“Tis the Night before CHRISTMAS…”
“OH… HOW could I say that… We do not have the TREE decorated…”
“By… “GEORGE and By GOLLY” – -I sure do need to look at the calendar – – to see more clearly…. what DAY – – this is?” CHRISTMAS is just a week away! – – “WOW” – “I sure do need to get these old bones – – energized – – and start working faster – – where the heck are my VITAMINS, any… way?” – – “So far… my two big “HELPERS” are “ANGEL” – – and she is up on top of the tree – – and”… “old-what’s- her- name” is laying down on the job – -probably just taking “forty-winks” – – hanging on to the “Christmas Tree” stand!
“OH…PEARL – BABY” – – “I just knew… that if I had to ask – – with a nice “TREAT” … just for you – – that you would come to the rescue – – and would play a few of our favorite “CHRISTMAS” songs!”
“JUST for playing some of the best “CHRISTMAS” songs – – the ones that help us get into the mood – – and put this poor old looking tree in front of the living room window – – and then motivating all of our “Kitty-Cat” friends – – to do the very best decorating “JOB” – – so that our good old Friend, “SANTA – – himself” – – will drop by… with lots of presents and good gifts,,, for everyone!”
“You are a “PEARL” of a cat… – since you were so helpful – – and you knew I was ready with the camera – – just keep standing in front of our “CHRISTMAS” tree – – you almost look – – like one of those statues – – you are standing so nice and tall – – and so still – – BEAUTIFUL – – “SNAP” – -got ya” – – forever “BEAUTIFUL!”
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“Have to DO… SOMETHING”
“I know exactly what you are going to say…”Put that cigarette OUT!” “Like everyone here – – some of these guys have never smoked before – – but since we are here, in KOREA – – this “COLD” weather could kill us, too!” “So…what… else did you have on your mind… to tell me to do – – out here in this freezing COLD – – and if you have a better suggestion – – I just might do that!”
“HOW’s” this for a change of “DUTY” – – some of us guys found some small children – – that we thought would like some of our AMERICAN Chocolate CANDY – – and also some small gifts – – that we thought – – that they might like – – since we are sharing Christmas gifts with each other – – why not share with the little children – – they will remember this – – more so than any treat that they will receive at this age!”
“I’m standing on the right side of this PHOTO – – would you believe – – I took my glasses off – – and then – – did not look up – – wanted to look GOOD for the PHOTO!”
“NOW that I look at this PHOTO – – can hardly tell that – – that is me on the right side – – just looking at the small child in my arms and she is so interested in all that we are planning to do for all of the children.”
“Here’s hoping that all of the children – – around the world have a very BLESSED and HAPPY CHRISTMAS – – with their FAMILY and FRIENDS!”
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“Happy BIRTHDAY – Christine”
When it is “BIRTHDAY TIME” – let us all start to sing… “HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE” – – and it sure looks like we are all in the mood… hands and arms are all moving to keep in TIME – – – with our mouths doing… the best part – – just SINGING!
The “BIRTHDAY GIRL” is little “Christine Aldrich” – – and her DADDY, TOM – – is standing just behind her – – with his arms moving – – to keep up the tempo – – that is what a good music conductor does… and standing next to brother, TOM – – is Uncle Al – – with his imaginary guitar – – music just a flying through the air – – and that is “Grandma, Mary Ellen – – just adding lots of volume to the “BIRTHDAY” song – – just like a GRANDMA should do!
Looks like another “BIRTHDAY” for little CHRISTINE – – and there seem to be 4 (four) candles on that spectacular good looking cake!
One of my favorite times… is to be invited to “BIRTHDAY PARTIES” – – that is where I get to sing – – and really “BELT OUT” those words – – loud and clear – – just so we all get in the mood – – for the best part of any “PARTY” – – and to me… the best part of the “PARTY” is when they sing out those terrific words – “CAKE and ICE CREAM” – – is now being served!
“Just LOVE – – those sweet words!”
