Monday, 22 March 2021

MUSIC IN SPACE

Round the world they go

In nineteen sixty-five

Orbiting the earth

So high up in the sky

 

Dashing round the world

Above the earth they race

Jingle Bells the song, was

The first one played in space

 

O Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way.
Oh! What fun it is to ride

In a spaceship far away hey

 

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ALL I WANT IS CHRISTMAS (2012)

Ira J. Finkelstein (Elijah Nelson) is a Christmas obsessed Jewish boy.

He's seen every Christmas movie ever made and his dreams are filled with reindeer, sleigh rides and of course, snow.

The problem is, apart from the fact that Ira is Jewish is that at 11 years of age he feels that Christmas is passing him by and When Ira's hopes for a holiday vacation in Aspen are dashed, he hatches a plan to finally get the Christmas of his dreams.

When flying unaccompanied to visit his grandparents in sunny Florida, he swaps tickets with Mikey Amato (Justin Thomas Howell), another 11-year-old also flying unaccompanied on his way to Christmastown, WA.

But they not only trade airline tickets but places as well and Ira gets more than he bargained for when he experiences his first "White Christmas".

Elliott Gould and David DeLuise also star in this pleasant Christmas caper. 

BAUBLES

 

The Baubles we use to decorate our Christmas trees are representative of the Apples found on the Tree of Life in Paradise.

This is the popular belief even though the Bible doesn’t actually state that the tree of life was an apple tree.

To most people modern Baubles are not replicas of the fruit but are just colorful ornaments which reflect the light of candles and fairy lights and contribute to the festive spirit.

WHILE THE FAMILY SLUMBER

 

Myriad snowflakes fall

Flakes, infinite in number

Crystals of purest white

Settle while we slumber

 

Early the next morning

In the gloomy light

A pure white blanket

Was greeted with delight

 

The kids were excited but

The presents took their focus

For their parents it was magical

To have a White Christmas

ARTIFICIAL TREES

 

As so many Christmas innovations artificial trees originated in Germany towards the end of the 1800’s.

The trees were formed from Metal wire and covered with feathers Goose, Turkey, Ostrich or Swan and the feathers would be died green to imitate pine needles.

Then In the 1930's, the Addis Brush Company in America created the first artificial-brush trees.

They used the same machinery as that used to make their toilet brushes.

It was in 1950 that The Addis 'Silver Pine' tree was patented.

 

The tree was designed to have a revolving light source under it which would shine through colored gels casting different shades of light as it revolved beneath the tree.

Not a million miles away from the fiber optic trees we have today.

Friday, 19 March 2021

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (2013)

 

After being told by her boss that the company needs to attract more clients, Elizabeth (Melissa Sagemiller), a skilled executive, is also told she is to get unwanted help in the form of Robert (Brad Rowe), to grow the business.

Through the help of one of Santa’s helpers, Calvin the Elf (Martin Klebba), she is blessed with an extraordinary gift when she obtains a piece of jewelry that allows her to hear everyone’s unspoken thoughts.

It was intended to make her become more self-aware in order to find personal and professional fulfilment, but she uses it as a tool to gain new clients and get one up on Robert.

However, having first used her new-found power to get ahead at work, she soon learns to become a better person, and turns an office rivalry into romance while learning the true meaning of Christmas.

WASSAIL

 

Wassail, which was much liked by the English, accompanied hearty Christmas meals. 

The word 'wassail' dates back to the pre-Christian times and practices and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael which meant "be thou well" or "good health.

Originally, wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, nuts, eggs, and spices and it was served for the purpose of enhancing the general merriment of the season.

A toast was traditionally offered with a drink at regular intervals and normally with little or no reason.

It was important that after well-wishers had shared in the spirit of the toast and taken a sip that they top up the bowl.

The wassail bowl had to remain full of Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night

And much care was taken to ensure that it did in order to ensure the continuity of good cheer throughout this festive season.

The wassail bowl would be carried from room to room often accompanied by the singing of festive songs which is perhaps why the early practice of carol singing was referred to as ‘wassailing’.

Part of the Wassailing ritual was more concerned in seeing nature renew itself in the spring and the belief in its ability to magically bestow fertility on one and all.