************With each Christmas that passes………I seem to get more and more nostalgic. I am so glad that I grew up in the 50s, 60s, and 70s………The innocence of the 50s…….a carefree childhood where the most important activities of the day were playing OUTSIDE with my friends until my mom called us in for dinner. My brothers and all of our friends would gather at my house and we would build snow forts and have the best snowball frights. Who could make the best snow man was one of my favorite competitions…..Even though I was the youngest…I usually won, but then my mother was the judge and I was her baby!…My favorite shows on TV were the “Hardy Boys”, and the “Mickey Mouse Club”……The whole family sat every evening at the dinner table, and my mother would keep the conversation lively. I miss sitting with my father after dinner listening to all of our Christmas favorites…..Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney singing “White Christmas”, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Burl Ives and “Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer”, and of course Frank Sinatra singing “I’ll be Home for Christmas”…….so many many more……. My father would pour me a cordial glass of Raspberry Liqueur …..”now sip it and enjoy it” he would say as we happily listened to our own private concert……I believed in Santa until I was about seven or eight….until my two older brothers told me “there is no such thing!”. I remember being devastated as my mother tried in vain to convince me otherwise. In a split second there went Santa along with the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and all the other fantasies we believed in with all our hearts…….However, the wonder of Christmas and the meaning of Christmas was never lost…………..Times have changed, and I never dreamed we would see the things we are all experiencing now………. Jac and I treasure our little corner of the world……our little piece of heaven…..where nothing can intrude….. We keep the traditions of our parents alive. Every evening I play our favorite Christmas songs, and have added a few to the list…..like “Danny Wright”…….Jac cooks and bakes all of the things she so enjoyed doing with her mother. Every Christmas out come the ornaments that we have collected, and every Christmas we remember the generosity of our Linea friends who kindly sent new treasures to us when out tree came tumbling down…….I am happy to see that my nieces and nephews are continuing to carry on many of the traditions that my parents taught their parents who have in turn taught them, and are now teaching their children…………..In this crazy horrific world it is so important to keep these traditions alive…..that love and kindness is the most important thing you can have and share…………………………………………………………Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you………………….much Love………………………Louis and Jac
Merry Christmas Louis
Your memories made mine flood back. I grew up late 50’s 60’s send 70’s. I watched the. Mickey Mouse club too. I wanted to be a Mouseketeer and visit. Disneyland. ! Such a sweet time to think about
Happiness to you and Jac in 2016.
Vicki from Minnesota !!
Your desk with a pair of chairs reminds me that I need a game table for chess and puzzles!
It actually is a game table. When you lift the top off it’s a backgammon board. Jac and I use to play all the time, but haven’t in quite a while. It’s nice to play when it’s snowing and the fireplace is going……a little Port helps too.
Very “Thomas Crown Affair”! Now I have to have one!
Chuckling because I, too, had a flashback with your table. I suspected it was a game table because, during my first, ill-fated honeymoon, we went to Sorrento. One of our large honeymoon purchases, a gorgeous inlaid wood game table that was all set for chess or cards, was purchased in Sorrento. Omigosh, when the top was on, what beauty! I was always a sucker for that ornate sort of decoration when done on dark wood. Since my first hubby paid for the honeymoon, the table went to him when the marriage ended. I do think about that divine piece of furniture now and then because it reflected my taste and not his. He adored playing chess and card games (both of which I abhor), so it was easy for me to let go of the gaming part, but not so much the beauty. The honeymoon itinerary was wonderful: Greece, a few Greek isles, Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii (where he had us walk around the rim of Vesuvius — hidden message there?), Capri and the Amalfi Coast, in general.
Well the marriage may not have lasted but the trip sounds fabulous.
To this day, I remember the beauty of the rooftop restaurant that was part of our hotel in Sorrento. Italy always delighted me with its beauty at every turn — gorgeous pots with lush blooms spilling out from nearly everyone’s doorway and windowsills — but that restaurant and its view! It was open-air, with pots of colorful flowers all around the perimeter. Of course one could look out at Sorrento. But the restaurant was elegant, with white tablecloths and waiters in white jackets. And one could hear, almost anywhere, the melodic Neapolitan songs that move your soul (at least mine). My ex-hubby knew I loved such music.
I have the perfect picture from your description. I collaborated with my friend Andrea Pfizer for 18 years, twice a year at his villa in Praino on the Amalfi coast for the Anne Klein shoe collection. It was the next village down from Positano. He was a wonderful shoe designer who had a store in Milan and Paris. The terraces at his home were filled with pots of flowers and the walls were covered in vines of flowers ( Bouganville sp?)
A little inspiration for today’s show: Luciano Pavarotti singing “Torna a Surriento” (“Return to Sorrento”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7oypam_c8
Louis and Jac, It has been a long time since I have posted, but I took a few minutes this morning to catch up with “old friends” and read your touching Christmas message. There were many similarities with my own childhood, and I thank you for helping to bring some of those happy times alive again, if only for a few minutes. I did not know that your tree toppled and I can only imagine the ache at losing some precious ornaments. I am sorry. I do know, however, that no matter how precious an ornament, you and your wife quickly rebounded because you clearly understand what is truly important and material things are just adornments to life’s real treasures – family, health, safety, love. Wishing you the very best for the Holiday season and 2016. A Linea friend of old, Classicms.
