Virginia Allain

Christmas Calendar for December 1930 from the Ellsworth Reporter newspaper, Ellsworth, Kansas 11 Dec 1930, Thu • Page 14 | Source What Was Christmas Like in the Great Depression of 1930 &…

By Virginia Allain  I love Christmas and history, so I’m sharing what I learn about Christmas and its customs as they’ve changed over the decades and centuries. Christmas at the Keech h…

Then Congress made it even worse

By Virginia Allain  I love Christmas and history, so I’m sharing what I learn about Christmas and its customs as they change over the decades and centuries. This was originally published on H…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. Australians Have Their Own Unique Holiday Tunes If you assume that people all over the world sing the same…

“I’m going to a Mardi Gras golf cart parade,” I said. Toni’s eyes lit up and she asked what outfit she should wear for it. Oops, I hadn’t planned to take her along to watch the parade. It worried me a little what my neighbors in my retirement…

Florida lifestyle, decorating, and retirement are topics covered by Virginia, who shares her own experiences. Get Ready for the Mardi Gras Parade! It's not every day that you can decorate your golf cart with purple and gold and lots of bling. Every…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. Cats and Christmas Can Be a Disaster Those of us who live with cats know that Christmas can be a struggle.…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. An ABC of Christmas Words, Topics, and Memories Last year, some writing friends had a challenge for an ABC of…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. What Is Christmas Day Letdown? For some people, the frenzy leading up to Christmas Day results in feelings of…

We celebrate Christmas quietly with no grandchildren or extended family to join us. They are all a thousand miles away. I hoped that Toni would not be disappointed as she really has been looking forward to today. I kept busy in the kitchen getting…

I may have to get myself a glass of wine if Toni keeps asking me “When will we open the presents? When…” A picture of Toni beside a glass of pinot grigio isn’t a good fit for some of the younger readers of the blog. They might think Toni has taken up…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. How Can You Save Money on Gift Wrapping? If you are frugal by nature or have to be thrifty to make the budget…

The Christmas village is a familiar scene in American households at this time of year. Growing more elaborate over the years, these recreated whole little towns under the tree or somewhere in the house. A white surface under the small houses…

Christmas is a month-long state of mind for me. This festive time of loved ones, parties, gifts, and religious celebrations is so special. Christmas Hack #1 Let's Get Christmasy These Christmas hacks are just shortcuts and thrifty tips that I've…

I suggested to Toni that we hang our Christmas stockings today. She was certainly enjoying the different holiday activities every day. “Do you want a red one or a green one to hang?” I asked. I found it best to give her a choice. “I want a big one…

I couldn’t resist getting a crown made of lace that I saw on Amazon. Figuring that some day I would make a royal costume for Toni, it would complete the outfit. Unfortunately, Toni is now keeping an eye on the arriving packages. She wants to know…

In passing the Christmas tree, I noticed many of the lower branches were strangely bare. I always load my tree up with an eclectic assortment, so I knew it should not have big bare spaces. It reminded me of years ago when my cat liked to filch…

I keep hearing bells ringing while I’m trying to work at my computer. What’s going on? I followed the sound and it led me to the dining room. Oh no, Toni was playing with the bells on the little Christmas tree. “I like these bells,” she declared. I’d…

Decorating the Christmas tree is a wonderful tradition for the family. I love how a tree reflects your own personality. Create a Heritage Tree to Celebrate Your Family Background You don't have to be a genealogist to decorate your Christmas tree with…