Category: holidays

Sunday Rewind: last of the 80’s Christmas songs

It's the last of the 80's Christmas songs and I found this mishmash video about the first two A Very Special Christmas albums on You Tube.  It says from 1987, but they reference songs from the second album too (1992).  The early A Very Special Christmas albums were pretty great.  I honestly didn't realize the albums were still being produced.  They're up to volume 7 and it's completely Disneyfied, which just goes to show you how far the Disneyfication of music has spread.  Anyway, let's watch this video from back in the day.

I thought I'd end the 80's Christmas bonanza with my favorite Christmas song, which just happens to be on volume 1 of A Very Special Christmas, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by The Pretenders.  I adore this version.  Chrissie Hynde captures the original melancholy of the song perfectly and doesn't try to make it cute and sweet like other versions.  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" has been my favorite for years and I have several versions of it, but this one is really special.  And no, I won't be getting the new Bob Dylan version.

the bonus round

Last night the kids and I hit the suburban streets of Madisonville for one of my favorite seasonal activities: looking at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music from the comfort of our heated minivan.  As usual, my idealized traditional evening turned to crap when I got lost in one of the ginormous subdivisions, the heat completely went out in the minivan (it had been working intermittently — like windshield wipers), and the middle child had a meltdown ending in tears.  Twenty minutes later, I followed someone out of the subdivision and we made our way home.  

While looking at the same houses 30 times last night, I came to a conclusion: people need to get original.  

I saw enough lit and inflatable trains, Winnie the Poohs, Mickeys, giant ass Santas, North Pole barber-pole-type signs, nativity sets, and Santas on motorcycles, boats, sleighs, etc to last a lifetime.  It appears Mr. and Mrs. America is in a rut, so your favorite redheaded blogger took it upon herself to present a challenge.  You know about The Kerry Blog Ugly Christmas Lawn Decor Contest, but I'm introducing a bonus round.  If you send in a pic of something truly unique you will win an extra prize (to be determined).  

Taking our inspiration from Sarabeth's Christmas Zebra, here are a few ideas to get you in the outlandish spirit.


Crazysantas
 Yes, that's Santa on a hammock, Santa getting a ticket, Grandma getting run over by a reindeer in a steamroller, and a giant inflatable dreidel.  There aren't enough inflatable Hanukkah decorations are there?  I'm thinking of getting some.

Remember to send in photos of the tackiest yard in your 'hood to kerrybee7@yahoo.com and the winner will receive a $25 Starbucks giftcard.  The tackiest entry will be announced on Christmas Eve!  

ugly Christmas lawn decor contest: entry #2

When Jennifer asked me if I'd seen the Christmas Zebra I thought she'd been hitting the egg nog a little too hard.  

Then she sent in these photos as Sarabeth's entry for Kerry Blog Ugly Christmas Lawn Decor Contest.  

Copy of Pic4
 

It appears this homeowner has purchased every inflatable thing in existence.  We have the snowperson family, penguin merry-go-round, and my favorite — the mythical Christmas Zebra.

Copy of Pic1
 

Yes, kids, it's the Christmas Zebra.  I'm surprised there isn't a sunbeam shining down from the heavens on the mythical Christmas Zebra.  He IS what this season is all about, after all.  As you know, nothing says Christmas like a sweater-wearing striped equid.  Some people will try to tell you zebras are Jewish and therefore do not celebrate Christmas, but here we have proof!  Next year I'm only decorating with zebras.  And unicorns because they love Christmas.  Notice Santa's at the door as well as caroling by the windows.  The ferris wheel is something else.  What, I don't know.  There is a carnival theme, but not quite.

Copy of Pic6
  

Of course, the scene wouldn't be complete without the house band from the North Pole bar.  It's the Icee Polar Bear, a penguin, and what appears to be a blind antler-wearing well-endowed kangaroo.  That ain't no reindeer, peeps.  Reindeer have more self-respect than this punk.  I'm not sure what that is behind him, looks like he killed Santa and attempted to hide the body.  Never trust a masked kangaroo in antlers, they're trouble.

Send in photos of the tackiest yard in your 'hood to kerrybee7@yahoo.com and the winner will receive a $25 Starbucks giftcard.  The tackiest entry will be announced on Christmas Eve!  

sunday Rewind: more 80’s Christmas

Most everyone knows I love the Christmas songs.  My favorite Christmas music tends to be of the 50's Christmas Cocktails variety (Peggy Lee, Kay Starr), but I greatly enjoy the modern Christmas classics as well.  

