Hello Everyone!!
Enjoying my holiday a lot but wanted
to pop in to wish all of my Followers
and Readers a...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
May it be filled with happiness, peace,
good health and fun with family and
friends.
See you in the NEW YEAR!!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
Good Afternoon! Let's continue
our White House Tree Tour,
shall we?
We will begin with First Lady
Hillary Clinton. In 1995, Mrs.
Clinton chose the theme: "A
Visit from Saint Nicholas." The
theme was inspired by the book
and a family tradition of the
President reading the story to
Chelsea and then to the school
children who visited the White
House.
The ornaments for this tree came
from architects--they were based
on the home in the story and needle
pointers made stockings to tie
in with the phrase" the stockings
were hung by the chimney with care."
~~~~~~~~~
In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush's
theme plans change somewhat
due to 9/11.
Her theme: "Home for the Holi-
days" took on a stronger signifi-
cance due to being at war. But
even with the White House closed,
tours and parties cancelled and
few visitors to the White House,
Christmas decorating did go on.
It was a white Christmas with
shades of pure white, pearl white.
off-white and grayish white plus
splashes of silver, gold and
crystals. White ornaments
depicting homes like the
Biltmore Mansion in North
Carolina and places of
worship were contributed by
various artists around the
country for the Blue Room
tree.
~~~~~~~~~
Barack and Michelle Obama
came to the White House in
2009 as the President and
First Lady.
Having never been to the
White House and wanting
to share it with everyone,
the First Lady chose the theme:
"Reflect, Rejoice and Renew"
which also was a family theme
in the Obama household.
Being a proponent of healthy
eating, Mrs. Obama wanted to
incorporate the White House
garden into the decor, she also
wanted to repurpose existing
ornaments from past Christ-
mas'.
Hundreds of large plastic balls
were found in the White House
warehouse and these were
distributed to sixty community
groups to decorate, they were
asked to illustrate an important
place or monument by decoupaging
the ornaments with pictures
representing their subject.
All total there were 600 ornaments
decorated by various groups. Before
they were hung on the Blue Room
tree the ornaments were strung on
blue ribbon that Girl Scouts embroid-
ered "reflect, rejoice and renew" in
several languages. A wide gold ribbon
encircled the tree, culminating in a
big bow as the tree topper.
There you have it---White House
trees through five decades.
Hope you have enjoyed these posts,
if you missed one scroll backwards.
~Keep on Dreaming~
This is from last year at Union Station
here in Kansas City.
Hello--
Just popped in to let you know that
there will be a delay in our next
"First Lady" post.
I am running around here like a one
arm paper hanger trying to get things
ready for the last day of school before
break.
Please come back tomorrow for
today's post.
Thanks for understanding.
~Keep on Dreaming~
image: Google
In 1989, Mrs Bush went from being
the "Second Lady" to "First Lady."
Mrs. Bush was the First Lady who
wanted to share the White House
with everyone and for her that
began with Christmas.
Mrs. Bush's theme for 1989 was a
"Storybook Christmas," which
featured popular characters from
children's books and it highlighted
a favorite cause of hers: literacy.
The tree placed in the Blue Room
showcased eighty soft sculpture
ornaments, including Mary Poppins,
the Tin Man, Pinocchio and the Poky
Little Puppy. Painted alphabet letters
and small books were used as orna-
ments. Beneath the tree were books
tied with ribbons.
Interesting side note--That year
Mrs. Bush expanded on a trend
that Mrs. Reagan has and that
was multiple trees--seventeen
to be exact!!! Those trees were
decorated with cotton bunting
to resemble snow laden trees.
We'll continue tomorrow...
~Keep on Dreaming~
image: Google
Today we are going to get a
glimpse of the tree that Mrs.
Ford designed during her
first year as the First Lady.
In 1974, the Ford's came into
the presidency after Nixon
resigned. In need of a media
makeover, Mrs. Ford decided
to go with the same traditions
the family had at home and
continue them in the White
House.
Known for her thriftiness,
Mrs. Ford chose the theme
"Patchwork Christmas as her
theme. This theme was used
for several reasons, stepping
away from the former admin-
istration, the country was in
a horrible recession with long
gas lines, and inflation was
"Public Enemy Number One"
according to the President.
So she chose handcrafted
ornaments instead of the
glitz and bling from the
past years. Pastel blue fabric
was chosen for the tree in the
Blue Room, garlands and bows
were made out of it. There were
550 patchwork ornaments
made by Appalachian crafters,
600 tiny mirrors, homemade
spice sachets of cinnamon and
nutmeg, tiny baskets filled with
candy or nuts, and carved
wooden animal toys were hung
on the tree and a quilt was
wrapped around the base.
