Posted by I was within and I was without…
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
The holidays have a unique way of making you very aware of the world’s festive functions and in turn — making you feel completely left out of all of it. Traditions play a big part in this but if you don’t have anyone, it doesn’t mean you can’t have any! Christmas traditions range from conventional to unconventional and everything in between. BUT — I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have some quirky Christmas traditions of my own to share with you all. Historically, the holidays have never been a lot of fun for me. I decorate, make a wreath, put up the tree, all of which are enjoyable endeavors…
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t upset me that no one gets to enjoy it with me. So, I’ve found my own traditions attempting to get over that and to not be a morose cynic, Scrooge. Yes, that is a thing. Trust me, you don’t want to see it.
Every year, I make cake battered popcorn {recipe at the end}, curl up in a fuzzy blanket, and watch Casablanca. By myself and for no particular reason other than the fact that Casablanca is a CLASSIC and I love it! Lord knows it’s not a Christmas movie. However, it should be on the list of movies to watch before you die. There’s something about an old black and white movie that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. After I’ve eaten WAY too much cake battered popcorn I force myself to close the tin.
2nd Feature: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. My favorite part is below and to answer your question, YES, I know the entire speech by heart and I’m fairly certain I could quote damn near every line in Casablanca too! The passionate and triumphant moment where he beats his hand down on the desk and says, “NO SIR, I WILL NOT YIELD!” His epic monologue is the likes of which we have not seen or heard in years! If you’re in a hurry — at least watch the first minute.
Remember, folks, do not yield! Do not yield to social conventions. Make your own traditions. Raise a glass — Here’s lookin at you kid.
Yours Truly From Me to You
***
Courtesy of Miss Lowe and The Spicy Southern Kitchen
***Personally, I like to use Funfetti Cake Mix***
You Lil Dickens 
♥️
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I spent many Christmases alone as a teenager, but it’s really sad you have to curl up with popcorn and watch Casablanca. Do you ever watch Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story”? That one is always fun. You are welcome to come spend Christmas with us. It would be a long drive for you. When we lived in Spain we had our apartment full of expats every Christmas. Since Spaniards go to their families and don’t take friends or spouses (so I was told), the expats were out of the streets for two weeks at Christmastime. We had mostly Americans, but also a fair number of Japanese, All complete strangers who we would see looking lonely on the street or meet at performances.
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Oh yeah! A Christmas Story is great! I think maybe along the way I picked non-Christmas movies because I needed a break from all my surroundings. The music on the radio, the shoppers, the lights, the families. Sometimes it’s beautiful other times it feels like a punch in the gut.
Thank you for your astonishingly sweet offer! If I didn’t hate driving so much I might actually take you up on that!
Wow, it must’ve been incredible living in Spain!
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Driving gets to be a hastle. I have to do a lot of it. I’m sure you do too. Spain was fun. We were there for just shy of 4 years.
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BTW That’s a beautiful tree.
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Thank you so much! You know, it’s mostly my Grandma Lowe’s vintage ornaments from the 50s-90s. I even have my very first ornament — a handpainted rocking horse. I’ve added some of my own here and there.
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Very cool. We have some hand blown, hand painted Polish ornaments that are really beautiful and we collected bird ornaments that, unfortunately, our cats love, so we can’t hang them on anything, Laurie and I have been married for 39.5 years and we have never had a traditional Christmas tree. We’ve always decorated an indoor tree, plant or more recently our gnarly bonsai. The closest we had to a traditional tree was 5 Norfolk pine in the same pot, They finally out grew the house, so we gave them to a friend with a tall atrium in their house. When we decorate our gnarly bonsia it’s pretty simple compared to your tree: https://wp.me/p1yQyy-ob. We have decorated out cats in the past: https://photos.tandlphotos.com/blog/2017/12/we-wish-you-a-kitty-christmas
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Lovely tree & wonderful post. The Jefferson Smith-Rick Blaine mashup quote works!
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Thank you, my friend! I’m so pleased you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to read it and to leave such a kind and thoughtful comment.
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The movies Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and the 1940 film version of Waterloo Bridge with Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor alternate between being my #1 favourite film of all time.
I wouldn’t mind watching Casablanca at Christmas.
My favourite Christmas movie for Christmas is Christmas In Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck.
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Yes, a tough choice, isn’t it? I’ve never seen Christmas in Connecticut! I’ll have to watch it!
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I understand how lonely it feels,been there too . I really love the fact that you refuse to conform , you are brave keep it up!
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Thank you, Renee! I appreciate you taking the time to read and make such a thoughtful and kind comment. Thank you for your encouragement!
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social not i
as a scorpio
and autistic
not a chance in hell
without anyone
well you were born alone
and on and on
from the unknown john
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Kudos to you Eleanor.
Blessings
Peter.
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Thank you, Peter. I hope you are doing well.
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