Monday, November 22, 2010

Over the River and Through the Woods . . .

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS
by Mary Engelbreit, 1994

According to Wikipedia, the ubiquitous Thanksgiving song, "Over the River and Through the Woods" was originally written as a poem entitled, "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day". Lydia Maria Child wrote it in 1844 to celebrate her childhood memories of visiting her Grandfather. Sometimes it is written about Christmas rather than Thanksgiving.



So with Christmas in mind, Mary Engelbreit wrote her own version of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS in a sweet little gift book in 1994. Her version starts out with "Over the river and through the woods, there's a holiday mood in the air." It features ten of her "enchanting illustrations" and "celebrates the unmatchable magic of Christmas spent with family and friends."



I pull this little book out
to warm my heart ~ Engelbreit style.



M. E. Monday @ The Cherry Chick.

Click here to see a list of others who are celebrating the art of Mary Engelbreit.
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

21 comments:

  1. How Wonderful! I love the cover of this book, it is so pretty and inviting! Who wouldn't want to open the pages and read what's inside. Thank You so much for sharing this little book, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. Love her, some of my favorite images are from ME....I am, after all, the Princess of Quite a Lot. ;-)

    Hugs,
    Anne

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  3. How interesting Sarah. Mary Engelbreit is so talented. Your mosaic is so pretty!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving,

    Nancy

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  4. I love Mary.Her creations are just so lovely.

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  5. I love Mary's work...it is so recognizable! What a wonderful book to bring out during the holiday season, Sarah!

    Have a wonderful week and Happy Thanksgiving!

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. One of my favorite holiday stories/songs! Happy Thanksgiving Sarah:@)

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  7. Hi Sarah~ I'm not familiar with this ME book, I have a few Christmas ones of hers. Love the cover & your mosaic!

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving :-)

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  8. She is a heartwarmer..I just love her.And everything she does..

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  9. To get to my home, you really do have to go over the river and through the woods and we almost always have a big crowd for the day. Wish you all could join us. Happy Thanksgiving Sarah. xoxo

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  10. What a lovely book. I didn't have any grandmothers alive to go over the river and through the woods to visit, but I always loved this song. Now that I am a grandmother, it means even more. I need to go find this darling book. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my dear friend.

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  11. Dear Sarah,
    this is a cute book and the words sound very familiar, although I have never read it. Almost like the beginning of a well known fairy tale. That is, what makes a cosy atmosphere. You made a wonderful mosaic, love the berries to the book cover.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  12. what a sweet post and darling pictures! just popping in to wish you a very happy thanksgiving to you and yours~

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  13. What a lovely mosaic Sarah. I,too, am not familiar with this book from Mary.
    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and for sharing with us on ME Monday.

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  14. The cover is so pretty. Beautiful pictures ,Sarah!...Christine

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  15. I never realized the song was for Thanksgiving. I always thought it was about Christmas. So I learned something new today. Thanks!

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  16. Hi Sarah,

    What a treasure! I remember singing the original song in elementary school for the Thanksgiving program.
    Good memories.

    Have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

    XOXO

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  17. I think we all must love ME..Such happy images...:)

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  18. Sarah, I love this post. We always sang this song when I was a child.

    And, this book is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.

    Just stopping by to wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

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  19. What a delightful book, ME designs are so pretty aren't they.
    Love the pink mosaic too.
    Maggie.

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  20. I so miss the ME magazine, always beautiful. Her cards have been my favorite for years too.

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  21. I love her too. Happy that Michael's carries some of her things.

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.