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.
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!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds such a cosy thing to do. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this wonderful quote. I enjoy reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteAgain, 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!
ReplyDeleteI love love love your quote! Alcott is my favorite author of all time and I devour everything about her, don't you?
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Matty
Such a lovely way to spend some quiet time during Advent. The Home Book of Christmas sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for that beautiful excerpt. It has inspired me too!
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeleteI simply must find that book. What a perfect moment. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful book! I'd love to find a copy myself.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Oh that sounds like a wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a real treasure!
I always enjoy visiting you through your blog. Wish we could have tea together sometime but sharing online is good too.
ReplyDeletethat does sound like a lovely book, I love old books.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
I have a 1901 copy of "The Perfect Woman" - it's equal parts enchanting and terrifying.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds a lot more fun!
That scone looks yummy... must make scones....
The book sounds just perfect for this time of year. Congratulations on your wonderful find.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I don't know...the image of "poor babies" wallowing "in turkey soup" is a little off putting!
ReplyDeleteThat book is now on my wish list. Your photo is absolutely scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteCan you share that yummy looking scone recipe? (soon?)
ReplyDeleteCan you share that yummy looking scone recipe? (soon?)
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds just like my cup of tea, I will have to look for it. Thank you xoxoxo Clarice
ReplyDeleteI have a 1901 copy of "The Perfect Woman" - it's equal parts enchanting and terrifying.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds a lot more fun!
That scone looks yummy... must make scones....
that does sound like a lovely book, I love old books.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
I always enjoy visiting you through your blog. Wish we could have tea together sometime but sharing online is good too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful book! I'd love to find a copy myself.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Thank you very much for this wonderful quote. I enjoy reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds such a cosy thing to do. xx
ReplyDelete