O Little Town of Bethlehem - Perry Como

 Perry Como is another artist that, for me, it just would not be Christmas without hearing him sing.  His version of O Little Town of Bethlehem was recorded in 1946.  I have it on many of my Christmas albums and, as always, he does a beautiful job.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week - Boursin Chicken and Orzo

 I am always looking for new crock pot recipes.  This one I found from AllRecipes.com.  I was looking for a new chicken dish to make and chose to try this one.  Plus, I had never cooked orzo at that point, so I wanted to try something new, and this fit the bill.  I definitely enjoyed this and will add it to my recipe canon.  It came across as having an almost stew like consistency which was fine with me.  It did thicken up the next day and was even better!

Boursin Chicken and Orzo

1.5 lbs skinless boneless chicken breast

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp fresh black pepper

1 can Italian style diced tomatoes

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup orzo pasta

2 (5.2oz) packages Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese

5 oz baby spinach

1 tsp lemon juice

Place chicken in crock pot.  Season with salt and pepper.  Top with tomatoes and pour chicken broth around the chicken.  Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.  Remove chicken from crock pot and cut into 1-inch pieces.  Return to crock pot.  Stir in orzo and Boursin cheese.  Cook on high until pasta is tender - about 35-40 minutes.  Stir in spinach until wilted.  Stir in lemon juice.  Serve. 

Jolly Old St. Nicholas - Maurice Chevalier

 One of the Christmas albums that I grew up listening to was Great Songs of Christmas.  This was a series of albums put out for several years by Goodyear Tires.  Mom had several different albums in her collection. Maurice Chevalier appeared on album five with two different tracks.  He did a version of Silent Night which is every interesting as it is mostly spoken. And then he did this children's Christmas classic.  I always loved hearing his version and I hope you do too!

Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte

 This is one of those Christmas songs that lingers in the back of my mind during the holidays and whenever it plays, I will stop what I'm doing and quietly listen to it.  Harry Belafonte first released it as a single in 1956 and then it was included in his 1957 album An Evening with Harry Belafonte.  It is a hauntingly beautiful song and I love sharing it here with you all.  Enjoy!

The Happiest Christmas Tree - Nat King Cole

 It is always exciting for me to find a new vintage Christmas song.  I had never heard of The Happiest Christmas Tree until yesterday.  It popped up on YouTube and I decided to give it a try.  How delightful it is.  It reminds me of the kind of song we would have sung in the Christmas play in 1st or 2nd grade. Nat King Cole recorded and released this song in 1959.  While it's not as memorable as other Christmas songs from this era, I really like it!

Christmas Traditions going forward

 As much as I love Christmas and this festive holiday time of year, I realized recently that I have very few Christmas traditions.  There are very few traditions that I do each year.  And these usually consist of decorating the tree and the house, writing Christmas cards and listening to Christmas music.  I love these traditions and have no intention of stopping them any time soon.  But I would like to start to add some traditions to my Christmas.  I'm not very good at scheduling things to do for myself, so once I get to the Christmas season, I just have not made the time to do the things I would like to do. I think that if I had children or family (real and of choice) nearby and wasn't single then I would probably have a more structured schedule of holiday fun.  So, next year, I just need to do it for myself.  There is nothing wrong that having a tradition or two just for me.  And if someone wants to join in, that would be great!

Here are a few things I would love to start doing:

1. Ornament/Cookie exchange party

I think that this would be fun.  I have never been to one before and it sounds like it would be a nice way to start off the holidays.

2. Filling Stockings

While my family and I do stocking stuffers when we get together for Christmas, it's not the same as filling up stockings that are hanging in anticipation of Santa.  This will require having people in my life that would enjoy it and maybe a Christmas Day meal to have people together.

3. Driving around looking at Christmas lights

We used to do this every year when I was growing up, and it was always a magical car ride to me. I remember especially driving through Rolling Hills and down Church Street in the historical district.  There was a house on the street behind where Grandmother lived that had lights everywhere and we always went to look at it.  It would be fun to take an evening to put some Christmas music on the radio and drive around with friends and enjoying the seasonal decorations.

4. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

This was a staple of my time in Monroe, NC. It was always such a special service and I have not been to one in years.  I need to find a church home though because I don't want to be that person that only shows up at Christmas and Easter.  The last one I went to was at FBC in Monroe about 20 years ago.  They did communion, which was totally new to me at these services, and after 30 minutes of watching people take communion...row by row...I left early and missed the candlelight portion.  Oh well. 

5. Caroling

Almost no one goes caroling anymore...at least not like they used to.  And I can't really say that I blame them with the way people are these days.  Still, I think it would be fun to do and revive this Christmas tradition.

