This little Christmas tale, written in 1939, wove its way into our hearts as Little One and I snuggled on the couch reading the other day. Because Sallie's hands were so cold on a December day she was thankful for her white fluffy muff. "What's a muff, Grandma?" Father, in the story, had on his Christmas list a pipe cleaner (we knew that one), an ink blotter and a pen wiper, and a decorated box of matches. We started to giggle as we read, there were so many strange items in the book---strange, that is, to Little One. We began to make a list as we would research them after the story was finished. With each item we laughed even more. "What's a hot water bottle, Grandma?" "What's a guest towel?" "What's a silver pepper?"
Little One was hanging out at our house before she went caroling with us to a nearby nursing home. She looked so sweet dressed in her red corduroy jumper (this grandma also had a red corduroy jumper when she was in KG.) One more comment speaks of the times we live in. Not-so-Little One needed to go get a drink or something in the middle of our reading.
"Grandma, could you pause that for a minute?"
Love the "pause it" request! I need to know what a "silver pepper" is.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
This sounds like a good book Dotsie with many things for little ones to learn about. I had a white fur muff I used for church when I was little, I'd forgotten about them. I don't know about you, but I love the smell of a pipe but few, if any men smoke them any more. My dad did for awhile and then switched to cigars.
ReplyDeleteI think little one would be the talk of her friends if grandma just happened to make her a muff to keep those little fingers warm.
I too like the "pause request", so sweet.
Hugs,
Judith
Oh, that is just so sweet, "Grandma, could you pause that for a minute?". Yes, haven't times changed from that era and I have never thought about the fact that children today don't know a lot of those terms, words, or items. My brother taught high school and was talking about a veranda one day. His students hadn't heard the word and he had to explain what a veranda was. Really? I was shocked. I guess it's deck or porch these days. I wonder if they know what a "stoop" is. lol Your granddaughter looks sweet in her red corduroy jumper, which I think every little girl should have. I did. Sweet post today.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought a smile this morning!
ReplyDeleteReading such books is valuable on many levels. Little One is learning about the history of another time. She is inspired by virtuous ideas. And, of course, she is making sweet memories with her Grandma!
A red jumper on a little girl is just about perfect. :)
And I love her request to "pause."
Lots of smiles here this morning...
How darling..Little One in her Red Jumper. I can imagine her piping voice asking you to "pause it." Stories from the "olden days" have so much more heart and meaning; I don't seem to get that out of anything "now-a-days." I'm afraid I now what quite a few of those items where. I remember my nice church coat with it's white muff.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
What a special time - reading, then researching together. We forget sometimes how much has changed in such a short time in our world.
ReplyDeleteLittle One looks darling in her red corduroy jumper.
A poignant post - love the story and will have to find a copy. But, out of the mouths of babes comments are the best. Did you "pause" the story?
ReplyDeleteHi Dotsie,
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me something to think about. I do tend to forget just how different the lingo is for children and young people today (just one of the things that's so very different). One thing that my husband and son pointed out recently to me is that so many young people today don't ever wear watches, and I used to never go anywhere without mine. I asked how they know what time it is, and the answer I got is that they just look at their cellphone (or iPad). It certainly is a different world than the one you and I grew up in.
Hugs,
Denise
What a sweet post, you little one sounds adorable. A muff would be a wonderful gift for your little one, she would probably enjoy it very much. My little gd had one and she thought she was so fancy!
ReplyDeleteI suppose you couldn't "pause" that for her could you?
What a lovely story. I had a little white muff with red berries when I was a child with a matching hat. What sweet memories, thanks for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...so cute! I love that you're reading such great old stories! Vocabulary stretching at its finest!
ReplyDeleteOh how precious and so encouraging for this new grandmother. This just makes me smile and reading books to children is just one of the best things in the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I love about reading aloud to kids, and when we read old books together we both learn! I knew all your terms except Silver Pepper. I'll have to google that!
ReplyDeleteDeanna
'Could you pause that?' HAHA. Oh yeah, these kids live in a different time, that's for sure. But I agree with the teacher, to keep reading stuff and they will catch on and learn more. I look at even the little Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter. Today's kids will not know many of the words, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't learn them, and will even learn them from context in many cases. I so enjoyed this post. Cute dress and muff!!! I had a muff when I was little. Loved that thing!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute story...I love reading to my grands and introducing them to the oldies but goodies too. Have a blessed Christmas with your precious family!
ReplyDeletebeautiful old book and love thinking of the two of you reading it together
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet story. I remember using a muff as a child! I don't know what silver pepper is--must look that up. My grandsons are already whizzes on an iPad reader, but I pull out the old books for them when they come to my house ;)
ReplyDeleteApparently, my forgetter is working quite well, though I do remember that photo of you in Christmas wedding attire. Did your granddaughter ever get a muff?
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