We are heartbroken here at BME with the loss of our wonderful Blu. He was just shy of 15 years old and has always been under my feet, so this is a loss that has been hard to take. We took some time off to go away and remember his sweet, smelly self with love. He had a good life and he sealed all of the orders with his paw print of approval. He was a mountain climber, a swimmer in the Atlantic Ocean, and a frequent visitor to Yellowstone where he barked at bison. He is so loved and so missed.
Bracelets: I have gone charm bracelet crazy and have introduced bangle bracelets to the mix because they are fun. I am also working on designing new charms for sale.
It’s always sad when we get to the end. I don’t know why, but it seems like something is gone or over. As we look back on this year, may we all enjoy the positive moments and move forward into the next year with hope and renewed energy. May we all “face unafraid the plans that we laid”.
This song is another that is “newer”, if you can call 1934 newer. This song was penned by Richard B. Smith, and the music was written by Felix Bernard. It has AT LEAST 200 known recordings and probably a whole lot more that are not being counted because the singers were not so well known.
I know that ALL of us have sung it at some point or another, even if by default while grocery shopping. I was humming it the other day and apparently dancing with my shopping cart until someone said, “you look very happy.” You cannot NOT be happy when you hear this song.
This song didn’t have such a fun start. Back in the early 1900s, “they” called it consumption. It was really just a polite word for tuberculosis. If you have ever been in or around one of the old tuberculosis sanitariums, you know what I mean when I say that these have to be the spookiest and depressing places on the planet. My theatre group used to perform at one in the Peoria area. I don’t know why anyone thought THAT was a good idea.
Anyway, that was the setting for Mr. Smith when he was sitting and writing the words to this next song. He was writing about a lovely little park by the name of Central Park in his hometown of Honesdale, PA. He was being treated in the West Mountain Sanitarium for tuberculous. If you look at the photos of the now closed West Mountain Sanitarium, it has a creep factor of a bazillion on a 1 to 10 scale. Not to mention that it gets a thumbs up for the paranormal activity.
It was in this sad place that we learned about hope and plans. The song was originally recorded by Richard Himber with his Hotel Ritz-Carlton Orchestra on RCA Bluebird. He was already making a record and had a little extra space, so he plunked this tune down as part of the studio session. It included his amazing orchestra, which consisted of people like Artie Shaw. Here is the link to his version of this cheerful song. https://youtu.be/YpHH7OBlRiY
It went on from there to be a favorite of Guy Lombardo and Johnny Mercer took it to #4 on the Billboard charts in 1946. While Christmas is NEVER mentioned, this song is considered a traditional holiday tune. It includes Parson Brown in one verse and then the snowman becomes a circus clown in another.
We all know this song from start to finish and you will be singing it before we are through with the countdown.
Winter Wonderland
Sleigh bells ring are you listening in the lane snow is glistening A beautiful sight we're happy tonight walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song as we go along walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say: Are you married? we'll say: No man But you can do the job when you're in town
Later on we'll conspire as we dream by the fire To face unafraid the plans that we've made walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he's a circus clown We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman until the all the other kids knock him down
When it snows ain't it thrilling Though your nose gets a chilling We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland walking in a winter wonderland
Now, to really show my age and sentimental side, here is a rendition that I normally would have passed over were it not for the death of my favorite heart throb, David Cassidy. He had the most awesome hair! I will leave it at that.
Let’s skip on over to these great handmade artists and get those last minute gifts for everyone on our gift lists.
Hand Knit Holiday Tree All Cotton Picture Dishcloth or Washcloth
Don’t see what you are looking for? Maybe you will find it in some of the following showcases or ask one of our talented artists to design something special for you. It might not be too late to get something custom designed in time for Christmas delivery.
Since no one can actually pin down what inspired it, there are two popular beliefs around this song’s beginning. After three years of Christmas carol origins, we are now moving into more recent writings, and this is one of them.
In 1951, Meredith Wilson wrote this song, and the rumor is that it was written while staying in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in the Yarmouth Grand Hotel. The line … tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well … is believed to reference Frost Park, which is right across the street from the hotel.
The other school of thought is that the Grand Hotel mentioned is the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, IA, which is Wilson’s hometown. It is the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and overlooks Mason City’s central park.
This song was later added to a pre-Broadway version of Here’s Love and can be heard on the cast recording. Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song in 1961 and Big Bird sang it in 1975.
Everyone loves this song, and if you spend any time walking through the malls during the holiday season, you may find yourself humming right along, if not bursting out into song. It also might be the first thing you think when you see the first snowfall of the season.
While we may never know the real inspiration for this song, we do know what this song means to us.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go Take a look in the Five and Ten Glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Toys in every store But the prettiest sight to see Is the holly that will be On your own front door
A pair of Hop-a-long boots and a pistol that shoots Is the wish of Bonny and Ben Dolls that will talk and go for a walk Is the hope of Janice and Jenn And mom and dad can hardly wait For school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go There's a tree in the Grand Hotel One in the park as well The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Soon the bells will start And the thing that will make them ring Is the Carol that you sing Right within your heart
A pair of Hop-a-long boots and a pistol that shoots Is the wish of Bonny and Ben Dolls that will talk and go for a walk Is the hope of Janice and Jenn And mom and dad can hardly wait For school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Soon the bells will start And the thing that will make them ring Is the Carol that you sing Right within your heart, right within your heart
I know you youngsters won’t get this, but it’s just not Christmas until Uncle Bing sings.
You have to admit, in some places, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Here to help you with your Christmas shopping are our own handmade helpers. Shop now and shop soon or miss out on some amazing handmade gifts.
won’t get this, but it’s just not Christmas until Uncle Bing sings. 
