A Holly Jolly Monday!

Posted on by under animals, Bits 'n Pieces, cartoons, Holidays, Humour

xmas-kitties

‘Twas the Jolly Monday before Christmas,
And all ‘round the ‘net,
Every creature was stirring,
And making me fret.

-Filosofa

xmas-kittyOkay, folks, that’s the extent of my poetic talent.  The part about every creature stirring is true … the kitties get restless when there are goings-on afoot, such as present wrapping, packages being carried in, and they have been in rare form tonight … only two fights so far, but Boo has been doing his best to turn the television over trying to get at the kitty he thinks is inside of it.  Young Boo has recently developed a television addiction.  I blame daughter Chris for this, as she plays kitty videos for him when she’s home.  When she’s not home, he’s fine, but the minute she walks through the door in the evening, he jumps up on the table in front of the t.v. and waits for her to turn it on for him!

Since this is the last Jolly Monday before Christmas, naturally Jolly and I have done a bit of festive baking.  (Jolly’s cookies came out a bit burnt, but he worked so hard on them that I hope you’ll eat one anyway, so as not to hurt his feelings)  So, grab a treat and a cuppa, and let’s work on that Christmas spirit, shall we?  Oh, and Hugh … there’s a special treat for you … you’ll know it when you see it!  Cheers!

Monday-famous-grousexmas-eggnog

xmas-bacon-treeAnd for our young friend Benjamin, who is back for the first time in over a month … 

I found some interesting, fun Christmas-related trivia I think you might enjoy …

  • jingle-bellsJingle Bells was written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. The song was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont and published under the title One Horse Open Sleigh. It was supposed to be played in the composer’s Sunday school class during Thanksgiving as a way to commemorate the famed Medford sleigh races. Jingle Bells was also the first song to be broadcast from space. Nine days before Christmas in 1965, the two astronauts aboard Gemini 6 suddenly sent an odd report to Mission Control that they saw an “unidentified flying object” about to enter Earth’s atmosphere, traveling in the polar orbit from north to south. They interrupted the tense report with the sound of “Jingle Bells” with Wally Schirra playing a small harmonica and accompanied by Tom Stafford with a handful of small sleigh bells they had smuggled aboard for that very occasion.
  • kfcJapanese people traditionally eat at KFC for Christmas dinner. Although the percentage of Christian people in Japan is close to zero, every Christmas, kids and grown-ups head to the closest KFC to enjoy some fried chicken – the closest food to turkey that you can get in Japan. It’s all thanks to a successful “Kentucky for Christmas!” marketing campaign in 1947. First aimed at foreigners, KFC offered a “Christmas dinner” that contained chicken and wine – a meal that remotely resembled the food expats and tourists had at home. After a huge success, Kentucky Fried Chicken started promoting this offer every year, until the fast food chain became strongly associated with the holiday season.
  • Iceland has 13 Santas and an old lady who kidnaps children. Christmas in Iceland is a colorful fusion of religion, fairy tales and folklore. Instead of one Santa, the kids are visited by 13 Yule Lads that either reward children for good behavior or punish them if they were naughty. The holiday period begins 13 days before Christmas and each day one of the 13 Yule Lads comes to houses and fills the shoes that kids leave under the Christmas tree either with sweets and small gifts or rotting potatoes, depending on how that particular child has behaved on the preceding day. The mother of Yule Lads, half-troll, half-beast, horrifying old woman Grýla, kidnaps naughty kids and boils them in her cauldron.iceland
  • xmas-treeYou might want to brew a cup o’ tea when decking your halls this year. The origin of Christmas trees goes all the way back to ancient Egyptians and Romans, who marked the winter solstice with evergreens as a reminder that spring would return soon. But it wasn’t until Prince Albert of Germany introduced the tree to his new wife, Queen Victoria of England, that the tradition really took off. A drawing of the couple in front of a Christmas tree appeared in Illustrated London News way back in 1848 and as we say today, the idea went viral.
  • According to Coca-Cola, Santa used to look a lot less jolly — even spooky. It wasn’t until the beverage company hired an illustrator named Haddon Sundblom in 1931 to create images of Santa for magazine advertisements that we got the warm and friendly Santa we know today. Now, kids wouldn’t fear interrupting Santa’s nightly work.

  • xmas-stockingsAccording to legend, we hang our stockings by the chimney with care thanks to a poor man who didn’t have the money for his three daughters’ dowries. Generous old St. Nick dropped a bag of gold down their chimney one night, where the girls had hung their stockings to dry by the fire. That’s where the gold ended up, and allegedly how the tradition began.

