December 2011/January 2012
Victorian Homes

Spirit of the Season

THE PACKAGE ARRIVED THE GOOD OLD-FASHIONED WAY, by post, covered in clean, brown paper. Inside, the colorful gift-wrap blossomed with flowers and butterflies. The box was from a family friend and one of my mom’s dearest pals, Myrna. The card told me I should sit down to open it. Hmm.

When my mom passed away it seemed like the end of the world for longer than I should admit. No surprise that I cherish the ones Mom loved—she always had good taste—and to spend time with them is a gift that brings her alive in our conversation and our shared memories.

So flash forward to this unexpected arrival. After unfolding the carefully arranged tissue paper, there it was: a blue cotton work shirt, still crisp with new-shirt sizing. As I lifted it out of the box, I recognized a familiar motif: embroidered daisies in many colors, marching in a row that filled the space between each buttonhole. This was an embroidery project my mom had started but never got to finish. And now it was complete.

My dad had given this shirt to Myrna who has a talent for needlework, knitting and more. After all these years, she finished it. Perhaps she waited because finishing it would be a confirmation that my mom wasn’t coming back. And yet, back she was, in the spirit of this most thoughtful gift where Myrna’s stitches magically matched Mom’s and you couldn’t tell where one started and the other finished.

So what finally tipped me to tears? The care and thought that went into this gift, certainly. Then, to find on the back, a row of Victorian homes, a reminder of family visits to San Francisco where my mom and dad grew up, and where my love of Victoriana began.

This holiday season, lavish magic on the ones you love. In this special issue, you’ll find ideas and inspiration for just that. Decorate and entertain in Victorian style that will allow you to express your love of the past while enjoying the present—and the presents—giving and receiving.

Happy holidays from all of us at Victorian Homes magazine!

Best wishes,
Hillary Black, Editor
hblack@beckett.com
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