Merry Christmas - and a Holiday Blog Break!

Dear friends,

I will be taking a break until January 4th, but look forward to catching up with you then.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

Love and happiness,

Trish (and Abby, too!)

Did You Know Tuesday: Aluminum Christmas Trees

Did you grow up with aluminum Christmas trees?  I didn't;  we had live trees when I was a little girl, and artificial (green) trees later due to allergies. I always thought the aluminum trees were pretty, though, and am glad they have become popular again during the last few years.

The Aluminum Specialty Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin began manufacturing these trees in 1959.  The owner of the company had seen a store display aluminum tree the previous year, and decided to manufacture these beauties for the home market.  The company became Evergleam, and these trees originally sold for $25.00.   This is an ad for an Evergleam Frosty aluminum Christmas tree:

In the 1960's, these trees became very popular, available in various sizes, and prices went down because they were readily available.  They were available in silver, pink, teal, and flocked.  Do you remember the scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas when Lucy sends Charlie Brown out to buy a tree?  She tells him she wants a "big, shiny aluminum tree . . . maybe painted pink."

This silver tree sold for just $18.50 in a 1960's catalog:

There were also color wheels available to spin and illuminate the tree in changing colors.  The trees were often decorated with Shiny Brite ornaments, which were light enough not to crush or weigh down the branches.  Some trees rotated on a mechanical base, and others even had an element to play music.

This 1962 Spiegel catalog page features a color wheel, a silver tree, a flocked tree, and other tree accessories:
 

Aluminum trees were everywhere!  This ad is from Rexall drug store:

The trees became less popular by the late 1960's, and Evergleam stopped producing them in 1969.  Smaller companies followed suit by the early 1970's.

Aluminum Christmas trees have become popular again in recent years as the interest in atomic ranch homes and MCM (Mid-Century Modern) design has grown.  If I find one at a local estate sale or yard sale at some point, I may have to bring it home.

Do you remember aluminum Christmas trees?  Did you ever have one?   Do you like them, or do you prefer a traditional green Christmas tree?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Silver Bells" by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards (1950)

"Silver Bells" is one of my favorite Christmas songs.  I love old fashioned holiday music;  it always evokes so many memories.  When I was growing up, my parents had lots of Christmas albums, and getting them out each year to listen always put me in the mood for the holidays.   This is one of those songs that I always loved.  I've always thought of it as such a quintessential Mid-Century Christmas song. 

I love the way the lyrics capture the feeling of Christmas in a city:

"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas"

and

"Strings of streetlights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
Home with their treasures."

"Silver Bells" was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.  It was originally called "Tinkle Bells" until Ray Evans played the song for his wife, who reminded him of the childhood use of the word "tinkle."  The title was quickly changed to "silver."

The most famous version of the song was recorded by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards on Decca Records in 1950.  Carol Richards was a singer who also dubbed songs for actresses in several movies, including Vera Ellen (Call Me Madam) and Cyd Charisse (Brigadoon, Silk Stockings).   Bing Crosby's voice always just reminds me of Christmas -- he is so associated with the holiday because of his wonderful Christmas songs.

Do you have any special memories of this song?  What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Old Cards, New Books

Hi all!

Happy weekend!   This will be my last Weekend Window Shopping post of 2015.   I'll pick back up in the New Year.

In the meantime, I wanted to give you a head's up -- watch my online stores the next two weeks.  I have great listings scheduled to start over the weeks of Christmas and New Year's, and some wonderful markdown sales as well.

You can find my vintage children's books, whimsical cards, and much more online:

Birdhouse Books on eBay
Birdhouse Books on Etsy
Birdhouse Books on Bonanza

I have some nice vintage cards and new books (novels and children's books) on eBay this week.  You will find a few glimpses below.

This is a beautiful 1939 Sunday School Junior Certificate of Promotion.

This little baby announcement is adorable, with charming illustrations on the front and inside of card.

These Mid-Century old store stock cards are perfect for announcing a new address.

A little kitten plays on the piano keys on this card.

Anna's Crossing is an Amish novel by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

A Reluctant Bride is an Amish novel by Kathleen Fuller.

If You Were Me and Lived in China is a wonderful picture book for preschool age children -- great for a study unit.

The Tears of Dark Water is a mystery by Corban Addison.

M is for Manger is a lovely picture book for young children.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Dear Abby: My Christmas Wish List

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!  We will be busy with the holidays the next couple of Fridays, so I wanted to pop in and share my Christmas list with you.

I wish for more afternoon naps, ideally with Momma joining me.  Afternoon naps are just about as good as treats.

I wish for neighborhood fireworks to become suddenly illegal and never be used in the area near my home again.  Ever.

Ditto thunder. No more thunder.

I wish for peanut butter spread in Kongs.

I wish for lots of sunny days and very few rainy days.

I wish for the joy of burrowing in warm blankets.

I wish for everyone who wants to add a puppy or dog to their family to adopt instead of shopping.  There are so many wonderful dogs in shelters and foster homes and animal rescues ... and they are looking for forever homes.

I also wish that people adopting dogs would remember that dogs who are seniors and dogs with special needs also need loving homes ... and they have a lot of love to give.

Oh!  And mixed breed dogs like me.  A dog does not need to be a purebred to be pure of heart.  I wish for them all to find great forever homes.

Other than that I wish for yummy treats, soft toys to cuddle, and extra long walks in the New Year.

And I wish the happiest of holidays to you and yours!

With lots of love,

Abby xoxoxo