My Christmas Cookies vs Recipe Cookies Picts – Eeks
This year we cut back the number of Christmas Cookies we made. Eliminated were butterballs, struffoli, Chocolate biscotti, palenta cookies, pizzelles, pecan anisette and chocolate roll and a yule log. But we did make five cookies. When we finished making them, we stood back and felt a little proud. Then we looked and the recipe picture and saw My Christmas Cookies vs Recipe Cookies picts. They taste good but we did fail miserably in presentation.
A week or two ago, a friend of mine, had a Christmas song on her post that I had never heard before. Then, today, another friend had a clip of a song with David Bowie singing with Bing Crosby; and, I also had never heard that one before. It got me wondering … how many other Christmas songs I’ve never heard. So, I went on a mission to find some Christmas songs that are good, but new to me. Oh and the songs are from all different styles of music. So scroll, listen and get a little more of that holiday spirit.
It’s a Marshmallow World – Dean Martin – There are parts of this video that are fresh and racy, even by 2017 standards
David Bowie and Bing Crosby – Little Drummer Boy. Let me just say how cute is David Bowie. If it was today, he would of been in a boy band; but we would have missed a ton of good music.
https://youtu.be/n9kfdEyV3RQ
Here are 15 Christmas Songs I’ve Never Heard Before
I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day
This is such a sweet song. Some versions had choirs singing, but they were home videos. If you aren’t worried about sound quality, go listen to some of the choir versions.
2. Underneath the Tree
Totally unintentional that the song above and this one are former American Idol contestants. I always love Kelly Clarkson. She sounds great.
I have never heard this before, but I have seen Kenny Chesney in concert. He has high energy from the second he walks on the stage to the second he takes his last encore… A blast.
4. There’s a smidgen of a musical lead in but the (I think 1940s) dance scenes are pretty fun to watch. It’s called “What Will Santa Claus Say”, by Louie Prima.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCtBHZ1MItE
4a. I’ve never heard this one. It’s only 40 seconds. The original is 2.40 sec. But it is just a picture of old xmas lights in the box as the image. So I went with this one. Maybe I’ll do 16 songs if I can find one more.
5. I may have heard this before, but not sure enough. So I’m adding it. It’s Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis
6. I remember Tom Waits in the 80s, but this doesn’t seem like his regular style. But it’s a Christmas song I’ve never heard; so into the list it goes. Maybe I’m thinking of someone else. It’s John Waite who I’m thinking of.
Just a few more for our list … but there are a ton more Christmas songs I’ve never heard.
7. This one is just crazy. It’s 14 minutes long, but only 4 min of it is the song. It’s pretty fun. It starts with a dialogue that made me laugh too.
8. This one I’m adding because it has Guy Lombardo in it with the Andrew Sisters. An odd little fact, Guy Lombardo is my 6th cousin. Lol.
I know; I’m almost famous. When you think of Christmas songs I’ve never Heard or you’ve never heard, you can think of me.
I also have another cousin, Anthony George (real name Octavio Gabriel George) who was part of the original cast of Dark Shadows then later Search for Tomorrow and One Life to Live. Also The Untouchables, etc.
Our family called him Oct. If you know the scene from the movie The Godfather when all the family makes a fuss when the famous singer shows up. That’s what my family was like when Oct showed up. Very nice gracious man.
9. Oi to The World .. No Doubt. Gwen Stephani is on “The Voice” now. Such a beautiful woman. I kinda am wondering if she’s had some freshening. Just sayin’.
10. Never heard this …but love the Ramones rhythm.
https://youtu.be/4Y5GtaTrPHM
Here’s something I should be ashamed to admit.
11. OMG … I loved the Archies. They are the only comic books I ever bought. Oh I have to go see if the Batman TV show had a Christmas song. That show had that same cheeky feel. One sec. It doesn’t exist. The only thing is the Jingle Bells Batman Smells” one. Ick.
11a. I think I’ve heard this before… but sharing it for two reasons. The beginning sounds like the music that they listened to in the “Night at the Roxy ” movie. And, I either heard it in the movie Pretty in Pink or wait. Just Googled it … it was in an SNl skit.
12. Coldplay is one of those bands that I like some of their songs, but never know it’s them. If someone asks me if I like Coldplay, I say, “I think so.” Wow! I like this song a lot.
13. Gotta have some classics (that I’ve never heard). My dad liked Perry Como; so into the list. My standards are very flexible.
13 a) I’ve heard this before, but it is such a fresh take on it. I’m adding it in. I guess that makes three that don’t count, but are added.
14. Come On … It’s the Twist and Christmas.
Although I could keep finding more songs, I’m almost done.
And, the final song I’m telling you I’ve never heard is ….
15. Here’s one from one of the original boy bands. What was the sequence ….New Kids, New Edition, Nsynch then Boys to Men? Not sure. Anyone know?
And two for my mom and dad .. that I have heard.
And, One for Me
I just heard this on Alexa in a Christmas song list. So Adorable … bummed I could not find a video of it. This song starts with Brad Paisley’s first performance when he was 13, then transitions to his voice today. Loved it.
Let me know if you liked any of these.
Hope you had fun watching and listening. If you like this post or others, please share them with your friends.
