Chaletmomma

Hello friends I’m continuing to embrace all things Christmas - so this week I thought it would be fun to share how we enjoy the holidays here in the Chalet.

On the day the bins come up from the basement and decorating commences - we select our movie to start off the day - this year we started with White Christmas and went straight into A Christmas Carol - the 1951 version is darker than the 1938 version, I also like the 1935 Scrooge, we also have Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol, and this 1969 cartoon is fun - I am really fond of this character I could write an entire piece about all the versions of this Charles Dickens tale of awakening which I love so much! It all started with the Giant coloring book you see here I had when I was little - how I wish I still had it!

Our holidays wouldn’t be complete without watching these films: The Bishops Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bells of St. Mary’s, The Shop Around the Corner and Holiday Inn. The 1977 version of The Nutcracker ballet with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland is a favorite and this year we introduced Home Alone to our son.

Our Tree is chockablock full. It’s a mix of Shiny Brites that were my folks, ornaments mom bought me, a few I crafted, ones I’ve been buying yearly, bits Liam’s made - In addition you’ll see a few extra special Christmas cards and gift tags - finall… — Our Tree is chockablock full. It’s a mix of Shiny Brites that were my folks, ornaments mom bought me, a few I crafted, ones I’ve been buying yearly, bits Liam’s made - In addition you’ll see a few extra special Christmas cards and gift tags - finally it’s topped with some felt gingerbread garland and paper-chains!

Other programs not to be missed: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, CMA Country Christmas and of course re-watching our favorites - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas. We listen to tons of holiday music from Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck and Pentatonix among current artists Christmas renditions and my favorite Nutcracker disc is often playing.

I used to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and wrap gifts that weekend. I don’t rush to get it all done quite as quickly anymore. I do have a few things under the tree but, I can’t place anything under the tree for a certain someone until he goes to bed on Christmas Eve after our family leave. Gearing up for our Christmas Eve celebration means baking - cookies, magic cookie bars and some years a cake yum! Gathering on Christmas Eve in the Chalet is carrying on a tradition my Mother started in 1968.

We celebrate with tons of hors d’oeuvres - my Mom’s famous hot crab meat dip, dill dip and savoy treats like chopped chicken liver; while the main course changes from year to year, we always have a bunch of options for dessert. Meanwhile It’s A Wonderful Life plays in the background. This year we may add a card game into the mix - my son is really into them lately - maybe Would Ya, Utter Nonsense or The Voting Game…. The night is always topped off with holiday crackers and all of us adorning our paper crowns and sharing silly jokes!

If you’re interested in movies that are not specifically about Christmas read my post Film Favorites.

From our home to yours Happy Holidays.

Til next time stay safe!

I have always loved Flame stitch fabric since my mother Rita used it in our home in the late 1970’s.

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole about the pattern recently because I plan to add some to the Chalet - the which and where TBD but, nevertheless I thought golly if I’m thrilled to learn a bit about the history then I knew I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Wedding Portrait painted by Wybrand de Geest 1637

I found one of the earliest examples of it appearing in this wedding portrait from 1637. Look at the vibrancy of the chair fabric!

The pattern is known by other names — Bargello, Florentine stitch, Irish stitch, Point de Hongrie. The bold zig zag pattern looks like flames dancing that is why I only refer to it as Flame stitch.

One explanation of the pattern I found stated it may be the result of a Hungarian princess marrying into the Italian Medici family and introducing the tradition of this jagged embroidery stitch (Point de Hongrie), which merged with the straight or “brick” stitch to produce the variegated pattern so full of movement.

There is also another suggestion that it reached Europe through the Silk Road.