It’s time for another Friday Photo Flashback. As we get closer to the Christmas holiday, I picked another Christmas photo to look at. It is from 1974.
I found this on a hard drive. I am guessing that it is a scan that my brother did of some of the photos from my aunt. My Aunt Jodi and I are 4 years apart. This photo was taken on Christmas Day in 1974. My aunt and I are featured in the picture.
There are a few reasons I chose to feature this particular picture. First of all, I do not remember it. As I said, it had to be one my grandmother took. I don’t recall seeing it in an albums at my house, or in any batch of digital scans from my dad.
Next, it takes me right back to my grandma’s living room. Where the Christmas tree is, my grandpa’s rocking chair was usually there. Next to it, or on the wall next to it (which was a half wall as I recall) was where my grandpa kept his cabinet phonograph.
Those things were awesome! He had many big band albums, and one with Harry Belafonte singing in concert. He always played the song about a hole in the bucket or something.
The fireplace was a real fireplace as I remember. I may have only witnessed one real fire in it growing up. I recognize the red candle that is behind me and to my right in the picture. Grandma had that for at least a few years. I am four in this picture, but it is in the same spot in another Christmas picture from their house when I was 2.
I love the mess of open boxes and wrapping paper all over the place in the picture. It is a bit too blurry to tell what some of the toys in boxes are, but that army jeep was probably my gift. This may have been the year I got a GI Joe Doll. The GI Joe came with a small hand grenade. This must have been years before anyone worried about kids choking on things, because it was quite small. It was so small that my brother stuck it in his nose and it got stuck! I know that required a trip to the ER to have it removed! The more I think about it, he may have stuck it in his ear, I don’t know.
UPDATE: My brother was able to zoom in a bit on the picture and told me that the box behind me is actually a Weebles set! Sure enough, here is the box!
I’m not a fan of the buzz cut that I am sporting, but it was a favorite haircut of my folks. I had them often. I also don’t know what to make of the outfit I am wearing. Wow! The 70’s sure had some crazy patterns on pants! Even my aunt’s pants look like something you’d see on an old golfer.
I really have no idea what my aunt is handing me. Of course, the way we fought as kids, she might be taking whatever that thing is away from me. Is it a snake? Is it a dinosaur? Is it a fish? I really cannot say. I don’t remember that thing at all! I’m smiling, so I must have thought it was cool.
The crocheted shawl my aunt is wearing has GOT to be something my mom made. If I were to make a wager, it very well may have been her Christmas gift from my mom. Mom loved to crochet and made a lot of things for family. She made me some sort of sweater vest one year. When she was into ceramics, she made something for every one. When she was making fabric painted sweatshirts, everyone got one. Because the pattern, I would certainly think that the shawl is my mom’s handiwork.
You will also notice that on the tree, right behind my aunt is a crocheted diamond ornament. My mom made hundreds of those ornaments. One year our tree was full of them! Want proof?
The other thing I notice in the picture with my aunt and me is the garland. It seems like garland was a necessity for Christmas for my mom and grandma. It is wrapped around the tree, which is where you’d expect it, I suppose. But you see the lone strand hanging down along the wall by the fire place? Right there between the tree and the melted plastic Santa? I can almost bet that it is strung along the top of the fire place.
I stopped writing and went to my hard drive to see if I could find a picture of the garland. Sure enough, a couple years earlier, here is my aunt and I in front of the same fireplace. There along the wall – is the garland!
In a recent conversation with my brother, I was informed that Starbucks does not have their Egg Nog Latte on the holiday menu this year. This was a major disappointment. In all honesty, it was the ONLY reason I ever ventured out to Starbucks voluntarily. I suppose in the fall, I might go there for a Pumpkin Spice Latte’, but I can get those at other places. The only place I could get the Egg Nog Latte’ was Starbucks.
In doing a quick search of the Internet, it seems they pulled it off them menu at some point last year. When they announced their holiday items this year, the Egg Nog Latte’ was absent. The articles I found were about how angry customers were that it was not on the menu.