Over the last few days, I have encountered several people who were unkind for no reason whatsoever. So, I thought it was time for someone to declare — Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em. Here are my examples of the meanies. Tell me if you agree.
The Potential Meanies
Someone sent me an email saying that they think our little, happy, peppy and bursting with love blog is a monetized site trying to hide money. This blog is written for friends and family and people who are interested in our topics or want to see what it’s all about. There are no ads, no requests for money (not even for charity), nothing of the kind, in any way. So I declare these people meanies. Next …
We were attending a gathering and someone was there who decided to make everyone aware how much money they had, all the property they own and how difficult it is to manage help especially building contractors. In their process of sharing their perils, they made numerous comments saying no one there could possibly know the pressure that comes with being so “comfortable.” Then went on to discuss their investment portfolio. And concluded that no one there could know how the market works. Pretty rude, because I knew many people there and know one used to work as a senior financial person. Because that person actually was smart, they said nothing. So, I declare these two over braggers … Mean People – I don’t like them.
This one isn’t that mean, but, I’m still adding it to the list. We had asked someone to keep a secret about a Christmas present we were buying someone. It is something that is going to make the person, who gets the gift, life much easier. This person needs some help with their house. We asked someone to take the person, who we are surprising, out so we could get in the house and measure some things. Well the distracting person told her what we were doing. So the surprise is ruined.
Observed Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em
We were out and the cutest little boy was playing. He was smiling and running around and just being a boy. The father said it was time to go. The little boy said, “can’t we stay a little longer.” The father said, “no.” So the little boy ran a little then turned around. The man picked up the child so viciously and was carrying him by the arm. The child looked scared to death. We were at a public place. There were police around as well as, who appeared, to be the boy’s mother. No one did a thing. We went over to an officer asking if they saw what was happening. The officer said, “it’s his kid, as long as no real harm is done, there’s nothing they could do.” Let me state unequivocally no one should ever be so mean to a child. Period.
I happened to be present when someone made a huge life decision. Huge. She shared she didn’t sleep the night before. She was up all night making this decision. The person told her family her decision. Instead of validating that it was a great decision and something she would be happy about as well as say “We will help you make this happen. Let us handle the details and we will make this easy for her.” She was attacked. Her decision was aggressively questioned, belittled and treated with eye-rolling and an attitude that this was the biggest inconvenience imaginable . It absolutely is not. What needs to happen may take a little time, but it’s something people do everyday.
The Last One of the Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em Post
Based on what I overheard, there was a person who had a tragic life experience. The person sitting next to her asked, with no grace, a very personal question in a blunt fashion. No acknowledgement that I’m sure this situation is hard. The person just asked two, what I can only imagine, very harsh questions about facts of the incident. The person answered and the other person asked for no clarification or context. She just nodded her head with judgement. As they say on the east-side … what a goof.
So, with this holiday season, let’s have understanding and humbleness. Let’s be kind and empathetic. Let’s think before we speak. And be patient when we think being in a hurry is the reality (because it’s really not). Let’s walk in each others shoes. And let’s try to have compassion for all the mean people, because maybe some kindness can help them see there are other ways to do things.
Instead of saying Mean People – I don’t like ’em, I should say, I pray that you find peace and care in your heart that you may have forgotten is there.
Oh and if you need a smile, please click on the happy and peppy and bursting with love link. It’s the video of the Odd Couple. Hilarious!
Next week starts the holiday season. Everyone plans for the expected weight gain. Some people lose weight beforehand to plan ahead. Others decide they’ll lose it after the New Year. However, what do you do if you took a different approach? Because, I gained my holiday weight a week too early.
It’s not something I’m bragging about. I just can’t believe I did it. Really, I don’t know how I did it.
Well I do actually … our life has been busy lately and we have been eating out more than usual. Let’s face it, at a restaurant a salad has more calories than one you make at home. But, ordering one makes me feel as if I’m trying to be healthy. It also gives a great excuse to have a Rum Runner with dinner. Or, a coconut rum and pineapple. Sometimes it’s hard to decide.
And who can resist that?
So now what choices do I have? I’ve already Gained My Holiday Weight a Week Too Early
Do I just roll with it and lose 20 pounds in January vs 10?
Perhaps, I tell everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years will be carb- free?
Is this the time for me to go Vegan?
Do I say please don’t pass the potatoes or apple pie? That’s not happening.
I can begin to celebrate Kawanzaa and Festivus; they don’t have food as a major factor. Do they? Since they don’t celebrate till late-December, it gives me a chance to relax for a month. Hmmm…I’ll need to find people to celebrate it with me. And, need to learn more about each one. This one I’m not ruling out.
Losing the Weight in One Week. Will that reverse how I gained my holiday weight a week too early?
If you dream it, you can achieve it. Not in my wildest dreams.
A full cleanse is just something I can’t commit to.
If I know me, I’ll probably gain more weight before Thanksgiving. Someone has to taste the pie mix to make sure it is just right.
In fact , we are making pies this weekend. So that mystery is solved.
That leaves one solution
Guilt, eating and enjoying.
But, if you hear of any first of the year gym membership sales, please let me know.
