I. What are your five favorite Christmas songs?
1. "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" (Jazz organist Jimmy Smith's version swings)
2. "Merry Christmas Baby" (Charles Brown)
3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (Ella!)
4. "Sleigh Ride" (partial to Doc Severinson's version, though Johnny Mathis' take is pretty good)
5. "Winter Wonderland"
II. Five foods you look forward to at Christmastime?
1. Sausage Balls (Paula Dean uses my recipe)
2. Auntie Joice's dessert tray
3. Chex Mix
4. Turkey & Dressing
5. Egg Nog with a bit of nutmeg (Alton Brown's receipe)
III. Five favorite presents of all time?
There are just too many to list just five, though a red necktie circa 1974 comes to mind as being close to the top.
IV. What are your five favorite holiday TV specials?
1. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (it's about the true meaning of Christmas)
2. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (fond memories from my childhood)
3. "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (Hermey the elf dentist just cracks me up)
4. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (classic Christmas TV)
5. "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (I recall that in sixth grade Robert Strickland knew the words to all the songs)
V. Top five holiday-themed films?
1. It's A Wonderful Life (James Stewart is at his most memorable as George Bailey)
2. Scrooge (the musical version with Albert Finney and Alec Guinness)
3. The Bells of Saint Mary's (Ingrid Bergman teaching the kid to box is priceless)
4. Holiday Inn (Bing Crosby and Astaire deliver Irving Berlin's timeless songs)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (the 1974 TV version with Sebastian Cabot)
1 comment:
"The Secret Red Tie"
It was a magical season..Christmas.
The family of four made the traditional trip in the blue truck to carefully select the perfect Christmas tree. It was now Christmas Eve and all was well. My wife, Linda, was out in the crowded shopping mall, I was home enjoying some quiet time. Our daughter, Kristi, had been busy telling everone what their gifts were, and our son,James,well,he had a secret that had not been shared with anyone. Well there was one person that knew and that was Saint Nicholos. Whether the request to santa was a sincere request or a test for santa, only our son knows. The family annual recorded Christmas Eve show was filled with songs, the Christmas story and some humor or a homespun story from our son. Some Christmas goodies made by Linda and the traditional sausage balls were also enjoyed. Soon, visions of Christmas morning faded with the sand man and in an instant, it was Christmas morning. To everyone's surprise, nestled between a GI Joe and a barbie doll was a bright red tie. Jay had asked santa to bring one for his dad and that was the secret. This is a true story, for you see, the red tie was my special gift from my son and santa. After 23 years, a new tradition began in my home this year. I live on the east coast and James lives on the west coast. We cant't share Christmas together this year, however, the red tie is hanging on our tree.
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