Ray Bledsoe

All of the ornaments on our tree have been made by our children, grandchildren and hopefully next year one from our great-grandaughter.  The "Tree Topper" was made by a grandson when he was four and battling cancer.  We cut the tree from the 'Toiyabe National Forest' (with a permit) in a fire prevention thinning program.

Sorry about the photo.  I couldn't get it to stay rotated?  Must be the way I transfered it from my phone.

Ray Bledsoe

Looks like it came out rightside up once I posted it????

Marvin Theobald

Love seeing every ones trees. Thanks for the great idea Sandy. The horizontal tree photos were worrying me. I was afraid the ornaments might fall off so I turned them right side up. Hopefully no one strained their neck muscles trying to look at them before. It seems that the orientation the photo was taken at determines how it will display so all I had to do is copy, rotate and replace each one. As the site administrator I can do this. No one else has access to make those changes. I will gladly do this anytime I see one that went rogue.

Below are a few photos of my Christmas decor. Not much of a tree but Santa and I have been enjoying it. He has been my house guest for several weeks and has been good company although he has had nothing to say. He'll be out of sight in a few days and will be missed. It had been several years since I made Christmas candy and cookies and I decided to make them this year. It is a dangerous thing to do since my sweet tooth is so overpowering but so far I am managing to keep it contained within reasonable limits. Most of it went to neighbors since many of us share our goodies.

The "big seller" is the English Toffee. My mom always made it and it is always the biggest hit with everyone. The round ball cookies have a half pecan inside. That was always one of my favorites. As I was making them I was thinking of mom and feeling like I was continuing the tradition for her.

Hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas. Happy New Year to all of you special BHS Class of 64 classmates. Plan to join us for our 60th Class Reunion weekend August 16-18.

Ray Bledsoe

Marv, thanks for fixing my post

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Marvin, your Santa is pretty skinny, but cute.  I never would have guessed you were a baker.  I baked also,  About eight different things.  I make trays up for the kids and Grand-kids to take home.  They give me back my trays so I can do the same next year.  But I didn't take any photos of the trays.  I'll have to remember to do that next year.   Thank you fixing the trees so they are standing upright.  We wouldn't want any ornaments to fall off.  ha-ha

Ray, that is a very special tree with lots of very special memories on it.  

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Thank you Jim and Sandy for the Birthday wishes!  I can't believe I'm 78  -- where did all those years go?!  And yes, Sandy we need to get together with Pam and Madelon this spring (and anyone else that would like to join us, Jim). The pictures of trees and other Christmas decorations are beautiful!  I especially love Marv's wooden nativity.  A friend of mine purchased one this last year when he was in Germany.  I'm going to try and post a few of my pictures too.  The significance of the two Bibles is that one was my Grandpa Ellis' and the other one my Grandpa Petersen's.  I feel very lucky out of all my cousins that I ended up with both of them. Each year my Granddaughter, Caroline, sets the table for our family Christmas celebration.  It has become a special tradition for each of us.  I keep the letters my Dad wrote to his parents in his Army hat and put them out each Christmas.  I'm wishing the Class of 64 a happy and healthy New Year!



 

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Liz Spillman Alex is not able to post anything so here is a picture of her tree.

Sue, your tree and tables are beautiful.  The Bibles are so special for you to have.  I agree, anyone who would call to go with us to see Sue is welcome.  It's a nice little drive from Bloomington.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

For over (yikes) a quarter-century I've been expanding my decorations. The attached photos will give you some idea what one does in a condo in the city. I love seeing everyone else's trees. Many thanks to Sandy and Jim for this wonderful idea and all of you who have let us get a glimose of your Holiday. It has become a tradition to decorate cookies with my granddaughter. Because we are all invested in the arts, we tend to go a little overboard. First, my tree through the arch from my living room, then 3 photos of my window decorations, followed by our cookie tray, and (my favorite) my granddaugher on Christmas Eve. Wishing you all a very, very Happy New Year. Love and Peace.

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Mel, I love the looks of your condo and your Christmas decorations.  Your granddaughter and cookies are beautiful!  I forgot to add a picture of my cookies to my post.  They are Springerles.  An anise (think black licorice) flavored hard cookie that traditionally was dunked in coffee.  The yellow ones are lemon flavored for those who don't care for anise.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Mel, your decorations are so pretty in your condo and your Grand-Daughter is beautiful.  Looks like she was a big help making the cookies.

Sue your cookies look beautiful, just like your quilts. 

I've been putting my decorations away today.  Tomorrow I will  put the ornaments away and the snow figures off of my computer desk.  Sure is a lot of work decorating for 30 days or so.  But I really enjoy it and everything looks so blah without the green and red. 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandy and Sue, glad you like my decorations. It's exhausting going up and down the ladder, so a kind neighbor helped make it all possible this year. Unlike you, I leave my tree up as long as possible. Like Sandy said, everything seems blah when it all comes down.

Sue, I love anise. Where can I order a dozen? Seriously, they look and sound fabulous.

Hope everyone is enjoying the New Year. So far, 2024 is going gangbusters around here. Maybe now I can get some rest. Hugs, Pease (sorry Joan, I couldn't resist) and Peace to the Class of 64.

