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Clara Steen Skott diary, 1948-1952

December 24

5[degrees]
DECEMBER 24
1948. We put up our Christmas tree. Hans home from Muscoda about midnight, then I didn't sleep till nearly 5, so was miserable all day + ate little but milk and crackers. Sig came in P.M. She + I went to Christmas eve program. Kathryn operated the lights. Shopped in P.M. Had tree in eve.
1949. We cleaned up the apt. I baked bread rolls, + Kaffee Kuchen. Signe came in P.M. Anna May gave us Norwegian "Frugt-supper" for supper. Sig demonstrated "dancing mothballs." 6 more cards + letters. Box from Vold's. Just grandma + Sig with us for tree.
1950. I drove to church, taking K to help in church nursery. 18 kids. I took Deone + Mrs. Pfans home. Hilda + Signe here on 9:30 bus. Roast chicken Hofstad's called in PM. Dan Hallock + Mrs. H here for supper, Fern Story had to go back to be with Mr. S. Hans + Sig took [?] home. First Christmas all family here since '47.
1951 K. baked blueberry pie, I "stollen" + unbaked fruitcake (without salt or b.p.) Finished my shopping at Fair + wrapping. Sig came at noon. Girls decorated tree. Frank [??] Sauk City for supper. All of us at Vold's - carolers - a drunken brawl at Gugel's - Joe Lohman another. We had to get Mel Bachman twice! What an unpeaceful Christmas eve - left us nervous
1952. Awake after 3:30 - up 7:30 - cleaned house. At Branch briefly. Took nap. Made jello. Frank + I had supper with Signe. Kathryn around from Muscatine with Vollers about 9. Then we had our lovely gifts - topped by Bible from Signe + Frank. To bed about midnight.

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5[degrees] DECEMBER 24 1948. We put up our Christmas tree. Hans home from Muscoda about midnight, then I didn't sleep till nearly 5, so was miserable all day + ate little but milk and crackers. Sig came in P.M. She + I went to Christmas eve program. Kathryn operated the lights. Shopped in P.M. Had tree in eve. 1949. We cleaned up the apt. I baked bread rolls, + Kaffee Kuchen. Signe came in P.M. Anna May gave us Norwegian "Frugt-supper" for supper. Sig demonstrated "dancing mothballs." 6 more cards + letters. Box from Vold's. Just grandma + Sig with us for tree. 1950. I drove to church, taking K to help in church nursery. 18 kids. I took Deone + Mrs. Pfans home. Hilda + Signe here on 9:30 bus. Roast chicken Hofstad's called in PM. Dan Hallock + Mrs. H here for supper, Fern Story had to go back to be with Mr. S. Hans + Sig took [?] home. First Christmas all family here since '47. 1951 K. baked blueberry pie, I "stollen" + unbaked fruitcake (without salt or b.p.) Finished my shopping at Fair + wrapping. Sig came at noon. Girls decorated tree. Frank [??] Sauk City for supper. All of us at Vold's - carolers - a drunken brawl at Gugel's - Joe Lohman another. We had to get Mel Bachman twice! What an unpeaceful Christmas eve - left us nervous 1952. Awake after 3:30 - up 7:30 - cleaned house. At Branch briefly. Took nap. Made jello. Frank + I had supper with Signe. Kathryn around from Muscatine with Vollers about 9. Then we had our lovely gifts - topped by Bible from Signe + Frank. To bed about midnight.