Thursday, April 2, 2015

Celebrating Easter Long Ago

Spring is such a joyful time of year when everything renews itself around us.  Lilly My Cat tries to "renew" itself with varied posts.  I have tried to make my blog a bit diversified (like a stock portfolio, haha).  I know there's lot of people who don't knit or crochet but maybe they like history, travel, cats, or whatever.  I collect lots of things, I like to make a lot of things and I like to decorate in my own style.  (shhh don't tell me daughter and she thinks my style is crazy eclectic!) 

 So, on a fun, lighter note, I hope you will enjoy this little look back into what I think was a delightful period of time...

The other night I was trying to go to sleep and thinking to myself what can I write a post about.  Easter was popping into my mind .....

A few years ago my dear daughter gave me these lovely antique postcards.  They are from France and date from 1907 & 1914. 


 I think this is such a unique design with the saying of  " My Heart Opens to you".....



The card is written to Mademoiselle Elise Cheyroux, Collanges, near Meyssac, Correze (the town is now called Collanges-Meyssac, in the Limousin Region of France)
She writes....
My Dear Elise,
I see you're still enjoying yourself and you're quite right, because good times can be followed by bad times.  I received a letter from Edouard, but I'll think he'll be coming at Pentecost*. I often think it will soon be time to go spend a few days with you others - that will lift my spirits. I'm not like you, I don't have a lot of things to amuse me. You must have heard that Cecile is getting married on May 4th.  Elie and Jeanne will probably both go to the wedding.  Do tell me if you've bought something nice to wear. I send you all love and kisses.  A comfort, waiting til I can see you all.  Be sure to give your fat Papa a kiss from me!
Marie

*Note:  Pentecost falls 50 days after Easter.  In 1907, it was on May 19th.

I wish you could see this card pictured below in person as I believe it's been hand colored.  Don't you just love the dress she's wearing?


This Happy Easter card reads as follows:
My dear Suzanne,
I received your kind card yesterday.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It really made me happy, and as I don't want to take too long to reply, I'm writing back straight away tonight.  My parents are in good health; they're asking me to say hello to you.  You said that you went to the airfield (?) last Sunday.  Lucky you to be able to go on a jaunt so far away!  As for me, I'm finding this place more and more annoying - oh well, too bad.  I saw your grey suit, it's very pretty and very well made.  I can't think of anything new to tell you for the time being, so I'll leave off here my dear Suzanne, sending you lots of hugs and kisses.  Your friend, who's thinking of you,
Augustine
Write back soon, will you?

I believe this one too has been hand colored.  Doesn't the model have beautiful, long hair? 


I wish to thank my dear friend, Christine at Writing from Scotland who was kind enough to translate these cards for me.  If you have a chance please visit her wonderful blog. 

As for my memories of Easter long ago, I remember a particular Easter Sunday when I was about 6 years old.  We lived in a small town in Idaho in a very modern ranch style home (I think they now call these homes by the fancy name of "mid century").  My mother had grown up during the depression and she did not like anyone old or antique.  Well, back then it was the fad to buy a live pastel colored baby chick for Easter.  Yes!  a real live baby chick ( I know it's totally improper now).  I received mine that year - it was in a shoe box.  I remember being on the front doorstep playing with it when I turned around for just a minute.  I looked back down and it was gone.  Disappeared...no where in sight.  Oh, I was so upset.  I'm sure I cried.  My Mom thinks it was the neighbor's Siamese cat who grabbed it.  I'll never know.  But on a bright note; my two cousins also received baby chicks.  They lived out in the country and their baby chicks grew into healthy chickens who loved to run after you and nip you on the leg!

I also received a new Easter dress and shoes each year.  My Mom was fond of that voile flocked fabric that had puffy like designs on it.  I can't remember the name.  And, I must have liked yellow because I never recall having a pink or blue dress.  A lovely pale shade of yellow....with black patent shoes.  My Mom loved black patent.  She always wore black patent high heels.  To this date, I'm not fond of black patent....I don't know why as my dear Mom was a wonderful person.

Here's a look back at some of my Easter photos of long ago....
 Photo above is from 1956 - we still lived on the farm in Washington

 Photo above is from 1958 taken in my grandparents backyard in Idaho

This is a photo of my Mom and I taken in 1960 (the same year I lost my baby chick)

This is me in 1961....see the ranch style homes of the 60's in the background

I had to rummage through the boxes in the garage to find these photos.

I hope wherever you are that you have a Blessed Easter and peace.  I'll be taking a little break from this blog for a few days but will be back soon with some new posts that I hope you will enjoy.


Happy Easter,

Pat 

free vintage Easter egg chick and flowers clip art

I'm joining the following link parties:
Happy Friday at Planet Penny
Share Your Cup Thursday...

37 comments:

  1. Very pretty vintage Easter postcards.

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm happy you stopped by. Happy Easter.