I guess there are plenty of people making a big stink about it on the various social media sites. There are sites and campaigns calling for the return of the beloved drink, but I highly doubt it will return. It’s kind of like when a radio station fires a favorite personality – no matter how many people call, picket the station, or say they are boycotting the station – they aren’t coming back.
Good riddance, I say. I hated paying so much cash for the delicious drink anyway. I have always felt that Starbucks was overpriced and that their coffee tastes “burnt.” I would probably be able to do a quick Google search for an “Egg Nog Latte'” recipe online and it would be cheaper to make at home. As a matter of fact, I think that is what I will do.
Please don’t tell me that McDonald’s got rid of Egg Nog Shakes. I would really be upset about that ….
I’ve seen a couple bloggers I follow post this in one way, shape or form. I thought it would be a quick and fun thing to do. Two options are presented – you have to pick one. You are supposed to tag someone else to answer the questions, but I won’t do that. Feel free to chime in with whatever you want in the comments, if you wish.
UPDATE: After being tagged by Dave and Lisa (and seeing their responses), I thought I should go through and maybe expand on my brief answers).
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve has always been the bigger day in my family for as long as I can remember. I’m not saying Christmas Day is not as important, but Eve was just always the bigger celebration. We spent every Christmas Eve with my paternal grandparents. It was the Italian side of the family and there was always plenty of food, desserts and family.
We’d have an early dinner (and graze throughout the remainder of the night), and the adults would play pinochle while us kids played with toys, watched videos, or played video games. I would say many of my favorite Christmas memories stem from those Christmas Eves!
Real or Fake Tree?
I have never had a real tree. I know they smell wonderful, but the upkeep of them and the fear or a fire starting has me liking the fake one. When visiting family or friends with a real tree, I always thought they looked great. I was often wowed by the size of some of the trees.
The tree we have at our house now was left by the previous owner. Sam has been using it every year. It has lights on it already, but there is a short in the wires. So we just string a bunch of lights on it separately. For as old as it is, it still looks very full. We talked about getting a new tree this year, but once this one was up, I remember thinking it still looks good.
Snow Globe or Snowflakes?
I think snow globes are nice. We have one that plays music. However, nothing beats real snowflakes falling. I have always enjoyed watching it snow. There is something peaceful about it. Even when it is really coming down, I still find it calming. Unless, of course, I am driving!
Sledding or Ice Skating?
I tried to ice skate once. Once! I can’t do it. I can’t roller skate either. I love sledding. I love taking the kids around on a sled. There is a small hill near us that I can’t wait to take them to.
Before my divorce, we lived at the end of a cul de sac. When they would plow our street, they always just pushed it all to the end. This made a wonderful hill for the boys to sled down. There was also a big hill at one of the parks that we would go to and sled.
I need to go buy a good two person sled this year so I can pull the kids around on it, or ride down a hill with one of them in it with me.
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg Nog hands down. I know a lot of people hate it, but it has long been a favorite of mine. I have blogged about this before, but my grandma used to by this instant egg nog in a pouch and make it. My brother and I loved that!
One year I found a custard egg nog that was absolutely delicious. I wish I could find it. It came in a container that looked like a nutcracker. The only thing I cannot do is low fat egg nog. There is something about it that tastes different.
Photo Taken In Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Do It Yourself Gift or Store Bought Gift?
I guess it depends. Gifts that were made by my kids will always mean more to me than store bought gifts. Either one works, as long as there is some though involved. My wife is the best gift giver and always seems to be able to find just the right gift for me. I wish I had that talent! I don’t know that my gifts to her, no matter how much I thought about it, are as good as the ones she has gotten for me.
Something Red or Something Green?
This is a stupid question. Christmas colors are red and green. A co-worker said “Green can be St. Patrick’s Day, so you have to pick red!” I don’t really know why you have to pick one at all. They go so well together.
Giving Gifts or Getting Gifts?
Personally, I think there is more joy in giving them than getting them. I have told my wife many times that I don’t need anything. I never really understood why my dad would say he didn’t want anything when I was a kid. Today I understand. While it is nice to receive a gift, I just get more joy out of actually giving one to someone.
White Christmas or No Snow?
