It's up in the air

Today, I'm taking a rest while recovering from knee surgery.

Will be back blogging soon

Top 10 things to do with a fruitcake

Today I'm celebrating fruitcake day!

The fruitcake is often given during the holidays. It's been told that the fruitcake is "the most widely sold cake in the history of the planet." Last year alone, Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas, sold almost 1 million DeLuxe fruitcakes, generating $35 million in sales. They shipped fruitcakes to 196 countries. Their fruitcakes are 80 percent fruit and nuts, with no artificial ingredients. From October - December, their staff grows from 60 to 700 and produce 30,000 fruitcakes each day.

I often wondered what all goes into a fruitcake, until I watched my Grandma Mc make them one year. My Mom loves them and I often try to find her some fruitcake for Christmas. I've never been a fan of fruitcake though. I'm not alone either. You can listen to the cute Fruit Cake Song! below:



As posted on YouTube by Flowgo

There are many approaches people who dislike fruitcake use to dispose of them. In Manitou Springs, Colorado they host an annual fruitcake toss competition. You can see highlights on YouTube. The I.F.R.U.I.T.E. team at Virginia Wesleyan College has identified many fun and unusual ways to dispose of the fruitcake. My top 10 favorites by Operation Fruitcake are listed below, with links to their YouTube videos:

Rocketry
Explosion
Incineration
Run over by a monster truck
Beating with golf clubs
Blow torching it
Hurled off a water tower
Blasted by an assault rifle
Grinding through a wood chipper
Freezing in liquid nitrogen

Thankfully, I did not get a fruitcake this year. If you did and you don't plan to eat it, post a comment and share what you did with yours!



Reference: http://www.americanprofile.com/article/19914.html and www.collinstreet.com

Photo credit: Tippin' The Scales

The constant complainer

Today I'm celebrating National Whiner's Day!

Sometimes no matter how much thought you put into a gift, there's just not a good match. That's why I always ask for a gift receipt and offer it, just in case the size is not right, the color is not preferred, they already have one, they got the same gift earlier, etc. Most folks are very gracious and smile with a Thank You, but they then sometimes head back to the mall or store and exchange the item for something else. However, sometimes you run across someone who's not quite as subtle, the whiner.

The whiner is a constant complainer and is never happy. You may remember the annoying characters The Whiners from Saturday Night Live. WEEI 850AM has a Whiner Line, where whiners can call in to vent about Boston's sports teams, athletes, personalities, and current events. You can listen to archives of the Whiner of the Week winners from their site. If a whiner feels that they need to get their message out to a broader audience, the complaints.com and Complaints Board sites allow visitors to post and to view complaints.

The day after Christmas is a very popular shopping day. Many head to the malls and stores to see what goodies they can buy with the gift cards they received. Many go directly to customer service with the gift they received and that lovely little gift receipt. You may meet a whiner while shopping for post-holiday sales. You're very likely to hear a whiner if you stand near the Customer Service area.

I don't enjoy being around a whiner. However, we often must tolerate them. I generally would not celebrate such a day. However, I found a great music video of a someone you might label a whiner. Here's a video of the 12 Days After Christmas that you will likely find humorous.


As posted on YouTube by mythreeguys

Another treat for you. For those who have whined throughout the holidays, wishing they were over, here's an animated light show to Mannheim Steamroller's version of the Hallelujah Chorus!


As posted on YouTube by grodq

Today I hope you have a happy day and there is nothing to whine about!

Image credit: fruityoaty.com

The greatest gift of all!

Today I'm celebrating Christmas!

It's finally here. After all the waiting and all the shopping, wrapping, shipping, baking, and cooking, the time has now come to celebrate the day!




What's Christmas all about?

As posted on YouTube by wteach

Today, my wish for you, as expressed by Carrie Underwood in the video below:
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

As posted on YouTube by tchern

Just for you today, a brief stop on my e-tour of holiday lights...
Animated Christmas lights - Bagpipes Merry Christmas

As posted on YouTube by AgentJack13

Merry Christmas to all!

Oh hear the angel voices

On this Christmas Eve, I'm celebrating the angels heard on that most holy night announcing the birth of Christ the Lord

At this evening's Christmas Eve service, there did not seem to be a seat available in the church building. It was nice seeing the college kids home from school for the holiday break. It was great seeing old friends who had moved away but were in town visiting family for Christmas. I'm usually out of town and do not attend our Christmas Eve service. It had something for everyone, involving the children, the youth, and the choir. There was communion by candlelight. The evening ended with the singing of traditional carols.


It was amazing to hear the entire congregation singing O Holy Night. Here's a video of Josh Groban singing it:

As posted on YouTube by minmelethuireb2

On the way home from the service, I took a few detours to catch some of the holiday lights in the neighborhood. Continuing my e-tour of holiday lights, here's one of my favorites to the song Angels We Have Heard on High that I've saved for this lovely Christmas Eve:

As posted on YouTube by AgentJack13

Today I wish for you to experience the blessings of Christmas every day as the angels proclaimed!

Image credit: WashingtonMO.com

He's already on the radar!

Today I'm celebrating the Norad Tracks Santa (NTS) program!

One of the neatest things each Christmas is the service that Norad provides in escorting and tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. You can read the history of how that started, learn how Santa is tracked, and track Santa from the Norad site. From the Norad Tracks Santa Operations Center you can also find a link to the videos that they are posting on YouTube of Santa's journey, captured on the Santa Cams. From that site you will also find the telephone number to call to actually speak personally to a Norad Santa Tracker!

Don't worry I have some friends in the airline industry and they tell me that everyone already has received the memo. Each will be watching for Santa and his Norad jet fighter escort team to help Rudolph and crew tonight, as necessary. With Norad's help, I'm sure that there will be no mid-air collisions with Santa and his reindeer team!

Here's a neat ad from Norad about its Santa tracking program:

As posted on YouTube by attackeagle

Today I hope that there are no layovers for Santa this year and his flight safely gets to your hometown, of course, with his sleigh loaded with lots of goodies for you!

Image credit: blingcheese

Just hanging around for the holidays

Today I'm celebrating the lighting designers of the holiday season!

Here's a funny picture of a dummy hanging by one foot from a string of lights -- as if someone has slipped off the roof while hanging lights. Apparently there were many calls to the local police due to that dummy hanging at Sue Salah's house in Royal Oak, Michigan and she had to take the dummy down, at least as some have said. I love the beautiful lights at Christmas and especially admire those who can coordinate all the complex light changes with music. I would love to be able to do that at my house! However, I'm afraid that I'd look like Sue's dummy and would end up just hanging around for the holidays if I tried to hang the lights at my house! I think I'll just enjoy the lights hung by others instead. We traditionally drive around town looking at the beautiful lights each Christmas and singing Christmas carols along the way. There are several neighborhoods that feature their decorations and lighting.

I'm also enjoying browsing through YouTube to view the many Christmas light videos. As part of my blog, I've featured many of the YouTube Christmas light videos as part of my e-tour of holiday lights. Because time's a runnin' out and Christmas is only two days away, I'm featuring three of my favorites to add to my e-tour. I hope that you have the time to watch and enjoy each of them!

Christmas Light Show

As posted on YouTube by aepstockholder

More from Carson Williams ...Christmas in Lights New 2006 pt 1

As posted on YouTube by pbenja1


Christmas Lights - TSO - Faith Noel - 2007

As posted on YouTube by grodq

Photo credit: Sue Salah's house by Dick Hunt, Daily Tribune as posted on the Web

If I could have one wish come true

Today I wish everyday could be like Christmas!

I love Christmas. It's such a wonderful time of year. I love the music, the lights, the decorations, decorating the tree with my nephews, spending time with family and friends, spending time away from work, baking, watching the kids open their presents with glee, another round of roasted turkey with dressing, chocolate cream pie, and coconut cream pie. I especially love the fact that Christmas calories don't count!

Sure, there are a few Scrooges out there. There are those who rush to beat you to the prime parking spot or to grab that last sale item. There are those who will cut in line to get ahead of the shoppers who have been patiently waiting. Those folks will try to steal the joy of Christmas from you. However, mostly this year, I've noticed people are more friendly and giving. I've seen more people walking around with great Christmas sweatshirts and sweaters and some with those funny reindeer antlers than I've seen Scrooges this year.

It's nice to hear the friendly greetings during the holidays. Many times you'll actually here someone wish you a Merry Christmas -- despite the many who think it's more politically correct to wish everyone a happy holiday. In our family, we celebrate Christmas. I have a Christmas tree with Christmas ornaments. Underneath it, there will be lots of Christmas presents and I hope Santa will add more! LOL There's a Christmas wreath on my door and mailbox too. I generally send Christmas cards (but ran out of time this year). I play and sing Christmas carols. Santa comes to visit me on Christmas Eve. In my house, I know the reason for the season. I celebrate Christmas! I also know that there would be no Christmas without Christ.

Today I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope that your holidays are full of peace, joy and happiness. I hope that you celebrate the reason for the season too. I hope that this Christmas will be so nice for you that you too will wish that everyday could be like Christmas.

Here's the music video by Bon Jovi to the song I Wish Everyday Could be Like Christmas:

As posted on YouTube by isabelle58


Image credit: Blue Mountain e-cards

Never too far away from the child who lives within me

Today I'm celebrating the invention of the electric Christmas tree lights

On this date in 1882, Edward H Johnson, an associate of inventor Thomas Edison and then vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, first proudly displayed his Christmas tree at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City with 80 hand-wired red, white and blue lights made especially for him. He became known as the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights. Eventually Christmas lights were used outside, on mantles, on doorways, and along rafters, roof lines, and porch railings. You can visit the HowStuffWorks site for more information on how Christmas lights work.

One of the most exciting days for me as a child was decorating the tree and watching the Christmas tree first lit. That is, except for those years when we had one of those "snowy" or "flocked" artificial trees which did not have lights. Instead, the lighting was actually provided by a rotating color wheel which sat under the tree. At least we did not have an aluminum tree in our house! Putting the lights on the tree is quite a challenge though. I'd get my friends to do that at my annual trim-the-tree party. Now, I look forward to decorating the tree with my nephews. I recently upgraded to a pre-lit tree and it's much simpler! I spent the day with my nephews today and we decorated the tree and house. (I know, I'm really running late this year) This year we added a neat strand of miniature lights along the top of the bookcases to light the tiny Christmas trees that they decorated to display. The trees are beautiful this year. They did a great job!

Some people are obsessed with the holiday lights at Christmas. You may recall the funny scene in Christmas Vacation when they tried to get the lights on the Griswold's home. You can see the video clip with Chevy Chase on YouTube. You may also remember how Danny DeVito in Deck the Halls wanted his house to be seen from space!

In the mid 2000s, the Christmas lights on Carson Williams' home which were programmed to turn on and off, synchronized with music, became famous on the Internet and featured on television shows. Today there are dozens of videos on YouTube created by others with similar animated Christmas light shows. Those animated Christmas lights were the inspiration to my ongoing e-tour of holiday lights this month.

After wrapping presents this morning and then working with my nephews to decorate the tree and talking with them about their Christmas wishes, I was reminded of the great memories of Christmas pasts as a child. Here's a link to the Muppets and John Denver singing the 12 Days of Christmas that you may remember as a child. Watching those lights first turn on my tree brings back the kid in me! Here's a link to a video created to Donny Osmond singing The Kid in Me. Also, in continuing my e-tour of holiday lights, I've posted a great video of animated Christmas lights to a funny song about one of the most unusual gifts I've ever heard requested! I think you'll like it too. :)

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

As posted on YouTube by D3Hobbes

Today, I wish for you that you are reminded of the joys of Christmas pasts and this year you let Christmas bring out the kid in you too!








Image credit: Pines and Needles

Oh, Bah Humbug to Bah Humbug Day!