Technically it's from 1979, but it's one of my favorites, "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney.  

I love my Pet Shop Boys.  This video is from 2000, but the original is 80s.  "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" is not a classic, but you can dance to it.

Here's Bruce Springsteen doing "Merry Christmas, Baby."  This was one of my favorites from A Very Special Christmas.  

And what would Christmas be without The Ramones "Merry Chirstmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)"?  

Y'all have a great Sunday.  

by the way

Fricking-sweet-zebra
 

So, I was just thinking about the Christmas list I'm supposed to make and, well, yeah — a zebra.  Or you know, a unicorn.  You have seen my zebra loafers haven't you?  I do love this card because the "or I won't believe you care about me at all" is unwritten message with every list I make.  

ugly Christmas lawn decor contest: entry #1

Let me preface this entry by saying: I have never in my life.  

Seriously.  

This is Jennifer C's entry and she has outdone herself.  This house is somewhere in Mandeville, LA.

Readers, behold the ugly.

Copy of DSC05604
 
 Yes, those are gift-wrapped columns, stuffed animals, and gift boxes.  I don't know what's up with the tigers.  I'm thinking LSU fans.  Or maybe it's Seigfried and Roy's winter home.

Copy of DSC05605

Another view.  I think the gift boxes bring the Christmas joy.  I like stockings in the window and Elmo, because nothing says happy birthday, Jesus like Elmo taped to your shutters.  Yes, that's the finest packing tape money can buy on the siding.

To fully appreciate the tacky, Jennifer took shots at night too!

Copy of DSC05595
 

Copy of DSC05599
 

I'm glad this homeowner has home security, you wouldn't want anyone to break in and steal those stuffed animals.  

Okay people, send in your pics for the Ugly Christmas Lawn Decor Contest to kerrybee7@yahoo.com.  The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve and I'll send you a $25 Starbucks giftcard.  So, get our your camera and go find the tacky!  

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Hi, it's Kerry in Louisiana.  I know I haven't written in a couple of decades, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to send a letter your way, it being your time of year and all.  How have you been?  I hope you've been well, I know it can't be easy managing the elves and reindeer and Mrs. Claus and having to be jolly the whole time.  Holiday stress can be a bitch, but I'm sure you've got it under control (probably with a nice beverage or two if you know what I mean).  I'll be sure and put out a hot toddy with the cookies for you.  Or would you rather some pralines?  Maybe brownies?

So, here's why I'm writing.  Let's not fool ourselves, I've been as good as can be expected.  I think we both know it's been a rough few decades months and I'm trying to be good, really, I am.  It's just stressful — this parenting stuff, not that you would know about that, not having children yourself.  Believe me, I'm not judging because I don't know the details — maybe you and Mrs. Claus had infertility issues or decided against having kids (not that I'd blame you some days).   Anyway, the suburban mom thing is to probably to blame for whatever may knock me off the "good" list, so really, that should be a reflection of my three children and you should bring them coal.  Forget the Nintendo DSes — just bring coal.  And switches.

Now onto what I'd like.  I have a list that maybe only you can handle, so knock yourself out.  If come Christmas morning some of my list isn't complete, I'll know you tried and that's all I can ask for.  I appreciate the effort.

  1. Peace on Earth, but more importantly, peace in my house because I'm about to call Blackwater Special Ops to bust up some of the foolish arguments between my children.
  2. Mary Poppins for a nanny.  I know she's a fictional character, but I'm pretty sure you are too and I don't hold that against you.
  3. A McDonalds Egg Nog Milkshake.  They don't make them anymore.
  4. The power to communicate telepathically.  I don't think I need to explain that one.
  5. Time to myself.  I realize this may mean gaps in space-time continuum, but I really don't understand what that means being that I barely made it out of algebra and dropped physics in college on the first day of class.
  6. An end to the Disneyfication of music.  I simply cannot take it.
  7. Lane Bryant to make more pants in petite.
  8. A houseboy.  I'm not picky, he could look like Hugh Grant, Alec Baldwin, or George Clooney.

That pretty much sums it up.  I hope you have the recipe for the Egg Nog shake, I'm assuming you do since you're Santa.  Maybe I should ask for recipe to Popeye's Red Beans and Rice, but I don't want to get too crazy. 

See you on Christmas Eve.  

Love,