White Christmas without a doubt. I think that snow just adds to the magic of the day. There is a certain sadness that I get when there is no snow on Christmas. I’m happy with just a dusting, or even flurries. There just has to be a little snow. I really don’t know how people in the south deal with it. When I hear “Let it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” or “White Christmas,” I immediately picture snow on the ground. Do they even play those songs in Texas or Mexico? LOL
Colored Lights or White Lights?
I think in certain situations white lights (or any other single color) can look very pretty. However, there is something about having the variety of colors that seems more festive to me.
I recently took the kids to Menards and walked through the Christmas decorations aisles. There are trees that look very nice with all one color – blue, green, or white. I am not sure I could do my tree that way. Perhaps I would do outdoor decorations that way, but on the tree they just have to be multi-colored.
Celebrating at Home or Celebrating Away From Home?
There is a similar question that asks whether you would rather host Christmas or go visiting. There are perks to both. I love being at home in PJ’s while the kids open gifts. I love being able to have breakfast and just watch them enjoy the day. At the same time, celebrating with family at a get together outside of the house is just as fun. Hosting is a bit much for me – too much responsibility.
Opening Gifts One at a Time or Opening All At Once?
We have always done them one at a time. I think it is important to see the receiver’s reactions to the gift they get. If everyone is opening all at once, you miss so much. Besides, I’m a picture taker. I like to capture reactions to gifts. One at a time makes that a whole lot easier. I also think that opening gifts one at a time allows the rest of the family to be joyful for you and what you received.
Gift Wrap or Gift Bags?
I suck at wrapping. I always let Sam do it. If I was responsible for wrapping – everything would be in bags! I think there is something to be said about a beautifully wrapped present under the tree. Wrap it is.
My mother was an amazing gift wrapper. I remember how she’d measure the paper on the box, skillfully slid the scissors along the paper to cut it, and used minimal amounts of tape to wrap something. My kids used to hate gifts I wrapped because I was using a LOT of tape. The corners were never perfect, the paper was never tight around the box, and it really was a shoddy job when I was the wrapper.
Wrap master – I was not.
Angel or Star Topper?
I am not sure we ever had an angel on the top of our tree. It was usually a star or no topper at all. Now, we have this cute snowman that sits on the top, which I really like a lot. I saw somewhere online a snowman topper that makes it look like the snowman is stuck in the tree. That would be very cool. I also saw on Facebook an ad for the Abominable Snow Monster from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that you can put on the top of the tree. I’d get that too!
Wreath or Garland?
I don’t even know how these two relate to each other. My mom used garland all the time around the tree and would string it up on the walls and such. It’s pretty, but we don’t use it. I think a wreath can be very festive. I like them both.
We don’t have either at our house. The garland above isn’t the garland I remember. Mom and dad used to have gold or silver garland that was placed all over the house. Even little pieces of the stuff wound up somewhere. It seemed to be every where in the house.
Santa Wraps Gifts or Santa Leaves Gifts Unwrapped?
Growing up, gifts were always left unwrapped from Santa. The wrapped gifts were from mom and dad. I kinda like that. I know know why my folks were always so tired on Christmas morning. They were up the night before putting toys together! There were plenty of nights we didn’t get home from my grandmas until way after midnight. This freaked us out because all kids think that Santa comes at exactly midnight. If my dad had a dollar for every time he told us, “Don’t worry, Santa will come!” he would be a rich man!
Matching Pajamas or Ugly Sweaters?
As corny as it sounds, I think it can be very cute to have matching PJ’s. The kids had matching jammies for pictures. I think if we had extra money, we’d have bought matching ones for Sam and I. Ugly Sweaters are a party thing. I have one and I plan on wearing it to every ugly sweater party I every attend. LOL I need to get my money’s worth.
Cash or Gift Cards?
This depends. I know my son wants a video game this year. I can’t afford to buy it for him, but I will get him a gift card towards it. I think many folks would love cash, but I usually use any cash I get to pay bills. Not very Christmasy. “Hey, Pop. Thanks for helping me with the electric bill this year!” LOL
Mariah Carey or Michael Buble’?
Mr. Buble’! I love how he has brought back some of the great standards. I only really like the one Mariah Carey song, and they play it so much now it just drives me crazy. Buble’ has many great takes on holiday standards. He’s no Bing, Frank or Dean, but he still is one that I enjoy listening too!
