3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Christmas

Cohen Christmas Version of Hallelujah

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Cloverton Hallelujah video, music and sheet music, Leonard Cohens versionLeonard Cohen Christmas Hallelujah

Welcome to my 25-day countdown to Christmas. I kick it off with Leonard Cohen Christmas version of Hallelujah and I hope I will be able to post every day during the month of December and throughout the holiday. I even downloaded the Cloverton version of the Christmas Leonard Cohen mp3 classic.

As you can see, I’m very addicted to Christmas songs and carols and love this version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. It is similar to the Easter version I posted earlier this year. I absolutely love this melody and I’m so glad Christ is playing a central role in the song during cover versions.

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]Hal Leonard Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen arranged for piano, vocal and guitar

I do have a rule for Christmas music, it can’t be played until December 1st, I don’t like going into a store around Halloween and hearing Holiday music, I want to enjoy the fall holidays, celebrate Thanksgiving and then jump into December with gusto. My Pandora list is set on Classic Christmas music and I take out my piano sheet music to get ready for Advent services on Wednesday night.

With that being said, I kick off the Christmas season today, December 1st with this version of Hallelujah for Christmas. Enjoy

Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah

If you want to play or sing the Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah song here are some options. I’m sure it’s going to be a very popular Christmas choral piece with many choirs.

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]A Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo and band. Leonard Cohen ParadyA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo and band. Leonard Cohen ParadyA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo FULL ORCHESTRA. Leonard CohenA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo FULL ORCHESTRA. Leonard CohenA Leonard Cohen ChristmasA Leonard Cohen Christmas

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Christmas Family Games on the 9th Day of Christmas

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Playing Christmas Family Games Brings Back my Childhood

Talk about getting excited? While having our second Christmas at my in-laws I spotted a favorite childhood game in the cabinet. Mattels “Tip It!“!

Tip it board game
Matell Tip It, Vintage Game with circus man

Oh, how I remember this game and how this wobbly little circus man on top made me laugh. Everyone in the room thought I was slightly crazy, and I thank them for not laughing at me. They even indulged me with a game!

While I remember playing the game, I couldn’t remember how to set it up or the rules. So, for those who have forgotten. The short stick goes under the yellow base, place the yellow coins on the pegs and then the long stick in the middle hole.

Vintage Mattel Tip It GameVintage Mattel Tip It Game

Don’t forget the little black gravity ring that slides onto the stick. This is VERY important! If you leave it off the result is a very difficult game with a very wobbly man on top.  Slide the doughnut closer to the base and it’s a little easier. Note where our gravity doughnut is placed? Last, balance the nose of the little man on the top of the stick.

Now comes the playing. After selecting who goes first  (person who spins red first) spin the spinner and remove the appropriate coin from the peg without the little man falling off the top. One by one each person is eliminated as the circus man tips off his perch. Seems there is always one color which doesn’t get selected and the tower becomes heavy on one side. Then players start praying “Noooo not blue!” because you just know you’re going to TIP IT!

Vintage family game

You can still buy Mattels Tip It from Amazon and although it more modernized, and harder with more pegs.  The little man has been replaced, which is disappointing, but I’m sure it will result in the same feeling of silly laughter.

I read the directions online and they have changed a little, but feel free to make up your own “house rules”, kinda like UNO, which we also played.

Who won? My son David who was home on leave from the Marine Corp. He also won three games of UNO, and two out of three games of the card game speed.

Humanity Hates the Holidays (80 White Cards, 30 Black Cards) - The Adult Card Game For Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, KwanzaHumanity Hates the Holidays (80 White Cards, 30 Black Cards) – The Adult Card Game For Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, KwanzaChristmas TriviaChristmas TriviaChristmas Charades Board GameChristmas Charades Board GamePass The Ugly Sweater Card GamePass The Ugly Sweater Card Game

8th Day of Christmas

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Vintage Christmas Santa Claus

Santa Claus has his busy night on December 25th, but it doesn’t mean he goes away for another year. In many homes, he lives in the hearts and minds of those that keep the spirit of giving in their hearts.

I love to relive childhood memories and although my kids have grown beyond Santa it brings a smile to my face to remember those days when I did believe. My Godmother gave me a vintage Christmas Santa Claus (the same one pictured below) and it is over 50 years old.

Vintage Santa
Vintage Santa

Ironically my husband received the same Santa. His sister though this was a scary Santa and was afraid of him sitting on the couch. My husband thinks he looks mean, but I loved his real feel Santa beard and always had him propped

This is just one more thing we have in common.

I won’t say how old my husband is, but he just had a milestone birthday and I did call the Santa vintage. Better term than “old” I think don’t you? All I will say is sometime in the 1960’s “Vintage Santa” graced our households and Christmas trees.

Christmas Family Traditions

What are some of your favorite holiday Christmas traditions?

Do you cook special food on Christmas Eve?

Are Christmas cookies part of your families holiday tradition?

How about when you open presents? Do you wear Santa Hats like we do?

Maybe you have an Elf on the Shelf tradition?

Tell me your Holiday Christmas Traditions, I’ll include them in a list.

Elf on The Shelf Plush Dolls, One Set (Boy and Girl)Elf on The Shelf Plush Dolls, One Set (Boy and Girl)Elf on the Shelf:A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed boy scout elf)Elf on the Shelf:A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed boy scout elf)

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Fun Christmas Family Games

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Our traditions include the children’s’ program at the children’s’ Christmas Eve service, cinnamon rolls, and opening presents ONE at a TIME with the Santa hat. Stayed tuned for more of our Christmas traditions as we expand our family.

7th Day of Christmas: Old Fashioned Christmas Ribbon Candy

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Old Fashioned Christmas Ribbon Candy
Old Fashion Christmas Ribbon Candy

Old Fashioned Ribbon Candy reminds me of my Dad. He loved the little pieces of Christmas candy and would carefully and meticulously pick through the bowl to find his favorite.

I was reminded of my Father when I visited my in-laws for Christmas and my Mother in Law set out a tray that included old-fashioned ribbon candy. I was a kid again!