ABC's of Christmas ~ T

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like the bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.The good you do to others is good you do yourself. ~ Norman Wesley Brooks - 1976, from "Let Every Day Be Christmas"

ABC's of Christmas ~ T

Hello my lovely friends and welcome to another ABC's of Christmas. Today's letter is T.

is for...

Tinsel, Toy trains, Christmas Tree, Tradition, Turkey...

Did you know that the Christmas tree originated in Germany?

Queen Victoria and her beloved German Prince Albert introduced Christmas trees with the intricate ornaments to England in 1840. Glass ornaments, decorative beads, paper baskets with sugared almonds and hot air balloons adorned the trees.

And did you know that the early Christmas trees were typically trimmed with real candles, wafers, gingerbread cookies, fruit such as apples and garlands of cranberries, candy, as well as paper flowers and tinsels fashioned from tin and silver?

This is my Christmas tree which I had up in the family room a couple of years ago. It is decorated with ornaments and decorations collected from over forty years. There are no candles but you may find a gingerbread man, apples, and flowers. 

Toy Trains ~ I have always been fascinated with toy trains. My father had a wonderful train set when I was growing up and I have always loved them. I always dreamed of having a train set of my own, running around beneath the tree. Real trains bring back fond memories of our family travelling to New Brunswick to visit my grandparents. Those were the days!

Source

My son gifted me with this Chattanooga train a couple of years ago. 

I think trains have a most charming quality about them. Someday I hope to have a train set. The four foot tree in the family room would be a great spot for it. 

Turkey~ What is Christmas dinner without a turkey? When I was growing up, my family always had a turkey and I still have a turkey to this day for Christmas dinner. It's called Tradition and I'm very big on tradition, especially at Christmastime. 

Source

I make my simple but tasty dressing/stuffing using bread crumbs, potatoes, onion, summer savoury, salt and pepper, and I cook it outside the bird. I add some of the drippings from the turkey to it which makes it very tasty.

I think one of the nicest compliments I ever received from my mother was that she told me my dressing tasted just like her mother's; my grandmother's. I adored my grandmother so whenever I make my dressing now, I always think of my Granny. I like to think that she would be pleased with her granddaughter.

Please come back tomorrow for the letter U.

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi