Is There a Nutcracker in Your Life?

Nutcracker Prince

Recently a woman said to me, "My granddaughter got her first nutcracker this year after the ballet."  Seeing The Nutcracker in December is more traditional than church on Christmas Eve for some folks.  I admit, I've gone a few times.

Happy New Year's!

A few years ago my parents downsized, and my Mom sent her nutcrackers to my daughter, as Abi had once admired the Three Wise Men nutcrackers.  (Actually, Mom sent everything except the Three Wisemen.)

Baker in a Box

I was pleased to hear her collection was being passed down in the family.  In fact, I added to Abi's collection, a flock of small nutcracker snowmen designed as place card holders.  Abi and Genea are moving to Dallas this month, and coincidentally the nutcrackers moved to our house.

Unwrapping them, Jesse and I found an Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty, gardner,  birdwatcher, baker, snowman and an eccentric--Abi says unnerving--"Whiz Kid" with a computer head. A bunch of soldiers and princes. Only two  are females, if you count the Statue of Liberty, one, "Pilgrim Lady," if you don't.  It is not evident what a couple of them represent.

The Mouse King

In honor of the new installation of the collection, I reread the Nutcracker book as revised and illustrated by Maurice Sendak that I had bought the girls when they were lttle.  As you can see, he emphasizes the monstrous nutcrackers with their big teeth. The ballet's reputation for magic must have come from the dancers.

Sendak's Nutcracker

Santa's Workbench

Jesse has been replacing missing noses and shoes.  The snowman needed an entire repaint.  The blacksmith, which may be my favorite, had to have the horse shoes glued back together.  The new spikes on Liberty's crown are indistinguishable.  Jesse says the nutcrackers make the house cheerful for Christmas.  Soon they will be swathed in bubble wrap and settled in the attic for their long winter's nap.