Photo TR: Chuck Decks His Halls . . .

[cfc]

Afternoon all,

 

Well, last Sunday, December 2, was the Grand Illumination, the traditional kickoff to the Christmas season in Williamsburg in which thousands of people stand around waiting for fireworks, listening to carolers and the fife-and-drum, and waiting for hours on end to buy hot cider in the town's colonial section. It's a fun event, but once you've seen one Illumination, you've seen them all; so, this is the day that I like to deck my own halls (it's much less crowded).

 

But before beginning a hard day's decorating, one needs a little sustenance. Let's start with lunch, eh?

Luncheon is served. Let the Christmas decorating begin!

Don't forget the cheese, Chuck.

I like to toss the veggies and penne together in a bowl. I think it's fun for them, too.

. . . the pasta boils. (Whole-wheat penne this time--but almost any pasta will do.)

Then let them simmer while . . .

Time to get those veggies good and drunk.

Oops! Outta fresh garlic! But this stuff will do.

And this sweet, sweet tomato paste. Oh, yeah . . .

As do these hot tomatoes.

The mushrooms want to get in on this hot action.

Yeah, olive oil. You know you diced peppers like it! Time to saute!

Mmmm--olive oil.

Being as it's the holiday and season and all, here's a festive vegetable arrangement. Looks sort of like a Christmas tree, eh?

Always wash your mushrooms, kids--'cause you know what shrooms grow in, right? Manure, for the most part.

Well, I'm not burning anybody's weenies today. I'm throwing together a quick lunch using stuff I have on hand.

First, a little music to cook lunch by--how about Frank Zappa's "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" album?

[Coaster Palooza]

Awesome Chuck! You're cooking skills are un-matched.

 

I don't know if there is anything I like in there except the pasta. I'm not much of a vegi guy.

[Manny In England]

The Grand Illumination kind of sounds like a Bible event. Can't wait to see the decorating. December only becomes Christmas with decorations.

[cfc]

OK, next is setting up my little Christmas street. Yes, I've acquired a small collection of Christmas village stuff, thanks to my parents' obsession with collectibles. Most of the pieces are movie theatres.

I cut open my thumb when I snipped the plastic ties from my strings of lights--d'oh! More to come.

And here's my tree partially dressed.

Here's my tree . . . buck naked!

Phew! Made it!

Please don't explode on me, Mr. Furnace!

First, I must contend with the Halloween crap.

And now, one of the most dangerous parts--dragging the tree down from its lair!

Yes, one needs a festive TV to watch holiday shows and such.

Here's the whole street.

But who is that dude with the super-stretch limo (with OSRs) at the drive-in?

Looks like there's a cartoon festival down the street.

Of course, people might want a good place to eat before or after all the hot action. Well, they'll just have to settle for the Hard Rock Cafe: Chuck's House (with gift shop, of course).

First, the Paramount Theatre, which plays nothing but White Christmas. Yes, all the hot Danny Kaye/Bing Crosby/Rosemary Clooney/Vera Ellen action you can stand!

[mcjaco]

Pasta and diet soda, does it get any better? I must try that cheese!

 

My tree is still half naked. I hate putting up ornaments. I'd rather leave the lighted tree up.

[cfc]

OK, time to finish tarting up the tree for Santa.

But don't worry--Spock to the rescue! (You know, I could've sold this ornament to some hard-core Start Trek geek for about $500 if I'd never taken it out of the box.) More to come.

When cartoon worlds collide: Marvin Martian rams Santa Homer while attempting to orbit Minnie Mouse!

Yosemite Sam is way too excited about that leg lamp.

Look! It's a "major award"!

And here's one with a working "roller coaster."

And this is the only Busch Gardens Williamsburg ornament (as far as I know).

Here's a free ornament I got at Kings Island's "Winterfest" back in the 1980s.

And now, some geeky park-related ornaments. Remember when Carowinds tried "Winterfest" again a few years back?

for some reason, Betty is always the first ornament I put on the tree.

And don't forget the egg nog in the festive holiday glass.

But first, some appropriate music.

[cfc]

Pasta and diet soda, does it get any better? I must try that cheese!

 

My tree is still half naked. I hate putting up ornaments. I'd rather leave the lighted tree up.

 

Diet Northern Neck Ginger Ale, pal--the most awesome diet soda anywhere! Time to finish the tree (learn by my example).

