I'm Dreaming...

...of a White (pre-)Christmas...because according to the forecast, this is as close as we're gonna get this year.

Supposed to be in the 40's much of next week...looks like another green one headed our way.

But that's ok because I did have lunch with Santa Claus this past week...

...and not only did he pay for my lunch, he also delivered my Christmas / birthday gift early...

...and that my friends is the good stuff right there...thank you, Larry!

He's def one of the good guys.

So we've finally arrived at the Winter Solstice...

...a double edged sword to be sure.

On one hand, it is the start of winter, something about which I'm not happy...but...for those of you who like to stroll on the sunny side of the street...

...it's also when the days start getting longer...and it's been pretty dark and dreary 'round these parts, so more daylight is definitely welcome.

In fact Karen and I were so happy we built a snowman...

...or at the very least, we took that pic of a snowman we saw on TV...and even if we didn't actually build one, we did put one up in our backyard...

...and that's about as excited as I'm gonna get about winter.

Can it be Spring now please?

My fave coffee shop here in Holland participated in the Marine Corp Toys For Tots program...

...way to go, Joe 2 Go!  Not only do they brew a great cup of java, they're good folks with a big heart.

Lately Karen and I have been watching / catching up on an Amazon Prime series...

...the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

It's delightfully mid century modern and thoroughly Jewish, both of which I totally enjoy.

However, it is also profane at times, and occasionally gratuitously so...

...something I do not enjoy.  To date that's the one black mark against it.

Overall the show is very well written with high production values and interesting (and at times historically accurate) characters...so that part is right up my alley.

Costumes, hairstyles, sets, automobiles, home decor and especially the music - all spot on accurate for the late 1950's, so it's a ton of fun to immerse ourselves in that era.

And the acting is truly first rate.

Rachel Brosnahan is superb as the main character, "Midge" Maisel, and she has a fantastic supporting cast:

Michael Zegen is her estranged husband, Alex Borstein is the Gaslight club manager, Tony Shalhoub is her brilliant mathematician father, Marin Hinkle is her prim and proper mother, and Kevin Pollack and Caroline Aaron are her in-laws.

There have been 3 seasons already so we're late to the party just like we were with Downton Abbey...and it's been renewed for a 4th.

We're also just into episode 6 of season 1 and we're NOT binge watching, so we'll see how things go.

Hoping it doesn't lose focus and run off the rails like Mad Men did after several seasons.

So far so good, and if you haven't seen this yet, you def should give it a look.

A stroll through the Christmas Crib on the way out the door...

Sir Kitschalot standing guard in his Christmas garb...

shadow play in the morning sun...

in the warming house children lace their skates...

love how the tree glitters in the morning sunshine...

another view just because I like it...

<insert faskinatin' caption here...>

Karen's tree and yep, Charlie Brown's next to it...

Karen's snowman counting down the days...she won't be happy about the background but that's the aftermath of cooking a delicious custard pie so it's ok...

a panograph of the courtyard so the curve is actually backwards...

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

later, mcm fans...

Cyber Week...

...has come and gone...and so far, so good...

We're not counting our Christmas Chickens before they've hatched...

...but those Christmas chickens do sorta look like they have already hatched...and to be honest I've forgotten where I was going with this...so now might be a dandy time to create a distraction...

...and move on...

Here are a couple of earlier versions of the famous Tin Lizzie...the 1912s in particular caught my eye...

...the blue one is a Touring model and the red one is a Runabout with a pickup bed.

Which one do you like?  I think I'm partial to the blue Touring model.

However I won't be rushing out to buy one right away...Ol' Blue is for sale at the bargain basement price of $45,900.

Li'l Red?  Another 10 grand will make you the proud owner of...yep, $55,900.

Someday, mebbe...

In case you've been wondering...yes...it IS just about time to Panic...

...less than 2 weeks until the big day.

Have you put the tree up?

Finished decorating yet?

Gone gift shopping?  Wrapped them?

Sent out those Christmas cards you told yourself you'd do this year?

Christmas cards from the RetroChristmasCardCompany

Sang enough Christmas carols?

Drank the requisite amount of hot chocolate with peppermint candy canes?

Been kissed under the mistletoe by that special someone?

Let's face it, you're probably way behind in the Holly and Jolly department, but never fear...to cheer you up in your losing struggle, we now present the winning entry of our annual and world famous Christmas Poetry Contest! *

* winner was chosen at random from entries submitted by people who author a blog entitled Atomic Monster Cafe

Enjoy!  No, seriously...do it...

'Twas (less than) 2 Weeks Before Christmas...

...and every mouse,

had fled frozen fields

for the warmth of my house.

My wife found their droppings

and said “I'm not pleased,

to think that these varmints

are taking their ease

“inside my warm dwelling;

this outrage won't stand!

What will you do?”

Then I raised my hand...

“These mice, they are finished!

Kaput and kersplatz!

No way they'll survive,

for we have three cats!”

And then we beheld

our fat felines, all three:

Kitty,

and Zoey,

and the useless Smokey.

Disciples of Garfield,

were these pointless creatures,

with sleeping and eating

their dominant features.

No help would be coming

from those worthless saps,

so I scrounged all around

til I found an old trap.

And later that night,

before mice came a-creeping,

I set the cruel deadfall

then got busy sleeping.

So early next 'morn,

at dawn's early light,

I sprang from my bed
to find what I might.

But what did my wondering
eyes finally see,
but a clean, empty trap
and a note left for me:

"Thanks for the cheese,

but what would be better,

instead of old muenster,

could we have fresh cheddar?"

"And what's with this platter?"
my mousy pals asked.

"We might have been killed

if we hadn't been fast!"

'Twas then that I thought
of the great Robert Burns

and his famous lament
to a mouse that he turned

Out of warm hearth and home
as he plowed in his field.

Did I want to partake

in his life time of guilt?

The best laid plans
it is easy to see,

Gang aft agley

and I think you'll agree

There was nothing to do
but give them their cheddar.

After all, it was Christmas,

and what could be better

Than showing the love

God has for His swarm,

by letting them stay

inside where it's warm?

Then out went the trap
in the cold, winter, night;

we're quite overrun

but I guess it's alright.

So to quoth from St. Nick

on his annual flight,

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a Good Night!

(original artwork by Diane Dempsey, RetroChristmasCardCompany)

We are officially at the terminus of this edition of the Atomic Monster Cafe...

...but I don't want to hear any whining...we already established you're way behind on your Christmas duties, so chop chop!

Get out there and get Merry!

later, mcm fans...