It’s so good to hear from you! Merry Christmas!….The tree fell a few years ago. The hard part of loosing the ornaments was they were collected by Jac and I on separate trips to Europe and trips we took together. Even if it was July in Amsterdam or Sept in Venice we managed to find Christmas ornaments.The hunt was part of the fun. Now we make new memories from new places….even a Christmas barn in West Chester PA. near QVC! Don’t stay away! The more the merrier!!
Wishing you and Jac continued joy throughout the holiday season and beyond, and the very best in 2016. Thank you for all you do to bring charm, grace and elegant style into our lives.
Hope your Christmas was magical ! What a coincidence because my MOTHER would share her Blackberry Liqueur or wine with me, always in a crystal liqueur glass. I love your very luxurious Black walls, on the west coast we have to settle for lighter walls but we love our Black Doors ! But my favorite is Madame Fifi, taking one of her many naps of the day. Hope she got lots of prime rib, turkey, ham and all the goodies. and whatever else her heart desires.
I Wish you, Jac and all the Linea Ladies, the best New Year Eve and coming New Year ever !!
Love to Everyone.
Cela <3 <3 <3
Actually the walls are dark green velvet not black.
Oh, I’m so sorry. But the green is just as dramatic; I have “thyme” drapes and roman shades in my kitchen of all places. I love that cocoon feeling !!!
I just might be a “closet Easterner”. LOL But I love the sun to much to move, I was born in August.
Don’t know why I turned up anonymous, it’s me, Cela.
I’m a day late in wishing you and Jac a Merry Christmas which I trust you had. I, too, grew up in the time frame you describe and still love to watch the movie “White Christmas” (which I did on Christmas Eve). Our area in middle Tennessee was under tornado watches/warnings on Wednesday night, and the sound of those sirens reminds me of the air raid drills we had in school in the 1950s. That is not a good memory. But fortunately all the wonderful memories of Christmas past make my days much happier. Now our children are grown, but we still get together as a small family to celebrate the holiday. And probably the best part is our grand-dog Silas (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) who makes our days hilarious with his antics. May the end of this year be a blessing for you all!
Merry Christmas to you& Jac!
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a wonderful and healthy New Year.
Merry Christmas and Healthy Happy New Year to you Louis and Jac for all the joy and beauty you bring to us. And to my Linea Sisters, I wish you all the best in the New Year.
Merry Christmas to LDO and Jac. May this season be filled with laughter, love, and light and hopes that the New Year brings you lots of adventures and good surprises! Thank you for all that you do to bring so much beauty and grace to our lives. We are lucky to count you both as friends. Kate
Merry Christmas Louis and Jac. Wishing you many blessings for the New Year!
Wishing you and all the Linea World a beautiful Christmas.
Peace on Earth in 2016
Oh Louis, thank you for the pictures and memories. I believe some of us were born at a most perfect time and place. Goldie, thanks for the story of the helpers. From Santa’s elves to our solders protecting us, we have so many helpers to be thankful for. Jmarie, wow, what talent! Thank you for the poem, what a gift. Your words made me smile, hate to say, but my Zebra, Shetland and animal hose are fine and dandy here in the Pacific NorthWest it has been quite cold. We have seen “32” several times. I think your turn is coming. Anyway, I am so proud to be a Linea Lady! Merry Christmas to all.
Dear Louis and Jac,
Thank you for your beautiful message. I wish you much happiness and good health. You bring so much joy into the lives of the Linea Ladies. And beautiful things as well.
Beryl
Thanks so much for sharing your most lovely sentiments of the Holiday season. Touching. Loved it.
Merriest Christmas to you and Jac as well as your extended families.
Dear Louis and Jac, a blessed Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for your kind and touching words….so true.
Heading to NJ for Christmas Eve with the Italian side of the family and Christmas Day will be with the Irish side. That continues our tradition of the way my parents celebrated.
Best wishes to you and all the Linea Ladies.
Elaine
Thank you Louis for the beautiful holiday message. Your home looks so festive, warm and inviting. May you and Jac have a lovely Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year! God Bless you both.
Louis, Jac and girls,
May your Christmas be splendid and your New Year healthy and happy! Your decorations are festive and your home so inviting. Thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas!
Monica
Dear Louis,
May you and Jac have a beautiful and blessed Christmas and good health and happiness in the new year.
Hope Santa is good to the girls,
Dariann
Bravo, jmarie, BRAVO!
Thank you for your lovely thoughts and sharing your beautiful Christmas decor with us. I loved your message and sometimes wish we could go back to those simpler, carefree days….but time and life march on. May you, Jac, and your furry family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2016. Love & Hugs.
