Countdown to Christmas … Day 5

Here is a good memory from my childhood Christmas list. 

Around fourth grade, I was heavily into reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I was all over the Big Woods and praises with the Ingalls family. 

Sure I was bummed that Laura had brown hair and Mary blonde, because I was…of course…blonde. 

When I read back then it was the same as it is now. I am 100% invested in the story. The characters come alive to me and I think about them even when the book is lying dormant on a table. 

So I dreamed of churning milk, wearing calico and waiting for Pa to get back from his trip to town. 

As Christmas was drawing near and thoughts of asking Santa and others for wish list items, I told my mom I wanted a red flannel gown. Full length, with a pocket and a ruffle. 

My mom was a good seamstress and a magic worker at Christmas. 

So on Christmas morning, I was not disappointed when I opened a package containing a red flannel gown complete with a Ingalls worthy night cap. 

I was in heaven and loved wore that gown to threads. She must have made me a bigger one down the road because I am pretty sure I brought one into our first apartment. 

Apparently Russ was not as much a fan of the Little House family as I was….it was at some point cut into car rags, I believe. 

But on a cold winter night, I still pine for that red flannel gown. 

Maybe this year….Ha!