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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Where Have All The Movies Gone??

Posted in BY THE WAY, From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Cover of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole...

Cover via Amazon

We all have our favorite Christmas holiday movie – we established that last week.  But when are they playing on TV and on what station?  This is as much a mystery as how do reindeer fly? In hopes of finding The Bishop’s Wife or Bells of  St Mary, I thought I would try to check the TV listings for the next couple of days and look at channels I don’t ordinarily watch – but then again we already know I am not in control of the remote so if it isn’t on TCM or MSNBC chances are I won’t see it.

An hour or so on the web and I’m not sure that A Christmas Story is showing on any channel other than TBS! Well for sure I didn’t find either of the two I mentioned above.  I do love It’s A Wonderful Life and if I don’t set an alarm on my blackberry for 8pm on Christmas Eve, I won’t get to see that also 😦

T’is the season for sharing so I’m posting your all-in-one-place Christmas movie TV guide – right here in my blog.

THURSDAY:

12:00 AM – Holiday in Your Heart – Lifetime

8:00 AM –  Once Upon A Christmas – ABCFH

9:15AM – Holiday Inn – AMC

10:00AM – Twice Upon A Christmas – ABCFH

1:51PM – The Night Before Christmas – ABCFH

4:30PM – Polar Express – ABCFH

6:00PM – Deck the Halls – Lifetime

6:30PM – The Santa Claus – ABCFH

8:00PM – Holiday Switch – Lifetime/Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas – ABC

10:00PM – An Accidental Christmas – Lifetime

FRIDAY:

12:00AM – Santa Jr. – Hallmark/Remember the Night – TCM

2:00AM – The Santa Suit – Hallmark/Meet Me in St. Louis – TCM

4:00AM –  Mrs. Scrooge – Hallmark/Bell, Book & Candle – TCM

6:00AM – Moonlight and Mistletoe – Hallmark

8:00AM – Santa Jr. – Hallmark/An Accidental Christmas – Lifetime

10:00AM – Miracle on 34th St. – AMC/A Christmas Proposal – Lifetime

11:00AM – Marry Me – Lifetime/The Flintstone’s Christmas – ACFH

12:00PM – Recipe for a Perfect Christmas -Lifetime/Pinnochio’s Christmas – ABCFH/Where God Left His Shoes -IFC

12:15PM – White Christmas – AMC

1:00PM – T’was the Night Before Christmas – ABCFH

1:30PM – Rudolph’s and Frosty’s Christmas in July – ABCFH

2:00PM – Holiday Switch – Lifetime

3:00PM – Miracle on 34th St – AMC

3:31PM – Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer + The Island of Misfit Toys – ABCFH

4:00Pm – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Hallmark/The Road to Christmas –  Lifetime

5:00PM – A Christmas Wedding – Lifetime/

5:15PM – White Christmas – AMC

5:30Pm – T’was the Night Before Christmas – ABCFH

6:00PM – A Secret Santa – Lifetime/Jack Frost – ABCFH/Scrooge – TCM

7:00PM – Eve’s Christmas – Lifetime/Frosty’s Winter Wonderland – ABCFH

7:30PM – T’was the Night Before Christmas – ABCFH

8:00PM – Miracle on 34th St – AMC/Disney Prep & Landing – ABC/Battle of the Bulbs – Hallmark/It’s A Wonderful Life – NBC/The Bishop’s Wife – TCM

8:30PM – Phineas and Ferb’s Christmas Vacation – ABC

9:00PM – A Boyfriend for Christmas – Liftetime/The Year Without A Santa Claus – ABCFH/The Santa Claus – ABC

10:00PM – Eloise at Christmastime – Hallmark/Rudolph’s Shiny New Year – ABCFH/On Strike For Christmas – Lifetime

10:15Pm – White Christmas – AMC

SATURDAY:

