Day 1

 
This is one of my favorite Christmas cards from recent years - it's from an original painting by Susan Winget.

It seems rather strange for me to be thinking so much about Christmas when it's still months and months away.  Okay, weeks and weeks away... and getting closer every day. 

I'm one of those people who loves last-minute Christmas.  Last minute shopping.  Last minute decorations.  Last minute baking.  Last minute everything.

It's a bit of a rebellion thing and it's a bit of a procrastination thing, depending on the day and the year.  I know it's coming and while I might start doing little things, getting ready weeks in advance is a little like getting dressed for a really big, exciting party a week before and then having to stay excited about it until it actually happens.  Some of the fun of anticipation is just that - waiting for it to actually start.  But then, that's probably just me.

This year will be a bit of a change for me because thanks to Gudrun, I might actually be ready early! 

While Gudrun has a terrific project for you to make, the rest of us are sharing a "childhood memory from the holidays".  Make sure you leave a comment for Gudrun today as that will enter you in the drawing to win a prize!

What to share... hmmmm.

The more I thought about this, what really came to mind is my brother, Mark.  Almost all of the Christmas pictures we have are of the two of us.  He's a "character" in almost all of the "something that happened at Christmas" memories.  I remember so many occasions near the holidays when it was "the two of us", either being in cahoots to find a gift for our parents or to find the gift stash my mother had hidden somewhere.  Okay, that last one was more me than him... but I usually conned him into helping me.  My favorite Christmas gift ever came from him.  Now that we're grown, I love that he often plays Santa on Christmas Day for his friend's children, complete with a Santa suit, a long white beard and a big bag of toys.  He's so much a part of my childhood Christmas memories that when I think of Christmas, I think of him. 

So my favorite Christmas memory is this...

 
He's so cute.  He always had that little lock of hair that grew over his forehead. 

I love that I was taller than he was back then.  It only lasted a few more years.

And in the interest of full disclosure, this picture was taken the Christmas after I cut my own bangs for the first time. 

After seeing what wonderful project Gudrun's has created just for you, don't forget to see what Sandy, Terry, Pat, Heather, Pam, Kari, Terri, Sherri, Roseann and Linda discovered on their trips down Memory Lane.   

And don't forget ~ if you leave at least one comment on all twelve blogs between November 9th and November 20th, you'll be entered to win the Grand Prize!

Comments

[Jane]

Family is the best!! No matter what else!

[Pat]

How nice that you and your brother remain so close. (My granddaughter cut her own hair during this past year....so I got a kick out of your self-inflicted haircut!!!)

[lovetostitch]

Hi Carrie, while I am one of MANY brothers and sister, one is also very special to me, and while they probably will never see this, he knows who he is.... I talk with him at least every other day, and we can laugh at everything and nothing!!
And about those bangs.... not sure if I ever did it, but sure gave a few dolls those famous bangs, and my grand girls have both done it - UGH, great for the Christmas picutures!! Cant wait to see what you come up with on your day - I know it will be great!!

[Cindy]

I think we all cut our own hair - or bangs - at one time in our childhood. And it continues to this day. I remember cutting a long braid off. And a year ago, our granddaughter cut a lock of her hair off.

Have to laugh at "what goes around, comes around". LOL

[Wendy]

Pictures of Christmases past are such a treasure. Glad you have them. And see you even have documentation of when you cut your own hair LOL. Think I did that trick myself.

[Jayne Honnold]

Great card. Looking at your pic, I think it looks very much like some in my own photo album! Love the early '60s, right?

[Kathy J]

What an adorable picture! Those little cheeks are just begging to be "pinched"! Love it!

[Darlene B]

Ahh, the joys of family bonds - at the holidays and every day of the year. I'm blessed to have a close loving family to go through life with.

[Diane]

Can't wait to see everyone's projects!

[Jenny]

Awwww cute memory. I always wanted a brother! And that little lock of hair....really, really cute. Did anyones kids inherit that cute trait?

[Nancy]

I will be running around with you at the last minute...I haven't even started shopping or cooking or anything!! YIKES!!

[Kathy]

Cutting hair, hummmm, that brings back memories. We all got scolded and no one told us that it would grow back! Great picture, thanks for sharing.

[Linda G]

Love the bangs!!! And actually some of us had those bangs all the time!!!!!

