Uncle Mistletoe is IN the house

And a peek at my first Christmas

Man, I just love this little guy. For those not familiar with Uncle Mistletoe, he was a holiday character created by Marshall Field’s in the 1940’s, much as Rudolph was created by Montgomery Ward’s. Growing up, Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly were always carefully placed on the Christmas tree as they were very fragile. In fact, Aunt Holly doesn’t always make it to the tree as she’s feeling rather delicate these days.

When we’d go into the city at Christmas we’d go to Field’s and look at all the windows and have lunch in the Walnut Room, checking to make sure Uncle Mistletoe was at the top of the tree.

Sometimes we’d go to see the Nutcracker at the Arie Crown Theatre too, but the windows at Marshall Field’s, lunch in the Walnut Room, seeing Uncle Mistletoe, those are vivid memories for me. I started watching a wonderful WTTW show on Marshall Field’s Christmas windows and decoration and I almost cried. Sounds crazy, but those memories cut deep.

Now I’m always happy when this cookie jar makes its appearance.

Owen came over last night (we missed Trinity sniff, sniff) and we started decorating the tree. Both the boys were tired so much of it looked like this.

They got to work though.