16 Fun Facts About Me for 2016

Happy New Year!  I had fun last year putting together a list of 15 fun facts, so decided to take on this challenge again for 2016.

1. My favorite dog breeds:  Dachshunds, Beagles, Jack Russell Terriers.

2. I also love cats!

3. I studied French through high school and college, and can still speak conversational French (with occasional lapses into Franglais!).

4. I considered going to seminary to become an outreach minister.

5. My preteen crush was David Cassidy.

6. Carrots are my favorite vegetable.  I like them served any way, but especially steamed (with or without butter).

7. The movie I have seen most in my life is The Sound of Music:  by my best calculation, at least 50 times.

8. I am a longtime vegetarian.  I think I was meant to be a vegetarian;  I was that little girl who loved spinach, and who always hoped for a southern veggie plate at restaurants.

9. In 2010 I took on the challenge of writing a poem a day.  I still do this and it brings me joy.

10. I love the Olympics, and especially love Olympic figure skating. 

11. I would love to travel Route 66 in an RV and chronicle the trip with photos.

12. Favorite  forms of exercise:  walking and yoga.  They are both free, relaxing, and you can walk or practice yoga anywhere.

13. I would like to learn to knit and crochet.

14. My favorite music decade is the 1960's:  the Beatles, Beach Boys, girl groups, and Motown! 

15. I ALMOST met Buddy Ebsen when I was a little girl.  He was signing autographs at Pearl Vision (as their spokesman) and I got uncharacteristically shy at the thought of meeting "Jed Clampitt" ... so I wouldn't go in.

16. If I could live in a classic TV show for a month, I would pick The Andy Griffith Show.  Mayberry, here I come!  

So there you have it!  I'd love to hear your fun facts in the comments, below.

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!