That's... what I thought you said. Get in the car

We are going out to get a real tree today. I'll share all about it when we get back. Until then enjoy these...

....I'm not color blind either.

Thanksgiving is over, and It's officially The Christmas Season!!! It's time to start giving this blog's namesake some due! Lets take a look at one of my favorite scenes from my favorite Christmas movie. Enjoy!

Mikey

The Old Man gathered up the sad remains of his shattered Major Award

In honor of Black Friday, here are some vintage Christmas
Print advertisements. The song is Holiday On Skis preformed by Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani. It's available for download right here along with 4 other songs from my Christmas mix. Enjoy!!!

Mere child's play compared to what surely awaited me.

Happy Turkey Day!!!!! It's time for me to hit the Scotch Eggs while the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade plays in the background. let's look at some past years highlights....


Rick Astley????????




Can we please have more like this?!?!?!

Don't leave, come back! Come back! Don't leave me, come back!

Tomorrow is Turkey Day and all across this great land of ours, people are taking Planes, Trains, and Automobiles to the Thanksgiving feast. Hopefully it is nothing like this...

I am very excited to start cooking tonight and tomorrow morning. Lots of pressure for The Scotch Eggs! Anyway, I'm not & I'm sure you are not spending the day before Thanksgiving in a kitchen like this, with company like this, but it would kinda be fun.


I have a lot to do today, so I'll keep this one short. Have safe travels today kids!!!!

That son of a bitch would freeze up in the middle of summer on the equator!

Watched A Christmas Story last night with my roommates Travis & Ryan. I swear Ryan is Ralphie's grown up twin! Anyway, I am really in the Christmas mood today! My parents fly in tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving with me, and I went shopping today for the big meal. Our fridge and cupboards are now stocked with holiday delight!



So as I sit here blogging with a glass of nog in hand while Mr. Johnny Mathis sings Silver Bells to me, I am thinking of just how thankful I am to be surrounded by family and friends who show me love. I know this is a Christmas blog, but I am so very excited for Thursday. Besides, Thanksgiving is just like Christmas without the presents!

Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at it's zenith....

As another gift to you, here is a free download of O Holy Night preformed by Red Letter Agent. Enjoy!!!

I have since heard of people under extreme duress speaking in strange tongues.

Enjoy some more magical Christmas moments....

Hey Dad! I bet you never guess what I got you for Christmas!

As an early Christmas present, I am giving you the first 5 songs on my Christmas mix!!! Just click on the song titles to download...


Holiday On Skis - Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani


Sleigh Ride - Lenny Dee


Frosty The Snowman - Esquivel



Santa's Got A Brand New Bag - The Hollyridge Strings


Beatnik's Wish - Patsy Raye & the Beatniks

Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat!

Got a few Christmas DVDs in the mail from Netflix today! Gonna try and watch at least one of them tonight if my roommates will humor me. I can't wait to watch Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special "A Colbert Christmas-The Greatest Gift of All". It was a highlight of last years yuletide viewing. Enjoy a clip....




A Colbert Christmas: Colbert/Costello Duet

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

I can't get up. I can't get up! I can't get uuup!

Took a trip to the grocery store yesterday to see if I could find some Christmas candles. My search was not a success, as I am very picky about my aromas. I did however pick up a case of Sam Adams Winter Classics Variety Pack. I remember getting one of these bad boys last year for my Christmas party, but as in many a festive celebrations, everyone had sampled the best ones before I could try them, but that's being a fantastic host! anyway. I thought I would pick up another for me and my roommates to enjoy. Here is what you get in the box:

2 Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale
2 Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic
2 Samuel Adams Holiday Porter
2 Samuel Adams Winter Lager
2 Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat
2 Samuel Adams Boston Lager

First things first, Samuel Adams Boston Lager & Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat are NOT WINTER BREWS!!!! Jip!!! Does this sound like Christmas: Coastal Wheat beer is a twist on the Hefeweizen style. Brewed with Eureka and Lisbon varieties of lemon that balance the character of the malt blend, resulting in a crisp wheat beer with subtle lemon aroma and flavor. Anyway, they are good beers.

I have been a big fan of The Winter Lager for a long time. The Holiday Porter is a great dark beer.

