Tuesday, December 05, 2006

On the fifth day of Christmas.....

More ephemera:



Back in the 70's, when my children were in elementary school, I bought these paper cutouts to hang on my kitchen cabinets during the Christmas season; a cheap way to extend the decor all through the house. There were six of them, but I picked out the best to show you. I thought then, and still do, that the art work was better than average for such inexpensive decorations. I have no idea who the artist was because unfortunately, they are not signed.


I guess if I keep them another 25 years, my kids will make a bundle selling them on ebay!!


We went to a party at our Governor's Mansion tonight, for state employees. They are nice enough to include those of us who help to decorate the mansion for Christmas on their guest list. The food was great: shrimp, scallops wrapped in bacon, Thai egg rolls, crudite trays, Swedish meatballs and their famous cookies, all homemade. A choir was singing Christmas carols in the ballroom and the trustees were serving punch and tea. A very good time was had by all, especially our photogenic Governor and his lovely, vivacious wife, who never seem to tire of posing for photographers, both pro and amateur.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

They're almost antiques now! I wish my mother didn't throw so much of our old stuff out.

carmilevy said...

When I first saw them, my first thought was the artwork was too fine for a simple cutout. Impressive!

Funny how beauty can exist in the most surprising of places.

Your writing about the governor and his wife has convinced me that there is still room for nobility and finesse in politics.

Traci Dolan said...

Oh la la, the Guvna and his wife... uh huh. Glad you had a good time and had delicious food.

srp said...

Those old cut outs are so great. Do you remember back in the late 50's and early 60's when Campbell soup had the "Campbell Kids" and the grocery stores had these large cut outs hanging from ceilings or on the end of a shelf for advertising? Mom would go and beg them off the grocer when new ones came in. She had quite the collection and used them in her school room on bulletin boards and such. They were so adorable. When we left Roanoke, she gave them all to Mrs. Scott who had been my teacher in 3rd and 4th grade. I guess she thought she wouldn't teach again but she did and lamented for years that she no longer had them. The artistry was so intricate and the look so unique. Oh for the art of the past.

The dinner sounds like fun... especially those bacon wrapped scallops... yum!

Sean Carter said...

my mother use it now too. the only difference is that the kids at my place handpaint them and then we stick them on the cupboards. my mom use to tell us how she enjoyed her choldhood with those cut outs and how she used to save them for next christmas!

Eddie said...

There is a certain mystic excitement about a red cardboard Santa that words cannot describe.

Star said...

I love the litte elves. It is great that you ave kept them for so long. I'll bet your family looks forward to seeing them as part of the holiday celebration.

brendalove@gmail.com said...

Governor's mansion??? It doesn't get much fancier in these here parts, Miss Missy.

Shrimp - mmmmmmmm!

MaR said...

I don't think I have ever been to a real mansion...
cute Xmas decorations! and you keep everything in such a good shape!

bluemountainmama said...

i love old prints like that, and feel like i've found a treasure when i stumble upon them. i just recently found a couple of album covers from old children's albums(from the 30's and 40's) and hung them in my son's room.

Anonymous said...

Those are just gorgeous! Thanks for posting them.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I think those are just BEAUTIFUL! And I can see why you kept them all these years Judy..They definitely look like this was a wonderful artist....!

The party sounds like it was lovely and very much of the season...a Choir and everything...I hope you will show us a picture of the Governer and his wife....!

kenju said...

Naomi, I only got one photo of the Governor, and none of his wife. I may post the party photos later tonight.

Anonymous said...

I love those! What a great idea for white kitchen cabinets at the holidays!

millie garfield said...

What an exciting time for you, governors mansion, all that good food, music, creating and being in such a beautiful place -

Looks like you will be celebrating the holiday season all month long!!

Cheers!!

utenzi said...

Were two of those cut-out Santa's supposed to be the same, Judy? Just asking!

Shephard said...

As gorgeous a job as you all did, they should def. include you on the guest list. And you all should wear special badges: "Offical Holiday Hoopla Elf." :)

~S