6. Advent Calendar

I want to start doing an Advent calendar each year.  When I was young, our cousin Bernie sent us one that we used for several years.  It was a picture of the manger and I loved it.  These days there are all sorts of advent calendars out there and it would be fun to start doing them each year.

7.  Lessons and Carols Service

I would love to find this service to go to each year.  I know that they're out there, I just need to seek them out and get my behind there because I know I would love it.  I have seen them on tv and would love to take part in one live.

8. The Nutcracker

I have not seen The Nutcracker live since 1985. It's a holiday tradition that is still going strong.  Here in Greensboro there are multiple productions to go and see.  It's just so dang expensive.  I'm going to need to start saving in the summer months to get tickets.  And, also, this would be something I would enjoy doing with someone else.

9.  Christmas Books

I would like to pick out a different Christmas book to read each year.  Either something new to revisit a classic or a favorite that I have already read.  This is something that I know I can do I just need to plan better.  I have so many Christmas books that I have not read....go figure

These are just a few things I would like to begin doing during the holidays.  This list will give me something to look forward to next year!  Care to join me?

Caroling, Caroling - Tennessee Ernie Ford

 Tennessee Ernie Ford put out several Christmas albums throughout his career.  His album "Sing We Now of Christmas" was released in October of 1965.  This is one of the tracks from that album.  Caroling, Caroling is another favorite of mine.  It is actually my favorite Christmas song that Nat King Cole recorded, but Ford does a great job with it and I enjoyed listening to it immensely.  Hope you do too!

Silver Bells - Johnny Mathis

 Johnny Mathis released his first Christmas album in 1958.  Among the tracks was this version of Silver Bells.  Again, this version is on several different records that I have and I love it.  I like that it's a little slower paced than most versions.  It has a very soulful feeling to it for me.  It's just not Christmas without some Johnny Mathis on the record player!

Joy To The World - Ray Conniff

 This is a fun version of the carol Joy To The World by Ray Conniff & the Singers.  His album, Here We Come A-Caroling, was first released in 1965 and became very popular.  A television Christmas special based on this album would air that December.  The album was reissued in the late 60's as well.  I have this track on several different albums, including the original album, and it's always a fun listen!  Enjoy!

Christmas Shopping

 

Like most people these days, and quite sadly to be honest, I rarely go out shopping to physical stores.  Online shopping has become so convenient.  Of course, it's not like the old days of ordering something from a catalog which, in itself, was a form of convenience but you had to do it early if you were shopping for Christmas.  Once the order was received, by mail, it would take 6 to 8 weeks before it arrived.  Our society does not like to wait that long anymore.  Alas, I am also guilty of doing online shopping for the holidays but at least these days I mostly shop from independent stores and stores that use independent artisans.  So, in essence it is a form of supporting small businesses, just differently than in person. 

Yesterday was different for me.  I got up early.  Well, I always get up early but this time I had a purpose (outside of my normal purpose of going to work). I made a list of places to go and do some Christmas shopping.  I warmed up my car and hit the road.  I was at the first store just a little after they opened at 7:00 a.m.  I have not done this in years.  And I had a blast shopping.  It really put me in the Christmas spirit.  Well, it enhanced my Christmas spirit as I already have that. There was Christmas music playing over the sound system, the staff was friendly and helpful and there were plenty of other shoppers, but no one really got into each other's way.  I found some great things and got inspired to do more shopping today. 

It got me to thinking about all the times going Christmas shopping when I was growing up. We would go to the Monroe Mall and it would be decorated to the hilt.  It always looked amazing back in the day.  In the early years of the mall, Belk's department store had a room set aside for kids to shop for their parents. Dad took me there several times when I was little to get a gift for Mom. One year she got a mirror on a stand for her vanity.  Another year she got a green umbrella.  And you could buy the gift prewrapped or not.  I think I always got the prewrapped one. I remember going to the Hallmark store and buying things there.  One year I got Grandmother a Christmas card that played Silent Night.  I don't know if they still make cards like that today but at the time, it was an extravagant purchase for me and that card sat on her coffee table every Christmas until it could no longer play.

Once a year during the shopping season, we would venture to Charlotte on a Saturday for a day of holiday shopping.  Eastland Mall was the place to be in those days.  They had an ice-skating rink that always amazed me. It was so much fun to look down over the second-floor railing to watch the skaters on the ice. In my high school days, Eastland Mall had run down some and Carolina Place Mall became the place to be.  I went there many times with my friends, especially at Christmas.  The last time I went there was when I was a senior in high school. Tanya, Jonathan and Jim Edwards and I piled into Tanya's minivan for an evening of holiday shopping.  Hard to believe that was over 30 years ago now.