12:00AM – Ernest Saves Christmas – ABCFH/ **

7:00AM – A Flintstone Christmas – ABCFH

8:00AM – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – ABCFH

9:00AM – A Christmas Carol (1938) – TMC/The Year Without A Santa Claus – ABCFH

10:00AM – Miracle on 34th St – ABCFH/Susan Slept Here – TCM

12:30PM – Santa Buddies – ABCFH

4:30PM –Home Alone 2 – ABCFH

7:00PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas – ABCFH

8:00PM – A Christmas Carol (1984) – Fox/Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas – NBC

8:30Pm – Christmas Attack Zone – NBC

10:15Pm – Surviving Christmas – TBS

** Midnight till 8pm – A Christmas Story –  TBS/Scrooged – AMC

Since posting this blog I’ve found TCM’s Christmas schedule and Yay The Bishop’s Wife and others are now in the schedule.

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Six Word Memoir Monday – What’s Yours???

Posted in Six Word Memoirs, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on December 20, 2010| 3 Comments »

Coat of arms of Munich

Image via Wikipedia

With Christmas fast approaching and New Year‘s not far behind, the readers entries to our weekly Six Word Memoir challenge seem to be taking on a tone of the season.  And why not?

When I’m retired, I’ll have time! – Susan Celtic Lady

Oostende, Linz, Saltzburg, Munich; decisions, decisions – Heide

NEW YEAR welcomes four innovative seasons – Karen

My job made me physically ill – Weez

“Oh Holy Night” makes me cry – Me

And to continue sharing excerpts from the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure.

Wolf she cried. No one listened – May Lee

All day I dream about sex – GuroTupchileshtoff

I still make coffee for two – Zak Nelson

I like girls. Girls like boys – Andrea Dela Cruz




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What’s Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

Posted in BY THE WAY, From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 15, 2010| 5 Comments »

Cover of "The Bells of St. Mary's"

Cover of The Bells of St. Mary's

It was two days before Thanksgiving and the Christmas decorations were out in K-Mart and from that point on it’s been Christmas season unplugged!  I can remember when holiday music was played on the radio every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, but I think it got out of control when The Chipmunk Song was on the air every 30 minutes.  I don’t think I’ve heard any holiday songs on the radio BUT every store and shop has either music or muzak playing  so we are not entirely bereft of the sounds of the season!  Not so in the movie department.  Where are all the old Christmas movies?  Even TCM, the guardian of the classics hasn’t been featuring any oldies.   Perhaps next week during the countdown till Christmas.

Well, all this chatter has been leading to the question: What is your favorite holiday movie?  I can’t wait to hear from you  – is Charlie Brown’s Christmas or The Christmas Story?  Are you partial to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or does Frosty the Snowman warm your heart?  The Little Drummer Boy?

I love the old classics and could and do watch Miracle on 34th Street and It’s A Wonderful Life whenever they are being shown.  I like these movies because they are full of the emotions and feelings we all hope and believe are part of this season.  These movies make me cry… I used to wait every year for Christmas Eve because that’s when I would be able to watch The Bells of St. Mary’s, now there’s a tear-jerker and plus you get to hear Bing Crosby croon!!!

But my favorite?  Ahhhh,  I’ve saved the best for last – The Bishop’s Wife!  NOT the new version (which I never saw), I’m talking about the original version with the fabulous trio of Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven.  Omg this movie is the BEST Christmas movie!  First of all you get Cary Grant as an angel!! Can you stand it? He’s so gorgeous to begin with and now he plays the role of an angel, dear lord, it’s great.  And you have the angelic face of Loretta Young as the wife of the beleaguered bishop who is played by David Niven.  Perfect casting in a perfect story.  I don’t want to give away the plot or the story line because IF you can find it on TV or rent it from NetFlix, you should.   Such a sweet treat for Christmas!

Ok, so what’s yours? Please share your favorite holiday movie with us and tell us why (or not).

 

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Count-Down to Christmas Dinner – Espresso Biscuits

Posted in Everyday Food, Marthaspeak, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday, tagged , , , , , , on December 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »

TASTY  TIDBITS  TUESDAY

I served this dessert at Christmas for several years.  Of course, the dessert table was laden with other choices, however, this is one of my favorites because it incorporates two of my favorite foods: chocolate and ice cream!  This year it may be resurrected.

