Saturday, December 31, 2011

Babysitting on New Year's Eve

I'm a very far cry from a teenager, and I won't have on saddle oxfords, but everything else about this picture will be true...more or less...at the stroke of twelve tonight. I will be babysitting my two grandsons while my daughter and SIL go out with friends to ring in the new year.

New Year's Eve 1958
saturdayeveningpost.com

I'll take a good book (on my Kindle)...lay in a few snacks...kick back in a comfy mid-century chair. The boys will be snug in their beds by the time the ball drops, but that doesn't guarantee they'll be alseep.

This Saturday Evening Post cover from 1958 has Miss Teen Babysitter enjoying a glass of milk while watching the festivities on black and white TV. Artist Ben Prins captured the home decor and fashions perfectly. I'll definitely be in jeans and sweater; however, I'll be slugging back a Diet Coke and watching the Times Square insanity in living color on HDTV.

Here are a couple of other New Year's Even illustrations from bygone days that I think you'll enjoy.

Waiter with no one to kiss at midnight by Constantin Alajalov - New Year's Eve 1949
saturdayeveningpost.com
Norman Rockwell's waiter in The Morning After, New Year's Eve at the Waldorf Astoria
saturdayeveningpost.com

I'll probably have this big a mess to clean up...but it will be Legos, alphabet blocks and Weebles!

Have a safe and pleasant New Year's Eve
and
A Very Happy 2012 to All!
at

10 comments:

  1. DearHelenHartmanDecember 31, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the covers - Sat Evening Post are always so gorgeous and so reflective of the mood of the time, if not always the reality (even in 1958 I don't think a babysitter would be having milk and an apple - coke and popcorn, maybe). Happy New Year!

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  2. JennyDecember 31, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    You too Dana! Sure wish I had that babysitter coming over tonight, we could use a night out! :) ~ Jenny

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  3. Ton S. December 31, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Very nice covers, thanks for posting.

    You remind me of my mom, she babysits my sisters' kids on occasion. Have a wonderful New Year's Eve with your grandkids!

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  4. Dana@Mid2ModDecember 31, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    @DearHelenHartman: I can guarantee you that Coke and popcorn would have been a babysitter's first choice in 1958...but, strangely enough, I don't remember many homes that kept Coke on hand like we do today. It was still considered a treat and was mostly bought as singles. I very well remember the chest type case at my great-uncle's grocery store and the upright soda machines at gas stations. My earliest memories of Cokes are the ones in the small glass bottles...and they cost 5 cents.

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  5. Dana@Mid2ModDecember 31, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    @Jenny: That's what my kids said...LOL Hope you have a good New Year's Eve, no matter what you do.

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  6. Dana@Mid2ModDecember 31, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    @I dream lo-tech: Babysitting the grandkids on occasion is really a treat. Lucky for your mom and me that we live close enough to enjoy them!

    Glad you liked the Post covers. I think they provide a nice glimpse into the past.

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  7. A Modern LineDecember 31, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    What a great reflection of the times. These are way fun and thanks for posting! Happy New Years!

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  8. Dana@Mid2ModDecember 31, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    @A Modern Line: Happy New Year to you too!

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  9. BarbaraDecember 31, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Happy New Year!! I hope you have an even better 2012 - and your store goes wild!!

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  10. Dana@Mid2ModJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:43 AM

    @Barbara: I hope you have a great 2012 as well! Take a road trip and come shopping! :)

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