What Makes Me Think of Christmas

 

The Advent wreath, hung from the ceiling 4 Sundays before Christmas, always made me think of Christmas. My mom always made the Advent wreath and she showed me how to make one. It’s not Christmas unless this is up but, I have to admit, I don’t light the candles because I’m terrified of a fire although I have lit it in the past. This was when we would start playing Christmas music which made my dad tickled pink. He always said, “If Christmas is just for kids, then I’m the biggest kid of all.” He’s right because Christmas is about giving, being with family and friends, enjoying the peace and serenity it should bring. We now look at it that it’s for kids and what they get, let them rip up all the paper and ask for more…disgusting in my book. My mom would let us write a Christmas list of what we would like but we would go out and shop for others and get excited about getting a gift for others. We would make things and enjoy listening to the stories of Christmasses’ past. Now, check out Curious As A Cathy to hear what others think of when Christmas comes round the corner. I always love playing certain albums that must be played first and here they are…

1. THE NUTCRACKER SUITE CONDUCTED BY EUGENE ORMANDY-1972

I love the Nutcracker Suite and have this version conducted by the great Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. I only have it in tape cassette and played it so often that it needs to be replaced. I must go on the hunt for the version I have in CD. It’s the full version so, if you like to play this while baking cookies, reading or working, be my guest.

2. JOY TO THE WORLD CONDUCTED BY ANDRE KOSTELANETZ-1959

Mom told me that this was her and Daddy’s first Christmas album they bought together back in 1959, their first Christmas together. It sounds romantic….mom had everything decorated, she had Rouladen ready to serve Christmas Eve but my dad was not home. He was used to visiting the relatives who would give him a shot of whiskey or 3. When he came home, after midnight, drunker than a skunk( yeah, yeah, before anyone ever spoke about drinking and driving), my mom just about dropped the Rouladen onto his head. She told him..”Never Again!” My dad never, ever did that again and loved Christmas. He always said that mom brought Christmas to him and he was so thankful. 

3. CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY -1958

Mom bought this album in Toronto and it was another album that I have to play on the first of Advent. It’s 66 years old but it just means Christmas to me. I love the church bells, the beauty of all the voices including that deep baritone. I’m not religious but this music just feels holy to me. 

I hope you enjoyed the listen even if it was just one song or 2 rather than the whole albums.

Star Of The Month- December

 

IRENE DUNNE

BORN: Dec. 20,1898   Not 1901 or 1904

DIED: Sept. 4, 1990

AGED: 91 years

DIED FROM: Congestive Heart Failure

REAL NAME: Irene Dunn ..yeah, she just added the E

NICKNAME: The First Lady of Hollywood, “Missy”

MARRIED: once to Francis Griffin until his death in 1965

AFFAIRS: Before she married, she had a relationship with Fritz Ernst

CHILDREN: 1 daughter, adopted

OSCAR WINS: None! Considered one of the worst oversights in Oscar history

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: 5 times- “Cimarron”, “Theodora Goes Wild”, “The Awful Truth”, “Love Affair”, “I Remember Mama”

TALENT: beautiful operatic voice, playing golf

KNOWN FOR: her comedic skills, her graciousness and openness to everyone on set; always on the best dressed list. She loved Jean Louis and would order outfits from him.

Irene Dunne was the quintessential lady of the silver screen who could act in anything she was given from Drama and Romance to comedy in which she excelled at. She was not a typical comedienne  because she always kept her ladylike demeanour, but she could make you laugh just the same. One of her favourite leading men was Cary Grant and he, equally, loved working with her. He considered her the best in comedic timing. She was also held in high esteem by Charles Boyer, whom she starred with in her favourite film, “Love Affair”. She loved her dad, who died when she was only 12 years old but she kept all his letters and notes. Her favourite quote that her dad told her, before he died was, “Happiness is never an accident. It is the prize we get when we choose wisely from life’s great stores.” She was always gracious and approachable to everyone on the film set. She did have to rebuff repeated advances from Spencer Tracy when they were working on the film,”A Guy Named Joe”. She was good friends with Carole Lombard so when she died in a plane crash, Dunne was given the honour to christen a ship the SS Carole Lombard with Clark Gable( Lombard’s Widower) behind Dunne.

She was a life long Republican who campaigned for Eisenhower to be in office and she also campaigned for Ronald Reagan but she always said she is not an extremist and would never have campaigned for Goldwater. Her friends were Loretta Young, Bob Hope, James Stewart, Roddy McDowell and Charles Boyer. Eisenhower appointed her as a delegate for the United Nations. She also lent herself to many causes giving her time and money to many causes and hospitals. In fact, there is a bust of her at the St. John’s Hospital and Health Clinic for all the contributions she did for that hospital. 

She loved her husband, her child, her later work with charities and her acting. She loved singing and keeping her life private. She seemed to be a wonderful person.

