, I am picturing you all snuggled up in Vermont where it must be soooo beautiful. xx
Wishing you a magical holiday season Catherine! May your days be merry and bright! I'll be doing some conjuring of snow as it is gray and raining here.
HAHA!! Isn't it the same here Donna…..grey and warm for the time of year. Wishing you a wonderful time conjuring up that snow. x
Oh my gosh…this brought back so many childhood memories for me…especially the gun holsters etc…along with my stick horse, ha! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, New Year and so looking forward to another year of your amazing images! xo
O that's so great Robin, thought I might be the only girl with a permanent Calamity Jane routine going on! Stick horse haha! We just used a set of reins made from string and set up jumps in the back garden…..great days. Have a wonderful Christmas too x
I feel so blessed that you shared your sweet dad, also loving all the tiny creations!
Thank you dear Susan, and thank you for your company over the last year or maybe its even years at this stage? All I know is I appreciate it so very much xx
Those are wonderful memories of Christmas with your Dad. I'm sure he would have enjoyed those memories too. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Sarah x
Thank you! He really loved Christmas and passed away during the build up to Christmas four years ago. It always makes me feel sad but as soon as the anniversary is over I feel lighter again. Happy Christmas to you too Sarah x
love the Swedish angel with her rippled platinum blonde hair, and crown of candles (ouch!)
and the garden gnome scholar ;~)
Thanks Diana! Yes the photos were taken in the old town of Stockholm. There were so many beautiful vintage toys in the shop windows. That angel is based on one of the festival of light girls, yes the crown of candles is part of it…….a stunning ceremony….Wishing you seasonal happiness down there in your neck of the woods x
What a touching post along with beautiful pictures. I really love all the pictures. How is your dad now? Hope he is doing well. Happy Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you! My poor old Dad passed away 4 years ago just before Christmas. I guess that's why I was thinking of him. He was 84 at the time and every morning would wake up saying…."Great another day is a bonus!!!" He had so many disabilities I won't even go into it all but remained positive and sweet until the end. Happy Christmas to you too :~)
What lovely memories Catherine. I remember Mum had a snowman just like that one and he used to go on top of the Christmas cake. I wonder if she still has him? My Dad passed away in the July of the same year as your Dad. I can see that your Dad was an enormous presence in your life. Although I was in a different situation to you, I miss Dad every day. Wishing you a very happy 2016! x
Dear Jane, even more common threads to our lives then…..I don't think it matters what situation you are in with a parent, good, bad or indifferent, losing them throws us some real curved balls! Much love to you and here's to a wonderful 2016 for us and this vulnerable world we live in…..
What sweet memories. Your dad sounds like he was a loving father despite the imperfections every parent (and person) has. Glad you have those sweet times to look back on. My mom always made Christmas so special for us kids, from the traditional foods to special gifts to a daily candy-filled advent calendar all month. I'm so glad I have those memories since she isn't here anymore.
Ah yes the memories stay intact don't they. Now that they are gone their gifts are still with us:~)
Your Dad sounded lovely, happy conjuring yerself, here’s to continued energy and excitement in 2018
Ah thanks, he was gas Andrew! You’ve had a fantastic year for sure and here’s to more in 2018. Happy Christmas and lots of love to you, Deena and the lads:~))
Lovely happy memories of your Dad, Catherine, and sweet Christmas toys and decorations. I’m just catching up from 3 posts ago. and time is rushing by, the years end and thanks for so many beautiful images and achievements shared. Wishing you and all every happiness and peace for 2018. X
Thank you so much. Simpler times altogether! I’m glad you have enjoyed the blog in 2017. Here’s to a great 2018. I hope to keep up the creative journey that I’m on and my connection with you all. Wishing you great joy and light for the future Pat!