Post #698: Christmas - Part II - Elvis Presley - "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" - Elvis' Christmas Album

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Today, I'm bringing you gifts in the form of two (2) posts... hope you enjoy... Part II:  

I was up bright and early this morning, and I was more than ready to embark on day two (2) of my solo Christmas celebrations (see Part I for an explanation).

I threw on the Elvis Presley Christmas-themed shirt that my sweet mother gifted me way back in October, and I started my morning off with a peppermint mocha flavored cafe au lait.

Of course, with my Elvis shirt on, I felt absolutely compelled to listen to Christmas carols sung by Elvis, and I also remembered that I needed to finish the Graceland portion of my trip scrapbook... so I did just that... and I now have one more project of mine completed... yay!!

Today, I really wanted to go all out on a Christmas dinner, but I wasn't too keen on a traditional turkey/ham/mashed potato kind of menu... so the best thing about a solo Christmas celebration is that you're pretty much in charge!! ;-)  Therefore, behold my Christmas dinner of Caeser salad, crab legs, creamed corn, and a baked potato... all washed down with more sparkling grape juice:

And don't you dare for one minute think that I scrimped on desserts... oh no no no --- check out this plate full of chocolate eclairs and baklava:

You don't have to believe me one bit, but I do have to add that this was one of the most amazing Christmases that I've had in years.  So much of our lives can be chalked up to what we make of them... I truly believe that.  I also believe that the secret to life that everyone is so desperately trying to discover is simply becoming your own best friend and learning to love yourself like no other... it has absolutely changed my life!!

Merry Christmas everyone... I hope that however you chose to celebrate brought you as much joy as mine did!  Tomorrow, it's back to fruits and veggies and broth... I must have gained ten (10) pounds in two (2) days... sheesh!!! :-)

Until next time...

XOXOXO
Anastasia

I don't need a lot of presents

To make my christmas bright

I just need my baby's arms

Wound around me tight

Oh oh Santa hear my plea

Santa bring my baby back to me

The christmas tree is ready

The candles all aglow

But with my baby far away

What good is mistletoe

Oh oh Santa, hear my plea

Santa bring my baby back to me

Please make these reindeer hurry

Well their time is drawing near

It sure won't seem like christmas

Until my baby's here

Fill my sock with candy

And a bright and shiny toy

You want to make me happy and fill my heart with joy

Then Santa, hear my plea

Santa bring my baby back to me

Please make these reindeer hurry

Well their time is drawing near

It sure won't seem like christmas

Until my baby's here

Fill my sock with candy

And a bright and shiny toy

You want to make me happy and fill my heart with joy

Then Santa, hear my plea

Santa bring my baby back to me

Then Santa, hear my plea

Santa bring my baby back to me

Post #697: Christmas - Part I - The Shangri-Las - "Out in the Streets" - England Is Mine Soundtrack

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Today, I'm bringing you gifts in the form of two (2) posts... hope you enjoy... Part I:  

So of course, most people have an idea of how a holiday should be celebrated, and more often than not, it includes being surrounded by family and loved ones and lots of food and festivities and gifts and what not... and I must agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that method of celebration!!

However, for others, that's not always possible.  Take for instance... my family.  Through no fault of my own, we are often forced to celebrate holidays on the wonkiest of days... like Saturday, December 16th, this year.  I won't get into my family dynamics... because it won't make anything different or better... but it definitely poses a challenge when the "actual" holiday rolls around.

This year, I made a decision to celebrate the way that felt right to me.  My therapist (haha, I know what you must be thinking) loved the idea because she reminded me that the holidays should be spent with those who loved and supported us most throughout the year... and this year, that just so happened to be me, myself, and I!!

So I started off my Christmas Eve with a film called England Is Mine.  It's a Morrissey biopic.  It never made it to theaters in Texas, other than a viewing at SXSW.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it actually was really enjoyable... and oh my, the soundtrack was phenomenal!!  Even if Morrissey hated the film, I would hope that he at least appreciated the tracks that were selected to represent his tastes.

