HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! 🎉😊🎉

White Christmas Animated Ecard by Jacquie Lawson

Have a wonderfully joyous Christmas/Hannukah day, everyone, whether you celebrate those holidays or not! 😄🌲🎄🎅⛄❄️🎁🌟🍬

Foodie Fridays: Hot Apple Pie Cider

Years ago my husband and I went to a Christmas crafts fair (either in Colorado or Georgia, I can't remember which state now) where hot apple pie cider was served, spiced and topped with whipped cream.  It was delicious!  I have created my own version based on that drink, and it is really the only way I like to drink hot cider.  You could use cider that is sold already spiced, but I prefer to add my own as I do not care for cloves and this way I can leave them out.  That is why I also recommend apple pie spice blend rather than pumpkin pie spice, because the former does not contain cloves.  However, use whatever you prefer and/or have on hand (I think the cider at the crafts fair just had cinnamon, and it was quite good that way).

I like to use my very large Christmas Snoopy mug as I do not like the whipped cream overflowing the top, but if you like to see the cream floating above the mug then go for it!  I also just use canned whipped cream, but you can go all out and whip your own cream, or even use steamed milk instead, although it won't taste as rich and creamy.  Of course you can increase the recipe to make as many mugs as you like, and you can also heat the cider on the stove rather than in the microwave.  This is my favorite hot holiday beverage, and I hope you like it too!

Hot Apple Pie Cider

1 C. (or more) apple cider
apple pie spice to taste
dollop of whipped cream

Pour the cider into a microwave-safe mug and heat on HIGH for about 2 minutes.  Sprinkle as much apple pie spice on top of the cider as you like.  Top with whipped cream and sprinkle more spice over the cream.  Start sipping and enjoy!  Serves 1.

This 'n That Thursdays: Afternoon Tea Party Video (ASMR Animation)

Feeling a bit stressed this holiday season?  Wouldn't a cozy afternoon tea party with a dear friend be just perfect to relax you right about now?  Then how about the next best thing - watch this short video of two cute cat buddies doing just that!  I am really enjoying these adorable cat animation videos - they are very short and do not take up too much of my time, but are so fun to watch and bring a bit of joy and peace to my day.  And isn't that exactly what the holidays are supposed to be about? 😸

This 'n That Thursdays: Cozy Fall Night Routine Video (ASMR Animation)

If autumn is your favorite season and the idea of cozycore slow living appeals to you, then you will love this very short animated video from YouTube - it is adorable!  I have watched way too many fall slow living vlogs lately, and all of the essentials for a cozy autumnal evening show up in this video - hot beverage, hot bath, soothing skin care, fall décor, candles, snuggling in bed under a warm blanket while reading a good book - what's not to love?  And the animated star of the video is a cute kitty with a huge head!  Get ready for all the cute fall vibes here! 🍁🍂🐱☕️🛀📚🍂🍁

This 'n That Thursdays: Pig Caught On Camera Stealing Neighbors' Pumpkins | The Dodo

Happy Halloween, everyone!  I just watched this YouTube vlog post yesterday and had to share it - not only is this pig obsessed with Halloween pumpkins and jack o' lanterns, he also managed to grow his own pumpkin patch!  This is such a hilarious and heartwarming video, and it will make your day.  Enjoy! 🎃🐷🎃🐖🎃🐷🎃

Terrifying Tuesdays: Week Four of My Scary Movie Recommendations from the 1970s-1990s

From Amazon

Time for my final week of scary movie recommendations for the month.  First up is "The Shining" (1980), which is arguably the best known film adaptation of Stephen King's works.  You have two chances to watch it on BBC America on Halloween day, at 2:00 AM and then again at 1:30 PM on the east coast (check local listings for times in your area).   It is also available on a number of streaming services for a fee.

Next on my list is "The Sixth Sense" (1999), the first and probably best known scary movie from director M. Night Shyamalan.  Watch this movie on Halloween day as well, on FX at 8:00 PM on the east coast (again, check local listings for times in your area).  This film is also available on a number of streaming services for a fee.

Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" (1999) is in my opinion one of his best movies and also a great adaptation of the classic tale by Washington Irving.  While not available on TV before Halloween, it is coming up in early November on several networks, and is available on a number of streaming services, some with seven day free trials if you wish to go that route.  If so inclined, you can also read Irving's short story here.

"Tales from the Crypt" (1972), based on tales from mid-century horror fiction comics, is one of the earliest of many horror anthology movies from this time period, and is one of the better offerings.  Another plus for me is that it also stars Peter Cushing in one of the five segments!  This one is currently streaming for free (with ads) on Tubi, or watch it on YouTube here.

I tend to prefer horror films to science fiction, but "Total Recall" (1990) is in my opinion one of the better movies of the genre, not least because of two strong female characters.  The film is based on a short story by well known science fiction writer Philip K. Dick (which you can read here).  While not available for Halloween, you can watch the movie on IFC on November 9th.  It is also available on streaming sites for a price.

Next on the list is the creature feature "Tremors" (1990), which is a fun and effective blend of comedy and horror.  I could not find this one free online anywhere, but of course there are a number of streaming service options.

"Trilogy of Terror" (1975) is a different sort of horror anthology in that it stars actress Karen Black as the main character in all three tales, the most memorable of which is the last one featuring a killer doll.  All of these stories are based on original short works by science fiction author Richard Matheson.  You can watch this movie on YouTube here.

There are two more movie recommendations for my list this month, and I will add them to this post as soon as I put them on the list. This month seems to have flown by, so enjoy the remaining days to come, and have a fun Halloween! 👽👻🎃💀👿

Okay, the next film recommendation has been posted, and it is "The Uncanny" (1977), which is another horror anthology.  This one has three tales, all featuring cats, and I wish I could have posted it yesterday, which was National Cat Day!   Better a day late than never, though, so if you are an ailurophile, you can watch this movie on YouTube here.

My final movie recommendation for the month is yet another horror anthology (that makes a total of seven for the month!).  "The Vault of Horror" (1973) consists of five short stories told by five men who find themselves inexplicably stranded together in a building sub-basement.  This is admittedly not one of the best anthologies, but it is decent enough if you like this sort of film (as I do).  You can watch it on YouTube here.

And this is it for my October movie recommendations from the 1970s-1990s!  I hope you enjoy at least some of them, and I am already compiling my list for next year with movies from the 2000s.  Happy Halloween! 👽👻🎃💀👿