FILMS

1. Cimarron-1931

2. The Great Lover- 1931

3. Backstreet-1932

4. Roberta-1935

5. Magnificent Obsession-1935

6. Show Boat-1936

7.  Theodora Goes Wild-1936

8. The Awful Truth-1937

9. Love Affair-1937

10. My Favourite Wife-1940

11. Penny Serenade-1941. I love this movie

12. A Guy Named Joe-1943

13. White Cliffs of Dover-1944

14. Anna And The King of Siam-1946

15. Life With Father-1947

16. I Remember Mama-1948

Best Friends

 Today is American Thanksgiving and I wish all of you, south of the border, a wonderful day today and, tomorrow? Stay home! Hahahaaa. Yesterday, I found out that clients I was to speak to on Monday suffered a terrible calamity. The family of 5, husband and wife and 3 daughters…on Nov. 5th, in Saskatchewan, during a snowstorm, the man’s wife and 2 of his daughters were killed in a 2 car crash. I was in shock to learn this and feel for the husband and father, his remaining daughter and the grandparents who lost a daughter and 2 grandkids. For some reason, I looked at the blog Curious As A Cathy who had written down an email she had received over 20 years ago. I thought it hit home and what we should all be so thankful for, our family, our friends, your children and all that we do have. Check out her blog. Now, I decided to go with friends and friendship. There are a tons but I went old school, big surprise. Here are my 3…

1. TOP HAT-1935

Why would I choose an Astaire and Rogers musical? Well, if you took away the great dancing, you are still left with an entertaining romance with some great character actors that appeared in more than one  Astaire/Rogers film like Eric Blore and the wonderful Edward Everett Horton who plays the producer friend to his talent, Fred Astaire. The main plot is about the romance between Astaire and Rogers who believes Astaire is married ( to another great, Helen Broderick). Of course she is mistaking Astaire with his producer friend Horton leaving Astaire and Horton befuddled. I really enjoyed the camaraderie between Astaire and Horton and even Horton with Eric Blore. Edward Everett Horton plays the best friend  with such aplomb that he leaves a lasting impression and you really enjoy their friendship.

2. GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES-1953

This is a great friendship film between 2 gorgeous, sexy women who are best friends without any petty issues between them. One is more down to earth and plays a more motherly role to her bestie who just loves diamonds and can’t help it when men have their eyes pop out of their head and their tongues left drooling on the floor. The 2 board a cruise ship and are after men with Marilyn eyeing diamonds much more…much more than the men behind the bling. They meet the older, and married, Charles Coburn, who has no problem with Marilyn sitting on his lap so much so that he gifts her a diamond tiara. This does not bode well with Coburn’s wife. A detective is in the mix who falls for Jane Russell  while trying to put her best friend on jail. It s a fun film with some great singing ( “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friendl is from this film). It’s a rare film because the friendship is genuine where both would stand up for each other no matter what with no jealousy between them. It’s nice to know that Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe became friends with the same feelings despite both being very sexy gals.

3.  SOME LIKE IT HOT-1959

A hilarious Billy Wilder film with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as 2 musicians and best friends who witness the St. Valentine’s Day massacre and must scram outtta Chicago. The only way they can escape is to join an all girl band travelling to Florida. They become Geraldine and Daphne when they meet Sugar, played by Marilyn Monroe and both go Zing! It’s so funny and quite endearing. Curtis always gets the better of Lemmon in this film but, when the chips are down, they are there for each other. A brilliant film.

Which movies do you think of with best friends? Blessings to all of you!

Commercials

 

Harley and Lexi...they get along, why can't everyone follow this? Oh well, one can dream. No word,yet, from the city, keep fingers crossed. 

For the most part, commercials are irritating, annoying and a pain. Every once in a while, we have very funny ones, or beautiful ones. They also have used or composed music that becomes a hit which is where I am heading. Let's see if you like these ditties. I am joining in on Freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me. 

1. I LIKE TO TEACH A SONG TO SING SUNG BY A VARIETY OF PEOPLE-1970

I have showcased the original commercial along with the newer version which is longer. I always loved this song and found it hopeful.

2. THEME FROM LAKME FLOWER DUET BRITISH AIRWAYS-1989

It comes from Delibes 1883 Opera, “Lakme”  the flower duet  which is so enchanting and has been recorded many, many times.

I love Katherine Jenkins and Kiri Te Kanawa who sing this with such exquisiteness that it leaves me speechless. I’m on a kick, right now, listening to Katherine Jenkins.

3. DE BEERS DIAMOND AD-1993

When I heard this music, I was enthralled and thought, it was, for sure, by Vivaldi. So did many people and, before you knew it, people were requesting this song to be played on the classical radio station. I totally understand why.

I had no idea it was written by a Welshman born in 1949. Obviously, he was influenced by by Vivaldi but, no matter, it’s just so pretty.

Any music from a commercial that you love? 

A little Christmas

The weekend was quiet, I'm still sick but, hopefully  getting better. We have no more news about our fence but I'll let you know if the city is OK now.

I did make a card and I actually incorporated all 4 ajj from Christmas Card Throwdown. 

