As a child we all heard the same things from our parents about television, “Don’t watch too much, you’ll fry your brain” (or was that drugs?), or “Don’t sit too close to the television, you'll ruin your eyes.” But I am here to tell you, years later I can still see! On top of that, you can totally learn fun and interesting facts to share on your blog from watching fictional TV shows. You heard that right! I’m not even referring to 60 Minutes or Dateline (where, let’s face it, you learn a whole lot about predators and murders in the woods) where the point is to teach you new and often scary facts. No, I am talking about, for your entertainment only, possibly loosely based on reality, but still completely made up television!
I was recently watching a show from 2019 called “Instinct”. This very short-lived show, based on a James Patterson novel, had a very interesting scene the other night about nostalgia. According to the lead character on the show, Dylan, there are 2 types of nostalgia. As it turns out, scientists and James Patterson agree with this idea. See? Learning! The two kinds of nostalgia are 1. restorative nostalgia where you are really trying to revive the past and then there is 2. reflective nostalgia where you savor the emotions in recollecting the past. Here at Mom’s Wooden Spoon, we have our sights set securely on reflective nostalgia. It is always our goal that during the time you spend with us you smile a lot as you think about pieces of your life that you had totally forgotten about.
During this busy holiday season, as you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, may you be drowned in the happiness that reflective nostalgia can provide. As you experience smells of delicious treats that take you back to happy childhood memories, hear the sounds of songs that you have sung for a lifetime during some of your happiest days and see pictures of days gone by (or even better, visit a friend or family who found their peak skills in interior decorating in the 70’s or 80’s and have decided to not make any changes to that perfection) - enjoy the emotions that those memories wash over you. During these moments, you might even want to take a minute to share with others how they too are experiencing reflective nostalgia so you can totally wow and impress them with your intelligence!
If your loved ones and guests failed to be impressed with your new found knowledge, try showing them the photos below. Before you know it, they will be awash in reflective nostalgia. And while I'm sure you would never want to embarrass them with a loud, "I told you so!", I support you in knowing that you did.
Thanks to Pinterest for this beauty. I’m thinking it must be a Living Room, that is the good furniture saved for special occasions, it is not the daily Family Room furniture!
I had totally forgotten that photos in the 70's all came with rounded corners! There is so much to focus on in this one. The garland on that tree is very well draped. Did this lucky kid get the Millennium Falcon?? How about that shiny gold chair in the corner?
And this one? Is it the rocking wood paneling? No! That end table! It is the beautiful pine end table of my childhood. See how it matches the wood of the arms of the couch? What style! What grace!
Thank you to https://2warpstoneptune.com/2015/11/12/real-living-rooms-1971-1981/living-room-1978-3-2/ for these gems.
We hope you enjoy the new memories that you make this holiday season as well as the reflective ones that years of tradition have made. Merry Christmas to you All!
Love,
Kristen and Carrie