Stop by tomorrow for
next Presidential tree.
~Keep on Dreaming~
Hello and Happy Monday
to everyone!
Over the next week we are
going to take a look at five
different decades and the
First families choice for trees.
Several years ago, Mr Ken
gave me this book for
Christmas. What a fun read
it is!!
Back in 1961, Mrs. Kennedy
chose the very first White House
Christmas theme---The Nutcracker.
This theme reflected her love of the
ballet, classical music and culture.
The majestic Victorian tree was
displayed in the Blue Room, with
it's great height clearing the ceiling
when the star was placed on topped.
On the tree were blue ribbons, small
artificial candles, there were large
snowflakes hanging next to small
candy canes, baskets, angels, birds
and other animals.
Mrs. Kennedy was known for her
polish and sophistication and her
tree design reflected these things.
**Pictures from Google and
text information is from the book.
Stop by tomorrow and see whose
tree is next.
~Keep on Dreaming~
Hi!
I can't believe a week has flown by.
Last Friday Mr. Ken and I celebrated
our 16th anniversary as some of you
know, anyway that evening we went
to our local Arboretum and enjoyed
the Holiday Luminary walk.
The weather was warmer than last year
but we were glad to have our big coats
as the evening progressed.
The grounds covered-- total 22 acres.
We did not walk all 22 acres but we
walked and walked.
All the pathways were lit with lots and
lots of candles!! Pathways and water-
ways had candles.
I think for all of us here in the metro
area, we consider this the KC Royals
tree.
A very nice guest took our picture for
us.
On Saturday, we did a little shopping
and hanging out.
On Sunday, we went to Crown Center,
a "premier family destination" in down-
town. There are a variety of activities
for the whole family to choose from.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at this
lovely restaurant.
I chose the lunch buffet and Mr.
Ken had a Caesar salad and
lasagna.
I posted my choice on Facebook
so I didn't post it here. THEN
we had a Cannoli and Gelato for
dessert.
This is the Mayor's Christmas. It is lit
the day after Thanksgiving in Crown
Center Square. It is 100 feet tall and
lit with thousands of lights and orna-
ments.
A beautiful wreath inside the Crown
Center shops.
If you look very closely, you will see
that this is a ginormous Snow Globe.
this is part of the "Downtown Dazzle"
Activities. We stood in line and then
got to go INSIDE the globe and had
our picture taken! It was sooo fun!
These characters were monitoring
all of the guests waiting in line
for their turns to go in the globe.
Another fun anniversary and now
we are onto the next.
Look for me on Facebook if
I am not here.
(Melinda Lickteig)
~Keep on Dreaming~
Yes, I am still around and I hope
you are too!!!
It is that time of year--so much
going on.
As most of you know, yesterday
was "Giving Tuesday." The day
that we are asked to "give" to
our favorite charity.
Today I would like to suggest
other recipients for our giving
this holiday season.
Animal shelters--old towels and
blankets
Women's shelters--toiletries,
women's and children's clothing.
Plus size clothing for women is
usually in high need, books and
art supplies for the kids. Please
check with your local shelter
for their "needs" list.
Homeless shelters-Again
check with those in our
area for their particular
needs.
Usually clothes, socks
shoes and toiletries are
a high need.
Local libraries usually have
book donation drop offs
Check with your local
child care centers and
elementary schools to
see what they are in
need of.
Small centers usually
are in need of art
supplies and classroom
supplies etc.
Last but not least---
Those RED KETTLES
that are seen all over at
this time of year.
Mr.Ken and I get the biggest
kick out of dropping our dollars
into the kettles we see.
If you are feeling really generous
buy the bell ringer a cup of coffee
or hot chocolate, they'll appreciate
it-especially if it cold.
Take the time to give when and
where you can. Someone you
don't know will thank you!!!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
Hello!
Hope everyone is having a
fantastic holiday weekend!!
Well, today's the day,"Small
Business Saturday."
The day we focus on shopping
at those cute little stores
that we have in our towns
and cities.
The benefits are many--
Shoppers can find a
variety of unique gifts.
Those that the gifts are
for receive a special gift.
Shopkeepers profit and many
gain new customers.
Enjoy your shopping. Hope
you find a lot of fun
goodies!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
Here we are the day before"the
big day." Are you ready? We are.
Mr. Ken and I will be at home
tomorrow and enjoy hanging,
eating AND locating Christmas
decorations
Wishing you are yours a day filled
with FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN,
FOOD AND MOST OF ALL FELLOW-
SHIP!!!
Why did the turkey cross the road
twice?
To prove he was not a chicken.
What do you call it when it rains
turkeys?
Foul Weather
Happy Thanksgiving!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