Gloves or Mittens?
Gloves! I never cared for mittens. I never felt like my hands worked properly in them. LOL!
Grinch or Charlie Brown?
Charlie Brown! The Grinch song is over played. There are so many reasons why Charlie Brown gets my vote. Linus’ speech tops the list!
It was pointed out to me that the Grinch does come around and loves Christmas much like Scrooge does. True – but Charlie Brown still wins this battle.
Turkey or Ham?
Neither! On Christmas, it is always ravioli for me!! It’s a Christmas Eve Tradition!!
There were many other choices, but I think that is enough for now.
How would you answer “This or That?” Do you have two choices you’d like me to answer?
My last post about the elementary school secret Santa stirred up another Christmas memory – Santa Shops! Do you remember them?
The Santa Shop was basically a bunch of cheap stuff that kids could buy for family for Christmas. Oh, the things I would buy for my folks! Urgh!
Basically, they would bring each classroom down to wherever the shop was set up (the gym, the library, or lunchroom) and they got 15-20 minutes to look at the stuff for sale. Each kid was given a piece of paper to write down numbers and descriptions of things along with who they were for and how much they cost. Then you would take the list home and your folks would give you money to spend. Yes, the parents were buying their own stuff.
I almost never got the amount of money I wanted to spend. If my list was $25, I’d get $10. I doubt I ever got more than that. I usually just bought for my parents and my brother. There was always a bunch of stuff to pick from, but it was never really anything good. Sure, there were a few nice items, but most were plastic junk.
My brother always seemed to get toys that we could both play with. Usually slime or something like that.
Many times I tried to buy cheap for him so that there was extra left to buy myself something!
There was always stuff for mom. I remember one year buying her a “mom’ necklace. It was so cheap and it made her neck turn green. Another year, I bought a ring with a fake jewel in it. I think it bent or broke.
My dad always got a key ring or something like that. I don’t think I ever saw him use it. One year, I found it in the top drawer of the desk at home. I may have bought him a wallet once, too.
I remember thinking that I was buying high class stuff, after all some of the items cost a whole $5!!
When it was my turn to be dad, I remember my kids buying their mom candles or stuff that was much better than they stuff I got. I was ok with that. I had a keychain once that had a tape measure on it. The first time I used it, it broke. My oldest was so sad about that. The following year, he got me a coffee much that said “Super Dad” on it!
It didn’t look like this – it actually had the “S” like Superman on it. I actually still have it and use it. My middle son also bought me a coffee mug with Mr. Incredible on it. I doubt he got it at the Secret Santa shop, but it says “Incredible Dad” on it. They both know how much coffee I drink, so these were smart gifts!
The best gifts they ever got me were not even Christmas presents. They both went to the same elementary school and in Kindergarten, every June their classes made coasters out of tiles. They glued cork on the bottom and painted the tops. I still have both of them. I don’t use them for coffee, but I won’t part with them.
I know that it is not about the gift or the money spent on them. They could wrap up a box of moth balls and I would be happy about it! The fact that they get to go and “shop” for family is the cool thing. It also is just great for them to see your reaction to it when you open it. That puffy sticker that said “#1 Dad” meant more to me than anything of value under the tree.
I don’t know if they are still doing those Santa Shops. I really hope they do. It will be interesting to see what Ella and Andrew will bring home for Sam and I when they are in school. I may have to drop a few hints …
I was in elementary school. This happened somewhere between 3rd and 6th grade. I cannot be too sure when, although I bet if I reached out to my friend, she would know. Here is the story:
One of the wonderful things about elementary school (at least when I was there) was the class Christmas party. They probably call it a “Holiday” party now, or maybe they can’t do them anymore, I don’t know. Each student would bring a treat or drink to pass around and the day before Christmas break, you’d have a celebration.
Each year, there was a gift exchange. It was never anything really expensive. I think there was a $5 or $10 limit. A couple weeks before the party, each kid came up to the bowl or hat with the names of the kids participating and drew a name. One year, I drew Carol’s name.
