Books quoted:
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5, by J. K. Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Book 1, By J. K. Rowling
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: I could not find a reliable source for the Christmas quote I used, but the most evocative Christmas scenes by far are in the first book, when reading her books in chronological order, Little House in the Big Woods. Her Aunt Docia’s doing up her dress’ cherry-shaped buttons and all the family ladies doing their hair by lamplight will always be an inedible Christmas party image for me.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: this link takes you to my favorite edition, narrated by the wonderful Tim Curry
Movies referenced:
Original Barbie Dream House: this image from this wonderful retrospective Good Housekeeping article is the one I am speaking of in this podcast episode. I also had the earlier one with the elevator, but that one was apparently easier to assemble, because putting it together did not require lying to a small child about Santa’s arrival. 😀
Silly Putty at Crayola.com
Original Star Wars figurines from A New Hope, made by Kenner
Above is the photo I referenced of me and Mom, which I received the Barbie carrying case and remember having to be all grown-up and responsible with my new tiny Barbie accessories—look how tiny I was! Our household was full of love and very special but also very stressful. But this picture is also striking for how Mom is looking at me, like I was her entire world.