Tuesday, December 23, 2014

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES...SELFIES...AND WISHING ALL THE MOST WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON EVER!...

Hi, All,

Well, with Christmas Eve less than twenty four hours away, I just can't help doing a cheery HOLIDAY POST!

I know I haven't blogged much this past month, BUT, you all know why and it's not because I don't adore all of you, I was moving...YUK. But I finally have time to blog, visit and send out loving wishes for this most festive and most holy season.

Since we are all part of the same universe, many of you may be celebrating other festivities and I wish you all the happiest season. But one thing they all have in common is sharing with our family, friends, and to those less fortunate. LOVE is UNIVERSAL after all and by spreading it all over the globe, someday there may be a peaceful world. One can only pray and hope.

I'd also like to take a moment to take a moment to send warm thoughts and healing ones to those who are ill. Every day I hear of another friend's family member stricken with cancer or some other life threatening disease. I BELIEVE in the power of prayer and good wishes. I've seen the results first hand! So keep on sending them to those who really need it.

As I cruised the blogosphere yesterday and came across some very fun hops and even though I may be late, I'd like to share a few of them with you!

First, the coolest and most insane one of us, Tammy Theriault is asking us to post a SELFIE in front of our Christmas trees. Well I had to wait until last night to get a decent one of me and my tree.

The second one, I thought was wonderful and is from two newer blogger buddies of mine. Cherdo and Janie Junebug, MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY...

Janie's memory, in particular, left a huge lump in my throat. It's the true meaning of this season... Please drop by their blogs and read their stories!

Here's mine...

Cherdo was telling us about her memories of her great grandmother, and that got me to thinking of mine... (grandmother that is...)

I only knew my mom's mom and she died when I was only nine. BUT, I remember her vividly. Spunky, fun, and THE BEST COOK EVER! Nothing like have an Italian grandmother. Talk about amazing food and baked goodies. And and always had custard creme in the fridge...always. Homemade, sweet, delicious, yellow creme ready to spread on a cookie or cracker...

My favorite Christmas memory with her was in 1968...I believe. I was only seven, but I remember the brand, new RCA COLOR TV. She had left two puppets on her marbled laminated coffee table.(Scary 60's furniture... lol) She sat my brothers and me down in front of the TV and switched it on. An advertisement for RUDOLF THE RED NOSED REINDEER flashed brilliantly across the screen. WHOA! I thought... SUCH BRIGHT COLORS! It was my first time seeing TV in color. 

Imagine that! Kids today couldn't even fathom that thought!LOL. 

Then I looked down at the puppets...ONE Santa...ONE Rudolph! That was my first time ever watching it and it has been my favorite ever since.

Well, there you have it... what was is your favorite HOLIDAY memory? We'd all LOVE to know...

On a final note, I'd want to wish all of YOU, the HAPPIEST, HEALTHIEST, and MOST WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON and may 2015 be your best year EVER!

ALL THE BEST MY FRIENDS! SENDING OUT CYBER HUGS TO YOU ALL!!!!!

And now for my selfie..... I have a new addition to my Christmas collection and it's debuting in my new digs.... Check out my snoopy! He's about four feet tall sitting on his doghouse decorating his tree!











39 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Your tree looks great!
Yes kids, black and white televisions. We really did watch them.
And prayer really does work.
Glad you're settled in time for the holidays. Have a Blessed Christmas, Michael!

Anonymous said...

So nice to be in your new home for the holidays. Best wishes to you and yours.

Robin said...

I apologize for not keeping up better, Michael! How did I miss the news of your move???? Did you decide to move south or are you still living in the cold, cold north???

I don't remember the change from B&W to color, but I do remember the joy of the remote control. Remember when you had to get up to change the channel (and then there were only three!)?

I remember my grandma telling me what Christmas was like for her as a child (of the Great Depression). She told me that her big present was an orange. I remember having difficulty wrapping my mind around that idea.... and it's still tough.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Have a very Merry Christmas, Michael! That's a lovely tree, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday in your new digs.