ESPRESSO BISCUITS

1  1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup Dutch cocoa

1 TBS ground espresso beans

2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees with two racks spaced evenly apart. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift together flour, cocoa, and espresso beans; set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture, scraping down sides of bowl twice.
  • Roll 2 1/2 tablespoons of dough between the palms of your hand to form a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining batter, spacing cookies two inches apart. Using a dinner fork, press tines into dough, and gently press into biscuit shape. Bake biscuits just until firm to the touch, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve these dessert biscuits with coffee** ice cream.

    • Read more at Marthastewart.com: Espresso Biscuits – Martha Stewart Recipes

    I have also served these delicious (not too sweet) biscuits with Peppermint Ice Cream.

    chocolate cookie, espresso, christmas dinner dessert,coffee ice cream, peppermint ice cream

    Yum Yum Yummy!


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    It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

    Posted in BY THE WAY, Ha-P 2 B in OG, Marthaspeak, tagged , , , , , , on December 13, 2010| 5 Comments »

    I really am some kind of Christmas junkie.  For me the addiction is in decorating the house.  Over the years I have varied the look from time to time and when I had a large Victorian-style home in Connecticut, we had Christmas trees that were 9′ to 10′ tall and full of ribbons, flowers, bows, lace and confection.

    Then there was the year of The Toy Story Christmas; My daughter and I were living in a bungalow-style small house and there really wasn’t room for a real tree.  I spent hours making a good size Candy Tree.  That was a treat (no pun intended), so colorful and sticky too.  Presents were piled on and around an old golden oak hall seat, stuffed animals sat here and there, Woody himself  was near the tree.

    One year I went full-out Martha Stewart! I made the cookie ornaments featured in the magazine and a small flock of penguins hand-painted in blue and black frosting set in snow (salt), strung cranberries and popcorn and wrapped all the presents in brown paper tied with raffia.

    When I married Peter (who’s Jewish), Christmas was still very much present, however, now I was living in a New York City apartment and soooooo;  the living room which has an Art Deco look became a silver and crystal wonderland.  Reindeer inhabited every room, shelf and nook – they’re so ecumenical, don’t you think?

    Fast forward to the present and this year Christmas will be in our little cottage at the shore.  La Vie en Rose is a true confection of a cottage, at least I like to think so.  A small cottage can only handle so much decoration so again there’s no tree and by the way, that’s okay because over the years I have given all of the ornaments of their youth to my two now grown up kids.  The cottage is Victorian on the outside and eclectic on the inside.   Color is the key and this is what it looks like today.

     

    La Vie en Rose, Christmas tree, Ocean Grove

    A Pink Christmas is Perfect

    The tree really isn’t supposed to have any ornaments and comes pre-wired with tiny lights but I guess I couldn’t resist hanging a couple and now that I see the photo, I think I’ll remove them.

     

    flamingo, penguin, ornaments, bowl of ornaments

    Flamingo and Penguin Co-exist at Christmas time

    I love the reflections.

     

    ocean grove,nutcrackers,wooden soldiers

    My Army of Nutcrackers

    Joel and Chiara Berti, pink ribboned tree

    Pink Ribboned Tree

    I have been looking at photos from other Christmases in the cottage and I see that this tree has been promoted to the first floor!

     

    Christmas light bulbs, C-9 bulbs, canning jars, Ball jars, zinc lids, santa sleigh, pine cones

    The First of the Ball Jar Bulb collection

    There’s a few more jars and bulbs and a jingle bell wreath on the door.  I need to take a few more photos to do this all justice.

    Merry Christmas to All!

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    “Do You Hear What I Hear”?

    Posted in BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 12, 2010| 6 Comments »

    Well not really! A couple of readers treasure the sound of the ocean, however  in a different manner and form.  It was wonderful to receive the responses (of course always wish more had replied) and as promised I’m publishing their favorite sounds, so listen carefully.