Today I'm saying Bah, Humbug to Bah Humbug Day!

Today is designated for people to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and become a Scrooge for just one day. On this day, everyone is allowed to take out your frustrations just a little and shout "Bah, Humbug!" However, I refuse to participate on this day. Instead, I'm going to try to convince you instead to celebrate my alternate Hug a Scrooge Day! If you insist on celebrating this special day, don't express your frustration to others, but take some time instead to enjoy Charles Dickens' story A Christmas Carol. Here's a short clip from Disney's version showing Scrooge McDuck:

As posted on YouTube by bahhumbugzze

I realize this time of year can be difficult for many when you think about the

• pressure of identifying what to get all those on your Christmas list
  
• finding the special gifts and staying within your budget
  
• finding the parking spot at the mall
  
• fighting the crowds as you shop for the perfect gift
  
• standing in the long lines at the checkout or the post office
  
• getting everything wrapped
  
• trying to read those installation instructions
  
• realizing that batteries are not included on Christmas morn and you have none to spare
  
• for many, celebrating the Christmas months later as all the bills arrive

You likely know a Scrooge...one who expresses disgust with the Christmas holiday, rambles about the commercialization of Christmas, notes how Christmas is just for retailers, complains about the waste of electricity and impact to the environment rather than enjoying the Christmas lights, or complains about all the gifts received. Maybe you have a Scrooge in your family. Today's a great day to hug that Scrooge! When you meet Scrooges over the holidays, show your kindness and goodwill to them.

Maybe you're a little sick of the holidays already. I have some suggestions:

• Take a breather -- take some time to just relax
  
• Reflect on the warmth and kindness shown to you during the last year and think of way to pay it back plus pay it forward
  
• Show goodwill to others - there's still time to drop a toy by most fire or police stations for the needy children in your neighborhood
  
• Show kindness - check on an elderly or sick neighbor during the holidays
  
• Remember, Christmas is not just about giving and receiving gifts. It's a time to spend time with your friends and families. The time you spend with them is far more precious than any gift you can purchase.
  
• Focus on the meaning of the season.

I have found a great animated Christmas light video that is perfect for my e-tour of holiday lights on this special day. Enjoy the Christmas lights to Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas!

As posted on YouTube by grodq

Today I wish that you are not haunted by the disappointments of the past, but celebrate the joy of Christmas in the present, and best wishes in the New Year for a year of joy and blessings yet to come. Hug a Scrooge today!

Image credit: Photo and cookie design by Mari Pfeiffer

Santa sighting down under!

Today I'm celebrating Christmas as an Aussie!

Santa has been seen all decked out in his best summer outfit down under in the City of Perth. I've never thought about what Santa wears during those summer months. He apparently makes quite the fashion statement in his bright red, starry shorts with the traditional furry trim. I guess he's taking a quick break from the cold weather at the North Pole to visit the Aussies to hear their Christmas wishes, just time for the big delivery next week.

It can be particularly hot during the Christmas holidays in Australia. Christmas shopping is often done in shorts and t-shirts. Many Australians and tourists celebrate at a local beach or at poolside. It's been told that at many beaches Santa arrives on a surboard or a lifesaving boat.

While in Perth, Santa recommended some great animated lights that I'm sharing as the next stop on my e-tour of holiday lights. I hope that you enjoy the "Amazing Perth Christmas Lights" as shown below:

As posted on YouTube by Tonyal (not me)

Whether it be winter or summer where you are, today I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas!

Image credits:
"Roving Santa" by City of Perth
Surfing Santa posted by Alex Wade on Surf Nation on TimesOnline
Additional reference: Santa's Net

It is the best of times and the worst of times

Today I'm celebrating a Merry Twisted Christmas!

Time is quickly running out to complete the Christmas to-do list. I must work in overdrive for the next few days in order to get everything done. To some, getting ready for the holidays and festivities seems like a pain. Often all the work, shopping, wrapping, packaging, shipping, decorating, baking, cleaning, and other chores are just too much. Bob Rivers released 12 Pains of Christmas, a popular parody on the 12 Days of Christmas in 1987. One of many music videos made to this song and posted on YouTube is provided below for you:

As posted on YouTube by robmiller99

The holidays are a time of stress for many. However, there are lots of resources available on the Web to help. Here are three examples:
The Mayo Clinic's 12 tips for coping with stress, depression and the holidays
WebMD's tips for Beating Holiday Stress
About.com's Holiday Stress Survival Kit

If all of the holiday activities are a pain to you and you just can't get to the peace and joy, then why not make some changes? Celebrate Christmas with a twist. My favorite tips are:

• Prioritize
  At times, it's just necessary to say "No" since often you can't do everything or you'll be overwhelmed. Prioritize what is important and meaningful to you and your family. Who says everything on the list MUST be done?
  
• Take some shortcuts when possible
  For example, Santa won't mind if his cookies were not made from scratch at all. There are lots of choices in the frigerator aisle at the grocery and basically all you need to do is break and bake them. Maybe a nice New Year's Day card is an alternative this year.
  
• Relax and breathe
  Take a breather and make a little time for yourself. Those few free minutes may make a huge difference.
  
• Forget about perfection
  Accept it in yourself and in others around you.
  
• Remember the reason for the season
  

For those who are filled with the joy and peace of the season, don't let the Grinches get you down. Give them a break too since you don't know what pain they may be experiencing. Here's a neat music video by Faith Hill singing Where Are You Christmas:

As posted on YouTube by lamp239

I hope that the holidays are the best of times, but not the worst of times in your family. I hope that your Christmas is merry and your joy is not twisted up due to stress. Why not put a different twist on things and give yourself and those around you a break? Today I wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that none of it is a pain to you at all!


Image credit: CaptainOT as posted on Amazon.com

Hot and fresh from the oven to Santa's plate

Today I'm celebrating Bake Cookies Day!