Old Fezziwig is not just fun to say, but it is really tasty! Comprised of deep malt character ranging from sweeter toffee and caramel notes to the darker, roasty chocolate notes. Cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel are added to add to the taste of the holiday season.

The worst is the Cranberry Lambic, a Belgian-style fruit beer that draws its flavor not just from the cranberries it is brewed with, but also from the unique fermentation character imparted by a rare wild yeast strain. The result is a flavor rich in fruitiness and reminiscent of cranberries, bananas, cloves, and nutmeg. The yeast fermentation also creates a slight sourness on the sides of the palate, a signature of the original Belgian lambics. Just to sweet!

There are enough good beers in the box for the price, and it is a fantastic set to bring to a Holiday party!

A fuse blew and I had gone out of my skull.

Speaking of nog, here is a classic from two years ago....

Be sure to drink your Ovaltine. Ovaltine?! A crummy commercial?!

Your first sip of eggnog of the season is always a good sign that you have given into the holiday spirit. Just like Christmas music, it fills my heart with nostalgic Christmas memories. However, I have always bought my nog from the store. This year I will actually be making my very own batch.

This is what you will need:

3 cups whole milk
7 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup bourbon
1/3 cup Cognac or other brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla

Special equipment: an instant-read thermometer
Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg


This is what you do:

Bring milk just to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl, then add hot milk in a slow stream, whisking. Pour mixture into saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture registers 170°F on thermometer, 6 to 7 minutes.

Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into cleaned large bowl and stir in cream, bourbon, brandy, and vanilla. Cool completely, uncovered, then chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 24.

Enjoy!

HOOOO... HOOO... HOO... And what's your name little boy?

Thanksgiving is one week from today!!! Let us take a look at a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from days gone by...

It was his true medium; a master.

Then....

& Now...

The heavenly aroma still hung in the house

Thanksgiving is one week from tomorrow, and for most folks (excluding your humble narrator), it is the official kick off to the Christmas Season. This year I will be giving thanks at The Templeton residence. James & Natasha Templeton are opening their home to me, my Parents, and my roommate Travis (T-Bone, Buzz Saw, whatever you chose to call him). It is going to be a wonderful day filled with amazing food. Even though my mother will be doing most of the cooking, We are all going to do at least one dish. My contribution will be none other than the legendary Scotch Egg. I'm sure it is not typical Turkey Day fair, but I am convinced it will be a perfect pre-meal/Thanksgiving Parade watchin' treat!

I had heard of the mythical Scotch Egg for many years, but only have recently experienced it's goodness. In fact, not only have I experienced it's goodness, but I am now a master of it's creation! Yea, I recently had a Scotch Egg party with my gal-pals Kristin & Gabby. A Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in ground sausage coated in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried. FOOD COMA GOODNESS.

Here is what you will need:

1 pound bulk sausage meat

3 tablespoons minced fresh chives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

5 cups fresh breadcrumbs

1 cup all purpose flour

6 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled

Vegetable oil (for deep-frying)

Here is what you do:

Mix sausage, chives, and parsley in medium bowl to blend. Whisk egg and mustard in bowl to blend. Place breadcrumbs in large bowl. Place flour in another bowl. Roll 1 hard-boiled egg in flour. Using wet hands, press 1/3 cup sausage mixture around egg to coat. Brush egg with mustard mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs, covering completely and pressing to adhere. Place Scotch egg on plate. Repeat with remaining eggs. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Add enough oil to heavy large saucepan to reach depth of 1 1/2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 325°F. Add 3 prepared eggs to oil; fry until sausage is cooked through and coating is deep brown, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer eggs to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining 3 eggs. Slice in half and serve warm.

You can add different spices and herbs if you feel the spirit leading you. I believe I will make a hollandaise sauce to drizzle over the eggs...maybe...I'll let you know.

Here is a picture of me enjoying my eggs at the Scotch Egg party. Eye shutting goodness!

Enjoy!

Dadgummit! Blow out!

I'm back, and finally getting back into full Christmas cheer! It's been a crazy year for me, but I know This is gonna be a fantastic Holiday season!

This year's blog will not be a repeat of last years posts, but you can expect the same exciting yule extravaganza that I brought last year. That means crazy music, recipes, movie & television clips, and so much more. Keep coming back, I will not let you down!