Sunday, December 31, 2006

Auld Lang Syne, Fairies and Glamour.............


Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne


The Fairys New Year Gift
by Emilie Poulsson

Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said: "I have been sent to give you New Year presents."

She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone.

Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls.

Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. "I have brought you each another book?" said she, "and will take the first ones back to Father Time who sent them to you."

"May I not keep mine a little longer?" asked Philip. "I have hardly thought about it lately. I 'd like to paint something on the last leaf that lies open."

"No," said the Fairy; "I must take it just as it is."

"I wish that I could look through mine just once," said Carl; "I have only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day."

"You shall look at your book," said the Fairy, "and Philip, at his." And she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw the pages as she turned them.

The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches.

Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last.

"Who did this?" they asked. "Every page was white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!"

"Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?" said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys.

"See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling."

"But what makes this blot?" asked Philip.

"That," said the Fairy sadly; "that came when you told an untruth one day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were good."

"Oh, if we could only have the books again!" said Carl and Philip.

"That cannot be," said the Fairy. "See! they are dated for this year, and they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the others."

So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in his hand a new book open at the first page.

And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, "For the New Year."

For the interesting story behind these photos:

http://www.lhup.edu/~DSIMANEK/doyle.htm


We`re going ice skating later in the day with the boys and a house party this year. Usually we`ve just taken them to a movie and brought back Chinese food, so this will be a nice change for us all. I think it be such fun if there exsisted a New Year`s Eve dance where everyone dressed as in the 1940`s and 30`s and sang auld lang syne. So very glamorous! Have a lovely New Year`s Eve and stay safe.

tea
xo


12 comments:

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Happy New Year to you Tee. May health and happiness be yours throughout 2007. Marion

Sigruns German Garden said...

I wish you a happy new year 2007!

Sigrun

Unknown said...

Happy New Year - and what a delightful post.

butterflies said...

Lovely story and pics.
Happy New Year Tea..have a wonderful night!(weve had ours last night;)

rel said...

Tea,
Great story and pics. Every year is another chance...or..everyday. ;-0
Happy New Year (((Tea)))
rel

vicci said...

Happy New Year to You!!! What a lovely thing to be doing today...ice skating! I think your
"black tie affair" sounds wonderful....dressed in the 30's and 40's.....I have often thought those days of fashion were the best! I am looking forward to your blog in th 2007!

Heather said...

Oh yes, a glamourous party would be so wonderful! Happy New Year!!

Rowan said...

Nice story Tea, I agree with you about the 1930s/40s style New Year party - such elegance and glamour then, something sadly lacking in today's world. Enjoy your ice skating, it's a fun way to begin 2007. Happy New Year!

HORIZON said...

Wonderful post Tea- loved the song and photos, all. Enjoy your time out and bests for 2007!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Just found your blog via James of "nourishing obscurity". What lovely pictures you have and how I love these. Will be back.

James Higham said...

It's the first time I've read a fairy tale for many a long year. Thank you.

Boxwood Cottage said...

Cheers! And a very happy new year to you and your loved ones Tea! xox