On Christmas night, when I was down at the homestead with my parents and a couple of sisters, we watched 1951's A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim. We've of course seen this many times, but it never gets old. I'm about to head to bed with a hot water bottle so won't say anything more about it other than say how much I love the scene of Scrooge's interaction with his housekeeper, after he wakes up to find it's Christmas Day.
Just a quick update, as I've been on a bit of an informal online hiatus over Christmas, mostly because I've been too busy to be on my laptop at all. And, post-Christmas, I've picked up a head cold which hasn't kept me from returning to work- unfortunately- but has left me tired and miserable at night. On Christmas night, when I was down at the homestead with my parents and a couple of sisters, we watched 1951's A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim. We've of course seen this many times, but it never gets old. I'm about to head to bed with a hot water bottle so won't say anything more about it other than say how much I love the scene of Scrooge's interaction with his housekeeper, after he wakes up to find it's Christmas Day.
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Christmas baking/cooking is underway... I'm tapping away at this while I'm waiting for the sweet potatoes to finish cooking so that I can mash them for casserole. And I've finished up these shortbread cookies. On Friday night I attended the Symphony Nova Scotia performance of Handel's Messiah, something that I and my sisters try to make it to every year because it's just amazing. Also, since my brother-in-law and various acquaintances sing in the choir, it's the supportive thing to do. I thought that it was particularly excellent this year, though they had a counter tenor singing the alto solo parts and I wasn't a big fan of that. Not that he wasn't really good, with excellent expression, but to be honest counter tenors always weird me out a little with their abnormally high voices. One time, years ago, one was singing the soprano solos and that was even more uncanny. Nevertheless, the entire production was, as I said, just great... the 'Amens' at the end were I think the best arrangement I've heard of them. Of course, the real show stopper is the Hallelujah Chorus, for which everyone traditionally stands, which may or may not be because of King George II. And, if it was, it may have been because he was so moved by the music that he stood and- out of respect- everyone else did, too. Or it could have been because the chorus occurs late in Part II and ol' George needed to stretch his legs. Either way, it's now the accepted practice. The piece is wonderful, though... I've sung it before with a massed choir and it's just as exciting to sing as it is to listen to... more so, actually. I think my favourite part of it- both singing and listening- is when the choir gets quiet to sing "The kingdom of this world is become..." and then swells to glorious volume for "the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ," It gets me every time, right in the heart. Also when the trumpets and timpani come in, and... well heck, I just love the entire thing. It's now Christmas Eve, and it's going to be a busy day: church in the morning, family lunch, then the Christmas Eve service at 5 pm. Traditionally my brother and his wife host a Christmas Eve drop in, but have bowed out this year, because it's a Sunday and so busy, and because my sister-in-law's family are visiting. Secretly I was a little relieved; although it's always a good time, it's always late when we get out of there, and I still need to pack gifts, food, and clothes and head down to my parents' place to spend the night and a couple of days. So I'm logging off and starting Christmas celebrations. I hope that you too, are spending the day commemorating the Saviour's birth with people you love; Happy Christmas, everyone! Related Posts: It was a very cold & icy day yesterday, with the ice and wind causing multiple power outages across the province. When I got home from work I found all my appliances flashing, so obviously my power was out at some point. Fortunately it stayed on for the rest of the night because I had to cook a chicken and then bake cookies. While waiting for each batch to get out of the oven, I was watching the very amusing 1942 movie The Man Who Came To Dinner, adapted from the play by Kaufman and Hart. It can of course be watched at any time of year, but it is set at Christmas, which makes it a Christmas movie, right? In any case, I enjoyed watching it because it's been a few years... probably since I reviewed it: On Saturday night, I attended the homeschool co-op recital night which some of my nephews were taking part in, which was great- many songs and poetry recitations, as well as a skit written and performed by the children. I also purchased some of their craft wares which the kids make and sell to raise money to outfit the co-op's workshop... last year they earned enough to purchase a scroll saw. They're actually getting quite a respectable shop (in one of the homeschool families' garages); I cleaned & oiled two used sewing machines to donate to them, and they now have a variety of power tools as well. My purchases: a coaster made of a wood round, cut by one of the kids and wood burned by another, a braided leather key chain, and a Christmas card (this one made by one of my nephews). On Sunday morning after church, I headed down to my parents' place for Sunday dinner followed by gingerbread house making with various nephews and nieces; here are the results: Then on Sunday night, I attended a campfire/carol sing which was a lot of fun... songs accompanied by guitar and violin, kids roasting marshmallows and making s'mores, and hot apple cider to warm up our insides. I have a lot of things left to do before Christmas and not much time; tonight after work I and two of my sisters are going shopping with our parents so that Dad can have assistance buying a present for Mum, and so that she can get her shopping done without him around (he's a terrible shopper). And then on Friday night I'm going to a performance of Handel's Messiah so will be out as well. So I should have been baking and sewing up a storm last night, but found myself plopping down on the couch, drinking coffee, and listening to carols by candle and tree light. Though I did do some sewing later on... also laundry which, like the poor, is always with us. One of the carols I was listening to:
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