Carol sat in front of me every year. Her last name came before mine alphabetically. She had blonde hair and I remember thinking how pretty she was. Of course, you never told anyone that in elementary school. The other boys would make fun of you! Anyway, I remember freaking out about what to get her. What does a boy know about buying for a girl!? (Incidentally, this still holds true today for most guys I know – myself included!)
I’m sure I had to ask my mom for help deciding. I don’t exactly remember all of what I got her, but it was probably candy and such. But there was one thing I remember seeing that I thought was a good idea. A snowman pin. I wouldn’t call it a hat pin, it was more of a lapel pin. You know, it was metal and had the gold or silver clasp that fit over the pin to keep it on where you pinned it? I did a search online and this is pretty darn close to what I remember it looking like:
It was such a simple little thing. Back when we were in high school, she still had it. She would wear it around the holidays. I was floored that she kept it. I know I would have lost it over the years.
After graduation, as most people do, I lost touch with Carol. Years later, thanks to Myspace, I was able to reconnect with her. One of the first things she told me was that she STILL had that snowman pin! She told me that she would always wear it every holiday season! I could not believe it.
With the dawn of Facebook, we connected on there and are still friends. I met her about 45 years ago. That pin has to be at least 42 years old and as far as I know, she still has it. This makes me smile to know that the one thing that I thought would be a good gift – was.
Merry Christmas, Carol. I hope that snowman is still smiling at you and making you smile, too!
It is time once again for another edition of Turntable Talk hosted by Dave of A Sound Day. The topic he assigned this month was an easy one. He says, “just pick a Christmas/holiday song that you like or is special to you, and write a bit about it. Could be its history, could be why you particularly like it. And, can be a new one, a traditional one, classic or obscure.”
When I read his email, one song immediately popped into my head. I was sure that was going to be the one I wrote about. Then I was listening to my iPod and heard one that I felt really needed some recognition, because it get’s me in the “feels” every time I hear it. That led to me remembering another powerful song of the season. When I couldn’t decide which one to pick, I asked Dave if I could write about both. He responded, “Sure! It’s Christmas. Why not?”
I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do….
I was familiar with many of the Elvis Christmas songs growing up. My dad had one of his Christmas albums and played it every year. Prior to DJing a Christmas party, I stopped at my local record store to pick up some Christmas music. I spotted the above album, which had many cuts that I had never heard before, including the title track. I popped it into the car’s CD player and it was the first song on the CD. I was blown away by it. What an amazing message.
I didn’t know much about the song at all, but thanks to Wiki I found out that it came from Elvis’ personal friend. Around August of 1965, Presley’s friend and bodyguard Red West wrote the song “in about an hour.” He recorded it and released it the same year under his own label for the 1965 Christmas season, with very little success. The following year, he gave the song to Presley to record, as Elvis had been wanting to record a Christmas song.
The backing track was recorded on June 10, 1966 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, with background vocals provided by Millie Kirkham, The Jordanaires, and the Imperials Quartet. Two days later, on June 12, Presley’s vocals were added. According to West, the vocals were sung and recorded in a hotel room after an enthusiastic Presley heard a copy of the just-recorded backing track on a two-track tape recorder. The song was released on November 15, 1966 as an RCA Victor 45 single. The single reached No. 2 on the Billboard “Best Bets For Christmas” survey in 1966, and returned to the chart in 1967, spending a total of eight weeks in the chart.
When I think about the message of this song, I am reminded of Bill Murray’s speech at the end of Scrooged. He is talking about Christmas Eve and he says, “It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer; we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.” I think, you can expand that into the entire holiday season. People are just nicer to each other. It really is the time of year that exemplifies what the rest of the year should be like.
