Friday, December 6, 2013

Toyland


20 Days Til Christmas - Diary of a Christmas

December 5, 2013

Toyland - Little Girl and Boy Land

When the boys were little we had a tradition of the quiet hour before bed.  They would all go up and brush their teeth and put their pajamas on.  When they were ready for bed I would come up and we would all climb on the bed with me sitting in the middle and I would tell them stories and sing lullabies.


Their favorite story was "The Giant Radish That Ate Cleveland".  This was a story that I had made up with our family as the main characters.  It was about a special "secret" formula fertilizer their father had made that got out of control. A giant radish grew to the size of a house and pulled itself out of the ground, and traveled about making the sound of  "gobbely goop" as it ate everything in site.  The end of the story was when Daddy flew a helicopter over the giant radish just before it was about to eat our house and killed it with another secret formula radish killer.

My favorite lullaby to sing was "Toyland". I don't remember when I first started singing this song, , but I just loved it.  The boys would all snuggle up close and close their eyes as they started to drift off. I would tuck them all into their beds and close their doors as they went off to dream land.

Toyland written by Victor Herbert/Glen McDonough (partial lyrics)
Doris Day sang my favorite version

Toyland, toyland
Little girl and boy land.




While you dwell within it
You are ever happy there



Childhood's joy land
Mystic merry toyland
Once you pass it's borders
You can ne'er return again
(skip a four lines)
Childhoods joy land
Mystic merry Toyland
Once you pass it's borders
You can ne'er return again

The one part of my life I wish I could have back is the time of joy at seeing all of my little as they traveled through toyland. 


Story of the table - choices.
I wanted nutcrackers on this table and started out with them - but I redid the pictures without the nutcrackers.

I also had a hard time choosing the plaid dinner plates.  I'll show you the pictures I took of the candidates.
The first paid pattern just says Paristone USA
The second plaid just says Home on the back.



The third plaid is from the Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwell series.



The forth plaid is last years Pottery Barn plaid




 The fifth plaid also says just Home on the back
I chose the last selection.  I liked that there was more green in the pattern and I thought it went better with the American Atelier Nutcracker salad plates.

The throw, flatware, wineglasses, napkins, napkin rings, and candles are a Goodwill purchases.




Napkin fabric











All of the plaid plates (except the Pottery Barn plates) came from either Goodwill, Salvation Army, or The Volunteers of America.
The rocking horse and red mercury glass candle holders came from Marc's (my favorite closeout store).
The Lenox napkin rings are thrift store buys also.

Have a great week, and remember - Thrift on ladies, thrift on!

Linking to:

Tablescape Thursday

Friday Favorites

What's It

Let's Dish

14 comments:

  1. Ohhh one of my favorite songs too - we have the Perry Como and Andy Williams versions. I love the giant radish story.

    Everything is so cutesy in this post - just as a toyland should be - I love the plaids and the nutcracker plates. I marvel at the glorious dishes that you have - and look forward to all the fun posts. Thanks so much for doing this for us.

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  2. I love, love, love your tablescape and your fabulous dishes.

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  3. The nutcracker plates were a fun find on Ebay. I was tickled to get them. They set the stage for everything else.

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  4. I am old enough to remember the Laurel and Hardy version of Toyland.

    Did you join the blog party about where do you keep it or store it?
    Inquiring minds want to know.

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  5. I. Ried reading "Toyland" because it reminds me of my own mother. Tis was not only a sweet post, but you have great dishes! Loved your tablescape.

    xoxoxox

    Sheila

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  6. I love the song Toyland, too! Your story is so sweet about your children at bedtime. The Nutcracker salads are the perfect accent to the centerpiece. I love all the plaid plates and candles. Have a Merry Christmas!

    Pam

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  7. Sorry I am having fits so this IPAD. It should read "I cried reading Toyland because it reminds me of my mother." I nevr know what the IPAD is going to spell wrong next. It is insane.

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  8. What a grand collection of plaid plates you have! They are beautiful - and especially with your salad plates. Love those nutcrackers! Your table is beautiful - visiting from Let's Dish. :-)
    Christmas blessings,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen Creates

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  9. What a fun table! It's so whimsical with all the dishes, toys, and colors. I can't believe all the great thrifty finds!! Way to go!
    Sharlotte

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  10. Candy - you have combined two of my very favorite things - nutcrackers and tartan plaids! I started a collection of nutcrackers years ago for my son and recently gave them to him (for this first house). I miss decorating with them, but your table makes me smile to see them on your plates. Such an interesting and fun table - love it!!

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  11. Love the plaids, every one of them! The fringed throw is just wonderful with the plaid. Great table, Candy, a pleasure for the eyes!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  12. I love those nutcracker plates that are so perfect with the dinner plates. I want to say that you should get someone, or yourself to illustrate that story. Really that is a precious family story!! What a fun thing that would be to give to your kids. Loved your table. Joni

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  13. Wow, you have outdone yourself, Candy...gorgeous table. I ♥♥♥ the tablecloth, napkins and the tartan plates together. What what a wonderful centerpiece...
    Merry Christmas!

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  14. Perfect table for this wonderful song. Love that tablecloth!

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