Anonymous said...

Happy Christmas Michael, most enjoyable to read. Good luck in your new surroundings.........I'm still looking.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I think we all have some wonderful Christmas memories, but I wish for you that THIS Christmas in your new digs will create some of your best memories ever. All the best in 2015.

Chrys Fey said...

Lovely read! Your Christmas tree looks amazing! Mine looks rather raggedy thanks to my cats. They just won't leave it alone! I have to take it apart tomorrow and fix it before family comes over for our Christmas Eve party. So I won't be taking a selfie with mine.

Merry Christmas, Michael! I wish you nothing but the best for 2015. :)

dolorah said...

Awesome selfie, and what a beautiful Christmas memory. I remember our first color TV, and the first remote TV, and watching Rudolf when it first came out. So glad you are settling in and putting up your familiar favorites. And something new.

I don't have a Christmas tree this year, the cat would shred it. Maybe next year I'll be able to collect some ornaments and figurines and such. I'm such a BahHumbug at Christmas.

Still, I'm sending best wishes for Christmas and New Years to you. Glad to see things are going so well for you Michael.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

A truly lovely Christmas memory, Michael. And to be done with moving!! That is a great gift in itself. Your Christmas tree is beautiful. I have a Snoopy, too. He's four feet tall, wearing a Santa Suit, ringing a bell like the Salvation Army. He stands before my door to greet me when I stagger in from work.

My own Christmas tree stays up year round: a Charlie Brown Christmas Special Tree, complete with music is should so desire.

May this holiday and New Year be the start of a fantastic run of luck and the Father's Blessings for you!! Roland

Jo said...

I'm impressed that not only are you in your new home, you had time to sort out your Christmas tree and decorations. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too and cyber hugs from me.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Enjoy your beautiful tree and have a wonderful merry holiday season. Can't imagine how you moved and created marvelous decorations all at the same time. Thanks so much for being a fan of my art!

Wishing you a super and healthy new year!

Robyn Campbell said...

Michael, Hugs back to you along with a lot of love. Your grandmother must have been some kind of gal. Love your tree and your beautiful face. Thanks for sharing. I'm thankful you're settled in. Prayer. I live in it daily. It WORKS! P.S. We had a black and white. Hehehe.

Cherdo said...

That was lovely! What a sweet memory - and your selfie is not too shabby, either! Christmas decorations are fun - thanks for sharing yours. Merry Christmas, dear, and God bless. Enjoy the holiday!

erica and christy said...

Merry Christmas, Michael. Prayer is powerful and we should always cherish our sweet memories. <3 Christy

Anonymous said...

I do believe in the power of prayer. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Arn't Nanas the best! I am in my sixties and I still have memories of my mom's mom giving us goodies.
You are so right about today's children not being able to enjoy simpler things. Among a lot of advantages of technology this is one disadvantage.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Stephanie Faris said...

Great selfie! And I loved your Christmas memory. It seems as we get older, we all wish we'd been able to get to know our grandparents more.

Ella said...

Merry Christmas! I have tried twice to comment-strange! I love your memory~ I remember how color changed our world-it was amazing. You have an artist's heart and this move and all that has happened is for a reason-I am happy for you! Cheers to 2015-I look forward to blogging again and see what creative path you take!

Michelle Wallace said...

I hope you had a wonderful & blessed day yesterday, Michael!

...and I remember that I had just started high school when tele landed on our shores... I remember the black and white TV.
Here's to a prosperous 2015, may it be filled with all sorts of goodness & creativity!
(((Ubuntu Hugz)))

Connie said...