Imagine if every day were like Christmas! Elvis’ vocal, the arrangement, and the lyrics of this song bring my to tears almost every time I hear it. Give my first song a listen here:
If Every Day Was Like Christmas
I hear the bells Saying christmas is near They ring out to tell the world That this is the season of cheer
I hear a choir Singing sweetly somewhere And a glow fills my heart I’m at peace with the world As the sound of their singing fills the air
Oh why can’t every day be like christmas Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly For if everyday could be just like christmas What a wonderful world this would be
I hear a child Telling santa what to bring And the smile upon his tiny face Is worth more to me than anything
Oh why can’t every day be like christmas Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly For if everyday could be just like christmas What a wonderful world this would be
In his short career, Bobby Darin only recorded one Christmas album. The 25th Day of December was released in 1960 and is full of standard hymns and a few other songs. Despite a thorough search of the internet, I cannot find a whole lot about the album or the song that I selected as my second for this blog – Christmas Auld Lang Syne. As a matter of fact, the song wasn’t even on the original album. One review of the album I did find states: In addition, the label has expanded the original LP with one bonus track, the mono single of “Christmas Auld Lang Syne” with new lyrics by Frank Military and Manny Kurtz. When Darin starts to sing of mistletoe and tinsel glow, it’s both refreshing and disconcerting following the frequently-solemn album. The 25th Day of December remains a moving and singular creation by one of popular music’s most enduring vocalists, and one of the most unusual Christmas albums to be recorded by a mainstream superstar. As such, it’s worth a spin this Christmas season.
A search of what “Auld Lang Syne” means brings about many interpretations, but most of them all say that when translated literally it means “old long since,” but the meaning is more like “old times” or “the olden days.” In a way the phrase goes perfectly with my blog as I spend a lot of time looking back at the past.
This was one of those songs I remember hearing as part of some “oldies” Christmas special. I’ve always been a fan of Bobby Darin, but had never heard the song before. Melodically, the music is note for note “Auld Lang Syne.” Lyrically, it is something deeper. Every New Year’s Eve, we look back on the year and hope that we can all be together again. This song applies it to Christmas.
New Year’s Eve, to me anyway, is not really about family. Christmas, however, is ALL about family. When you take these lyrics and think back on those who are no longer with us, or think about those who may not be with us next year, it packs a pretty emotional and powerful punch. Again, it always gets me in the “feels.” Two places in the song never fail to give me goosebumps. When Bobby tosses out his quick holiday wish , as awkward as it may be, it still gets me. Then there is the last “thank the Lord,” where he holds the note. Gets me every time.
You may not be familiar with it, but I will forever be a favorite of mine. He is the audio and lyrics:
Christmas Auld Lang Syne
When mistletoe and tinsel glow Paint a Yuletide valentine Back home, I go to those I know For a Christmas Auld Lang Syne
And as we gather ’round the tree Our voices, all combine In sweet accord, we thank the Lord For a Christmas Auld Lang Syne
When sleigh bells ring And choirs sing and the children’s faces shine With each new toy, we share their joy With a Christmas Auld Lang Syne
We sing His praise, this day of days And pray next year, this time We’ll all be near to share the cheer Of a Christmas Auld Lang Syne
Merry Christmas, everybody, and a Happy New Year
In sweet accord, we thank the Lord For a Christmas Auld Lang Syne
Ok, just one more – my original choice, because I need a fun one!
My first pick was Marshmallow World by Dean Martin. Yes, I am aware of the MANY other versions of the song. Although Darlene Love’s version is a close second, I personally believe that Dean’s version is THE ultimate version of this song! It is the PERFECT song for him and he delivers it in his very own style.
The song had been around long before Dean recorded it in 1966. It was written in 1949 and while the song is about winter and is commonly regarded as a Christmas song, the lyrics make no mention of the holiday. The song compares a snowfall to marshmallows covering the ground. It also describes the snowfall as whipped cream. The singer “waits for it the whole year ’round.” It was first a hit for Bing Crosby in 1950 reaching #24 on the charts and done by many others afterward.
The song can be found on the only Christmas album that Dean did for Reprise Records. The Dean Martin Christmas Album was the fourth of five albums Martin released in 1966. The release of The Dean Martin Christmas Album in October and and Dean’s TV show in November in November 1966 were accompanied by what Billboard described as a “merchandising avalanche.” Billboard described Martin as running the “hottest streak of his career”, and said that Reprise planned to sell $4 million of his records over the Christmas sales period. Billboard later reported that Martin had sold 850,000 albums in December 1966.
Ricci Martin, Dean’s son, wrote in a biography of his father that The Dean Martin Christmas Album was the only one of his father’s albums that was played in the Martin household; his parents seldom listening to Dean Martin’s music.