A few Christmas cartoons …

xmas-toon-2xmas-toon-3xmas-toon-4

xmas-toon-5xmas-toon-6xmas-toon-7

And of course Jolly Monday must have a cute animal video, and since it is the holiday season …

jollyFriends, I would like to just take this opportunity to let you all know how much you mean to me … and Jolly.  The very best thing about this blog has been the wonderful people I’ve met … I feel as if I’ve actually acquired a whole new family.  A couple of times, in times of extreme angst, I have considered giving up this blog … but the thought never lasts for long, for I would miss you all entirely too much.  Thank you all for being such great friends!  Jolly and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.  Love ‘n hugs from Filosofa and Jolly!

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46 thoughts on “A Holly Jolly Monday!”

  2. Thanks very much for tjis lovely Christmas post. Never knew about the 13 Santas of Iceland. Thats cool. Not their mum, of course, but hej you need something to scare naughty children or is that not politically correct anymore???? Glad we met and am glad you didn’t give up. Belated merry Christmas to you and yours 😚🙋‍♀️🐝

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      • I was working half a day both on the 24th and 25th but had lovely afternoons with the hubby. Today his children are going to come around for a couple of days but we are not the Christmassy people. They had that with their mum and his son’s girlfiend’s parents. Hope you can relax now 🙋‍♀️🐝

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  4. Merry Christmas to you and Jolly!
    Another wonderful Christmas post!
    Please never give up your posts! They’re loved by us all!
    A bacon tree???? A fanciful idea!
    Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
    Blessings!!!!! ❤️🎄❤️

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    • The Merriest of Christmases to you, too, dear friend and soul sister! Don’t worry … I think I’ll still be writing this blog when I take my last breath! And yes, a bacon tree … can’t you imagine how long that would last in my house with five cats??? Have a wonderful holiday, dear Patty!!! 🎅

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        • Thank you, dear friend! We had a wonderful day with much love and laughter, and frankly, I am exhausted and happy that it’s over! I hope yours was equally wonderful! One more holiday and then I can put my house back in order and return to my routine! Love you!!! ❤

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    • Merry Christmas to you, Kevin and the kitties, dear Emily! Larry says he’s going to make one of the bacon trees … perhaps you two can put your heads together and come up with a system … maybe even marketable and then you could quit your day job! 😉

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  8. Merry Christmas to you, Jill, and all yours. Next year instead of my 6 ft tall tree, I will try to replicate that bacon tree….yummmm. After the holidays I shall put the remains (if any) out by the bird feeder for the cardinals. 😎

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    • Merry Christmas to you and yours, Larry! Let us hope that next year we have renewed hope for the future, but meanwhile, let’s find joy in our lives, our loved ones. I hope your holiday is wonderful! If you replicate the bacon tree next year, be sure to send me a picture!

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  9. The video of the pups should have a Seriously Cute warning on it. Also I never knew the origins of Jingle Bells, thanks for that info Jill.
    Excellent collection of cartoons; ‘100 Elves’ is never going to grow old.
    Once more….
    Best wishes to you and yours for a good Christmas Day…..(and have a ‘Boxing Day’ 26th December on us …your UK friends…you’re entitled one after all your hard work!)

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  10. Namaste, Miss Jill! Guess what? It’s me, Benjamin! I am so happy cause it’s almost Christmas and cause I can visit my friends, Jolly and you. I missed you guys and Jolly Monday. Guess what else? We got Gem’s Christmas Tree yesterday and we are going to decorate it this morning. Gem is having a Teddy Bear Christmas. It’s awesome! They are everywhere and she has itty bitty ones for the tree. I really, really love the Christmas donuts and all the other special treats. Please tell Jolly I ate a reindeer cookie and it was yummy. Jolly did not burn them, they are just very well done. That’s what my Mommy says! I wanted to drink some of that bird juice but Gem said it’s not for me, just big peoples. I thought that was my glass of milk. That’s okay, I love juiceboxes too! Your Kitties are so funny, mine doesn’t watch TV. The bacon tree is so cool! And guess what else? I have some Benjamin pictures that Auntie H will send to you. They are special Christmas ones! Listen, I’m singing a song for Jolly and you…”I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”! I was singing the 12 Days Song for you like we do in school but it takes so long and I forget some of the thingys of the days. Oh, I loved the puppy video! Lotsa kisses and neckbuster hugs for Jolly and you! Bye and thank you!

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    • Benjamin was having some difficulty in keeping his “letter” to Miss Jill short and sweet. Well, sweet was easily done but short…not so much. Who knew that a Propensity for Loquacity was carried in the genes? At any rate, at the end of his missive as I was typing, Benjamin suddenly started singing “Your A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”! I asked him what he was doing and he responded : “I’m singing my favorite Christmas song for Miss Jill!” He then expressed doubt about his choice of a song, worried that you might think that he was calling you a Grinch. He then launched into “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and was doing fine until coming to the ninth day and he sang : “On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, nine dum da dum dum…”! He then decided to change songs again even though I reminded him that you could not really hear him singing because it’s just pretend. “Gem, you can’t pretend to know something. You know it or you don’t!” So, he decided to sing the short and sweet “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”…no pretending needed, he knows the words! About the pictures that he wants Auntie H to send…he analyzed each photo according to pose, facial expression and content. After quite some time spent perusing the numerous shots, he said to me : “No wonder Auntie H gets so ‘aspirated choosing the best picture. These are so awesome, I can’t pick just one!” This is a fantabulous Holly Jolly Monday post! Thank-YOU!

