I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Friday, December 18, 2009

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is a Christmas song with music and lyrics by Tommie Connor.

The original recording by Jimmy Boyd reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1952, and on the Cash Box magazine chart at the beginning of the following year. The song was commissioned by Neiman Marcus to promote the store's Christmas card for the year, which featured an original sketch by artist Perry Barlow, who drew for The New Yorker for many decades.

Jimmy Boyd's record was condemned by the Roman Catholic Church in Boston when it was released on the grounds it mixed kissing with Christmas. Boyd, age thirteen, was photographed meeting with the Archdiocese to explain the song. After the meeting, the ban was lifted.


I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night
She didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep


Then I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white

Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VICIOUS421 12/20/2009 4:48AM

Wow, I did not know that about this song! Loved the pictures! They are adorable!!! Thank you Meri! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNYH99 12/18/2009 7:01PM

Wonderful, Meri! Love those pootie pix! Report Inappropriate Comment

-TAMI- 12/18/2009 10:14AM

I love that last picture... This was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid. Report Inappropriate Comment

PEDAL-PUSHER 12/18/2009 9:07AM

This was a favorite when I was a kid, and I remember the Christmas when my Dad was Santa at the church Christmas party. I was just at that age of realizing that gifts came from Mom and Dad, and as I sat on his lap and told him of my wishes, I remember whispering 'Thank you Daddy' as he handed me my gift. Thanks for the memory! Report Inappropriate Comment

NISSANGIRL 12/18/2009 6:38AM

This was cute! thanks for posting , have an awesome Christmas! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGARPUNK52 12/18/2009 2:58AM

Very sweet.Your babies are beautiful! GOD bless. Report Inappropriate Comment

TOMWDCSKC 12/18/2009 1:41AM

Pretty cute. Along as Santa is Daddy. Report Inappropriate Comment

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire is definitively called the Christmas Song. The lovely music and lyrics were composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. The most popular recording of this truly great Christmas song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire was recorded by Nat King Cole. (carols.org.uk)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Ev'rybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh


And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times, many ways,
"Merry Christmas to you."


I've never eaten chestnuts, but I found their nutritional value: Chestnuts, cooked/4 ounces

Calories 149
Total fat (g) 1.6
Saturated fat (g) 0.3
Monounsaturated fat (g) 0.5
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 0.6
Dietary fiber (g) 5.7
Protein (g) 2
Carbohydrate (g) 32
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 31
Vitamin C (mg) 30
Potassium (mg) 811
Magnesium (mg)
(Chestnut Facts: Did you know?)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TOMWDCSKC 12/18/2009 1:44AM

Lasagna still good for Christmas. Report Inappropriate Comment

VICIOUS421 12/17/2009 3:19AM

LOL loved the nutritional facts at the end!!!! The blog was awesome, it was cool learning about the song, I didn't know about when it was written though I do love Nat King Coles version of it. The pictures were great, I especially loved the worms singing and the Kittys were priceless! Report Inappropriate Comment

TSUNAMI-DUDE 12/16/2009 7:36PM

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YAFENELRA 12/16/2009 7:08PM

That was nice. Thanks. Great picture, by the way!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSDUCKY 12/16/2009 11:08AM

I've had chestnuts! When I was a kid my parents would get them most every year. We roasted them in the fire then ate them dipped in butter. They weren't like any other nuts I've tried...maybe because cooking them that way softens them up. Merry Christmas! Report Inappropriate Comment

Deck The Halls

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

How long "Deck the Halls" has been around is unknown. The words of "Deck the Halls" are from the 19th century and American. The repeated Fa la la la la la la la la used to be popular in medieval ballads. The music is from a old Welsh melody. In the 1700's, Mozart once used the melody in a piano and violin duet. (from Christmas-lyrics.org)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LINDAKAY228 12/17/2009 8:52AM

You always have such amazing pictures and captions. I just love your animal pictures. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 12/16/2009 4:17AM

That was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I loved the pic with "put urself in mortal peril" that was hilarious!!! I am changing the words to... BWAH HA HA HA HA ~ HA HA HA HA!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

VICIOUS421 12/16/2009 2:07AM

That was just too precious!!! Interesting to learn about the origins of the song and LOVED the pictures!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Dashing through the Snow

Monday, December 14, 2009

Most commonly known as "Jingle Bells", this song was actually written as an American Thanksgiving song by James Lord Pierpont in 1857. It soon became popular as a Christmas season song, and the first verse and chorus are well known (the second verse, not so much!)
The song has been heavily parodied.



Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright

What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Sorry, not much variety in the sleigh pictures. Here are some just for fun!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VICIOUS421 12/16/2009 2:02AM

Loved the song!!! Pictures were great and the Kitty pictures LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 12/16/2009 1:33AM

I LOVE your cute blog Meri ~ The animals are so cute and I am singing Jingle Bells Report Inappropriate Comment

MKPQ51 12/15/2009 11:16PM

Though our children grew up in Florida and have only experience snow a time or two, this was still one of their favorite Christmas songs. Thanks for the info on it and adding the pics! Kat Report Inappropriate Comment

TSUNAMI-DUDE 12/15/2009 8:31PM

Nice blog Meri! Report Inappropriate Comment

2BSALLYB 12/14/2009 10:04PM

fer cute! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNIELAV 12/14/2009 10:00PM

Thanks for sharing! I loved it! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEXASLYNN 12/14/2009 9:56PM

Cute kitties! Report Inappropriate Comment

Hanukkah

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I got this information from History.com and Wikipedia.



Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah, Hanukah, Hannuka and the Festival of Lights) is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually takes place between late November and late December. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E., as well as the subsequent rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Jews around the world celebrate with eight nights of merriment. Traditions include lighting the menorah, playing with a dreidel (4 sided top) , exchanging gifts and enjoying treats cooked in oil. Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for "money") is often distributed to children to enhance their enjoyment of the holiday. The amount is usually in small coins, although grandparents or other relatives may give larger sums as an official Hanukkah gift. Twentieth-century American chocolatiers picked up on the gift/coin concept by creating chocolate gelt. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. This commemorates a miracle which occurred after the Jews proclaimed victory over the Syrian armies in 165 B.C.E. When Jews came to rededicate the Temple-which had been defiled by the Syrians-they found only one small flask of oil with which to light the menorah. This flask contained only enough oil for one day, yet the lamp burned for eight days (by which time a fresh supply of oil was obtained).

The most popular themes throughout the Hanukkah dishes are the use of oil. The oil reminds us of the oil which burned eight days instead of one. Latkes are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes mixed with eggs, onions, and flour, then fried in vegetable oil. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender within. They're served hot and often dipped in apple sauce or sour cream. The Maccabbee soliders ate latkes made from cheese, vegetables, or fruits which were brought to them on the battlefields. However, they didn't eat potato latkes, as potatoes weren't available until the 16th century.

I hope I didn't mess up this story too much - and I wish a Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TSUNAMI-DUDE 12/14/2009 4:00AM

Thank you for your blog Meri ~ Have a great week! Report Inappropriate Comment

VICIOUS421 12/13/2009 10:50PM

Thank you for explaining Hanukkah to me, I did not know a lot about it and have often wondered what it was about. Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate it! Report Inappropriate Comment

SILVERWITCH59 12/13/2009 9:03PM

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AVALONAPPLE 12/13/2009 6:24PM

Thanks for sharing all the great info! Many of my neigbors/frieds are Jewish, it is so nice to see the twinkling menorahs in people's windows. Latkes rock!!! Jennifer Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 12/13/2009 5:03PM

Thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 12/13/2009 4:53PM

In Hawaii I never had the honor of meeting a Jewish person until I moved to Southern California and lived here for eighteen years where in 2000, met a co-worker who was Jewish. He was very kind and became our family friend...we lost track after he moved back to the East Coast. In Spark People because we mainly focus on healthy nutrition and fitness here, I do not know who of my Spark Friends are Jewish. So I thank you Meri for taking the time to share the beauty of your blog and I am wishing Happy Hannukah to all! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNYH99 12/13/2009 4:18PM

From your Jewish friend, Sunny, thanks, Meri! I'm so glad to have the story summarized here so eloquently, and with awesome illustrations, too! I actually sent that pic of the dog in yarmulke to a Jewish friend the other day! How cool. Great minds... Shalom, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

PEDAL-PUSHER 12/13/2009 4:10PM

Thanks for sharing all the great info! Report Inappropriate Comment