A Marshmallow World
It’s a marshmallow world in the winter When the snow comes to cover the ground It’s time for play, it’s a whipped cream day I wait for it the whole year around
Those marshmallow clouds being friendly In the arms of the evergreen trees And the sun is red like a pumpkin head It’s shining so your nose won’t freeze
Oh, the world is your snowball, see how it grows That’s how it goes whenever it snows The world is your snowball just for a song Get out and roll it along
Oh, it’s a yum yummy world made for sweethearts Take a walk with your favorite girl It’s a sugar date, what if spring is late In winter it’s a marshmallow world
It’s a marshmallow world in the winter When the snow comes to cover the ground It’s time for play it’s a whipped cream day I wait for it the whole year around
Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly In the arms of the evergreen trees And the sun is red like a pumpkin head It’s shining so your nose won’t freeze
Oh, the world is your snowball, see how it grows That’s how it goes whenever it snows The world is your snowball just for a song Get out and roll it along
Oh, it’s a yum yummy world made for sweethearts Take a walk with your favorite girl It’s a sugar date, what if spring is late In winter it’s a marshmallow world
As a bonus – here is Dean singing the song on his show – solo and with Frank Sinatra!
Thanks again to Dave for allowing me to be a part of Turntable Talk. I really do enjoy taking part in it every month.
Thanks for reading! I’d like to take a moment to wish Dave, the rest of the participants, and YOU a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season. May your days be merry and bright! Pass the egg nog, and turn up the sounds of the season….
One of the songs on their second album was called Wonderful Day. It is essentially a rip off of their famous Chipmunk Song.
In the musical interlude, Dave lets the boys open a gift. Alvin opens a harmonica. Dave asks about it and Alvin replies, “It’s a present, Dave. From me – To me!”
That line, and some conversation at work this week, got me wondering just how common this is. Do you buy yourself Christmas presents? Do you wrap up your own gift to open on Christmas morning? Is this really a thing?
Have I bought myself things before? Yes. have I wrapped them up to place under the tree? No.
My wife and I have again decided not to buy anything for each other this year. We both know that if there is something we want, we look at our budget and if we can afford it, we get it. She has about 100 items in her cart on Amazon. When she sees something that she wants for the kids, me, or herself, she adds it to her cart.
I do sort of the same thing, except I add it to my Amazon Wish List. However, many times, I add things to my Wish List so I won’t forget about them, not necessarily because I want to buy them. I want to revisit them after I see some reviews.
With all that being said, have you ever bought something for yourself – as a gift to yourself? I’m interested to hear your thoughts.
It’s time for another edition of the Friday Photo Flashback. This one has a holiday theme to it. My best guess is that it was taken between 1972-1973. I make this guess based on the contents of the photo. Let’s Flashback to a Christmas morning ….
The above photo is of yours truly many moons ago. It is Christmas morning. The tree is out of the camera shot, but would be to my left, probably right in front of my mom.
As a kid, I don’t really remember unwrapping many presents. Usually, my dad played Santa and when my brother and I got up, the toys were already put together and in front of the tree. That may have been the case here as I don’t see a whole lot of wrapping paper.
Observations from the picture:
My mother is so young and beautiful in this picture. I don’t remember the robe she is wearing at all. If it wasn’t for this photo, I don’t know that I would have ever seen it before. I love that she is smiling while watching me.
I don’t recognize that couch at all! This would have been taken at the first house I remember. We lived there until the winter of 1976. I know that the tree would have been right in front of our living room window (again, just out of the camera shot).
I am obviously wearing two piece PJ’s, but only wearing the pants. That looks more like a regular T-shirt than a PJ top. It is possible, although I can’t really tell, that I am either wearing slippers OR those pants have footies on them. Hard to say.
The first thing I noticed when looking at the photo was that big boat next to me. It took me only one broad search of “Little People Boat” on Google for the toy to come up. According to Google, this would have come out in 1972.
I have blogged about Little People before, but not sure if I mentioned this set. I remember that flag so well. It was literally a plastic triangle on a long spring! I forgot about those crazy deck chairs and the life preservers. You can see one of those and the little blue boat on the floor in front of me.