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      • Ha ha … I thought, as I read his letter, that he had inherited Gem’s P for L!!! And I’m glad of it! You’ll never know what a big smile his comment brought to my face this morning … I nearly cried with joy! “You can’t pretend to know something …” That lad is wise far beyond his years, dear Ellen! If only everyone realized the truth in that simple statement uttered by a 5-year-old boy. I’m so glad that you and he both enjoyed the post! It wasn’t my best, but I wanted to make it special for him. I eagerly await the pics that Auntie H will send! I miss that little man so much! If I don’t get a chance to email before Christmas, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!! Love ‘n hugs!!!

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    • Namaste and Merry Christmas, dear Benjamin!!! I have missed you and Gem soooooo much that I cannot even tell you. I’m so glad to hear from you! Gem’s tree sounds like so much fun! I hope she will send me a picture of it after it’s all decorated! I told Jolly that you enjoyed the reindeer cookies he made, and he was so happy that he did a somersault right in the middle of the floor! Jolly sends you a kiss and a hug! Oh no, young man — no bird juice for you … the bird juice is for my friend Hugh, and definitely not for growing boys! My kitties are all funny, but Boo (short for Booker T Washington … get Gem to tell you all about him) is the only one who watches t.v.! I am so looking forward to Auntie H sending me the pictures!!! I cannot wait to see you! I loved the song you sang … I heard it in my heart! Yeah, the 12 Days of Christmas song is tough … in fact, I cannot remember all of it! I’m so glad you loved the puppy video — I picked it out just for you, ’cause Gem told me you were having a sleepover and would be visiting me and Jolly! Thank you for the neckbuster hug and kisses … I have missed those so much! Jolly and I send you hugs, kisses, and LOTS of LOVE!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  11. Believe me when I say that I feel the same way you do about the blog. It’s an entirely new family — especially folks like you and Keith whom I have now for years. And many thanks for the Famous Grouse and the TWO Maxines!!! (But just a word about “educational toys.” Does the cartoonist have to throw them under the bus — and education along with them? Educational toys are not a BAD thing!)

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    • We truly are family … family isn’t necessarily about shared DNA, and in fact, I get on better with many of my blogging family better than those who are related by blood or marriage! I agree with you about the educational toys … they are NOT a bad thing. The few children who remain on my gift list always know they are going to get books, or science kits, or something educational from “Grammie”! Have a wonderful holiday, my dear friend … and thanks for being part of my family!

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  13. Thank you for so many festive treats. There goes the waistline again. I wish you and Jolly and of course all your readers a Very Happy Christmas or Nadolig Llawen as we say in Wales. Have a wonderful time with your families and keep the spirit of Christmas alive.
    Cwtch

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  14. Dear Jill! Merry Christmas to you too! I wish you happy days with the family… let politics rest for a while, enjoy the good things in life! 🙂
    KFC for Christmas… really? I am all for keeping it simple, but going to a fast food chain? No, thank you. – Don’t know if there are nicer KFC and not so nice ones though … the one where I live is no place I would set foot in on a normal day, so definitely not for Christmas. 😉
    Anyway, we are going to decorate the tree today – yes, only today… it is a Christmas tree after all, not a “all December tree” 😉 My youngest is already very excited – looking forward to getting his hands on the nice shiny bulbs 🙂 No Christmas weather here, by the way: mild, grey and wet, very Dutch winter at the moment. Same in Austria though … no snow except high up. So I guess our decision to go during the February break instead of December might be a wise one. We might get more snow then.
    Have a lovely Christmas, Jill and everyone! Hugs&Cheers!

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    • Thank you, dear Jeannie, and I hope you, hubby and the boys have a magical Christmas this year! I am trying to focus on the good things in life … sometimes I succeed for a brief time, but always the reality of where we are comes back to darken my humour. My fondest hope is that next year at this time we will be celebrating a change in direction. Yes, it sounds like it’s good that you decided to wait for your trip to Austria, and I do hope you’ll get some snow then! We put our tree up last Wednesday, and so far, knock on wood, the kitties haven’t tried to climb it! They did, however, shred the wrappings of one present this morning. I’m with you on the KFC, by the way … I actually like their chicken, but we get it for take-out, for it is not a place filled with ambiance and charm! 😉 Have a wonderful holiday, my friend, and I hope for a Happy New Year for you all! Huge Hugs!!!

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