Christmas Creativity

My mother-in-law, Ella Olson, was one of the most creative people I had ever met.  She and my father-in-law, Otto Olson, lived on a farm west of Westby.  She did all the work that farm women did, but she also found time to express her creativity.  Especially at Christmas time.  She had little Christmas displays all around their home.

My wife, Ruth, inherited a goodly measure of my mother-laws’ creativity. Our home, is decorated for fall, for thanksgiving, for winter, for spring, for summer.  But especially for Christmas.  Ruth has a collection of snowmen, from tiny little ones to big stuffed ones that she displays.  “Because I can keep the snowmen displayed well after Christmas,” she says.

Ruth’s collection of Santas is also quite remarkable—from tiny little ones only an inch or so tall, to those able to sit up in a chair.  And not to forget the Scandinavian gnomes.  Some so homely they are cute. Daughter Sue and daughter-in-law, Natasha help arrange the displays.

Her most special collection are angels, she inherited these from her mother and she has added to the collection as the years go by.  And the nativity scene collection is quite remarkable with wise men, angels and of course Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in a little straw manager.

The center piece of it all, is our home-grown Christmas tree, decorated with story-remembering ornaments.  Our Christmas tree is really a history tree, as Ruth lists the events of the past year in a little book made from match boxes that are hung on the tree each year.

Visiting our home before Christmas is an experience. For the family, memories come flooding back as the kids (they are far from kids) and grandkids visit each of the displays and talk about them.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Ruth’s creativity comes bubbling forth, especially at Christmas time.

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS:

  You can buy my books at your local bookstore, order online from bookshop.org, or purchase from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.  and look at their great selection of my books. Order a book from them by calling 1-877-634-4414. They will be happy to help you.