To my left in the picture, was a favorite of mine – the Little People Airport.
The jet is to my right in the picture and the cars and such are scattered about. I remember that helicopter so well.
I wish I had one of those programs that brings out of focus pictures back in focus! From what I can read off the box behind me it says, “Push ‘Em Car.” I wasn’t sure if it said “cart” or “cars.” I did a search and what came up was a toybox. It is VERY possible that is what it is.
The one in the picture of me is not a Mickey Mouse one. Only two kinds came up in a search – the one above abd a generic one. The box behind me in the photo looks like it has monkeys on it. I wish I could make out what they are!
The last thing that I can make out was the book in the bottom right of the picture. I could barely make out “Zoo Keeper” so I typed that into a Google search. Imagine that, the book showed up! It’s called Zeke Zoo Keeper! I don’t remember it at all, but there it is!
I wish that I had more photos of the stuff we had under the tree. I guess without them, the proof is there that it really is never about the gifts you receive, but the experiences. Sure, I can remember some of the gifts I got for Christmas, but many of them are long forgotten. It is the memories with family that I will always remember.
Maggie, at From Cave Walls, and Lauren, at LSS Attitude of Gratitude, alternate hosting Throwback Thursday. The idea of the prompt is for them to give us a topic and for us to write a post in which we share our own memories or experiences about the given topic.
This week’s prompt is: Class Assignments We have talked about report cards and homework and other school related activities. Today I want to focus on specific assignments and what you remember about them.
1. What do you remember as the most interesting required reading assignment you had?
No question, Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember. The minute by minute account of the sinking of the Titanic. I was always fascinated with the story.
What class was it for? It was for a Senior elective class called “Survey of Non-Fiction.
2. Were you required to write a book report or were you required to give an oral presentation? We did many book reports, but non for that particular class.
3. What did you consider the worst book or article you were required to read?
Silas Marner by George Eliot.
What made it the worst? It was probably the most boring thing I have ever read. The entire class felt the same way. I remember the teacher, Mr. Young, even stopped a discussion because no one was really listening to him. He basically told us, “I know this book sucks, but we all have to get through this together…”
4. Were you ever required to debate other classmates?
In high school, no. College, yes.
If so, what class was it for? Business communications in college.
Do you remember any of the subjects and your ‘side’ of the debate? I am almost positive the topic was Universal Health Care. What side? I don’t recall.
5. Were you ever required to do a science project or enter school science fair? No
6. Did you have a Home Economics class or a Wood/Metal Shop class?
In Junior High, I was both wood and metal shop
What types of things did you make?
Wood shop – key rack, candle holder. Metal shop – metal box, shoe horn.
7. Did you frequent the library?
Only when needed.
Was it for class work or for pleasure?
Class work.
What book that you read for pleasure had the most impact on you?
Most reading I did in school was because I had to.
8. What was your most creative class? Band? Chorus? Art? Drama? Writing?
Band, for sure! I wish I had been in choir and art class. I can’t draw to save my life. I never did drama, because I never thought I could stand in front of people and “act.” The only real writing I did was for assignments.
What standout creative project do you remember most? In band, we had a group of us that went to Solo and Ensemble festival. I only remember doing this one time. It was a lot of work, but a great experience.
9. Were you required to write a term paper or an end of year report in any of your classes?
Not in high school. If I did, I don’t remember. In college, I wrote a TON of papers – some of them I have adapted and used as blogs here.
10. Bonus Question: Did your teachers ever offer extra credit assignments ?
Some of them did.
Did you do them to help improve your grade?
If my grades were bad, I took advantage of those extra credit assignments. Many times, I wished for extra credit assignments because my grades were in the toilet!
Well, Ella was extra excited to get her letter from Santa today in the mail!!
“Santa” wrote an amazing letter to the kids. Ella was so excited to open it up.
This is a simple reminder to me that there are still some very amazing people out there. I don’t know how many letters they received or responded to, but I think it is wonderful that they are giving so much of their time and energy to make children smile.
Thank you “Santa” for answering our letter and we’ll look forward to getting the reindeer food for the sleigh team!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 