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  2. Oddly enough I too was looking through old postcards from the first and second WW. My grandfather sent many postcards home from France & England to his sister here in Ontario. I was searching for a good "card" for March's scavenger hunt and dragged out my box of treasures. I love these cards that you have. I think it's fun to imagine the people who wrote them. Beautiful dresses! Happy Easter :)
    Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy, that is pretty amazing that you still have the vintage cards from that long ago. What a treasure! And, you know who wrote them which makes them even more special. Maybe you will share them one day on your blog. I hope you too have a blessed Easter holiday. I'm so happy that you visited my blog. My best to you :)

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  3. You've made me want to go find photos of me in my childhood Easter outfits. Growing up in Minnesota it was such a joy to wear something new. And get a new, crisp slip after the winter one had flattened from so many washes.

    The postcards are most interesting. I love reading letters written way back when. I still send letters at times, but hardly ever receive one. I miss them. Enjoyed my visit here.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment. It's fun to look at old photos (if you can find them) and remember from times past. I like your comment about the slip. Kids now don't know what we're talking about....I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday and I look forward to chatting with you again via our blogs :)

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  4. Fascinating postcards and look at you all adorable in your Easter dress and bonnet! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter. x

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    1. Thank you so much. It's such a lovely time of year. I wish you too a blessed Easter holiday.

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  5. Wonderful! I absolutely LOVE antique postcards! Happy Easter to you!
    Ruth

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    1. Thank you Ruth. I wish you a Happy Easter. It's a blessed time of year.

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  6. Lovely postcards, they have such pretty handwriting too! You were a very cute little girl in your Easter outfits!

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    1. Thank you. These photos are so old now that I look back. It was a wonderful time. I wish you a Happy Easter.

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  7. Aren't those postcards wonderful! Its so fascinating to delve into the past. Happy Easter to you! x

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    1. Yes, I agree. I love history and things from long ago. I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday, too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. What lovely memories you have of your childhood through these pictures Pat (except the missing chick). Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter.
    Lori

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    1. Thank you Lori. I hope has a wonderful Easter holiday.

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  9. That is so lovely and tender!
    Happy Easter!

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    1. Hi Olga, thank you so much for visiting today. I send you happy Easter greetings, too :)

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  10. Hello, Pat. I very much enjoyed reading the old French postcards....that your friend could translate them from such tight writing is wonderful. I also enjoyed your Easter memories. I see you are just a few years younger than me. I, too, received dyed "Easter chicks" in the 1950's. Mine never lived either. I have home movies of my little brother, my cousin and me at my grandmother's farm burying ours in a shoe box. We even had a little ceremony for them. This does not make for a good Easter memory for a child! I'm so glad they realized finally that was not a good thing to give children.

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    1. Hi Cathy, I love your story about the Easter chicks. My daughter would not take it well if I gave my grandson a live baby chick today. It seems as though times have really changed. I hope you had a joyous Easter and that spring weather has arrived for you.

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  11. You look such a cutie! Thanks for sharing the postcards and messages, I always enjoy hearing about people in the past.

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    1. Many thanks Victoria for visiting me today. I hope you're having a wonderful week.

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  12. Hope you had a lovely Easter - beautiful postcards and messages on them - thanks for taking us on a trip down memory lane!

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    1. You are most welcome. I thank you for your kind words.

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  13. Such lovely photographs, how wonderful to be the caretaker of these memories.

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    1. Hi Penny. Thanks so much for stopping by. I think these cards have taken on another life so to speak.

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  14. Those postcards are amazing and your photos and stories fascinating! I think I would have loved to receive a chick for Easter!

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    1. I'm sure you would have loved a chick but you are too young....it's fun to reflect back on Easter from long ago. Thanks so much for your kind comment.

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  15. Wonderful looking postcards. Enjoyed seeing them all.

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  16. I was so enamored by this post. The postcards were exquisite and the messages so reminded me of something out of Jane Austen. I recently ran an Easter photo of myself and my sister from 1953 in matching dresses. With belated Easter Greetings, Janet

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    1. Hi Janet, it's great to meet you. I read your lovely blog and saw the beautiful picture you posted. I can't believe it's been that many years ago but I guess we have grown older. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment.

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  17. Pat, this post is just delightful! I love vintage postcards and this collection from your sweet daughter are fabulous! I have a collection of bird and Christmas ones, a few Thanksgiving, but no Easter. I must be on the look out! Your story about the baby chick was so cute, but so sad. I don't ever remember getting any chicks but we always got an Easter dress, hat, and gloves. I think you must be about my age, according to the photos. I was born in 1953. Thanks so much for sharing with SYC. I will be featuring you this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann, it's great to hear from you. Yes, I was born in 1953! It doesn't seem that long ago but when I see my age, I realize that the years have gone by. I love you beautiful blog and it would be a honor if you feature Lilly my Cat. I hope you're having a wonderful week. Thanks again for your kind words. :)

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  18. Hi Pat, I came yesterday but not sure what happen with my comment. anyway I just want to let you know that thee compositions are lovely, it's always nice to see resemblance from the past.
    Take care!

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  19. Hi Pat,
    Thank you so much for visiting my Easter post, glad you enjoyed it. Your French Easter postcards are wonderful and so are the photos of you, loved the one in 1958, your clothing is so Nursery Rhyme perfect, like little Miss Muffit or Mary Mary Quite Contrary, very cute!
    Have a great rest of your week,
    Gina

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  20. Pretty postcards and nice messages too :) I have a couple of vintage Swedish postcards on my bookcase and your post has reminded me I need to translate them...

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