[Mandy]

I can't wait to see what everyone has made!

[Marit Johanne]

Sounds like you had much fun together with your brother.

[Ruth B]

So sweet...I have some vintage pictures similar to that. Nice job on the bangs!

[Carol]

What 2 cutie pies you all were!

[Chris]

Thanks for sharing your memory. Brothers are really fun and funny.

[sndy1]

Did we all live in the same house? Everything looks so similiar to mine growing up!

[Busy Little Quilter]

I love everything Susan Winget designs. That is a beautiful card.

It's so sweet that you and your brother were so close and had so much fun. You two were so cute together.

I love the idea of the blog hop being in November. It's already making it feel like Christmas and getting me excited about it all!

[Cyndi Valentine]

My little brother would sleep on the floor in my sister and my room on Christmas eve. We had a little tree that my uncle cut for us off is propery. We would have little gifts that we made for each other and wrapped tucked under the tree that we could open before our parents got up. Sweet memories.

[LizA.]

We used to have an old, not-running Studebaker in the garage where my parents hid the gifts. But I was mean and never told my little sister!

[Julie in WA]

I'd love to see a current pic of you and your brother! Does he still have that lock of hair tumbling down his forehead?!!!

[Rhonda]

I'm not a procastinator, I'm 3/4 finished. It helps when friends don't want to exchange gifts; just a lunch.

[Nancy E]

Great picture of you & your brother! Gudrun did give us a very nice project. Can't wait to see yours.

[marta]

RECUERDOS PRECIOSOS JUNTO A SU HERMANO, ES LINDO SABER QUE AUN CONTINÚAN SIENDO COMPLICES EN NAVIDAD

[therese bell]

Thank you for sharing.

[Regena]

I looked for my gifts too. ;o}
too funny.
thanks
Regena

[Cara]

That's awesome that you have such good memories of the holidays with your brother.
I feel sort of voyeristic reading the childhood memories of something so intimate as Christmas from everyone, but in a good way ;)

[CJ]

Such sweet memories! Now I want to be with family for Christmas which would mean lots of traveling. Sigh....

[Brenda K.]

You and your brother were very cute children. Can imagine your folks were very proud of you.

[Bari Jo]

Thank you so much for all the fun you ladies have in store for us! Loved the baby pics and loved what you shared about your brother! :O) Can't wait to see the rest of the projects - today's was great! kbmoore516

[sandy]

Don't you just love looking at the old photos .... I inherited 2 boxes of old photos ... someday I hope to get them organized.

[Brenda K.]

What a cute picture!

[Darlis]

Thanks for sharing your Christmas memories.
Love your card.

[margi]

I hear you on the brother thing. My baby brother and I are 13 months apart and my Mom always said we were more like twins because what one didn't think of the other did and we both went along with all of it! LOL

[Jane Weston]

This is fun reading about everyone's memories...thanks for sharing.

[Judy]

I love the picture of you and Mark.

[Carey]

My son has a little curl like that right in the middle of his forehead....and when he is good he is very, very good ..... and when he is bad, well .............

[Gloria]

I love that picture. I cut bangs for myself as a kid too. I think I've had bangs every since.

[Piecefully, Pam]

Thanks for sharing your Christmas FUN and memories. : )

[Carol Holmstrom]

I love that card also, super artist. How neat that you have such great memories with your brother, thanks for sharing.

[Tammy L]

What a cute picture! Thank you for sharing.

[Kersten]

Ooo, I LOVE sneaky Christmas traditions!!!

[Ann D.]

I am the oldest but my brothers grew to be 5'11" and 6'2" to my 5'4". It was fun being biggest for a few years though!!!!!!!!!!!!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1592097682]

Awe the joys of a having a little brother! Di

[Sharon]

I had 3 yonger bros. and one came for a family reunion with my oder sis., me and him. I had not seen him in probably 35 yrs. It was great over Labor Day and I took them to the Statue of Liberty. Very nice very fitting.

[Marianne]

Very cute picture! I have a brother 2 years older who was a real imp!

[Penne]

That is a really sweet picture.

[Judy]

You remind me of my son-in-law. He doesn't and won't Christmas shop until the date has a "2" in front. And he won't wrap his gifts. Makes everyone sit with their eyes closed until he puts their gift in their hands. Drives my daughter nuts!!