Monday, December 14, 2009

Advent reading

At teatime during Advent I love to sit and read from this treasure of a book that I found at the library book sale ~ It is called The Home Book of Christmas {don't you love that title!} and is from 1941.
Today I read 'A Letter to Her Family' by Louisa May Alcott, who spent Christmas Day, 1875 visiting hospitals to deliver gifts,
here's an excerpt:
..."I got home at five, and then remembered that I'd had no lunch; so I took an apple till six, when I discovered that all had dined at one so the helpers could go early this evening. Thus my Christmas day was without dinner or presents, for the first time since I can remember. Yet it has been a very memorable day, and I feel as if I'd had a splendid feast seeing the poor babies wallow in turkey soup, and that every gift I put into their hands had come back to me in the dumb delight of their unchild-like faces trying to smile."
My inspiration for the day.

27 comments:

  1. This sounds lovely! I just found a copy on abebooks.com for myself...look forward to perusing it over a cup of hot chocolate. Merry and blessed Christmas to you!

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  2. That sounds such a cosy thing to do. xx

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  3. Thank you very much for this wonderful quote. I enjoy reading your blog!

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  4. Again, thank you for your wonderful blog. I also love to read Christmas stories and one of my favorites is Pearl Buck's Christmas book which my husband gave me our on first Christmas together in 1972. I also enjoy reading the Christmas chapters in the Little House books, especially The Long Winter. Merry Christmas to you!

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  5. I love love love your quote! Alcott is my favorite author of all time and I devour everything about her, don't you?

    Take care,

    Matty

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  6. Such a lovely way to spend some quiet time during Advent. The Home Book of Christmas sounds wonderful.

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  7. Thank you so much for that beautiful excerpt. It has inspired me too!

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  8. Anonymous1:14 AM

    Oh, if only more people could experience this in life, giving is so much more fun than receiving when you read something like this. Thanks for that, really made me think.

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  9. I simply must find that book. What a perfect moment. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. What a wonderful book! I'd love to find a copy myself.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  11. Oh that sounds like a wonderful book!

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  12. What a wonderful book! Must join the others hunting down a copy. Won't all the on-line book sellers be mystified and curious with so many copies of this going out at once!

    Thanks for sharing a real treasure!

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  13. I always enjoy visiting you through your blog. Wish we could have tea together sometime but sharing online is good too.

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  14. that does sound like a lovely book, I love old books.
    I haven't visited your blog for while, its not you, I've been so busy. But I have a question....do you have a suggestion of how to make a "stuffed nutcracker"...like a stuffed animal type? I'm looking everywhere & am stumped!

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  15. I have a 1901 copy of "The Perfect Woman" - it's equal parts enchanting and terrifying.

    Your book sounds a lot more fun!

    That scone looks yummy... must make scones....

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  16. The book sounds just perfect for this time of year. Congratulations on your wonderful find.

    God bless.

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  17. I don't know...the image of "poor babies" wallowing "in turkey soup" is a little off putting!

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  18. That book is now on my wish list. Your photo is absolutely scrumptious!

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  19. Can you share that yummy looking scone recipe? (soon?)

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  20. Can you share that yummy looking scone recipe? (soon?)

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  21. Oh this sounds just like my cup of tea, I will have to look for it. Thank you xoxoxo Clarice

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  22. I have a 1901 copy of "The Perfect Woman" - it's equal parts enchanting and terrifying.

    Your book sounds a lot more fun!

    That scone looks yummy... must make scones....

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  23. that does sound like a lovely book, I love old books.
    I haven't visited your blog for while, its not you, I've been so busy. But I have a question....do you have a suggestion of how to make a "stuffed nutcracker"...like a stuffed animal type? I'm looking everywhere & am stumped!

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  24. I always enjoy visiting you through your blog. Wish we could have tea together sometime but sharing online is good too.

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  25. What a wonderful book! I'd love to find a copy myself.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  26. Thank you very much for this wonderful quote. I enjoy reading your blog!

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  27. That sounds such a cosy thing to do. xx

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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