…all is bright

There’s no lack of over-the-top Christmas house decorating in this burg, but Maisie’s Magical Christmas house takes the fruitcake.

I took my niece and her Australian friend there last night for a little look-see.

It’s a private house, owned by someone who loves Christmas a lot

or maybe just really hates their neighbours.

These people have been decorating their house since at least 2004. You can see from these pictures on their website that it started relatively modestly but has grown to a scale that far surpasses anything done by any local department store.

Santa in his front door grotto.

Seasonal tunes are piped over tinny speakers hidden around the property – at least a half dozen different Christmas songs playing all at once.

A little nightmarish, really (I wish my camera had audio).

All the windows have animated displays.

Penguins and polar bears frolic together in geographic inaccuracy.

We found this basement window the most charming – a toy train makes a circuit of a snow-covered village with a working carousel and people skating on a pond.

Astounding.

website

Record Cover of the Week

Various: Strictly for Snobs Volume 1

Now Sound instrumentals by Kai Winding, Johnny Hodges, Cal Tjader, Vinnie Bell, Stan Getz and others. A 1964 release from MGM Germany. There was also a volume 2 & volume 3 with equally charming covers (scroll down a bit).

All is calm…

Not finished your Christmas shopping? Stressed out by crowds at the mall? I have the answer.

Thrift stores. Where I live they’re absolutely dead this time of year (Hallowe’en is their Christmas, if you know what I mean). I’m doing all my last minute shopping there. Here’s what my loved ones can look forward to under the tree this year:

fondue plates

power adaptors for obsolete gadgets

classic tv shows on vhs

inspirational art

decorative souvenir beer steins

and naked barbies by the bagful.

Happy holidays!

Record Cover of the Week

Evaporators: United Empire Loyalists

Now out-of-print debut album (1996) of the Vancouver punk band fronted by legendary musician/radio host/celebrity interviewer Nardwuar The Human Serviette (he once asked Mikhail Gorbachev which world leader had the biggest pants)

Evaporators: I Gotta Rash

Thee Goblins: We Are Thee Goblins From Canada

This is the flipside of the “I Gotta Rash” album (1998). Same band, different name.

Record Cover of the Week

Stella Parton: Stella Parton

“good singing”

The Culling XIV: Jonesin’

I knew I  liked me some Jack Jones but I had no idea I had so many of his records – 22, not including Christmas LPs (I think I have 2 but they’re in another part of the collection).

Count
Considered: 2148
Culled: 416
Collected: 1732

Birthday Week Day 6

Birthday week wraps up with a brunch at Marlena & Michael’s.

M & M.

Their house is a trove of vintage treasures

and arty touches.

Lee & Howard.

Jo.

Nancy & Shandip.

Vittles included bacon, sausage and gluten-free pancakes.

Glutenlicious birthday cupcakes.

Trying on my swell new Hawaiian made Iolani bowling shirt. 100% polyester stylishness.

That’s birthday week for this year. Now back to work.