A Christmas Post In April

 

Ever just found something very interesting and cool at a store and you just want to post it even if it's something related to the holidays but we're (sigh) only 7 1/2 months away from it?!

This is what I bought at Goodwill. Yes, call me silly but Goodwill can be fun sometimes, it ain't only clothes, there is some cool collectibles and DVDs. 

There's barely any recognition for the oldies especially Bing Crosby. I get the change of what's trending or poppin' lately and people come from what they're drawn to best. I mean I'm definitely not that person who wants to say, "EVERYTHIN', EVERY PRODUCT HAS TO BE SOMETHIN' FROM THE 1920s T' THE 1940s!" No. I get people's appeal to things. 

To me I think it just has to do with the enjoyment and joyfulness. And to me when I listen to stuff from Como, Day, Nat King Cole, Bing and Louis I just smile. I have no problem being happy with musicians I enjoy listening to. Maybe it's just the smaller elements, the lyrics the melody the tone of the singer's voice etc.

This holiday season, I'm in to introduce these greats of vintage music to my loved ones. They'll show you what the true spirit and love of Christmas is really about. 

Is it me or does the red highlighting give off the feel of the nostalgia that I remember hearing these artists and hearing the warm vintage quality of the songs?

I was surprised when there was a flip book for this CD songbook. It just made the whole thing alot more impressive. 

Whoa, I actually never heard of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" ever. Sure I'm not a Christmas songologist, but I can't wait to get myself into that song eventually, but those lyrics! 

There were some Christmas songs that not only became hits on radio, but movies too. What great sense. It has happened with non-Christmas songs as well. Also very neat and generous for them to text "Happy Holidays!" 

Overall a rare but neat collectible find. I'm liking the appreciation. 

There will be another Golden Age on my exploration blog someday but almost 2 years and 300 posts, it's safe to say I done a whole lot. And me taking breaks from it is necessary.

Merry Christmas! 🎄 (2025)

 

Merry Christmas! Can't believe I made it this far. I remember all my past christmases and them being wonderful. 

Of course I received gifts. I had some food, and listened to christmas oldies. 

First of all I got a cute item in my stocking. A Winnie The Pooh ornament, since I love the franchise. 

Here's a framed image of our savior Jesus Christ. Normally I'm cautious about what people do with him entertainment-wise but this is stellar artwork. I relate to this moment where he's sitting at peace viewing nature. Astounding.

A nice Bible Study Guide. I'll use this whenever I feel overwhelmed or needing more knowledge or something. It's really useful.

Got some more drawing sketchbooks as always. I have a new blog called SNG Drawing Blog. And I usually post whenever I draw something amusing. Feel free to check it out now if you want.

https://sngdrawingblog.blogspot.com/?m=1

A daily calendar featuring verses from The Bible. This is a great gift. I currently have a Touched By An Angel calendar with quotes from the show. It's fine but it's not always inspiring.

Sorry to any people who wear gloves, but I'm more into mittens. When I opened this gift, I thought these were oven gloves as a sign to start cooking now that I'm a young adult, but who knows when I'll start doing chores, LOL. 

I've been exploring different franchises just to see if they interest me or not. I actually have watched 2 Peanuts specials so far, but they're on Apple TV. I actually like these specials. They're simple and calm to watch. Especially enjoy Linus as a character, so having this as a collection of 6 timeless specials is awesome.

I wore this today and was so comfy. Bought it at JCPenney a few weeks ago, but I had to wait until Christmas to have it completely. 😆

I wash my hands ALL the time. Don't like to cause germs, so I received a few hand soap scents. 

Last year, my monthly calendar was focused on those vintage Disney illustrations so this year is paintings from incredibly talented artists like Claude Monet.

Finally, is the original A.A Milne books! The illustrations are absolutely amazing. I've been wanting to experience these books ever since I liked the Pooh movies.

Let me just say, since we're exactly one week away from the end of 2025, I hope you all had a great Christmas.

If you want to discover 2024's gifts here's the link.

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/merry-christmas.html?m=1

Mickey's Christmas Carol - Scrooge's Worst Nightmare

 

Last year I decided to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, I liked it at first, but I seemingly like it more nowadays because of how more dramatic and deep this film is. It's still really timeless after 42 years! The particular scene I'm discussing is Scrooge's haunting nightmare. This is some stellar stuff for a rather harmless franchise. 

The imagery in this scene is fascinating.

Also given that Scrooge McDuck chosen the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is just perfect.

The colors remind me of Secret of NIMH especially with the final act. Those clouds though. Just wonderful.

