Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Friday, March 21, 2014

Seasons are catching up

All dressed up for Easter. I can remember when the Easter holiday was coming up as we could start wearing white shoes in addition to our black one. Then there were the hats. What proper young lady didn't go out with a hat or ribbons in her hair once spring arrived. That's me on the left, my best friend in the center and my sister on the right.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Christmas spent with friends

And he must have been a friend, right? That's Fritz, the dachshund in the foreground. The neighborhood kids would come over to play with him. Yes, they actually would come to the door and ask if Fritz could come out and play.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

A Christmas gone by

That's my sister on the left and me on the right. Do you remember the days that Santa actually paid a visit to your home before Christmas to check up on you. Or maybe it was just were we lived that this happened. Take note of Santa's "sack".

Monday, March 17, 2014

Happy St. Pat's Day

Couldn't really find an appropriate St. Patty's Day pic to post so you will just have to accept my well-wishes on this day. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Holidays to all my family and friends.
 
And while Indy may look like he is grimacing he was actually having a grand time with his little cousin. They spent the entire morning together playing. Gotta love them.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year's Eve

Left: Henry. Right: Al
I wish each of you a very happy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you are out partying (as it appears my grandfather and his partner were doing in this picture); be safe, don't drink and drive, and if you are going to imbibe, have a designated driver in place ahead of time.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

Me, Pawny (with bug in his lap), ddpuppies; circa 1966

See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

[Chorus:]
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies
From our family to yours. May your day be of peace and rest. May you enjoy the time you have with family and friends. May your memories of the preceding year bring you joy and happiness.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays from our family to yours

Happy Holiday
Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your ev'ry wish come true

Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you
Mom will not be with us this year as she passed away in September, but she will always be with us in our hearts and our memories of the years we got to spend with and share with her. Miss you mom.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Dinner

And it came to pass on a Christmas evening
 While all the doors were shuttered tight
 Outside standing, lonely boy-child
 Cold and shivering in the night

On the street, every window
 Save but one, was gleaming bright
 And to this window walked the boy-child
 Peeking in saw, candle light

Through other windows he had looked at turkeys
 Ducks and geese, cherry pies
 But through this window saw a grey-haired lady
 Table bare and tears in her eyes

Into his coat reached the boy-child
 Knowing well there was little there
 He took from his pocket,
 His own Christmas dinner
 A bit of cheese, some bread to share

His outstretched hands
 Held the food and they trembled
 As the door, it opened wide
 Said he, Would you share with me Christmas dinner
 Gently said she, Come inside

The grey-haired lady brought forth to the table
 Glasses two and her last drop of wine
 Said she, Here's a toast to everyone's Christmas
 And especially, yours and mine

And it came to pass on that Christmas evening
 While all the doors were shuttered tight
 That in that town, the happiest Christmas
 Was shared by candle light

(Paul Stookey, 1963)
This was on the menu last year for dinner at my sister's house. Looks yummy, huh? My BIL cooks the meat out on his grill and green egg while ddpuppies takes care of the veggies and desserts. Am really looking forward to seeing what is on the menu this year. 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Wonderful Christmastime

'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and i in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window i flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and vixen!
On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and blixem!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all! "

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and st. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, i heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As i drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And i laughed when i saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But i heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"happy christmas to all, and to all a good-night! "
 
Recently I came in possession of a childhood memory. But then there was the problem of what to do with it. I had considered having it framed, but where would I hang it? Then I remembered that our doors are metal and Pan has a stack of really strong magnets. The banner is just long and wide enough to cover the window (though I really need a better shot of it). It's going to be a great addition to our family traditions and I need to start thinking about something similar for the front door, don't you think?

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart

Feel the cold wind blowing-winter's coming on
'Tis the season, so they say
If you need help believing 'cause your spirit ain't
Too strong
Hold my hand - we'll push that cloud away

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

There's a man on the corner who doesn't have a name
People pass and turn their heads away
But to share a simple kindness would set there heart aflame
And you'll get more than you'll ever give away.
Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

It starts with you, it starts with me
This ain't no stranger, he's family and it don't
Matter if we agree
It all comes down to love

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah - you gotta put a little holiday in your heart
At least he opened his eyes for this one. Still not happy with the idea of wearing a hat and managed to rip it off within seconds of this picture being taken. 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Santa Looked Like the Cat

Santa looked like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked like him.
 It's not the way I had him pictured,
 Santa was a' much too thin.
 He didn't come down the chimney,
 So Pan must have let him in.
 Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.

Well, he thought I was fast a' sleepin',
 He thought that I was tucked in bed.
 He never thought I'd come a' peepin',
 Or that I'd hear what was said.
 Santa put his paw around Pan,
 And Pan put his arm around the Cat.
 So if Santa Claus ain't the Cat,
 Then I'm a gonna tell on them.

[Chorus:]
 Santa looked like the Cat,
 Or the Cat looked like him.
 It's not the way I had him pictured,
 Santa was a' much too thin.
 He didn't come down the chimney,
 So Pan must have let him in.
 Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.

