by MarianBeaman | Jan 1, 2014 | Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
Here is a postcard from precisely 100 years ago: Grandma Fannie Martin Longenecker’s New Year’s greeting passed down to me and then to our daughter Crista who now displays it in a frame with her holiday decorations: They were called penny postcards for a...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 28, 2013 | Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
It was twilight. And twilight was turning to dusk as Cliff and I sat down to eat supper. He said, “Let’s light a candle.” She said, “Well, that’s a good idea. It’ll look pretty.” One of us said, “Let’s put the candle into the curio cabinet. The mirrors behind will...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 25, 2013 | Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
by MarianBeaman | Dec 24, 2013 | Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
A matryoshka doll also known as Russian nesting doll refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. The first Russian nesting doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, a folk crafts...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 21, 2013 | Conflict, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
The Longenecker Christmas Tree. Well, there was none. Not one. Not ever. Despite the fact that the Christmas song, “O Tannenbaum” is of German origin, most Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite homes of the 1950s and 60s did not light Christmas trees. Decorated...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 18, 2013 | Family / Nostalgia, Neighborhood / Environment, Uncategorized
Traditional luminaria of the Christmas season have their origins in the culture of Spain. Impressed with the paper lanterns from the Chinese culture, Spanish merchants decided to make their own version when they returned home. Killarney Shores, our community, has kept...
