Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary

Merry Christmas 

1969

Merry Christmas to you all here at Family Trails. Let's have a walk down Memory Lane to Christmas Night spent at the Weaver family gathering. Our family cookbook, Seasoned With Love, by Lucretia Malone Mount Davenport, (see sidebar of related books), has an entire page devoted to the menu that we all enjoyed every Christmas in the beautifully decorated home on 412 Cherry Street. 

This night at "Tee's House" was a magical night for children of all ages. Of course it was dark outside when we all arrived. There was a fire in the fireplace in the sitting room. There were  bustling noises in the kitchen. The dining room was set with the finest silver, china, and crystal bowls. Cake stands were in each corner. The older boys were in the front yard shooting firecrackers. But the parlor was the room we wanted to see first because that was the room with the beautiful Christmas Tree. Ah, but there lies the obstacle… 

The older generation was "at their posts" in the parlor. 

In order for the children to finally get to see the Christmas tree, we must speak to and kiss all of the elderly patriarchs of the clan. They were giants of men to us…men who still wore garters to hold up their socks! Men who when they spoke held the attention of everyone in the room. Of course, we had all hugged and kissed all the aunts and great-aunts and waved to our cousins as we entered the house and hung up our coats. But the parlor was The Goal Line of the party so that we could see the presents under the tree. 

Not too long ago while in a store filled with decorations, I saw this bundle of gold and white artificial greenery. I just had to take a picture of it! Does it remind you of the beautiful and sparkly decorations of Tee's house?

In Seasoned With Love on page 209, Lucretia printed the traditional menu for 

"Christmas Night at Tee's."

Let's read it again…

Rebecca DeWine Riddick made these cards several years ago.

Weaver Family Eggnog

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Sliced Baked Ham

Hot Homemade Rolls 

Sliced Roast Turkey

Cranberry Sauce

Congealed Salads

Weaver Christmas Salad

Cheese Straws

Toasted Pecans

Assorted Homemade Cakes

Ambrosia

Pulled Candy

Coffee

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Christmas also has another special place in the Weaver family. Nancy Antoinette Haynes and Charles Sisson Weaver were married on December 24, 1885.

Story-telling was a huge part of our agenda at Tee's house, and recollections of "The Silver Anniversary Party" of Nettie and Charles were always a favorite subject. Thankfully for all of us and for generations to come, our dear "Aunt Nina" wrote this 6-page account of the big event. This paper is also included in our family cookbook. 

How did I get an original typed copy of Aunt Nina's remembrance, you ask? Well, I was in the sitting room while in college, taking "lessons" from Tee, Aunt Lallie, and Auntie on making the "Net Counted Placemats." Some of the supplies were in the bottom drawer of the chest in the sitting room, and I came across this. All of the great-aunts, my grandmother, and me talked about it and read parts aloud. I learned so much from listening to them reminisce about this special time in their lives. I suppose since I showed interest in the paper and the anniversary party, they let me take the paper home.  I am so thankful that they did allow me to have it. I think now that our Family Trails was long in the making even before 2014. 

So please enjoy reading this…..(and look at the end for a surprise find!)

"Recollections Of Mother and Father's Silver Wedding Anniversary" by Nina Weaver Dodge.

 

The surprise find! 

The original invitation to the Silver Wedding Anniversary Party

And an article from The Daily Home newspaper in Talladega commemorating the

 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY!

I hope each of you have a very Merry Christmas.

 I wish for you 

calm in the busy-ness, 

peace at home in spite of turmoil worldwide,

 time with family,

 safe travels,

 good food, 

and 

CHEESE STRAWS!

With Love,
Mariellan