I love to bake. I learned to bake cookies and cakes from scratch at an early age. My grandpa would give us eggs straight from the farm. Each week my sister and I would bake him a pound cake. We'd usually get a dollar bill from him for baking the cake. We'd usually squabble over who got the bowl at the end. Mom would give one the spoon and the other the beaters. Then, she'd draw a line down the center of the bowl, give each of us a spoon, and we'd go for it! It seems like there was never enough of that treat though. When my brother came to live with me while he was in college, as I made that first cake, we had as much of the dough that we wanted and then made cupcakes with what was left! :) I'd often take homemade chocolate chip cookies in my lunch at school. In high school I'd often take a batch of homemade cookies to share with my friends.

One of the funnest things I enjoy doing with my niece and nephews is baking cookies. They usually enjoy helping in the kitchen. When they come to visit overnight, we usually schedule some time to bake homemade cookies, sometimes ala Ms Pillsbury though. I've always been a fan of cookie dough and am usually generous with the kids in enjoying a bit as the cookies are going into the oven. However, one of my nephews doesn't touch that any more -- after one night when too much dough took its toll that he remembers well.

One of the neatest stories I've heard is how Jeanette Cram started Treat the Troops where >785,000 cookies have been sent to the troops since 1990 by her and the Crumbs, her friends who help make the batter, pack the cookies, and prepare the shipping and customs labels. Over 80,000 cookies have been sent to the deployed soldiers for the 2007 holidays. The Girl Scouts also arrange for delivery of their cookies through the project Troop to Troop, which had a challenge of 120,000 packages for 2007 by working with organizations like the American Red Cross, the USO,and Operation Gratitude.

An annual tradition is baking some cookies to leave for Santa on Christmas eve. Expert Village now has a video on YouTube with Santa actually teaching a lesson on how to bake cookies. Also, MSN Lifestyle had a feature story this week on how to make dozens of distinctive cookies from a single dough recipe. I have a huge cookbook with hundreds of cookie recipes that I enjoy.

In continuing my e-tour of holiday lights, in honor of today's anniversary of the Nutcracker being performed, here's an animated light show to TSO's Nutcracker:


As posted on YouTube by darrenv1969

Today I wish for you all the sweetness that holidays cookies can bring! Don't forget to add your favorite cookie recipe ingredients to your holiday grocery list and plan to bake some cookies for Santa.


Image credit: Customers Rock

Just believe it....there's nothing to it

Today I'm celebrating the first flight!

On December 17 in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur and Orville Wright launched the world into the age of aviation. The Wright brothers made the world's first four successful airplane flights on the sands of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Their Flyer lifted off at 10:35 am. The machine weighed 605 pounds and traveled 120 feet in 12 seconds. The fourth and final flight of the day actually had the best results, but that first was the best remembered. Here are links to Orville's description and a detailed account of how they made the first flight too. If you're interested in the view when flying as a pilot, watch this YouTube Climb through the skies to the into the sunrise! video that puts you there for a takeoff and flight into the sunrise.

There's also a lot of great music and videos available about flying. Some of my favorite music includes, Gary Allen's Watching Airplanes, R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly, and 3 Doors Down's song Landing in London (a version shown below due to its neat starting scene from the cockpit of the airliner).


As posted on YouTube by oceanus0005


The wonders of aviation opens the sky of opportunity for each of us. However, a sister-in-law of mine is afraid to fly. I guess she may feel as Jean Kerr, "I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me they are wonderful things for other people to go on." If you have aerophobia, aviatophobia or aviophobia, there's lots of help on the Internet, including: Fear of Flying Help, Fear of flying quiz, and some recommendations for your MP3 player to ease the anxiety.

I've flown quite a bit during my life -- with almost a couple hundred thousand frequent flyer miles in my account. I have great memories with flights over the years. including my first flight which was to England and Scotland on a college choir trip, the flight with my Dad as pilot with Mom (which was cut short by her fear), on those many recruiting trips out of College Station in my final year of grad school at Texas A&M on that tiny airplane of Rio Air, on the many New Hope choir tours, on the helicopter tour in the Caribbean, and the many flights around the country for work.

Today, I hope that you remember as the Wilbur brothers demonstrated and as R Kelly sings in I Believe I Can Fly:
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it


Reference: First Flight Society
Image credit: Daniels, John T., photographer. "First Flight," December 17, 1903. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

Freedom when it came my time to go

Today I'm celebrating the music of Dan Fogelberg

This morning I heard about the passing of Dan Fogelberg. His music touched so many. From his tribute to his Dad in Leader of the Band to his story about a chance meeting with a former love at Christmas in Same Auld Lang Syne. The song Longer was sung at my sister's wedding.

Dan's now free having battled with prostate cancer for years as it came his time to go. Today, read his words to his fans and an important message about steps all you guys should take. From his website you can also read his biography, listen to music selections, and read the lyrics.

Here's Dan Fogelberg singing his song Leader of the Band

As posted on YouTube by cskwan

For the holidays, a favorite about a chance meeting one Christmas is posted below performed by Dan Fogelberg:

As posted on YouTube by musicvideoswhd

Pour, spread, or drizzle it on

Today I'm celebrating National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

Today is a day that all chocoholics like me celebrate with glee. I love chocolate. However, I can't keep it in the house without resisting it. I've tried to buy holiday candy early, not waiting to the last minute. However, somehow I talk myself into ripping into the package for just one. And, then later, there goes another! I can never add the little bitty chocolate snack allowed on Jorge Cruise's 3-Hour Diet to my plan -- it's just too irresistable!

Basically everyone knows that I love chocolate. When I go on vacation, a favorite day is a day when I have both shrimp and chocolate in the same day. It doesn't take much to guess what makes a perfect meal! I humorously tell folks that I work for chocolate --- and I'm not too particular about the brand either. I love anything from Godiva, Ghirardelli, Nestle, to Hershey's! After playing the piano for the alto rehearsal recently they gave me a gift certificate to Razzoo's (for shrimp!) and some Godiva chocolate. Then, at the choir Christmas party last week, to my delight they gave me a gift certificate to Pappadeaux (MORE SHRIMP!) and a box of Godiva chocolate bars! What wonderful friends I have!

