Daydreaming about taking a vintage sleigh ride

✯ Day 335 of Vintage 365 ✯

There are scenes, whether illustrated or photographed, from the past that evoke such a strong sense of longing - for an era I never got the chance to call my own - that it is  impossible for me to ever forget them. So entrenched in my mind do these images become that I almost turn them into memories of my own.

I must say, I don't mind this one bit and feel blessed that history touches me (as I know it does many of you, too) so deeply.

One recent example of an image I chanced upon that made me pine to travel back in time and hop right into it, is the terrifically pretty magazine cover pictured below of a winter's eve farm neighbourhood scene in which two fine, strong horses pulls a sleigh merrily through a carpet of crunchy snow.

{Immensely lovely, heartwarmingly sweet illustrated winter themed cover of the December 1940 edition of Woman's Day magazine. Image by way of Charm and Poise on Flickr.}

 

I am almost 100% certain that I've never had the pleasure of enjoying a good old-fashioned sleigh ride myself (if I did, I'm too young to remember it). Something which, until this very morning, I'd stopped and given too much thought to.

Having grown up watching TV shows (such as the Canadian classic Road to Avonlea) and movies in which yesteryear life was portrayed, paired with singing jingle bells countless times, almost made it feel as though I dashed through the snow in a one horse open sleigh of my own each winter.

Alas, such is not the case, but it's fun to keep on imaging that it is. One day, I'm sure, I'll get the opportunity to fly through a farmer's field, clearing in the woods, or a snow covered back road in a sleigh much akin to the wonderful example in this beautiful 1940s illustration. Until then though, I'll keep on living out my wintertime sleigh ride ambitions vicariously through vintage images like this marvelous one.

Here's to the start of December - that most magical, meaningful of months - and all the memories, dreams, and wishes it holds for each of us, sweet friends.

Watching snowflakes and trying to play catch-up

Old Man Winter has moved back into town and brought his chum the North Wind with him this week! What began as a few delicate, minuscule flakes tumbling gracefully to the ashen pavement on Monday has morphed the landscape from one of rusty green grass into a world heavily carpeted with powdery snow. Despite the fiercely howling winds there is embedded tranquility that accompanies the initial (and certainly some of the subsequent) days of true winter weather that I cannot help but cherish.


{A few more inches to go and my husband and I can rush outside like gleeful little kids and try our gloved hands at imitating this adorable vintage couple and their charming snow bunnies. Image via superboma's Flickr stream.}


With the return of snow however, so ends, I hereby say “officially”, whatever semblance of autumn we had – or held onto a pipe dream of ever having. Granted the leaves changed colours, but this year lacked the vibrancy, the mellow warmth, the glistening beauty that autumn is supposed to arrive cloaked in.

Yet no sense in crying over seasons that didn’t come to proper fruition, onwards and upwards, I always like to say! With Christmas so very near, it’s hard to think of any other time of the year (though I couldn’t help but reflect for a moment this morning that tomorrow will mark five months since my birthday – or perhaps more tellingly, seven more until my next), and that suits me just fine. There’s a great deal to be said for living in the moment, whether a special day looms near or not.

To that extent I’m trying to catch up on about a week’s worth of terrifically kind comments that have been left on my most recent posts, by visiting the wonderful blogs of all those who share their thoughts with me here (thus allowing me to blog “in the moment” and try to stay on top of future comments through the second half of this week). I may not get quite through the whole kit and caboodle today, but I’m trying my best – despite the fact that our internet is being rather spotty presently and cutting out continually (which I’m keen to chalk up to the aforementioned barrage of snow and howling winds – but who knows?). I’m glued to my computer at the moment, save for the fact that I’ve got a scrumptious milk chocolate, nutmeg and banana cake baking away in the oven, its intoxicating scent permeating every inch of the apartment. It’s mostly for the mister, but I may nibble a crumb or two myself :)

Wishing you each a gorgeous Wednesday filled with as much serenity as the first snowflakes of winter.