Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!   

Wordless Wednesday - Vintage Thanksgiving Postcard

Found at Birdhouse Books:  Thanksgiving cards

Did You Know Tuesday - The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Do you watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade?   I love it and have watched it every Thanksgiving - often, as an adult, scurrying back and forth from the kitchen while cooking.

The Macy's Thanksgiving parade started in 1924 and featured Macy's employees in New York City dressed up in costumes walking the route, as well as riding on some creative floats.  Over 250,000 spectators watched the first parade.

Felix the Cat was the first balloon float in 1927.  The parade organizers did not have plans to save the balloon after the parade, so they let it just float off.

Artist, puppet designer, and children's book illustrator Tony Sarg designed many of the early balloons.  He also did a parade theme window display for the store.

This Tony Sarg designed dachshund balloon was released after the 1929 parade:

The parade became increasingly popular through the 1930's.  It was suspended from 1942 - 1944 because of World War II.

The 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street featured Macy's and the parade, and this only added to the parade's popularity.  The first television broadcast was in 1948.

This is Frieda the dachshund, from the 1950's parade era:

This Elsie the Cow balloon from the 1963 parade promoted the 1964 - 1965 New York World's Fair:

Betty White and Lorne Green hosted the 1965 parade:

 
Performances are popular both before the parade and on floats.  Classics include the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, high school bands, and of course, the arrival of Santa Claus at the end of the parade.

Do you enjoy the Macy's parade?  What are your favorite floats or balloons?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music (1965)

It's hard to find Thanksgiving songs!  I thought about songs with the words "thanks" or "thank you" in the title, and songs about feeling thankful or happy.  That brought me to "My Favorite Things."  "My Favorite Things" is, of course, from The Sound of Music (1965).  In the musical, the Von Trapp children are scared of a thunderstorm.  Their governess, Maria (Julie Andrews), sings a song to them about how she always fights off fear by remembering her favorite things.  Then there is a wonderful list of things that are her favorites.  There are some really lovely lines in this song, like "Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings" and (my favorite!) "Silver white winters that melt into springs."  

This song - and movie - are on my favorite things list.  I love The Sound of Music.  It is the movie I've seen most in my life, from the time I was very little, and it never fails to make me feel happy, comforted, and uplifted.   

Are you a Sound of Music fan?  Do you have a favorite song about being thankful, or a song for Thanksgiving?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - November 21, 2015

Hi vintage friends,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my shop!  I am listing new items daily at eBay - Birdhouse Books on eBay.  If you prefer Etsy, I also have a smaller shop there:  Birdhouse Books on Etsy.

These vintage cards will all be on eBay by Sunday evening.  There are some cute ones featured!

1960's vintage Christmas card featuring little drummer boys and a bold Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum 

Older vintage Christmas postcard featuring little girls reading a picture book.  The card is trimmed in older (dark) glitter.

Vintage Christmas card with a gel finish -- a hand-tinted photo of a little boy and girl making a snowman. 

Adorable English Spring Spaniel puppy dogs with holly trim - early 1900's vintage Christmas postcard.

This 1950's die-cut Christmas card for a child features a little girl holding a stocking full of toys.

This 1920's vintage Christmas card has an illustration of a little girl by Charles Twelvetrees.

This lovely vintage Christmas card is die-cut around the harp and opens up to show a beautiful Victorian angel.

This 1960's vintage Christmas card features Santa Claus and a beagle puppy.

This vintage Christmas card features a little drummer boy - and some friendly birds.

This vintage Christmas card features a Mid-Century door decoration with greenery, pinecones, and bells.

This lovely vintage Christmas card features a stained glass window.

Vintage Christmas card featuring poinsettia flowers, a trumpet, and sheet music

And old fashioned country Christmas is depicted in this vintage card, with farm house, church, and covered bridge.

I hope you enjoyed these vintage cards.  I'll be listing lots of Christmas items during the next couple of weeks.  Have a wonderful weekend!