Anything with a generous amount of chocolote poured, spread, or drizzled on it will definitely catch my eye and be a tempation. However, after checking YouTube today, I was quite surprised to see how many different things people cover with chocolate. When they said anything for today's observance, some people took it very seriously. Here's just a short list with some recognized favorites, as well as some very odd things, covered in chocolate. I've provided links to some videos from YouTube of brave people eating these items or describing how to create them.



How many of the following would you eat covered in chocolate?
Altoids
Ants
Apples
Bananas
Bugs (crickets, larvae)
Butter
Caramel Corn
Cherries
Cookies (Oreos, Nutter Butters)
Grasshopper
Jalapeno
Macaroni and cheese
Mealworms
Oysters
Pastries (doughnuts, eclairs)
Peanuts
Peas
Pickles
Pretzels
Strawberries
Seaweed
Everything else (e.g, chips, carrots, pickles)

As much as I love chocolate, I must admit that most of these items would not tempt me at all. My list would be rather short. Why ruin a good thing? However, I might consider taking the approach of the guy in the video for peanuts though -- no sense in wasting good chocolate! :)

I've added below a funny clip of Lucy at the chocolate factory, but you should also view the hilarious clip of Lucy and Ethel on the chocolate candy assembly line.

As posted on YouTube by coque7


Image credit: Nestle Ireland

I can't believe it's Christmas

Today I'm celebrating the Christmas countdown!

I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Where did the time go? It just seems like yesterday that I packed those decorations away for the season. There's still so much left to do. Decorating. Cards. Shopping. Gift wrapping. Shipping. Baking. Cooking. Cleaning. All before visits from friends and family.

In order to make the deadline, I need to get organized. After all, I'm a certified Project Management Professional. This should be easy compared to the multi-year global projects that I manage. How tough can this be? I just need to focus and apply my organization and planning skills to this event. Time's a-wastin'!

Here I go:

Making my list

Checking it twice

Gotta find out

Where the sales are nice

Will buy my cards and stamps

Then to the post office I'll go

Then I'll wrap the presents

Hang the holly and mistletoe

Just as a reminder on how little time there is left, here's a neat little Christmas countdown timer for you:

Get Myspace Christmas Countdown

Here's a neat song and music video by James Proven, I can't believe it's Christmas


As posted on YouTube by GiR2007

In continuing my e-tour of holiday lights, here's an animated light feature to a hillbilly song, Christmas times a comin'

As posted on YouTube by m6green

Today, I hope that you more prepared for Christmas than I am!

Image credit: Alan and Linda Parry's book

Going round and round in circles

Today I'm celebrating the anniversary of NASCAR being founded

On this date in 1947, it's been told that the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) was formed when mechanic William France, Sr began talks with other influential racers and promoters at the Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel at Daytona Beach, Florida. The original plans and points system was written on a bar room napkin. NASCAR, now the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the US, was incorporated in February 1948.

I've been a racing fan most of my life, having enjoyed watching it with my Dad, who was known for some of his informal racing around the county in his younger days. He also owned a 1961 Ford Galaxy 500, a Daytona special, that is still sitting on the old place back home and needs to be restored. Except for this year (Go Carl Edwards!), I've not particularly cheered for a single driver. I typically have several favorites. Although I really prefer open-wheel racing, I especially feel connected to Nascar. As a chaperone on one of the youth choir tours to Daytona, I led a group to the racetrack for a tour. They actually gave our group a private tour and let the bus driver drive that huge bus around the track. Of course, we stopped for photos along the way. I especially feel connected to the Texas Motor Speedway and the Earnhardt racing team these days. My little brother was the lead detective responsible for the recovery of the stolen Earnhardt racing uniform. It was his first case too! I'm so proud of him. I'm especially glad that he invited me to go with him to Fandango earlier this year (complete with police escort to park directly at the stadium gate entrance) for the recognition of the police department and his efforts for that achievement.

Non-fans are generally curious about what interests me in racing, since to them it just looks like a bunch of cars going in circles, round and round for hundreds of miles. First, there's the pure speed. We think driving 70 mph is tough at times. Consider what it would be like to get where you want to go, at ~200 miles mph while trying to get there before everyone else going to the same place! In addition, there's a lot of money for you if you beat all the others across the line. Overall relationships, cooperation and collaboration are key both within and among teams. Wouldn't it be nice to drive into the local gas station and get a full load of fuel, a quick drink, a clean windshield, and change all 4 tires in <20 seconds? Watch pit crew teams prepare and compete on YouTube. Also, just try getting >20 drivers to parallel park while going up to 50 mph down alongside a single lane street at pit row! There's a lot of strategy within the race. Sometimes the racing strategies collide and racing teams end up crashing on the track. Imagine depending on the voice in your ear of your spotter giving you instructions on how to avoid crashing into other cars as you race through the clouds of smoke while trying to avoid the spinning and flying cars during a Big One on the track! Occasionally you will see those drivers get into some heated discussions or pushing matches (Allison vs. Yarbrough, Edwards and Kenseth, Edwards and Dale Jr, Harvick and Biffle, and Montoya vs. Harvick ) afterwards in the intensity of the moment. There's a lot of science also to consider (e.g., drafting, slingshot passes, timing fuel refills, impact to tires, g-force), for those of us who have scientific or technical interests. If you haven't been introduced to racing, here's a Nascar Trivia site and Nascar.com's site for basics, history, and videos.

Some think that racing fans are just interested and obsessed with the crashes. I'm always a bit nervous about some tire flying into the grandstands when I'm at the race and do not look forward to those at all. However, it is always amazing to me that drivers can walk away from horrific crashes where their cars go flying upside down into the air, rolling across the track, or sometimes in a ball of fire! It's also amazing after a huge crash, sometimes involving dozens of drivers, how those pit crew teams can get those cars running and quickly back on the track again. In earlier years it was quite interesting to see the unique uses for duct tape at the racetrack! There are lots of videos of crashes posted on YouTube by racing fans. For those who are interested in the crashes or want to witness the wonder of Nascar safety despite those crashes, here are two videos you might want to watch: Largest crash in NASCAR history and NASCAR biggest crash in Modern Era.

