Slept in this morning after chatting late with Lauren last night. Had Pear Spice Pancakes while listening Christmas records from various series. Goodyear sold The Great Songs of Christmas,which began in 1961 and ran through the late 70's. I started with Album Four, which is probably my favorite LP from the entire run. Among the gems here are Maurice Chevalier singing "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" and "Silent Night," the latter partly in his native French, "The Star Carol" by Anna Maria Alberghetti, two gorgeous numbers from the late Diahann Carroll, "Lo How a Rose Er Blooming" and "Some Children See Him," and the rollicking "Jingle Bells/It's Christmas Time All Over the World" from Sammy Davis Jr.
Continued with the series while making Corn Muffins from the Susan Branch cookbook I picked up a few months ago. Henry Mancini Selects The Great Songs of Christmas debuted almost a decade later in 1975. The Carpenters join Mancini and more typical vocalists like Julie Andrews with their rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Other stand-outs includes Mancini and His Orchestra doing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "What are You Doing New Year's Eve" and Ella Fitzgerald with "Sleigh Ride."
Switched to Firestone as I pulled the muffins out of the oven. Firestone put out the Your Christmas Favorites albums through most of the 60's. Unlike the Goodyear records, the vast majority of their albums were mostly classical singers, but the occasional pop vocalist like Vicki Carr and Julie Andrews, did occasionally sneak in. I opted for the first one, which is full-on classical with Rise Stevens and Brian Sullivan, with songs like "The Friendly Beasts" and "O Holy Night."
It was too windy to take the bike to Dad and Jodie's, so I walked. Other than the wind, it was actually a pretty nice day. The sun was out, and the temperatures were a pretty normal mid-upper 40's. Charlie and Richard are starting to put the lights on the McHugh's house and in the front of Charlie's, and many other houses are decorated now, too. It felt rather festive, strolling down Manor and up around Manheim.
Arrived at Dad and Jodie's around quarter after 1. I showed up at the same time as Jessa, her boyfriend Joe, and their beloved shizu-terrier mix puppy Midnight. My cousins Mark and Joyce were already there when walked in. Mark brought taco dip and chips, and Jodie made tacos. We watched Midnight chase his favorite ball and chew on his squeaky sheep toy. Jessa and I may get together on Friday; we're also talking about having Christmas Day dinner at her and Joe's condo or my place and possibly bringing Joe's kids.
The Eagles didn't start out well against the Redskins. The 'Skins were up 6-0 when we came in. As they so often do, the Eagles played much better in the second half. They really roared to life in the fourth quarter, when they made a few amazing catches, including one in the last seconds that resulted in a touchdown. That big push put them over the top and won them the game, 37-27.
(The Eagles aren't the only ones who did well, either. Mark's Packers streaked past their upper Midwestern rivals the Bears 21-13. Dad's Dolphins had a tougher time handling the Giants and lost 36-20.)
Jessa and Joe drove me home. After I got in, I worked on writing for a little while. Cousin Isobel lives in a cozy-yet-impressive castle with a small army. Brett and Gene hope she'll corral that army to take on Malade's forces, but she's reluctant to tussle with Malade after what happened to Nerdocrumbesia.
Broke for a quick leftovers dinner at 7. Finished the night before a shower with the first A Very Special Christmas album. This series began in 1987 to raise money for the Special Olympics, and unlike the ones I listened to earlier, it continues on and offline to this day. Run DMC introduced many mainstream audiences to rap with their spirited "Christmas In Hollis." Other winners here include "Merry Christmas Baby" by Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, "Winter Wonderland" by the Eurythmics, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by John Cougar Melloncamp, "Santa Baby" by Madonna, and "Silent Night" by Stevie Nicks.
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