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“December 5th and 13th Birthdays”
When it is time to celebrate a “BIRTHDAY” – What other way would you – – – Who would you bring into the remembrance of TIME… a long TIME ago – – back to the TIME in the 1960’s… when men had the long beautiful hair and beards.
“Quiet… PLEASE…MEN at work – thinking… concentrating… – – to be distracted NOW – – could mean… that many more hours – – to find out “WHO” is the WINNER of CHESS – – and WHERE will we play the next series of games?
BIRTHDAY Party for LEE on the 5th of DECEMBER – – just nine day later another Party for TOM on the 13th – – and only after the BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS – – would we start to get ready for CHRISTMAS – – everyone wants their own big BIRTHDAY celebration – – and even a BIGGER and BETTER CHRISTMAS celebration!
When “you” are sitting at the “HEAD of the TABLE” – we all know “WHO” we will be singing “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to!
Looks like everybody is ready for the “Birthday Boy” to start to blow the candles out – – so we can all have “CAKE and ICE CREAM!” Can you see how many candles are on “TOM’s” home-made cake???
Left to right… Little Lee – – – TOM ALDRICH, Birthday BOY – – Donny Lee – – – DADDY, Lee Sr. – – – and Grandma Louise Aldrich Stanley.
Same table – – but since we have guests – – LEE Jr., the BIRTHDAY BOY is now at the head of the table and still so young – – having relatives – we did have to lengthen the table to accommodate extra family – – bearing gifts – – – – and then for the very young children – – you do have to make a big production of the “BIG BIRTHDAY” – – – other-wise “HOW” does a small child know … this is their very “OWN” and “special” day?
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” – – to TOMMY and Lee Jr. – – and many more…!”
P.S. “One more – – for you to grow on!”
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“Happy Birthday – TOM ALDRICH”
“Today is the DAY… for all of us to wish Thomas H. Aldrich a HAPPY BIRTHDAY – – another very “LUCKY PERSON”… born on the “13th day” of a month!”
This is a very young TOM and his “WAR DOG, SHANE” – – one of the talents that “TOM” had was – – to be able to train dogs and LOVE them – – his connection was so good – – it was as if … he could actually “TALK” to his dog – – and they understood – – each other so well.
In the 1960’s… when Tom was in the Army – the K-9 group – – he was in HEAVEN – – he just LOVED training and working with dogs – – he had special communication skills – – with animals and the DOG – – was the best place for his talents to be used.
Even when TOM had finished his service requirements – – he did continue to raise and train “dogs” for himself and for others – – those that had no idea – – as to what needed to be done – – to have the best of friends – – and that is …”Man’s Best Friend” – the “DOG” — and I THANK the ALMIGHTY – – for giving to some of HIS special friends – – here on earth – – the gift to train and LOVE – – the four legged FRIEND – – our special FRIEND, the DOG.
NOW that TOM is no longer here on earth – – I’ll bet he is now working – – as he enjoys so much – – with all kinds of DOGS – – in all of the Heavenly PLACES!
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“classic fudge recipe!”
“For CHRISTMAS – – everyone needs to have this terrific “FUDGE” ready to serve!”
The whole family will love this classic fudge recipe!
Ingredients
| 4 ½ c. sugar | 12 oz. chocolate chips |
| Pinch of salt | 12 oz. German sweet chocolate |
| 2 Tbsp. butter | 1 pint marshmallow cream |
| 1 13-oz. can evaporated milk | 2 c. chopped nuts |
Preparation
1. Combine first four ingredients. Bring to a boil in a pot over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 6 minutes.
2. Combine chocolates and marshmallow cream in a large bowl. Pour boiling syrup over them and blend well.
3. Add nuts. Pour into a buttered, foil-lined 9×13-inch pan. Cool before cutting.
Makes about 30 2-inch squares.
Nutritional Information: Calories: 270; Fat: 13g; Cholesterol: 5mg; Sodium: 60mg; Total Carbohydrates: 43g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 38g; Protein: 3g.
Try more of Michelle’s Christmas cookie recipes !
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