Thursday, November 29, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Christmas Past

With the holiday season now officially upon us, I’m once again throwing back to the past by linking up with Sunshine at Such Life in the Tropics to share an old photo, along with five fun facts that relate. Since I've been busy reorganizing old family photos featuring my Nana, who passed away in October, I thought this image taken on Christmas Eve 10 years ago would be an especially perfect choice.


1) My mom, sister and I have been going to Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents' house for as long as I can remember, basically ever since I was born. Some of our long-standing traditions have included opening one present ahead of time that night, spoiling our dinner with Nana’s  famous Italian Anisette Cookies, and laughing our heads off at my grandfather’s annual stories about all the crazy things he and his friends did while growing up in 1940s Boston.

2) Even though she moved to California during the 1950s, Nana never lost her Boston accent. People who are familiar with this type of speech pattern say they can also hear strong hints of it in my voice and my mom’s. Those who aren’t familiar with it often mistakenly believe that I am from the south, though, or say they just can’t pinpoint the correct region. Hearing Nana’s unique voice is one of the things I already miss most and hope I won’t ever forget.

3) I still have this red tank top in my closet and have worn it a couple times in recent years, most often paired with a black cardigan, pencil skirt and heels. The black designs on the front are rosettes.

4) The oak cabinet in the background used to have a giant glass case resting on top of it, which displayed tons of my grandparents’ finest china and mementos from over the years. Sadly, the entire thing crashed to the floor and was destroyed during the infamous Northridge Earthquake in 1994. The earthquake also damaged their home in other significant ways, but fortunately, all were fully repairable. After living through that experience, I am still traumatized by earthquakes big and small to this day.

5) This picture, quite grainy by today’s standards, was taken with a throw-away camera. My grandparents have continued to use them over the years, never wanting the hassle of going digital. They have also never fully embraced using computers, signing up for cable TV, using a dishwasher or placing wet clothes in a dryer instead of outside on a clothesline. 


Want to join in the Throwback Thursday linkup? Grab the badge above, and have fun sharing! 

12 comments:

  1. It sounds like Christmas at your grandparents' house is wonderful and full of traditions. I love the picture of your family.

    Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

    ReplyDelete
  2. what great memories from one photo. I really like the tradition of dinner on Christmas Eve, and that 3 generations are in that photo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Apparently I have the accent, too, because people still sometimes ask me if I'm from the South. I never even notice it until someone mentions it. Weird.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ita awesome how pictures bring is so many memories! Iove that you still have the red top!

    ReplyDelete
  5. awwww this is such a sweet post :) And it sounds like you all made some lovely memories together :)
    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

    ReplyDelete
  6. I certainly do remember disposable cameras! WOW can you imagine taking photos and not seeing them until they're developed?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Aww I love reading about them, my in-laws haven't really embraced cable either, but they do have a computer, my father-in-law even checks out some political blogs!

    I still have some old clothes from ten years ago that I love wearing still, my favorite pair of jeans are from high school, sadly they are getting a little too worn!

    You have a beautiful family with beautiful memories that will live on forever. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love old family photos. :) This is a very sweet post! (And I love that you still wear that top 10 years later!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. i miss christmas at my great granny's house! such awesome memories.

    ReplyDelete
  10. so sweet, and what a great memory and memories that you have of time with your nana, and traditions that have been going on for years. I'm sure you will pass those traditions on and keep them alive in your Nana's honor and spirit!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's amazing how pictures can bring back so many great memories! ~:o)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love how you break down the photo right down to your outfit. So many memories in one picture!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.