Christmas Card Throwdown- Ribbon

Sparkles Monthly- Christmas Florals

Sparkles Christmas-Snowflakes

ABC Christmas- W for watercolouring 

Addicted to Stamps- Make your mark

We Love Stamping- Christmas

Simon Says- Sparkle and Shine

Tic, Tac, Toe- tttc261  I did Sparkle, free(flower), pink

I decided to try to place all 4 challenges from Christmas Card Throwdown.  I used the design from one week, colour theme, sparkle and shine and ribbon all on one card. I stamped and embossed the poinsettia in gold. I took my tombow markers and placed the colour on a plastic lid. I used my paintbrush with water to colour the image. I took a ribbon and wrapped it around the Card. I used my punch to create the snowflakes and added some bling. I placed the image on top of the ribbon with pop up dots, placed the saying on the Card, added some stickles around and voila!

Destruction!

 

Isn't she a cutie?! I thought I would start off with a nice picture because this isn't a nice post.  Where we live, it's an older neighbourhood with some nice people and some...not. our next door neighbours are not very nice. The neighbour, next to them, had 2 cats and the cats would lay on the driveway that they both share. Well, she came out to find her cat dead..she had been run over by our lovely neighbours. Who claimed they didn't see it but never apologized. ..that who they are.

In September, my hubby had an altercation with him and she taped the whole thing and sent it to the cops. The cops came and my hubby  he started it but apologized to them. The cops understood and could clearly see that they provoked him. The cops spoke to them and told them that they were wrong as well. They were not happy. 

In October, a bi-law officer came to our home and told my hubby that the beautiful ivy covered fence we have is to high and too close to the sidewalk. Hubby told him how he constructed it. The officer complained about the evergreen beside the house which had been there since I bought it back in 1999.  I contacted a lawyer who said that they can enforce it even when our fence has been up for over a decade.  Then...nothing...until last week. We got a letter telling us that the entire fence must go immediately! The pond hubby was making must be gated or covered back up with dirt. The tree must go. When I spoke to the bi-law officer he told me the whole fence must go because it was with chicken wire which is a Hazard even though you could not even feel anything since the ivy was so thick from it. He said the other trees could stay and he didn't care about the pond. That was a contradiction from what he wrote. Anyways, hubby was already out and filled up the pond that he dug so well and to such precision.  The bi-law officer told us we have 1 week or we would be fined $250 per day plus interest. We hired someone and I will now show pictures before and after.  Just so you know, my hubbybought 20 small ivy plants and from that this fence grew. He nurtured it, feeding the ivy through the fence and took great care on it. We had fireflies, praying mantises etc.. and the birds loved it.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

It looks horrible.  I am scared that the bit my hubby asked to keep up will have to come down because of the chicken wire. That bi-law officer told hubby that it can stay...I pray that will be the case. It looks horrible but I hope they don't expect it nice because we can't do this. One thing the bi-law officer let slip is that he said" she made the complaint."  My hubby is gutted, depressed, angry and giving up. I got sick and hope I get better soon. People are cruel, petty and jealous. Some love to be mean and get a satisfaction when they stick it to others. I have been dealing with this my whole life so this does not surprise me nor get me down. I just think, we will grow again and it will be better. The neighbours can go to hell. My big concern is my hubby. I hope he does not give up...I won't let him. 

Dinner, Maybe?

 

Soon it will be the American Thanksgiving and all of us are thinking about....Christmas and that Turkey dinner or whatever you have. I thought of movies that talk about dinner, are having dinner or are trying to get home for that dinner( oh, yeah, and family). So I am choosing 3 films that gather around this table and here are my 3...

1. DINNER AT EIGHT-1933

This is a jammed pack movie filled with many subplot and intrigues with an A1 cast which culminates at a dinner party hosted by the effervescent Billie Burke( Glenda from The Wizard of Oz). She is beyond dizzy and only cares about her dinner party. Their daughter is having an affair with the doctor and the silent screen star has his own demons, played well by John Barrymore who knew his demons. You have Marie Dressler, who gives THE best double take ever, as well as Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow who almost steals the picture. It's quite a good precode film.

2. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES-1987

I love this movie and can recite so many pieces from this (" Those aren't pillows!). I love the scene above which is just hilarious and you couldn't have a better match than Steve Martin and the late, great John Candy. They are trying to get back home for Thanksgiving but just about every thing bad happens to them. It's a gem!

3. AUGUST, OSAGE COUNTY- 2013

This is not a feel good movie. You have the dad who dies bringing in all the daughters to come back home.  They really don’t want to be there because their mother is a caustic, alcoholic bitch, played by Meryl Streep in a role I don’t mind her in. Julia Roberts plays the oldest daughter with a major chip on her shoulder and you understand why when you meet Mommie dearest. The problem is she has inherited her mom’s acid tongue and, frankly, she reminds me of my brother’s 2nd ex wife. I don’t ever recall her or Julia smiling ( in this movie..my brother’s ex never smiled). I think Julia deserved more accolades for this role but it’s probably because this role is unlikeable. Julia's marriage is disintegrating due to nastiness. Her sisters have other issues. I would like to see this film again because of all the subplots and issues. It culminates during a dinner where everything seems to come out. It’s well acted and a great cast and worth a look.

What Dinner movies can you think of? 

Oh..so the answer to yesterday’s Oscar song is…yup, “Three Coins In The Fountain” won, “Count Your Blessings” was nominated and “Snow, Snow, Snow” got nothing.