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose–” Hmmm…Not quite right this year, is it?
Current sweaters begging to be worn
Jack NOT nipping at your nose,
Zebras waiting, shetlands lonely and mourned
Bohos and skorts—too hot for hose!
Everybody knows gunmetal fish and chocolate bars
Help to keep our spirits bright,
As we wait with our eyes to the sky
And hope El Nin᷉o—flees this night!
We know that LDO’s on his way
He’s bringing warm and cuddly goodies Christmas Day,
And every one of us impatient waits to see
If all this warm weather—will a-bate!
And so, we implore you, Mister Weatherman to
Bring back a crisp thirty-two,
And lest we forget, from our hearts, from your fans,
Merry Christmas, to you!
And so, we implore you, Mister Weatherman to
Bring back a crisp thirty-two,
And lest we forget, from our hearts, from your fans,
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you!
WOW…this is fabulous…thanks for treating all of us!
Dear Louis,
My heart was warmed this morning by your remembrance of times past, familial love and your respect for the eternal truths of LOVE and KINDNESS. Your inviting and soothing living room also provided the perfect ambiance to read your thoughts. I was charmed and reminded, by your sweet words, of what is important in this life. In the face of horror, as we have witnessed this year, we must remember the essential goodness of mankind. Your Eiffel Tower ornament is especially meaningful this year. Blessings to you and Jac.
A news commentator reminded me of this advice that came from Mr. Rogers’s mother. It honestly helps when overwhelmed by tragedies. It gives hope. See if you agree.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
Yes, a nostalgic time for those of us who remember. Let’s drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. For days gone by. For the memory of Christmases past and long ago loved ones. And raise a cheer in the Hope of tomorrow and be thankful for His mercy.
The very best Christmas and new year to you, Jac and your loved ones, Louis.
Madame
Louis that was so beautiful and brought back so many fond memories of me and my siblings growing up with my parents. My mother had decorations for all the holidays but at Christmas she went all out and everything was fresh from the wreath on the door to the tree and the poinsettias all around the house and when she was cooking the aromas were so good. Neighbors, friends and family would be stopping by all day and night. I grew up in the 60’s, 70’s and although things have changed there is no place I would rather be then right here in NYC….you can’t get this energy anywhere else. As a child my mother use to take me to see the store windows I would be in awe at how they were decorated; after all that walking we would go to Woolworth which use to be across from Macy’s and sit at the counter and have lunch before heading home. Everything was so innocent without a care in the world. Now that I am grown, married with my own family I feel so thankful to my parents for their traditions and memories that I have and continue to do as well as pass on and share with the younger generation. Wishing you and Jac everything that is good, Merry Christmas and I too look forward to more Linea in 2016. It is so warm today that I am wearing my anorak jacket in charcoal grey! Unbelievable weather we are having.
What a wonderful message Louis. While I grew up later than you, in the 70s and 80s, I echo your sentiments. I remember playing outside in the snow in Minnesota with all the neighbor kids and going sledding with my dad. I remember the neighborhood arts and craft fair where my mom got some really neat handcrafted ornaments which I still have today and look forward to seeing each year when I decorate the tree. I remember helping my mom make krumkake and rosettes for the cookie exchange. Innocent and fun times where we respected our elders, weren’t addicted to electronic devices and wrote thank you notes. How times have changed…
But, I still have awesome memories of the wonderful times and people of my past. And I look forward to making new memories while keeping traditions of the past alive and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a bit hard to get in Christmas mode when it’s in the 80s outside though. Lol
As you may remember I lost my husband. But God has blessed me again with a new man (and his two dogs) for the next chapter of my life. And Santa brought me a new precious puppy (a rescue) who stole my heart. It’s going to be a joyful Christmas again. 🙂 I wish you and Jac and the Linea ladies a holiday season filled with joy, love and peace.
Dear Louis and Jac,
I would like to wish you both a very Merry Christmas and many blessings for the new year. I can not wait to see what you have in store for us.
It was heartwarming to read your Christmas message. I feel exactly the same way. I too grew up in the 50’s and 60’s on a little farm in Wisconsin. There was plenty space to play and explore. The woods, playing in the creek, all of it would allow us to pretend we were explorers and pioneers. Each spring we would watch the mama kitty closely and sure enough, she would go the rafters where we would find all the adorable kittens. We had little money but the world was our oyster via our imagination. We rode our bike or walked over a mile to school – rain, snow, and sun. Love but no coddling. One was taught to cope. And, life does not stop at a farm for any reason – you commit and balance your time for leisure, work, play, learning, volunteering, and church. When I married, I moved not far but at age 60 moved back home to the farm which has been in the family for a hundred years. Although the farmhouse is not fancy and it has no outstanding architectural features, we renovated and made it wonderful. I do watch the news and continue to be puzzled by people who exhibit such behaviors that show no respectful anyone, however, I do not allow any of it to steal my joy. In this Christmas season, I wish you and Jac joy and good health.
Merry Christmas and I look forward to new Linea in 2016.