David Brock

All the decorations are great.  Mel--typically Springerly cookies are a relatively thick cookie and cut by a special 'rolling pin cutter'.  I think they are a northern European cooky.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Happy New Year!  It is almost time for the day of the 3 kings!

Linda

Marvin Theobald

I am visiting Mel in Chicago and could not pass up the opportunity to take this photo. Hope it brightens your day. Notice Willis (Sears) Tower in the background. I can send you a high resolution version if you want to get a print framed to hang in your living room.

 
Here are a couple of pics of this morning's snow from his tenth floor condo to remind those of you in warm climates what you are missing.

James (Jim) Rookus

AAt our house ... the holiday season stretches into spring ... still looks like Christmas with table set for a 5 couple friends lunch !!!  Guess who gets to wash the cold edges dishes later !!!  Oh well ... as they say " happy wife .. happy life "!!!  My goal to keep her happy!

James (Jim) Rookus

MARVE .... thanks for the pics from Chicago ... brings back memories of the Windy City!! 
I was sitting by the fire this cold winter morning looking at past photos on my phone ... and came across this pic my wife took of me almost being attacked by a bear in the forest in Yellowstone ... luckily I escaped in harmed but a bit shaken up .... NOW if you believe that tall yarn ... I have some swamp land in Florida I'll sell ya !!!!!

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Marvin:

We have a forecast for possible snow on Monday!

Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Marvin:

How much should I send to you for coming to the reunion on Saturday night?  I want to send it to you right away.

Thank you.

Linda Elias

James (Jim) Rookus

Well, here I am late night finally taking time as I've been meaning to do for several days .... reply and/oe comment on recent holiday posts!

Sandy: Yours was the first decorated tree to appear in its gorgeous glory filled with large and "glitsy" ornaments and lots of lights (my wife's style)!  Following was my tree and

Wendy's adorned with an abundance of shinny iceicles and a beautiful large star to top it off.  

Then the very special tree posted by Ray adorned by almost all homemade orwnaments by kids and grandkids ... so very special !!!

Marve and his skinny Santa (did you give him one of those cookie trays?) who should have eaten a tray of those yummie looking cookies😊. The multi level nativity is really cool .. wonder if you made it with those special woodworking talents you possess!

Then Sue and her warm and most inviting home and decor.  I like the red and silve themed tree and elegant table setting thanks to help from a very sweet granddaughter!  Your home SAYS "welcome and come in and be loved"!

Then there's Mel ! Wow Christmas on steroids! Do your neighbors ever loose power when you turn your lights on?  Especially like your antique architectural elements framing the view of the perfectly shaped red and silver adorned tree!  It seems as though the bakers blood must run in the Theobald veins!

ON ANOTHER thought .... I spent about two hours lookin back at the beginning of this forum and scanned and read many of the first posts on pages 1-40 and still have not come to the place where I discovered it and began posting .... never the less it is very interesting to look back 10-12 years !

Continued best wishes to all for a Blessed New Year!!!!!!!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, nice recap of the Christmas trees. All of them are beautiful. As for the cookies, all I do is show up and slap some icing on them. My daughter is the baker. I'm the soup guy. Just made a giant pot with split peas and the Christmas ham bone. Stop by and I'll give you a sampler.

In case no one has noticed, 2% of 2024 is already in the rearview mirror and I haven't gone outside all year. I have enough food and drink left over, I may not need to go out again until Valentine's Day. I sure like being retired. Everyday is fun day.

Madelon Henderson (Newsom)

Hi Everyone, I've enjoyed the Class of '64 posts for quite a while. But, I had forgotten my account password so I couldn't responnd. Thanks to Marv for sending me a link to reset a new password. Now, where did I write that down?  Ha, ha.

HaPPy New Year to everyone! I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at our 60th Reunion in August. I hope you all can make it for as many get togethers as possible on Fri., Sat. & Sun. Aug. 16, 17 and 18th.

Thanks to those who shared photos of your lovely Christmas decorations & cookie photos.  Take care everyone!

Marvin Theobald

Does anyone remember the pair of Santas that were always on the canopy in front of Livingstons at Christmas? Below is a link to an article that is most interesting regarding what became of them and what is happening with them today. Thought this would be of interest since most of us grew up in Bloomington. (Scroll left or right on pictures to see more)

https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/bloomingtons-livingstons-department-store-14-foot-santas-to-be-restored/

Marvin Theobald

Notice the Home Page 2024 reunion info update. The Planning Committee is working on the details which will be posted as soon as they are solidified. We will keep you posted. The phone survey was extremely helpful in establishing a basis for our planning. The 60th Reunion is looking like a whopping 80-90 or more planning to attend with 70-75 at the Friday event and about 60 at the brunch. This is far more than we were anticipating. Thank you to all that provided input. Invitations will be mailed probably in late spring. Be sure and reserve those dates. We don't want anyone to miss out on the fun.

James (Jim) Rookus

GREAT  NEWS  MARV ! ! !  I  HAVE  THE  DATES   

ON  MY  CALENDAR ! ! !

James (Jim) Rookus

WIERD !!!  The font on the previous message was the same Comic Sans on the entire message but it came out looking like 2 different fonts... GO FIGURE !!!