Many think that racing fans are just a bunch of drunken rednecks. I'm sure that if you hang around the track during race week that you will meet a lot of friendly, fun-loving, people from the South (many of which might be considered rednecks). I'm sure that you're likely to meet many who enjoy the spirits as well. However, Nascar racing is one of the biggest sports in the USA and its fan-base is very diverse. Some of us are not rednecks and also don't drink. :) As I was told this week by a neat Tony Stewart fan, when you're at the track, all the fans are equal, one big family of people who have a single, common interest -- racing. It really doesn't matter whether you dig ditches, you're a research scientist, or you're a CEO for a large company, everyone is generally passionate about the sport.

One of the most memorable days of my life was spent with some of my guy friends on my first visit to the Texas Motor Speedway for the Nascar race. I had a lot of fun cheering my friend Tim on as he won many prizes and beat the records for the competitions. It was great watching the eyes light up as those engines cranked and the cars roared around the track for those who were just introduced to the sport. Those guys now regularly attend the races.

However, because it's the holidays and because so many people automatically think of rednecks with racing, I've posted below the funny music video of Jeff Foxworthy's redneck version of 12 Days of Christmas.

As posted on YouTube

At times, I have been known to beg my friends to give racing a chance. I bet after one day at the track with me, you'd be a fan for life! Today, my wish is personal: I wish that I'll get to go to the Nascar and IRL races at the Texas Motor Speedway in 2008! But, I'd gladly share it with my friends!

Just fiddling around

Today I'm celebrating Violin Day!

The violin is a bowed string instrument with four strings. It is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments. A violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle. A person who plays the violin is called a violinist or fiddler. I'm a musician but the only instrument I play with strings is a piano. However, two of my nieces and one nephew chose to play the violin while in school. I've heard stories of my Grandpa's dances that he hosted in the top of the barn at the farm. He owned two very old violins once thought by some to be built by the Stradivari family, but we later found out that they weren't valuable other than just great old family fiddles.

I love the music of the violin. It's a versatile instrument. It's fun to watch the young virtuosos play. You may remember the bizarre performance artist Thoth, an America's Got Talent reject or may have seen the documentary about his strange performances in Central Park. Who can forget Charlie Daniels playing his fiddle to Devil Went Down to Georgia? Or, maybe you prefer Vanessa-Mae, a classical pop violinist, playing The Devil's Trill. If you're in Branson, maybe you've seen the Haygoods' play their unique version of Canon in D. Did you hear the story of how one of the nation's greatest violinists, Joshua Bell, played at a Washington DC Metro station during morning rush hour as an experiment orchestrated by the Washington Post? Do you think you'd recognize such a famous artist?

Perhaps you do not play the violin or fiddle or listen to its music, but I bet you know someone who

• is on the fiddle
  
• would fiddle while Rome burns
  
• plays second fiddle to someone
  
• is as fit as a fiddle
  
• or just fiddles around or fiddles about
  

Today I've just been fiddling around on a vacation day, but found another great video as a next stop on my e-tour of holiday lights. You may hear a violin part in the music. I hope you take some time to enjoy this animated lighting by Carson Williams:

As posted on YouTube by pbenja1

Image credit: Klondyke Fiddle School

Ring-a-ding-a-ding-a-ling!

Today I'm celebrating National Ding-a-ling Day, with a twist!

Although it's unclear about the origin and purpose of this commemoration, the Yahoo! Answers site notes that today's a day to celebrate the ding-a-lings we know, who are actually likely misunderstood and are very wonderful, loving, friendly, and intelligent people. Others celebrate those who ring bells, including both the musicians in the bell choirs and those working with the Salvation Army. However, today, I'm celebrating my own version of the day, Ring-a-ding-a-ding-a-ling Day!

Tonight the choir will be meeting for its annual Christmas party, rather than rehearsing. It will be a merry time for all. We plan to break into smaller groups and then ring some (door) bells to sing carols to some special folks. As a musician who plays an instrument and rarely sings, I'm sometimes a bit hesitant at caroling parties because I'm afraid I won't get the lyrics correct. A song sheet is rarely provided. I think most people are challenged by the lyrics of the carols. Jay Leno usually shows us funny segments of people who believe they know the songs. I'm now wondering if any of the lyric reality shows will have a holiday special edition?!? That would be fun.

Today I have two special videos to celebrate the day.

The first is the men's group Straight No Chaser performing their comedic version of The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Musical Arts Center, Bloomington, Indiana. They have similar problems with the lyrics of the songs of this season. You don't won't to miss this video! It is very funny.


As posted on YouTube by mikado95

Then, in continuing my e-tour of holiday lights, what could be better for today than an amazing animated light show to Carol of the Bells?!? Enjoy!



As posted on YouTube by AgentJack13

By the way, today is also Poinsettia Day. So, why not pick up a poinsettia as a hostess gift for your next holiday party? Or, buy one for a neighbor or a shut-in that you may know.

All tangled up

Today I'm celebrating the house lights of Christmas!

I especially love the lights during the Christmas holidays. However, I don't particularly like the lighting at my house. In some prior years, I'd host a trim-the-tree party just so that I could get a host of folks to tackle the challenge of putting the lights on my tree. I'd cook something yummy and before I'd know it, the gang would have the tree lights on and the tree trimmed beautifully! Last year I bought a pre-lit tree so that we can now focus on the tree decorations. I'm ashamed to admit that one of the first challenges for the guys was usually working with the tangled mess of lights out of my storage box. Never fear, Santa now has a tutorial How to Untangle Christmas Lights on YouTube to solve that problem!