    Justin:

    shooting the curl, tube surfing

    Surfing in the Tube

    My mom wheezing when she laughs so hard that no sound comes out of her mouth.
    My father’s cackle when he laughs so hard and then he also wheezes where no sound comes out! These are my 2 favorite sounds!

    A very close 2nd is the sound inside of the tube of a wave. It’s the best white noise known to man. Not only is it the most beautiful site of all time, when that waves closes over you, there is a silence that is deafening!! Only a surfer would know!

    Chiara and Joel’s laughter remind me of my childhood and so many amazing board games. Those 2 laughs are so contagious! Basically I love laughter!!

    Karen:

    I love the sound of a baby breathing, my son, Christopher’s, voice, smacking of the ocean’s wave against the sand, children laughing, & most of all, my mother’s ghost telling me that I should feel guilting about something..

    Gail:

    I agree with you about the thunder, ocean waves and purring! Also, the sound of a heavy rain banging against the window when you’re nice and warm and dry inside. Also, the sound of the first notes of songs that you love.

    Heather:

    I am Taurus on the cusp of Gemini but I have one sound above all others that I love:  the sound of a constant rain on the roof/skylight/lanai/patio/deck/tent.  Nothing is more peaceful to me.  You got me with the sounds of being on a boat and hearing the sounds of water alongside and I do sleep peacefully with that BUT my ear is always awake listening for a deep engine too close, fog horns or waves on rocks (meaning the anchor has dragged and our boat is too close to shore!).  I can fall asleep in an instant sitting at the beach and listening to the gentle lapping of the waves and the sounds of seagulls but, again, not as good as rain.  Mind you, all these things have to do with water which, as you rightly suggested, is reminiscent of the womb. Nuff said.

    Sooooo what do think or hear for that matter?  If you wish to express your thoughts on your own favorite sound, please send to me here in the blog or at pbenjaytoo@gmail.com

    Footnote: The Christmas carol, “Do You Hear What I Hear” was written by a married couple who wrote it during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a plea for peace.

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    FAB FOTO FRIDAY – RED Is Where You Find It

    Posted in Fab Fotos, tagged , , , , , on December 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

    With Christmas around the corner, 15 days and counting, red is popping up everywhere.  Well actually if you’re looking for it, it really is everywhere or in our case, where you find it. So in this season of RED (and green) I thought it a good idea to continue the series of I See Red and Red Is Where You Find It.

    Central park pond, autumn, fall, artist, red

    Artist in Central Park

    Photo by Murray Head

    red jacket, Central Park, Colombia, Salsa

    Salsa not coffee

    photo by Murray Head

    RED, berries, bird, Central Park, New York city, Murray Head

    Berries for Breakfast

    photo by Murray

    New York city, camera, knit hat, Times Square

    Red Hat in Times Square

    photo by Murray Head

    red tights, Times Square, red legs

    RED legs!

    photo by Murray Head

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    Thursday’s Top Ten – Tis the Season for Christmas Songs

    Posted in Thursday's Top Ten, tagged , , , , on December 9, 2010| 7 Comments »

    Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

    Image via Wikipedia

    This was sent to me by my friend Gail and it is so apropos for the season, I thought well why not post in my blog? And so here it is – T’is the season to enjoy holiday music BUT really how many times do you want to hear The Chipmunk Song? This is so interesting with the background and origin of the songs.

    Stacy Conradt

    q10

    I’ve finally decided it’s OK to listen to Christmas songs. Stores have been playing them since Halloween (I so don’t miss that about working retail), but I’ve banned them in my car until recently. I think that goes for Quick 10 posts too – it’s finally late enough in the season that I feel OK about sharing a few Christmas song facts. Pour yourself a cup of eggnog and enjoy!

