Just in time for the holidays come Bittersweets.  Not everyone is happy and in love on Valentine’s Day.  I would guess that most people are sad and lonely.  This candy is for those individuals.  Why pretend to be happy.  Tell people how you really feel. 

One of my favorite Christmas movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Two years ago I dressed as Cousin Eddie. I was looking for a moose mug to carry around. I found some but the prices for the mugs were out of this world. Finally I can have my moose mugs and they are reasonably priced.

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) has released their list of top 25 Holiday Songs.  I can’t really say any bad things about the list.  I agree with almost all of their choices.  These are the usual classic songs you hear around Christmas.  There are not a lot of newer songs and there aren’t many novelty songs.  Grandma Got Runover By a Reindeer thankfully is not on the list. 

1. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie)
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells)
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin)
4. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith)
5. White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
6. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow(Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne)
7. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram)
8. Jingle Bell Rock(Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe)
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Johnny Marks)
10. Little Drummer Boy(Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone)
11. Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish)
12. Silver Bells (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans)
13. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year(Edward Pola, George Wyle)
14. Feliz Navidad(Jose Feliciano)
15. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Johnny Marks)
16. Blue Christmas (Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson)
17. Frosty The Snow Man (Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins)
18. A Holly Jolly Christmas (Johnny Marks)
19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Tommie Connor)
20. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)(Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman)
21. (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays (Bob Allen, Al Stillman)
22. Santa Baby(Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer)
23. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas(Meredith Willson)
24. Carol of the Bells(Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich)
25. Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)

I have a pickle ornament on my tree.  I don’t have any kids to search for it but I like the idea of hanging a pickle from my Christmas Tree.  The Christmas pickle is supposed to have originated in Germany.  As the story goes the pickle was the last ornament placed on the Christmas Tree. On the day the gifts were opened the child that found the pickle ornament was given another special gift. There is some debate around the origin of that story. I don’t care one way or the other. A cool ornament is a cool ornament. You can check out the Christmas Pickle story here.  If you need your own Christmas pickle ornament just do a google search. There are plenty of places selling them.

Christmas is a time for you to do things together with your friends and family. If you like making things you should try origami. You can make all sorts of paper figures items like Christmas Trees and reindeer. This would be a great family holiday project. You don’t need any special items just some paper and your hands. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

A Christmas Story is one of my favorite Christmas movies.  One of my favorite scenes is when the “major award” gets delivered.  I have wanted a leg lamp for years.  I just haven’t had the extra money to go an buy it.  I want the soft glow of electric sex shining for everyone to see from my front window.  Instead of putting out the Christmas lights I would put out the leg lamp.  Mrs. Mai Tai is not crazy about the idea but I tell her it is only a seasonal display and would not be up year round.  She is not 100% on board but when I tell her it is either the lamp or a Red Ryder BB Gun I think she will come around.  There is almost no way I can shoot my eye out with a leg lamp.

Now that Halloween is over it is start time to prepare for Thanksgiving.  How about making an origami turkey for the table?  Here is a site that will teach you to fold your very own Thanksgiving Turkey.  I don’t know how well I would do with this.  I have trouble making paper airplanes.  I would probably be better off tracing my hand and making that into a turkey. 

Who can help you with your last minute Halloween costume?  Microsoft can.  That’s right I said Microsoft.  They have directions on their site on how to make your  own Halloween mask.  The instructions are all on the site.  If you have waited until the last minute check it out.  You can also download the most recent security patches while you are there. 

Happy Halloween

If you have run out of Halloween ideas check out the DIY Network.  It has plenty of DIY projects.  Everything from costumes, home decor and pumpkin carving .  If you are looking for ideas check out the site.  As for me I am all set for Halloween.