A New Year, A New Battle

When I sat down to make my 2016 holiday cards, I wanted an image that rallied strength and hope for things to come, but also reflected on the year that's passed. And let's be honest, a little bit of a lot of us was hoping that someone would swoop down and save the day before inauguration. 

So you combine that tiny bit of optimism, with my recent Halloween costume, and my sincere love for the US Postal Service, and the card just sort of happened. Yes, that's right, my holiday card was inspired by a postage stamp. 

The hand-painted image of a very buff, wonder(ful) woman punching out 2016 recognizes the challenges 2017 offers, and vows to fight on. 

Stay strong. Game on 2017. 

Dancing Donald Continues to Make Headlines

Typically news sources don't report on individual's Christmas cards.

But when your card features the bloated head of a somewhat loathed presidential candidate, apparently it's news.  

The Lynn Family Christmas card, which depicts our humble hero Donald Trump* in all his egotistical glory, caught the eye of mLive. Apparently it's unusual for the Democratic Chairperson to send out greetings quoting the Republican party.

This isn't the first time a Lynn holiday greeting has made headlines. Back in 2012, their Occupy 2012 card** made it into the Detroit Lake Tribune in Minnesota who credited them for being ordinary citizens trumpeting a love for their country. 

I'm not sure I'd call Frank + Jenny ordinary, and I'm not sure the Trump Card showed the same "love and support [of] their homeland", but it sure poked fun of the big headed goon currently leading the GOP. And perhaps bringing down Donald is the best way to support this country, because... if.... well... God help us all. 

Vote smart people. And have a very humble holiday. 

*the Dancing Donald card is a fivefeettall creation. 
**Also a fivefeettall creation

Holidays on Rails

I love the city my town has become. But what I like even more than looking at what Grand Rapids is, is looking at what Grand Rapids was. And our local Christmas legend gives us an amazing opportunity to do that.

Grand Rapidian Chris Van Allsburg wrote The Polar Express in 1985, inspired by childhood memories of the holidays in Grand Rapids.

Back then,  Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's department stores were basically the Macy's and Gimbels of GR.

"When you went downtown to do your Christmas shopping, you always had to make a choice to go to Wurzburg's or Herpolsheimer's," Van Allsburg remembers.

Today, the Grand Rapids Art Museum is located on the former site of Wurzburg's. And the GR police department sits on the somewhat iconic corner of Monroe Center and Division, where Herpolsheimer's once was.

Before shopping malls, and certainly before the internet, shopping was a different experience, and department stores reigned. And for the kids, visiting the shopping at Christmas meant a visit to Santa Claus.
During the Christmas shopping season, Herpolsheimer's operated the "Santa Express"—a miniature train on a monorail suspended from the ceiling in the basement. While it looks cheesy and somewhat dangerous to me now, back then I'm sure it felt futuristic, like something straight out of the World's Fair.

The train in The Polar Express was based on a 482 Baldwin Steam train. When they made the movie, the train they referenced was the Pere Marquette, which is the rail line between Grand Rapids and Chicago. And the train they studied.... #1225 of course.

I myself, have very early holiday memories of The Polar Express, specifically because of the Breton Village Mall, where they always had an elaborate train set up, and the story was illustrated annually around Santa's Village.

In a season where tradition reigns, Grand Rapids looks a little different than it did when Van Allsburg was growing up. People head to the suburbs (or their desktop) to shop. But his story will continue to delight for as long as children have the ability to believe.

Bonus: S'moreman Swoon.

Gotta follow up yesterday's post because this was on Bronners.com today. Swoon.

Sugar Coated Christmas (in July)

This weekend's trip across the state, included a stop in Frankenmuth – Home of Bronner's – "World's Largest Christmas Store." 

It was here that I fell in love with this little s'more man.

We were about to go camping, we were at a giant Christmas store— this seemed like the perfect embodiment of the weekend ahead!

I turned the corner, to discover a whole army of s'more men! From skiers to fisherman, bakers to ballerinas. They were adorable, and boy, did they know it!

I was completely smitten with the talking s'mores. I'm wonder if I'm having a subconscious reaction based on my love of the Calvin and Hobbes snowmen. 

There's something about marshmallows that immediately sends me to a happy place. Sugar. That you can roast over a fire. 

And clearly this is what Christmas is about. Sugar. With a sense of humor. 

I don't put up a Christmas tree, but someday. Someday I will have my own army.