Back when T was about four years old, he wanted to buy me a Christmas present and asked me what I would like to have. I told him that I really like nutcrackers - you know, like the doll that Klara's uncle gives to her in the ballet "The Nutcracker".
That is when my nutcracker collection began. I'm up to nine and I hope to have ten come December 25 (hint hint T, if you're reading!) The first one he gave me is the third from the left. He doesn't have any feet. MT tells the story of going into the store to buy the gift and T feeling sad because there weren't many nutcrackers left but this one didn't have any feet. MT says the ladies in the shop completely fell in love with T that day. (He really was the most adorable boy at four! Those cheeks! Those beautiful brown eyes!) Anyway, I love that little nutcracker and always wrap him extra carefully when I put my Christmas goods away.
I really like the variety. There's a Don Quixote nutcracker, a Scottish golfer - complete with kilt, a pirate, the mouse king (from the ballet), a traditional nutcracker prince, and a Bavarian nutcracker that was holding a stein of beer in one hand and a pretzel in the other. The beer and the pretzel broke off, but their memory remains. The smallest one, the second from the right end, has no feet and the top part of his hat is now missing. He also is not standing firmly in perch, but I like him a lot. The tall one standing to the right of the mouse king is a traditional prince, but his outfit is shiny with bling. He's awesome.
Just wanted to share of a little of my Christmas tradition with you tonight. Some other time, I'll tell you about the painting of the turtle that's hanging above and to the left of the nutcrackers. It's a good story :)
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