. . . and Angus McNasty (right, Dave?). Merry Christmas, everybody!

Oh yeah--a monorail (right, Scott?) . . .

Well that oughta do it, but something seems missing . . . hmm . . .

Hi dee ho, kids! Can you find Mr. Hanky?

Hmm--I think the snowman would like a little privacy here.

Here's Mickey and Pluto (that's for you, Lou).

. . . as did this hummingbird.

This snowflake once belonged to Grandma Campbell . . .

And now, a tribute to my old cat Joaquin, who went to cat heaven right before Christmas three years ago.

[arrowfanman]

LOL....I have both that roller coaster ornament AND the Star Trek one.

 

 

 

Great PTR Chuck! It's putting me in the mood for the season!

 

-Jahan

[Meteornotes]

Oh, this is all sorts of awesome:

 

- Frank Zappa is excellent cooking music

- McCormick spices are used (buy more, people!)

- Angus McNasty makes an appearance. I see he has already claimed the tree as his own.

 

This PTR rocks. Thanks for posting!

 

dt

[Flippero95]

I love the monorail! And at least your cat sleeps under the tree, not in it. Mine thinks he can still climb up inside like when he as a kitten.

[cfc]

^^The McCormick Pepper-and-Garlic Grinder is a staple in my house, Dave--it's awesome.

[SharkTums]

Great PTR!!!

 

That pasta looks like something I used to make for Robb all the time! We would do red and green peppers, onions, and mushrooms mixed with tomato sauce, red wine, and balsamic vinegar!

 

I will also confess to having the roller coaster ornament. I think it was one of the Hallmark keepsakes one year right? I however, am too cool for the Star Trek one!

[Meteornotes]

^The first thing I thought of when looking at these pictures was the stuff you used to cook. It looked REALLY similar. And made me hungry! For those that have never experienced it, Elissa is an AWESOME cook!

 

Chuck, those Grinders are awesome. Obviously, we have a lot of them here, but I'd totally recommend them anyway. I use that garlic and pepper one all the time.

 

dt

[cfc]

It's one of my favorite healthy recipes--but I've never thought of using balsamic vinegar in it (just wine). I'll have to give the vinegar a shot. Literally came up with it one day a few years ago when contemplating leftover veggies in the fridge. I make a lot of soup during the winter (beef-barley is my favorite).

 

Yeah, the roller coaster ornament one was one of those "Hallmark Keepsakes." I admit to having five Star Trek ornaments (and my parents are sending me another one)--but my favorite is still that boxy little shuttlecraft.

[Coaster Palooza]

I have that rollercoaster ornament too. I really like a lot of your ornaments Chuck! I especially like the Hard Rock Cafe place. The monorail around the tree is so cool.

 

You really know how to Deck Your Halls.

[cprocks22]

Look! It's a "major award"!

LMAO its Fragilé, hahahaha classic movie.

 

Awesome Photo TR! I'll join the list of people that have the roller coaster ornament. BTW the pasta dish look DELICIOUS!

[Cyber.Fiber]

Pot Handels should always be turned inwards ...

Other than that great photo TR!

[Louise]

Chuck, you have reached whole new levels of awesomeness.

 

You have a Betty Boop ornament!! OMG!!! You rock. Thanks for sharing, I love it!!

[SharkTums]

^Something about that picture looks really dirty. Not like erotic dirty, but like "Hey check out our chests!" or something!

[DerekRx]

I am in awe of Chuck's cooking, Christmas town, and just having enough enthusiasm to set up a tree. I'm waiting for all my ornaments of yesteryear to act together and make their own tree to occupy. Good PTR, Chuck, I know where I want to stay when next I find myself in Williamsburg!

[cfc]

^Something about that picture looks really dirty. Not like erotic dirty, but like "Hey check out our chests!" or something!

 

Not that anyone is complaining, mind you.

 

Pre-Production Code Betty Boop rules!

 

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

[mr_teisco_delrey]

The "major award" ornament makes me yearn for my Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun. That is a great ornament!

[cfc]

Anybody out there who is looking for Christmas Story ornaments, check out your Suncoast Video Store (they sell the lamps). Hallmark has a Ralphie and BB gun ornament, too.

[mcjaco]

^Something about that picture looks really dirty. Not like erotic dirty, but like "Hey check out our chests!" or something!

 

Too late, I already did.

[Erik Johnson]

Cool people have these!