As posted on YouTube by expertvillage

One of our traditions is to ride around town to look at the holiday lights. I regretably often envy the folks who manage to put beautiful lights up on their homes. I've not yet tackled the joy of exterior holiday lighting and dealing with the tangled up lights, burned out bulbs, big ladders, and cold weather. I'm the typical person who enjoys those holiday lights from my warm car. However, I must admit that I'm not fond of all the holiday lighting I see around town. This year I'm sure we'll make our annual tour, but until then I'm working on something extra special. I'm working on my e-tour of holiday lights. I'm going to also enjoy the holiday lighting from my cozy chair in the warmth of my living room. Tonight I'm starting close to home. I hope that you enjoy the lights of Frisco, Texas!

As posted on YouTube by trykoski

Image credit: RenoChristmasLights.com

Off chasing dreams, but the same that I've really always been

Today I'm celebrating magnolias and azaleas from back home!

Although I'm a proud Texan, today's a great day for this Southern gal who was reared in the deep South, down on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On this date, in 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state.


Although I'm a proud Texan who's lived in the Lone Star State for almost 28 years and this Texas city-gal is not planning to leave anytime soon, there are many things that I miss from back home: the slower pace, trees, azaleas, magnolias, fresh shrimp right off the boat, going out to eat catfish with the family, family get-togethers at the farm (complete with homemade ice cream), drop-in visitors, dinner-on-the-ground, an early morning fishin' adventure, sitting on the houseboat feeding the fish all our bait, fresh vegetables right out of the garden, camp meeting, going to the creek, Southern Gospel music, being able to actually see the stars at night, shrimp gumbo at the county fair, hearing another Southern drawl, drivers who give a friendly wave at you as they pass, everybody knowing your Momma and your Dad, the open highway with no traffic, miles of open beautiful fields and working tractors, watching crop dusters, knowing everyone in your neighborhood, turning on the faucet and knowing exactly from where that water is coming (and you watched your Dad find that spot himself as he did for so many others back in those days), Barq's Root Beer in a bottle, ... Of course, there are some things that I don't miss (e.g., hurricanes, skeeters, luv-bugs, the humidity, the long drive to town for about you anything you need), but that list is very short!

Besides me (LOL), a lot of talented and famous people have come from my homestate, including Elvis Presley, Faith Hill, Oprah Winfrey, Bret Favre, 3 Doors Down, John Grisham, Lee Anne Rimes, Morgan Freeman, Lance Bass, Jerry Rice, Gerald McRaney, Diane Ladd, James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Jim Hensen, Kermit, Jimmy Buffet, BB King, Bobbie Gentry, Mickey Gilley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Charlie Pride, Mary Ann Mobley, Sela Ward, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Archie Manning, Dizzy Dean, Zig Ziglar, Eudora Welty, Trent Lott, John Stennis, Jefferson Davis, Jerry Clower, Beah Richards, just to name a few.

As they say, you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. Here's a neat song Mississippi Girl, sung by Faith Hill, another great Mississippi gal:

As posted on YouTube by faithhill

Today, I'm still off chasing dreams, but the same that I've really always been

Good grief, what's all this about?

Today I'm celebrating Christmas with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang!

On this date in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang have been a part of many families' traditions for 43 years now. This special is shown annually during the holidays. A Charlie Brown Christmas is the longest-running cartoon special in history, airing every year since its debut. It is also listed on the TV Guide and TVLand "The Most 100 Memorable TV Moments" list.

In this feature Charlie Brown searches for meaning in the Christmas holiday. As it starts he is seeking to understand why he always ends up depressed around the holidays. On the advice of a good friend, he gets involved with a holiday production, but after some trouble on the set, he ends up with the responsibility to find the Christmas tree for the play. He even has problems with that task. In desperation Charlie Brown cries out, wondering if anyone understands what Christmas is all about. Linus is quick to provide the answer:

As posted on YouTube by wteach
In the end, all realize that they've been too hard on Charlie Brown, they fix up his tree, and they all join together singing a Christmas carol.

Around this time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We all have great intentions and become involved in so much -- trying to make the most of this great holiday season. Often not everything goes exactly as we would like and have planned. It's also easy to get lost in the commercialization -- especially when you see Christmas products appear on the racks after Halloween. (How much earlier can they get?) For many, it's a time of sadness as memories of Christmas pasts become so fresh and close to mind. Perhaps you've come across someone lately who seems a bit edgy or grumpy and does not seem to quite have that holiday spirit? In the spirit of the Christmas season, give them a break and don't be quite so hard on them. Instead, share the joy of the Christmas season and seek to understand how you might help. Sometimes just a little patience and a smile makes a big difference. You never know what they might be experiencing.

Today, I wish for you the happiest of holidays. I hope that you take some time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and make a positive difference in someone's life.

Dear Santa, I can explain....

Today I'm celebrating Letter Writing Day!

I'm starting with the most important letter of the season, the one to Santa! This is my opportunity to remind him when I was nice and to offer an explanation for those minor little times when.... (I won't go there! TMI! After all, he already knows!?!) It's a time for me to send my Christmas wish list and hope that my story is convincing!

Perhaps your letter begins like one of these:

Dear Santa,
a) I've been good
b) I'm on the list..right?
c) Define good
d) I can explain
e) It wasn't me
f) I want it all!

Hopefully, you'll get an immediate reply from Santa with the message:

"I'll get my elves right on that!"
And not the following message and gift on Christmas Day....

"Some of us seem to never learn
being naughty has its price,
It's really not so hard you know
to change and just be nice
So if Santa doesn't visit you
you'll know that you were duped,
When all you find on Christmas morn
is a trail where reindeer pooped"
Now, since that's a little naughty, my wish list could be in jeopardy!

There are so many songs on YouTube about Christmas wish lists. Mariah Carey sings a favorite, All I Want for Christmas is You. Although Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken sing of it too, here's Amy Grant's music video about her Grown Up Christmas List:

From YouTube as posted by Forever780

What's on your Christmas wish list? Today, I hope that all your Christmas wishes come true this holiday season!

Candy in my shoes!

Today I'm celebrating St Nicholas Day!