And that made me remember of a shop that was on highway 74 between Monroe and Charlotte.  I cannot remember the name of it, but they sold a lot of brass and glass items.  You could get them engraved there as well.  We stopped there one day, and I found a set of brass elephants in a ring holding up a glass ball for Grandmother.  It was a random gift, but she loved it and displayed it year-round.  It's fun finding those shops you don't normally go into and discovering something wonderful.  That's one of the joys of Christmas shopping. Of getting out there and seeing what people have to offer.  As convenient as it is to click a mouse sometimes, it is just as important to go out and look around.  You never know what you will find. 

Jingle Bells - Julie Andrews

 Julie Andrews first recorded the holiday classic, Jingle Bells, around 1966.  Her recording appeared on many different albums including her collaboration with Andre Previn and then on many compilation albums that were popular for the next few decades.  She recorded this version several times throughout her vocal career, and it is always a pleasure to listen to.  One of my favorite versions of this timeless Christmas song. Enjoy!

Christmas Is... - Percy Faith

 Here is another holiday classic from the 1960s.  Christmas Is... is the title track from Percy Faith's 1966 holiday album.  It was written by Faith and Spencer Maxwell and first released on this album.  I first remember this being on one of Mom's Christmas records.  It was another of those albums with various artists that was put out by either Goodyear or Firestone and I have that somewhere.  But I have also since acquired the original 1966 album that this came from and it is delightful.  Percy Faith and his orchestra and chorus are always a welcome addition to my holidays and I hope they will be to yours!

Some Children See Him - Diahann Carroll

 Some Children See Him is another of Alfred Bates's yearly Christmas songs given as gifts to his circle of friends.  This song was written for Christmas 1951 and was first released by Tennessee Ernie Ford on his Christmas album in 1958.  For several years, Grants Department Stores released a Christmas album with various artists.  Volume 3 from 1969 contains this gem sung by the great Diahann Carroll.  It's a beautiful version of the song and I hope you enjoy it. 

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard

My Grown-Up Christmas List - Natalie Cole

 It's hard to imagine Christmas without music from the Cole family, both Nat King and Natalie.  Today, I am going with Natalie Cole.  My Grown-Up Christmas List first was sung as a duet by Cole and David Foster for his 1989 Christmas special.  In 1990, the solo version by Cole was released.  This is one of those songs that is poignant and relevant to our world. At least it is relevant to my feelings.  There is great nostalgia in this song for me as well and you all know I love nostalgia.  It just has such a nice, warm feeling to it and I consider it a Christmas classic.  Enjoy!

This Christmas I Spend with You - Robert Goulet

 This is the title track from Robert Goulet's 1963 Christmas Album.  While I do not have a copy of that album yet, I do have him singing this song on several Christmas albums with various other artists on them.  One of the albums we always listened to at Christmas when I was growing up contained this song and I have always enjoyed it.   The song was chosen one year as the theme song for the Christmas Seals campaign and that is the introduction you here from this 45. I hope you do too!

We Need a Little Christmas - New Christy Minstrels

 The New Christy Minstrels is another singing group that I absolutely love during the holidays. I only really know their work from Christmas albums so I should look into some of their other stuff because I do enjoy them.  But I often wonder whatever became of the Old Christy Minstrels? LOL  Anyway, they do a fun version of this holiday classic from the Jerry Herman musical, Mame.  It was a track on their 1966 album Christmas with the Christies.  I just love the album cover! Enjoy!

The Christmas Waltz - The Carpenters

 It's just not Christmas without The Carpenters.  Their album, "Christmas Portrait", was released in October 1978 and has been a Christmas music staple ever since.  There are so many great tracks on this album that choosing one each year is hard.  But one of my favorites is Karen's performance of the Christmas classic, The Christmas Waltz.  I hope you enjoy it.  Also, you can find several of their television Christmas specials on YouTube if you're looking for some fun retro holiday viewing!

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Anne Murray

 Anne Murray's first Christmas album, "Christmas Wishes", was released in 1981 and it quickly became a holiday music staple in our house.  Mom had it on cassette and we would listen to it on the tape player she kept on the kitchen counter.  Then, when we finally had a car that had a tape player in it, we would listen to this all the time whenever we were going places. I have always loved Anne's voice and this is one of my favorite tracks from this album.  I hope you'll enjoy it!