I enjoyed your Christmas memory. I remember the first time seeing a color TV too. It was at my aunt and uncle's house, and we saw the Wizard of Oz. The part where it went from black and white to color during the movie seemed like magic to me. :) I hope you had a nice Christmas. Your tree looks great! Wishing you the best throughout the holiday season.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael .. here's to your new future and happiness in your new surroundings - it does sound as though you've made some good choices, and things are working out for you ... lovely selfie and tree and Snoopy .. 4 foot of him! Fun ... have a great last few days of the this year and the holiday season ... and all the very best for next year - health and happiness ... cheers Hilary

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Loved this post, Michael, especially the part about love being universal. Beautifully stated! I heard about Tammy's selfie fest...too funny & quite original. Wonderful Christmas memory. They are so precious. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Suzi said...

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I remember many Christmases with my Grandma. Many family at their old farmhouse. She's been gone for about 9 years now, but she lived to be 105 and was amazing right until the end.

Happy New Year too since that's almost here! :)

Julie Flanders said...

Love your tree and the Snoopy. Great picture, Michael. And I loved reading about your favorite memory, brought back some memories of my own. :)
I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and I wish you a very Happy 2015!

D.G. Hudson said...

Best Wishes for 2015 Michael! Get over that flu. I've had a busy past 5-6 months too, as hubs was in the hospital during that time. He's now home, and my time is very restricted, as we arrange to move and get on with his recovery. Yet I'm thinking how I can fit writing in there somehow. Take care of yourself!

Unknown said...

What a great selfie! You look so happy and your tree is gorgeous. I also enjoyed your memories of your grandmother. I'm wishing you and yours a wonderful 2015!

Yolanda Renée said...

Any Christmas memory with grandma is a wonderful one! I remember the goodies too, so very many. Along with all the baked goods were the nuts and fruits, tangerines, my favorite! As a child the anticipation, the trees and lights, all magical and something we all try to emulate for our own families. Love the selfie, your smile says it all!
Wishing you all the best this exciting New Year!

VR Barkowski said...

What I remember about color TVs—and I just thought about this recently—is how you had to constantly adjust the tone and saturation so the actors didn't look green, blue, or sunburned. I'm not even sure there is a tone or saturation control on my digital flat screen. LOL!

Growing up in California, I don't remember a single Christmas when it wasn't sunny. I was inevitably outside doing whatever I normally did on a day off, and so Christmas always seemed a little anti-climatic. Christmas Eve was the big event in my house. An enormous family and friends get-together, and we'd all open our gifts. And because it was dark outside, I could almost imagine it was winter and snowing. :)

Love your tree and Snoopy, Michael. Hope Galena was beautiful and fun. Now it's time to get ready because 2015 is going to be AWESOME!

Here's to a brilliant new year!

VR Barkowski

David P. King said...

Glad that moving process is over! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and will have a very Happy New Year, Michael.

Michelle Wallace said...

Happy New Year, Michael!

Denise Covey said...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Michael. I haven't been blogging, so your visit nudged me to see if you'd posted. I'm glad you still have your tree after the move...priorities, right? See you in2015!

Denise

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Michael, hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New year to you.
Loved your favourite holiday memory.
Btw..you look super in the picture. Hugs.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Michael!!! Great selfi with your tree and Snoopy!

DMS said...

I hope the move went well! Your tree looks great and Snoopy is awesome. A great selfie :) Wishing you a Happy New Year!
~Jess

mshatch said...

Ooh, your tree is so bright and shiny! I love it :)

Empty Nest Insider said...

Hi Michael, I'm sorry that I didn't see this sooner. Great story about your grandma, and I love your selfie! Your Christmas tree looks beautiful, and Snoopy is absolutely adorable! Speaking of adorable, what a fantastic photo of you! I hope you're enjoying your lovely new place, and I wish you good health and happiness in the New Year!

Julie

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cleemckenzie said...

Some are just better at selfies than others. Yours is great. Mine scared the neighbor's dog.

Happy New Year, Michael. My your new year see you comfy in your space, healthy and happy.

S.P. Bowers said...

I hope your move went well and that your new year is starting off perfect!