    1. “Santa Baby” was co-written by Joan Javits, the niece of Jacob Javits, a Republican Senator from New York.
    2. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is based on the poem “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
    3. John Lennon and Yoko Ono may have written the lyrics for “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” but the melody was taken from an old folk song about a racehorse called “Stewball.”
    4. “Do You Hear What I Hear” was actually a protest song of sorts. Written in 1962, the lyrics encouraged peace in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
    5. “Silver Bells” was called “Tinkle Bells” until co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife pointed out to him that “tinkle” is commonly used as slang for “pee.” It was quickly changed to “Silver.” Another interesting tidbit: Livingston and his writing partner, Ray Evans, were also responsible for “Que Sera Sera” and the theme songs to Bonanza and Mr. Ed.
    6. When Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” in his head, he said to his secretary, “Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I’ve ever written — heck, I just wrote the best song that anybody’s ever written!”

    7. In “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the fifth gift of “five golden rings” doesn’t mean jewelry – it refers to ring-necked birds such as the pheasant. The meaning has gotten a little skewed over the years. Also, it wasn’t originally “four calling birds,” it was “four colly birds,” which is a rather old-fashioned term for a blackbird.
    8. The song “Christmas Why Can’t I Find You,” later restyled as “Where Are You Christmas” by Faith Hill, was first sung by Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who (pictured) in the 2000 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Yeah, THAT Taylor Momsen. Interestingly, Mariah Carey wrote the song but wasn’t allowed to sing it because of a contract issue with her ex, Tommy Mottola.
    9. Aimee Mann’s “Christmastime” written by Michael Penn, Sean Penn’s brother.

    10. The Chipmunks’ “The Chipmunk Song” has hit the Billboard Hot 100 over and over, most recently in 2007, when it was rereleased with the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. You know the one, but here it is just in case you don’t have a song wedged in your head right now. And here’s the 2007 one, which I kind of hate.

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    Top Ten Things To Do in New York City during Christmastime

    Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 3, 2010| 1 Comment »

    THURSDAY’S TOP TEN

    New York City is fun at any time of the year (but you already knew that) – However at Christmastime there is an energy that vibrates through the month of December.  Well actually  I think it starts at Thanksgiving.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade marks the beginning of the Holiday Season here in Manhattan; Heralding the season from Herald Square!  So now it has begun and the streets are really crowded with shoppers carrying the colorful store brand  bags.  Workers that usually eat at their desks are dashing out to shop during lunch hours, tourists are everywhere in Midtown and stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures. And why are they all here? Because New York City is a great place to be at this time of year.

    You can:

    1. Visit Rockefeller Center and see the magnificent tree and watch the ice skaters too.
    2. Drop by Grand Central Terminal to see the Holiday Light Show that is beamed on the recently re-stored ceiling.  And you can shop there too – besides the stores there is also a Christmas marketplace.
    3. Attend a performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, it’s a holiday classic.
    4. But nothing is more classic than going to Radio City Music Hall and seeing the Rockettes! The Christmas Spectacular is a lovely wonderful tradition.  I ought to know because my grandmother used to take me when I was young, then I took Chiara during her childhood and this year Finley Ray went.  She is still a bit young for the Rockettes but the effects, the lights, and of course Santa Claus were not lost on her.
    5. Walk along Fifth Avenue and window shop or rather window-look at the dramatic and fantastic holiday window displays at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and Barney’s.
    6. Stroll along Fifth Avenue in the evening and see the giant snowflake suspended above your head like a star.  And then walk past Cartier’s where the whole building is wrapped with a red ribbon and bow.
    7. Visit the Metropolitan Museum and behold the most beautiful Baroque Neapolitan Christmas tree.  The manger scene surrounds the base and is just magnificent.
    8. Take a break at Serendipity’s and drinks some Frozen Hot Chocolate.
    9. There are Christmas markets throughout the City, not as spectacular as those in Germany but they are here.  Check out Union Square, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park for a wide selection of craft items, art, outerwear and gifts of all sizes for all ages.
    10. In the lower level of the Citicorp Building, there is annual free model train display that you will marvel at several vintage sets run all through a staged country and city setting.  The Transit Museum also displays vintage trains in their shop in Grand Central Terminal.

    BONUS IDEA – Buy some hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor that’s New York!

    *** There’s an UPDATED 2012 list available  at Top Ten Things To Do In New York City During Christmastime UPDATED!

    Christmas tree, Rockefeller Center

    Bright Lights-City Lights

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