Color family scenes. I know that's not how Shorpy got its start, but such memories these photos bring back! Change the people in the photo and it could very well be my family. Thank you!!

I inherited the same one from my Nana; beautiful cabinet, great sound; it's special feature was a ruby (not diamond) stylus. Cannot remember if it was a CapeHart or not, but I always remember the little red light above the right-hand knob (just behind our birthday boy) that indicated power.

peeking out from behind the doorway to the left? If this was an 80's picture I'd call it a bug zapper, but since it's not.

[It's another window with Venetian blinds. - tterrace]

Wow - must be a neon sign outside!

[That's actually daylight reflecting on the blind slats, but it hasn't been as overwhelmed by the yellowish camera flash as the ones here in the dining room. - tterrace]

Birthday boy is only a few weeks older than I am. And, yes, that wallpaper IS from the 40s. My grandmother had that same paper on her living room walls from 1947 until mom and my uncle Frank dispensed with it in 1965. My grandmother was thrilled as she'd long since tired of it, but my grandfather was "born satisfied" and content to let it be in favor of a game of dominoes or teaching the grandkids the "jigs" and Cajun songs he'd learned ca. 1880.

Those days *do* seem idyllic now. I decided on "OldFogie" on entering this place as I find myself missing those very different days.

The young bow-tied lad is sitting patiently for the word to eat. What manners. What discipline. Reminds me of me.

We had metal window blinds like that, and a big calendar from the bank on the wall. Not a piece of plastic to be seen!

Let's give big brother the benefit of the doubt and assume he's sticking out his tongue in anticipation of that enormous serving of ice cream.

Oh, The 1950s! America's Heyday! Everything was booming -- new housing, highways, schools, bridges were all in abundance. Tax rates were 91% and we were on a roll! Those were the days!

They probably still don't care a lot for hen parties.

Not to sound like a broken record, but those were idyllic times. Yes tterrace, the Apple pattern dishes were Franciscan and still available at Replacements,ltd. at a cost of $570.00 for a 45 piece starter set. The home made cake was a "must" for all moms of the 50's to produce, the 2-tone, sportscar looking seat of the highchair and colored beads showed great designer creativity and the immaculate guests in summer dresses, brother in a white shirt and mom's absolutely adoring facial expression capture a beautiful landmark day. That darling child is 55 this month, so happy birthday to him.

This takes one back to a world where nothing really existed until you saw it in blazing Kodachrome.

and yet that Baby is only a couple years older than me.

Excuse me, I need to go take my Geritol now.

It's all just perfect: the china, all the happy ladies, but especially, I love the industrial advertising calendar right there where it belongs.

is probably 10 years old when this photo was taken. So many of the touches that we Boomers remember from our you, especially those in home decoration, where actually from the late 1940s, rather than from the 1950s or 1960s. Take a look at this site, http://www.hannahstreasures.com/servlet/Categories?category=1940%27s+-+5..., but be prepared to gasp when you see wallpaper that you recognize from the hidden bits you uncover in your old house. I recognized at least three. (Good Godfrey, the former owners of my home had some garish taste. Arsenic green walls and *ceiling,* with scarlet trim ?)

The guest of honor was born the same month as my little sister, who became a grandmother last winter. Happy Birthday to the both of you.

...wallpaper. And dinnerware: Franciscan Ware, or knock-off of same. Moms with pearls. Kids with bow ties. Pardon me, I just nostalgiaed all over myself.

What a delightful scene!

Bowl of candy, bowls full of full fat ice cream, large radio, wallpaper, older brother wearing a bow tie. The flame on the candle seems kinda tall, though.