The blue smoke layers add a little more depth. It's extremely well-crafted.

I always kinda liked the original story, it's dreadful but very interesting for what it is especially with the truly dark and menacing moment when Tiny Tim Cratchit loses fate. It's really emotional but well executed. 

I love this scene. Great animation and feeling of utter grief as Mickey sheds a tear. 

I also really miss when animated films added details to make the scenes more unique like when Mickey places Tim's crutch on the gravestone. 

If you haven't watched this film yet it does feature cameos. It was nice to see some traces of old Disney movie characters since I'm more interested in them than the Mickey Mouse characters. Characters from Robin Hood, and Wind In The Willows. They don't feel pointless either. 

Now we get into the most threatening part of all. Ebenezer's last fate, as the Ghost of Christmas Future lights a candle revealing his name on the gravestone.

It turns out to be Pete and smacks him inside. To be fair, Pete has never been a truly terrifying antagonist to me, but here he feels like an actual good villain, great animation as well.

It's insane to think this was an actual dream that Scrooge had all because he was too selfish and his lack of welfare. This type of behavior will put you in bad condition so that's why you should trust other people. 

Then, the coffin opens and shows the flames of Hell. 

My goodness, this is some cruel stuff. It's hard to allow these certain elements to a film that originally released in theaters but also television.

After Scrooge's unpleasant nightmare is over, he then learns his lesson. He spreads joy and happiness around London and comes to visit The Cratchit family house to send over gifts and gives Bob played by Mickey Mouse, a raise. Sometimes one dream could ultimately change you.

My final thoughts? I absolutely loved it. This might be one of my favorite adaptations of the original novel. I could easily relate to all the morality and emotion behind it. When they show scenes of the food, it really looks tasty and delectable. The early to mid 80s for Disney was honestly underappreciated. I felt like their concepts and character development was at their best, probably better than the Golden Age and Renaissance era. What's also special about this film is that it's getting more recognition. It's free to watch on YouTube, probably for a limited time though but feel free to experience it yourself. 

I would give this film a 9.5/10.

Cutest Santa Design Ever

 The santa that people most likely know about is his white & red attire, and jolly personality. There's nothing wrong about him. I love the gift of giving and warm hearts rising. But what about in popular culture perhaps? 

I stumbled across social media and discovered this rare holiday gem with the most adorable Santa illustrations I ever seen. It's from a 1963 Whitman Tell-A-Tale book called The Night Before Christmas, adapted by the poem by Clement C. Moore. Illustrated by Carol Munshi.

Merry Christmas! 🎄 (2024)

Merry Christmas to all the people who have been reading my blog since late August. I certainly had a mixed year myself, but I'm willing to talk about it in a few days.

I have got alot of cool stuff today so I'm willing to send you pictures.

Enjoy! 🎄 

I wash my hands all the time so I got soap. 

Every Christmas Eve, I usually get one present, so this year, I got a DVD.

I had a Looney Tunes Calendar for 2024, now it's Disney in 2025.

Speaking of Disney, I got the best types of books, the ultimate visual guides. Looney Tunes has this, and it is awesome.

The 70s were interesting for cartoons that's for sure. The Jetsons and Yogi Bear weren't that popular in the 70s though. Don't know why there here. 

Team Umizoomi was my childhood and I should have had a plush toy of a character I grew up with.

These are interesting. I first seen these within advertisements on Facebook and they looked so cute and my style that I wanted to buy them.

They're called TinyShinyHineys. 

Apparently when I looked into them, they have these gold shiny butts on their back. Okay then....

But who cares? I liked their designs and they felt like mystery minis so what I got were interesting, they got cards as well.

This book is fantastic. It has the looks behind Disney animation. I love everything about Classic Disney's animation style. I adore stuff like Snow White, Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and the Three Caballeros. So this is going to be fun to check out in the future.

I also got vintage books and those are always amazing. Mickey and The Magic Cloak in particular feels inspiring.

I also have to think the Pinocchio one is like what the movie is so I gotta see if I want to watch the movie first or read the book.

I got a shirt of my favorite animated characters.

I finally got it.

I always wanted this book for so long. This is important and I'm so happy because the pages are really fun to look at.

And after all that gift wrapping, I watched a little bit of the Abbott And Costello Christmas Show. 

It was very funny. It was so cool to see The Nicholas Brothers in this.

I hope you all had a fantastic christmas, I was waiting for it for so long and here we are. 

I will see you all next time, we're back to normal until New Years Eve starts.