December 25, 1931 - Friday, Christmas Day

I opened my gifts before I went down to breakfast. I couldn’t wait. They are lovely. The Xmas tree after breakfast. Eleanor is so happy. We had a big Christmas dinner at two. Played in afternoon and light supper at 8:30.

Jane’s Notes: An envelope in Mom’s scrapbook contains gift enclosures from Christmas 1931. “Doggone Cordial Greetings & Love, Annabelle, from Harriet.” “Merry Christmas & Season’s Greetings from Miss Jeanne Luppen. Behave yourself while down south!”. “For Anne [sic] from George.” “Annabelle. Merry Christmas! Roomie, darling”! This is for those first long stemmed violets. Have a grand time Christmas vacation!. Love – Molly Lou.” “Merry Christmas. To Anne from Earls.” “To Annabelle with love from Helen.” Ann, with love from Mrs. Beatrice Michau Williams.”

A letter from Ann to George. Addressed to Mr. George Hibbard, 1503 E 36^th St. N., Portland, Oregon from A.E. Powell, 449 North Madison, Pasadena, Calif.

Dearest George,

Last night I didn’t get to bed until Christmas morning so I opened your gift before I went to sleep. I love it! It is the most beautiful book I have ever seen, both in its contents and in its cover. I will always keep it as one of my dearest treasurers. Thank you more than I can tell. You are so sweet to me, much more than I deserve.

Today has been so wonderful. It has been full of happiness for me. I believe I am about the most fortunate girl in the world. I am so rich in friends and I have the most wonderful family on earth.

Last night I went out with Bill Earl again. We went to see another play. We saw “Canaries Sometime Sing” at the Pasadena Play House. Mrs. Williams had some guests in for coffee afterwards so it was one thirty Christmas morning before I started to bed. I got all ready for bed then I weakened. But after all it was Christmas morning. So I opened your package with the wonderful book in it.

This morning I opened the rest of my presents up here in my room before I went down to breakfast. Molly Lon sent me a sweet little bowl and Mrs. Williams gave me the most beautiful bunch of flowers, a dozen pink roses, two dozen golden roses, some violets, lilies of the valley, and two gardenias. Several of the girls in the house remembered me and my family sent me a lot of beautiful hand embroidery and a beautiful desk lamp made of a shell.

We had a lovely breakfast and then went into the tree. It is a beautiful tree and the floor around the tree was covered with gifts. Eleanor has made many friends here and she was well remembered. One of the gifts to the school was the cutest baby Wired Hair Terrier I have ever seen. It is such a small dog. The children all love it already.

After the children went to bed tonight I started reading my book. I am about half way thru. The story is so beautiful and the poetry is so delicate and lyrical. The oftener I read it the more I love it.

A week from tonight I will be starting back to Eugene!

Love, Ann