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

 I love to find "new to me" versions of Christmas songs.  This is one of them.  I was listening to one my Christmas music stations on the computer, and this started playing.  I thought this was so much fun.  Released by The Impressions in 1976, their version is definitely Disco Christmas!  I would love to hear more of their music, and this gives me something to look forward to.  I hope you enjoy this version as much as I do!

Quote of the Week

 I love the original film version of Miracle on 34th Street.  The remakes are fine, but the original is just magical. This is one of my favorite quotes from this film and it applies not only to the Christmas season but to life all year long. May you carry this with you into 2026!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

 Most people know this song because of Andy Williams and rightfully so.  His version is probably the most famous and it is very well done.  It does not seem like Christmas without hearing it.  In later years, Amy Grant put out a version that gets a lot of radio time, and it is good as well. This version, by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, I was less familiar with.  I was listening to one of my Christmas records and this was on it.  When I first started listening to it, I thought it may be the New Christy Minstrels but it turned out to be Roy and Dale. I thought it charming and wanted to share.  I hope you enjoy it!

Star Carol - Peggy Lee

 I have always been intrigued by the story of jazz musician Alfred Burt and the Christmas carols he wrote as gifts for a small circle of friends during his lifetime.  Sadly, he would never know their popularity as he passed away before many of them became considered holiday classics.  The Star Carol from 1954 is one of my favorites.  It is a hauntingly beautiful carol, and Peggy Lee gives a wonderful interpretation.  Enjoy!

Silver and Gold - Vanessa Williams

 Of course, we all know this Christmas song from the Bass/Rankin special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  It was sung by the narrator, Sam the Snowman, voiced by Burl Ives. And I love that version as it's the original, but I picked up one of Vanessa Williams's Christmas albums at the record store one afternoon and discovered this gem.  Her version is slower than the original, but I believe that it works for her.  She has a beautiful, rich voice and if you have not heard any of her Christmas recordings, I suggest that you do!

Lenox Jewels Nativity Set

 

I started collecting this nativity set about 10 years ago.  I had always wanted a nativity set of my own.  We had a beautiful one growing up. It was a ceramic set that Grandmother painted.  Bill has that set now.  Even though I would have loved to have it, I thought it only fair that if he wanted it, he should have it.  I have so many beautiful ceramic pieces that Grandmother painted specifically for me that I could let go of that.  Still, it is a beautiful set and holds many precious memories.  Still, I wanted one of my own.  I remembered seeing these pieces in gift shops and always thought they were wonderful.

I set out to build up my own set.  I did not want to buy an entire set at once because that would have been thousands of dollars.  There are so many pieces to this set.  So, I started small and am building my way to a complete set.  I started with the essentials:  Jesus, Mary & Joseph.  Oddly, while these are the most important pieces in the story of the nativity, they are also the cheapest to buy and easiest to find.  By the first Christmas I was displaying the nativity, I had acquired them along with the three kings.  It was small but simple.

Over the years, I have added a piece or two each year.  Sometimes I would get a piece for a Christmas or birthday present.  Thank you, Michael, for the camel! I cherish this set and enjoy finding pieces each year to add to it.  I have not gotten one yet this year but it's still early.  Like I said, there are so many pieces out there.  Many of the pieces are on the expensive side, so I have to find good sales, mostly on Ebay.  I don't mind if they are in their original box or not.  While I would prefer that, it is not necessary because it bumps the price up!!  But there are pieces like the camel master, the perfume seller and the woman with urn that are on my bucket list but like I said, they are on the higher end of the price range.

Woman with Urn - Not in my collection...yet!

Anyway, I love putting this on display.  You will see pictures here over the years of the different places I have put the set out.  And I love the tradition of having this set and adding to it piece by piece.  I'm making my own Christmas memories!

That Holiday Feeling! - Steve & Eydie

 I love this Christmas song and have it on several albums.  It is the title track from Steve & Eydie's 1964 album of holiday songs.  Both Steve & Eydie have amazing voices, and I highly recommend this album.  This song appears on several albums that I have, mostly compilation albums put out by companies, but it is always a fun, jolly song!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 I always start my Christmas blogs with this beautiful song.  It is definitely in my top five Christmas songs, both sacred and secular. The first time I remember hearing this was on an episode of Fame.  Debbie Allen was seated at a piano and played and sang the song.  I just loved it.  And then, of course, when I finally saw Meet Me in St. Louis, I was blown away by Judy Garland's performance of it.  That entire scene is amazing and if you have never seen the movie, I highly recommend it.  This is one of those songs that means more and more the older I get.  Let us all take its message to heart and carry it into this holiday season because we could all use a merry little Christmas now.