So one of the influences that Morrissey has mentioned time and time again is The Shangri-Las.  I absolutely adore The Shangri-Las!!  At one point in the film, they have the actor who portrays Morrissey (Jack Lowden) sing "Give Him A Great Big Kiss", and my mouth dropped to the ground as the backing band played the tune in a way that sounded like none other than The Smiths song, "Rusholme Ruffians"... it was a magical moment for me!!  (YouTube clips are below the lyrics for you to view and compare.)

Another Shangri-Las tune that made it into the film is "Out in the Streets"... one of my favorites!!  

So after the film, I made myself a Caesar salad, a DiGiorno pepperoni pizza (oh my graciousness, I forgot how delicious those things are --- seriously gonna be my new Christmas Eve tradition!!), and some sparkling grape juice (because I don't drink)... and it was amazing!!!  I followed up a few hours later with a dessert of the yummy gingerbread cookie pictured below (which I purchased... I'm not taking credit for that, haha!) and a cup of eggnog!!

Over the course of the evening, one of my close friends texted to tell me how stressed out she was over holiday preparations and yet another sent a text that advised that all of the holiday travel left her with "the worst head cold ever"... While snuggling close to the fire with my little dog, Pixie, I texted back to both: "What a shame!!!" (along with my sympathies and Christmas pleasantries, of course...)

I still had some funds leftover on an iTunes card; so I also purchased That Thing You Do! because I have loved that film forever, and you can't beat a $4.99 price tag... heck, I'll throw in that song for you today too!  

And I must say that my Christmas Eve topped my expectations, and I had an amazing day of both relaxation and celebration!!

I'll be back later this evening with Part II...

Until next time...

XOXOXO

Anastasia

He don't

hang around

with the gang no more

He don't do the wild things

that he did before

He used to act bad

Used to, but he quit it

It make me so sad

Cause I know that he did it

for me

(Yes he did now)

And I can see

(It's still in the streets)

His heart, out in the street

He don't

comb his hair

like he did before

He don't wear those dirty old

black boots no more

But he's not the same

Somethin about his kissin

That tells me he's changed

I know that something's missing

inside

Somethin's died

(It's still in the streets)

His heart, out in the street

He grew up on the sidewalk

Streetlight shinin above

He grew up with no-one to love

He grew up on the sidewalk

He grew up running free

He grew up and then he met me

He don't

hang around

with the gang no more

Gee, he doesn't smile like

he did before

I wish I didn't care

I wish I'd never met him

They're waitin downstairs

I know I've got to set him

free

He's gotta be

(Out in the street)

His heart is out in the street

He don't hang around with the gang no more

(Out in the street)

He don't hang around with the gang no more

(Out in the street)

He don't hang around with the gang no more

(Out in the street)

Post #696: The Brian Setzer Orchestra/Stray Cats - "Gene & Eddie" - Christmas Rocks! Tour

Oh, Brian Setzer, even after all these years, you still know how to rock a Gretsch guitar like no other!!  Thank you for dusting off "Gene & Eddie" from your Stray Cats catalogue... what an absolute treat!!!  And thanks for always helping to put me in the Christmas spirit... you'll forever be the coolest kat around!! <3

Until next time...

XOXOXO

Anastasia

Well be bop a lula she's my baby

Well be bop a lula summertime blues

Well it's something else man and you can't lose

I'm gonna race with the devil and maybe I'll win

And I'm gonna dance with skinny Jim

Well hang on tight you better get ready

We're gonna rock with Gene and Eddie

Halleluja I love her so

Bee I bickey bop bo bo go

Cut across shorty you can't fail

She got a red blue jeans and a pony tail

Well hang on tight man you better get ready

'Cause we're gonna rock with Gene and Eddie

Well come on everybody let's get together tonight

Say mama can I go out tonight

Well I sure miss you and the twenty flight rock

Get your dungarees on let's a blue jean bop

Well hang on tight you better get ready

'Cause we're gonna rock with Gene and Eddie

Well hang on tight boys you better get ready

We're gonna rock with Gene and Eddie

Well hang on tight you better get ready

We're gonna rock with Gene and Eddie