Yearly Archives: 2010

And here we are

Here we are on the Eve of Christmas.  Presents have been wrapped, stockings hung, sugar cookies await frosting.  Though I cannot promise they will turn out to be works of art, they should, at the very least, be good for a laugh.  It’s tradition. 

We’ll bring finger-foods and presents to my grandma’s … before coming home and opening gifts of our own.  Tomorrow we’ll awake to full stockings; we’ll eat cherry glazed ham and eggnog pie, and sip coffee while chatting.   We’ll read the Christmas story.  We’ll make new memories … maybe even a new tradition or two.  Because that’s tradition too. 

If you’re reading this during the holidays, chances are good it’s before your festivities commence, after you’ve laid them to rest–or you’re simply having yourself a quiet little celebration.  Whatever the case, thanks for including Mapgie & Muttonfly in your holiday activities.  I am constantly amazed that you take time out of your day to pay me a little visit–all the more so on holiday.  It does so warm my heart.

And as you set out toward festivities I pray for moments to bask in traditions of old, and the making of new …

Sing it

{a table side serenade}

The other evening, as we drove to my dad’s for dinner, my sister suddenly exclaimed, “No … no, no, oh no!”  I nearly drove off the road looking for the police car, near collision, or body along side the road.  Alas, it was none other than Last Christmas playing on the radio. 

I feel her pain.

Said radio station began playing Christmas music a week before Thanksgiving.  Yes, you read that correctly. A week … before Thanksgiving.  Needless to say, if I hear “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer”one more time, someone is going down.  And let’s face it–there are better places to spend your holidays than a jail cell.

Perhaps it best I stick with a few favorites; songs like … 

It is His Birthday | The Oak Ridge Boys–The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas was a staple growing up.  To this day, I can’t hear It is His Birthday without feeling a mite giddy …

Worship the King | Sandy Patti–the same goes for Sandy Patti; the first time I heard this song I imagined it what the angels and shepherds sang on that night so long ago

White Christms | Bing Crosby–please; this one goes without saying …  

The First Noel | Al Green–oh how I love me some Al Green.  sigh. 

Music Box Christmas–as a teenager, my aunt and uncle owned the most magical Christmas store; one of the CDs they played was A Music Box Christmas; now, whenever I hear one of the songs I swear I smell the scent of pine and cinnamon, and glimpse the twinkling of lights, the intricate natvity displays and the festive trees

The Twelve Days of Christmas | John Denver & The Muppets–one word: Beeker 

Sleigh Ride | Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops–the next best thing to actually taking a sleigh ride … and you stay warm! 

Peace on Earth/Silent Night | Dean Martin–personally, I believe you cannot go wrong with the rat pack … and this one is a favorite 

Santa Baby | Eartha Kitt–I cannot believe anyone would even attempt to re-record this song.  Please.

Away in a Manager | Orla Fallon–I’ve always felt this song one more for children … until I heard this

Silent Night | Enya–a version that actually puts the peace back in the season …  

Might you have a few favorites; or do you prefer the sound of silence to any sort of Christmas music?

And winter begins…

Happy first day of winter, my friends! 

Any big plans? 

We will be bringing in winter at the Warhawk Air Museum, thank you very much.  Maybe lunch.  Maybe hot cocoa.  Maybe a few Christmas lights.  If I’m lucky I’ll even get some Christmas wrapping wedged in there somewhere. 

And while there’s not a whole lot of snow in the valley, the hills surrounding us are white.  As a matter of fact, last night we went to my dad’s for dinner and this was the view from their backyard.  We barely said hello before my sister-in-law, brother, and I grabbed our cameras and traipsed outside.  As you may notice, I was in serious need of a tripod.  Sigh. 

With that, I’m off to get things done—at the very least, fun and frivolity.  And I hope the same of you …

xoxo

One more week

Yeah, this picture really has nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that I have taken rotten pictures this last week.  Rotten, I tell you.  This is one of the few that came within walking distance to turning out … from our trip to the zoo {as you might have guessed}.  My nephew loved it!  The minute we walked through the gates he was impersonating monkeys and roaring like the fiercest of lions. 

And we were all quite taken with the hyenas.  Who doesn’t love a big, furry dog {given there’s a nice big barrier separating the two of you}?  We kept trying to get him to laugh for us … and he kept looking at us as if to say, “What a pack of morons.”

Speaking of morons, there’s a slight possibility I’m even more behind than usual.  Oh well, que sera, sera

After all, Christmas will be here whether we’re ready or not … and then, just as quickly as it came, it will be gone. 

So to you, dear friends–be you ahead or lagging behind–I pray a weekend filled with the joy of the season … listen to your favorite Christmas music, sip some hot cocoa, put some money in the kettle, eat a sugar cookie or ten, take in the Christmas lights, laugh and be of good cheer…

Wee bit of entertainment

My nephew is quite smitten with a French TV show called Minuscule.  My brother and sister-in-law love it as well. As a matter of fact, for some time now, they’ve been telling me how I should watch an episode or two … but try as I might, I simply could not imagine insects being entertaining.  

So they brought along a DVD. 

I gave in. 

And, oddly enough, I loved it too!  

The short {4-5 minute} clips contain no words–and the images and sound effects make it fun no matter your age or from whence you came.   

Needless to say, if you have a small fry on your Christmas list this year {or anyone who loves animation, for that matter}, I would highly recommend a DVD {as long as the recipient has an international DVD player}. 

With that, I will leave you with a minuscule diversion…