St Nicholas is universally recognized as the model for our modern day Santa Claus. The St. Nicholas Center's website describes the origins of St Nicholas Day and how it is celebrated around the world. It describes how a real-life bishop who flourished in the 4th century as Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey, earned his sainthood for numerous miracles. He was best known as a kind and generous man who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary acts of kindness and generosity. St Nicholas was a lover of the poor and patron saint of children. Today, in many parts of the world, St Nicholas delivers gifts on the eve of his Feast Day, December 6, and Christmas is reserved for the religious observance of Christ's birth. Traditional celebrations of Saint Nicholas Day in Northern Europe include gifts left in children's shoes (the origin of our American Christmas stockings). The good children receive treats (candies, cookies, apples and nuts) while naughty children receive switches or lumps of coal. In anticipation of St. Nicholas's visit, children in several European countries today put their shoes in front of the fireplace.

Many families in the US have reported neat ways they celebrate St. Nick's Day:

• put the letter to Santa in the Christmas stocking
• give a special tree ornament to each other
• decorate the Christmas tree and share holiday treats
• put the final touches on the Christmas decorations, hanging tree ornaments and turning on the outside lights

During this holiday season, you can celebrate the true spirit behind St Nick by emulating the Bishop's kindness. You and your family can set aside some time to focus more on giving to others in need than on receiving. Some suggested activities:

• donate toys for a local toy drive
• buy gifts for a local "Christmas angel"
• donate clothing and toys to a local charity
• make gifts for the special people in your lives
• make goodies and visit an elderly or ill neighbor
• make some goodies for your neighbors
• visit a nursing home and sing carols
• prepare and send a care package to an American soldier
  

Here's a holiday song about St. Nick that you might enjoy:

As posted on Youtube by johnmcgroove

Today I hope that you will embrace the St Nicholas tradition and focus on giving to those you know who are in need.

Image credit: James C. Christensen, The Greenwich Workshop

In the right light, at the right time

Today I'm celebrating the lights of Christmas!

Tomorrow is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in the Ellipse near The White House in Washington, DC. I know many already have the lights up on their houses and the Christmas trees in place, all lit to celebrate the holidays. I, myself, am running a bit late this year. However, I think it would be cool to synchronize the lighting of my Christmas tree with the national ceremony --- with lights for both switched on simultaneously. How nice it would be to see my tree nicely lit, in the right light, at exactly the right time, on cue. It may seem crazy to some, but it sounds like a cool idea to me for a unique celebration. If I hurry, maybe I can make it, since I bought one of those pre-lit trees last year. :)

I love lighting and have been known to work with the lighting designer and crew for our annual Christmas production. However, when thinking of lights at Christmas I can't help but recall the awe of the Christmas Lights Gone Wild video on YouTube. Here's one version of it (with clearer view of the words and colors) from YouTube:

As posted on YouTube by bpenja1.

Not many can top that! Just remember as Aaron Rose once said, "In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." I'm sure your holiday decorations and tree will be beautiful under your lights, even if they don't compare to those by Carson Williams. I'll look for some other cool videos of Christmas lights over the coming days. If you have a fav, post a comment on this page or send me a message.

Today, I hope that you too have seen the Light, as Luke Garrett sang this last weekend in our Christmas concert. As you enjoy the lights of the Christmas season, I challenge you to also let your light shine.

Naughty or nice?

Today I'm celebrating Santa's List Day!

This is a day celebrated as a fun way to tell kids that Santa Claus knows how good or naughty they have been throughout the year. It's a time for reflection for us all to determine how good or naughty we've been. For some of us, it's a time when we can quickly develop an action plan to try to turn things around and show that we can indeed be nice before Santa drops down that chimney with a load of coal!

I found many websites on the Internet where you could take a quiz to determine if you're naughty or nice, but I'd consider most of those sites a big naughty. Here are two sites that (at the time of this posting) have a list of questions that you could help your children answer to determine which list they are on:
Santa's Naughty or Nice Quiz
The Incredible Elf-o-matic Naughty or Nice Determinator

Here's a neat video about Santa's missing Naughty Nice List:


From Youtube as posted by RickyTomGriffin

Today, I hope that you're on the top of Santa's nice list. If you've been a bit naughty, I encourage you to take the time to make things right.

Image credit: Santa's Letters and Gifts

As music filled the air

Last week was a busy week, with 3 rehearsals, 1 service and 2 concerts in addition to catching up on work following my Thanksgiving vacation. However, it would not be Christmas for me without a celebration with music. Toss in a little drama and I really get excited. After many years of working behind the scenes with the tech crew, I had forgotten how fun it is to play the piano with an orchestra accompanying a large choir. It was an amazing experience of celebration as music filled the air.

The Christmas music program involved more than 35 in the orchestra and more than 70 voices, on my initial count. It was scheduled twice on Sunday, after

• 12 rehearsals, planned by
  
• 11 choir officers, with
  
• 10 staff members for
  
• 9 musical selections played by
  
• 8 violins, violas, string bass
  
• 7 brass (trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium)
  
• 6 woodwinds (flute, piccolo, oboe, saxophone)
  
• 5 musicians on rhythm (guitars, percussion, drums)
  
• 4 cellists
  
• 3 keyboardists (piano, organ, synthesizer) with
  
• 2 conductors and
  
• 1 guest artist

The evening of Christmas music at PPBC started with an orchestral piece celebrating The Sounds of Music. The choir processed in singing to A Christmas Hymn, and then sang with Joy, Joy about The One Amazing Night, Beneath His Father's Heaven with All Praise Rising about A Manager for His Throne, knowing the real reason and telling That's How He Came while encouraging all to Follow the Light. Luke Garrett, the special solo guest artist, sang on several of the songs and also sang some additional selections. The song All Praise Rising, whose words and music were written by Mr. Garrett, was the highlight of the program for me. The children's choir was also featured on one selection.

Today, I hope that you had the opportunity to enjoy the music and sounds of the season. Take the opportunity to share the celebration of this Christmas season through music.