My Favorite Holidays
When I was a very little girl back in the early 50's, I was so entranced by Christmas decorations, particularly the lights and the trees,
that I kept trying to talk everyone I could find into decorating year round. Artificial trees had not reached the sophisticated levels they have now, but I was quite sure that large empty tree limbs could be cleaned, spray painted, secured in heavy pots,
and fill in quite nicely for everlasting year-round trees. I envisioned red and white lights for Valentine's Day,
green and white for St. Patrick's Day, and pastel lights for Easter.
All sorts of seasonal decorations could be created to enable us to enjoy each holiday
in the most resplendent form imaginable.
Everyone ~ EVERYONE ~ assured me that the concept would never fly, and furthermore,
we shouldn't even attempt it lest we be deemed mad.
As it turns out, time has vindicated me. I was merely way ahead of my time.
Signs of the
Seasons Spice Up One Yard
By Rodger Mullen, Staff columnist, The
Fayetteville Observer
Ramblin' with Rodger, January
26, 2004:
The holidays never end for Ruby Hott.
Her neighbors in the Kinwood area, north of Fayetteville,
can tell what occasion is being celebrated just by looking at her front yard.
Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving - Ruby
and her husband, Harlan,
dress up their home and yard for all of them.
When I stopped by Ruby's house on Lofton Drive, it was all decked out for
Valentine's Day,
with hearts, flowers and lots of red and white lights.
"As soon as we take this down, we'll be putting up St. Patrick's stuff,'' she
said.
Ruby said she and her husband have been decorating year-round for more than a
decade.
Harlan does most of the heavy lifting; Ruby tells him where she wants everything
to go.
The Hotts also have an indoor Christmas tree they keep up all year.
They change the ornaments to reflect the theme of whatever holiday is coming up.
Ruby said she likes to see the faces of the children who come by to look at her
decorations.
Last Christmas, she and her family handed out more than 500 cups of hot cocoa
and candy canes.
Her son dressed up as Santa Claus for the occasion.
Ruby said in the past 10 years, she's only missed decorating for one holiday.
Her neighbors noticed.
"Believe me, you hear about it if you don't do it,'' she said.
See??? Whad' I tell ya?!?
Christmas December 25 |
By far and away my favorite holiday is, was, and always shall be Christmas. I love everything about Christmas.
To one degree or another, I even love the things about Christmas that seem to disturb most people.
I love Christmas decorations, carols, and lights, Santa Claus and snowmen.
I love Christmas trees, cookies and snow.
I love Christmas caroling and concerts, cantatas and church services.
I love the whole family near and elegant feasts and dressing up and parties.
I love pretty displays and opening presents.
I love the Hallelujah Chorus and Perry Como singing Ave Maria.
I love all the holiday specials and cartoons and old Christmas movies on TV.
Sometimes I even love shopping for presents, though I'd usually prefer to make them myself.
Most of all I love the warmth and love, and the reading of the Second Chapter of Luke
by the
magical lights of the tree when the feasting
and the gift exchange is done.
I prefer to put up my decorations on St. Nicholas Day (December 6), and take them down on Epiphany (January 6),
as was the custom in Colonial Virginia.
Christmas 1953 - A Memory | The Old Rusty Faucet - Another Memory |
Updated 12/26/03 | Updated 12/26/03 |
Must See Christmas Movies | ||
1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) **** 2. A Christmas Carol (1938) **** 3. A Christmas Carol (1995) 4. A Christmas Story (1983) **** 5. Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) *** 6. The Santa Clause (1994) *** |
7. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) *** 8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) **** 9. Miracle on 34th Street (1994) 10. White Christmas (1954) *** 11. Scrooge (1951) **** |
12. Home Alone (1990) *** 13. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 14. Scrooged (1988) 15. Prancer (1989) 16. A Christmas Without Snow (TV: 1980) |
(Move your mouse over the document to find the hidden lyrics!) |
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Let Us Keep Christmas
Whatever else be lost among
the years,
Wealth may have taken wings, yet
still there are
And there are home-sweet rooms
where laughter rings, - Grace Noll Crowell, 1950
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All My Heart This Night Rejoices All my heart this night rejoices, As I hear, far and near, Hark! A voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
Come, then, let us hasten yonder; Here let all, Great and small, ~ Paul Gerhardt (1607-1976) Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)
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"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale
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Halloween Party 1971 |
Wednesday, October 31, 1973 |
Thursday, October 31, 1974 |
Wednesday, October 26, 1975 |
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Cape Girardeau, MO Vampire Paul and Witch Carol |
605 Mechaw Drive A Colonial Family Paul - age 30 |
605 Mechaw Drive Superheroes Superman Randolph - 4 -1/2 months |
605 Mechaw Drive Ghosts Brent - age 3-1/2 |
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Wednesday, October 26, 1975 |
Sunday, October 31, 1976 |
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605 Mechaw Drive Dutch "Daughter" and Mother Randolph - age 16 months |
52 Linn Drive British Soldiers and Colonials Lewis - age 6 |
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October 26, 1984 | ||||
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3215 Monument Avenue, Mickey Mouse Nathaniel - age 5 |
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October 1986 | October 25, 1991 | |||
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Litchfield, IL French Nobilty Nathaniel - age 7 |
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501 Hillsboro
Street Old Lady Nathaniel - age 12 |
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October 29, 2001 | October 30, 2001 | October 31, 2001 | ||
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Oregon Pumpkin Emeline - age six weeks |
Oregon Pumpkin Emeline - age six weeks |
Oregon Cow Tommy - age almost 2 Darth Maul Jacob - age 4 |
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Once again, even after the important religious aspect aside, we are left with two of my favorite things: new clothes and candy. With Easter, you even add bunnies (my favorite animal) to the scenario. What could be better? The earth is turning green again; spring flowers are beginning to burst forth - the loveliest time of year!
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A thorough account of Easter may be found at these links:
Holiday Music by Rudolf
Schenker
"Holiday" lyrics
courtesy of
http://www.daily-lyrics-4all.net/Holiday_Lyrics.html - 01/15/04
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