I realize Christmas is past, however
would you like to live in the Victorian Era?
I know that I would at Christmastime.
It was Prince Albert who introduced his wife
Queen Victoria to his German Christmas traditions.
Christmas trees, feather tress,
with ornaments and lit candles on these trees.
Bob and I drove up 2 towns to the North of us
to see how this Victorian home decorated
their outside for Christmas.
This was the same house which did
the skeletons for Halloween.
Wreaths would have been in the windows
in the Victorian Era.
Believe it or not, so would have been
the Nutcracker... except not this large.
The Victorian Era was 1837-1901.
The Nutcracker Ballet play was first introduced
in Russia on December 18, 1892.
This Victorian house also had this
huge reindeer pulling a wagonload of wood.
Bob could not get a pic of the wagon
as we were on the wrong side of the road.
The house sits on a hill and was built
higher up on another hill.
Now do you think Santa's reindeer
would also have been in the Victorian Era.
If you guessed yes, you would be correct.
In 1821 a poem was written which mentioned
Santa and his reindeer...with an illustration
of Santa and his un-named reindeer.
This poem was called
Old Santeclaus With Much Delight.
This was the first mention of Santa's reindeer.
In 1823 the published version of
A Visit From St Nicholas named Santa's reindeer.
This was the name first given for the book
we now know as
Twas The Night Before Christmas.
This book gave the names of Santa's reindeer,
minus Rudolf.
The original names were
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen.
Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blixem.
I am lucky to own three feather trees.
Not huge ones and only one do I add
antique German cotton spun fruit ornaments.
Not many ornaments but would some day
like this tree full of them.
I also have a few strands of antique garland
and silver ornaments.
Unfortunately prices continue to rise on
anything antique Christmas...so it is hard to
acquire nowadays.
In other news,
Lauren asked me if I use
the sewing method to cross stitch.
I use the stab and poke method
with a very short needle.
I don't like the longer needles
which many prefer or even size 26.
I seem to lose them though quite often,
so that is why I started to use
the needle minders with every project.
Monday I left work early and as I approached
this one small town I drive through,
the emergency test siren went off.
These go off in our county every
first Monday of the month.
Scared the bejabbers out of me though
because I forgot about it
at the time and was not expecting it.
Do you have test sirens in your area?
Took today off to take Bob to his
doctor appt. I still dont want him driving
out of our county with his left eye not
at 100% because of his stroke.
Am not sure if he will ever totally get his
peripheral vision back in that eye.
One can hope and pray though.
I also hope you have a wonderful day.
Past Christmas Blessings To All!
Janice
I was thinking about Bob's eyesight the other day and forgot to inquire. Hope he regains more vision back naturally, but is there a prescription lens which would help in the meantime?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed that Victorian house Christmas, thanks for posting.
Ii have never been near a test siren that would be scary. thank you for sharing the victorian home hugs
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing that house.
ReplyDeleteI like your feather tree too, it's always fun to see those antiques.
I never knew Donners original name was Dunder. I like Donner better.
I hope Bob's vision improves, it has to be very frustrating for him.
Nice to see the house and I didn't know a lot of what you told us. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteNo, we don't have test sirens here but the church in town has bells that play hymns every day at noon and 6:00 in the evening. We can sometimes here them here at our house 2 miles away.
Love the Victorian house bedecked for Christmas! How I'd love to see the inside! You are, indeed, very fortunate to have 3 antique feather trees. That's tree more than I have LOL. I, too, love the old spun cotton ornaments. But, you're right...the cost of them has gotten absolutely crazy (and, around here, there just aren't any...so you have to rely on Ebay, etc. and those prices are the most crazy of all.) Hence why I play at spinning cotton now and again. My SIL loves the short needles too...I.just.can't. I tried but guess my fingers are too clumsy. I use a Japanese 26 and immediately know if I've picked up the wrong needle. There are test sirens in town...but I'm way too far away to hear them here in Nod. ~Robin~
ReplyDeleteFor you using the stab method to stitch, you are incredibly fast!!!
ReplyDeleteThat Victorian House is absolutely gorgeous!!! Those are some big nutcrackers.
I have one antique feather tree and about a half dozen newer ones. I have lots of Shiny Brite ornaments and other vintage ones, but as you said, antique Christmas is crazy expensive.
Wow -- that house is really lovely. I do love seeing homes, especially old, beautiful ones, go all out and so nicely. There isn't a lot about Christmas decorations anymore that pushes my "coveting" button but a feather tree is one of them! How lucky you are to have three of these beauties! And yes, you're right about the costs these days -- it's been that way now for quite awhile.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all this with us. I like the history lesson. Also, stab and poke is in needle felting...ahaha. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteNo sirens in this area well except the college for emergencies and they test once a year and we can not hear it here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely home glad you got to see it.
I got with husband to his appointments 4 ears are better than 2 in our case.
Cathy
I am so happy you shared the Victorian House. Thank You! And for all the fun facts too. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, we have siren testing too, and I have been caught off guard as well. Ernie does not like the test sirens, he will howl, along with the other dogs in our community.
Carla