I never saw Dancer or Prancer,
 I never heard the sleigh bells ring.
 An' I never saw the Red Nosed reindeer,
 Like they show on the TV screen.
 But he sure brought a lot of Screams,
 So Santa Claus, he must have been.
 And Santa looked a lot like the Cat
 Or the Cat looked a lot like him.
The holidays are a time for enjoying photo moments with the cat. Especially when he really doesn't want to be wearing a Santa hat nor having his photo taken with it on. But after chewing on my shoes all day, turnabout is fair play.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

O Tannenbaum

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!
Du grunst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blatter!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannembaum, O Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
A work in progress is the Christmas tree. Ornament boxes still surround it as well as wrapping paper and bows. At a whopping 9 feet even Pan needs a ladder to place ornaments near the top and, of course, to place the Tinkerbell topper. Hidden within are birds, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, wine glasses and many more to numerous to count.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Shining afar through shadows dim
Giving the light to those who long have gone
Guiding the Wise Men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Beautiful Star the hope of light
Guiding the pilgrims through the night
Over the mountains 'til the break of dawn
Into the light of perfect day
It will give out a lovely ray
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Beautiful Star the hope of rest
For the redeemed, the good and the blessed
Yonder in glory when the crown is won
Jesus is now that star divine
Brighter and brighter He will shine
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on
I love wreaths. (Can't you tell?). Several years ago, I made this one to replace the light in our dining room. It worked one week. So the following years, I didn't put it up. This year, I let Pan take the lead with it and now it works perfectly. With ornaments, icicles (the same ones I plan on putting on the Blue Santa wreath and the tree) and a tin star from Pan's sister, this wreath adds a beautiful, soft light to the dining area.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
And he hiding all the cords behind him. I bought this 3 foot Santa just a couple of years ago and I love him. Added some lights to the tree and he helps bring the cheer of the holiday into the house as he greets you once you enter from the foyer.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Angels We have Heard on High


Angels we have heard on high
 Sweetly singing over the plains
 And the mountains in reply,
 Echoing their joyous strains.
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o

Shepherds, why this Jubilee?
 Why your joyous strains prolong?
 What the gladsome tidings be
 Which inspire your heavenly song?
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o
 Glo-ori-a
 In excelsis de-o

Come to Bethlehem and see
 Him whose birth the angels sing

(French carol, ca. 1862)
Sitting directly across from Blue Santa, is my Blue Angel. No lights on her, but then she really doesn't need them. Underneath is a Christmas cross stitch I had done years ago and just came across again recently. Nice to have some of my own work on display as well. Last year just the garland hung here with ornaments adorning it. But this year we way to many pictures up and moving things around is getting hectic.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

I Believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe there's always hope when all seems lost
I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus, I'll tell you why I do
'Cause I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true
I believe in miracles, I believe in magic too
I believe in Santa Claus and I believe in you

I believe in family in country and is smiles
I believe in turning negatives to positives in life
I believe in lookin' farther up the farther down we get
I believe when someone hurts we should forgive and forget

And I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe love should prevail at any cost
And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in saying what you mean and meaning what you say
I believe a better attitude can make a better way
I believe in viewing life as a journey that we're on
And lookin' at our troubles as another stepping stone

And I believe that everthing in life is what it's meant to be
I believe there is a God somewhere although He's hard to see
I believe I am so therefore I should do all that I can
To be a better piece in the puzzle of God's plan

And I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe there's always hope when all seems lost
I believe In Santa Claus

Let the little children sing
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus

And I believe in Santa Claus
Let the whole world sing

I believe in Santa Claus
This wreath will soon get a revamp with the addition of icicles which I got from mom's house. I love this wreath. And it is prominently displayed so that you see it as soon as the front door is open. For some reason I had a hard time getting it hung this year, so after many scraps and bloodied fingers, I got some picture wire on it.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Sleigh Ride

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
 Ring ting tingling too
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you,
 Outside the snow is falling
 And friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 Let's go, Let's look at the show,
 We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
 Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 It's grand, Just holding your hand,
 We're gliding along with a song
 Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
 And comfy cozy are we
 We're snuggled up together
 Like two birds of a feather would be
 Let's take that road before us
 And sing a chorus or two
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
 At the home of Farmer Gray
 It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
 We'll be singing the songs
 We love to sing without a single stop,
 At the fireplace while we watch
 The chestnuts pop. Pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
 Nothing in the world can buy,
 When they pass around the chocolate
 And the pumpkin pie
 It'll nearly be like a picture print
 By Currier and Ives
 These wonderful things are the things
 We remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
 Ring ting tingling too
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you,
 Outside the snow is falling
 And friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 Let's go, Let's look at the show,
 We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
 Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
 It's grand, Just holding your hand,
 We're gliding along with a song
 Of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
 And comfy cozy are we
 We're snuggled up together
 Like two birds of a feather would be
 Let's take that road before us
 And sing a chorus or two
 Come on, it's lovely weather
 For a sleigh ride together with you

(Mitchell Parish, Leroy Anderson, 1948)
My Christmas sleighs with an upgrade of a few big bows just to fill them out again. I love these sleighs and don't know what I'm going to do when the poinsettias need replacing (which will be soon). Oh yeah, I have a friend that does floral arrangements. :)

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Time is Here

 Christmas time is here
 Happiness and cheer
 Fun for all
 That children call
 Their favorite time of year

Snowflakes in the air
 Carols everywhere
 Olden times
 And ancient rhymes
 Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
 Beauty everywhere
 Yuletide by the fireside
 And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
 Families growing near
 Oh that we could always see
 Such spirit through the year

Sleigh bells in the air
 Beauty everywhere
 Yuletide by the fireside
 And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
 Families growing near
 Oh that we could always see
 Such spirit through the year
The decorating has begun. Actually we started last weekend, but it is taking time, what with Pan working 16 hours a day. He got the outside lights "out," for the first time in many a year. But that's all we do outside. Lights. I do lights inside too. Have more remotes than I can count, LOL. This is the top of our new "cabinet/china closet" in the dining room. Below is the actual china cabinet. Need to add some lights up there as well.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

 
Here's hoping that all my family and friends have a wonderful day with their own families. And a kiss sent to mom and dad who are once again reunited and spending the day together.