Happy May! In today’s episode, I share a new segment called “This (Christmas) Day in History”… we go back to Christmas 1990 and learn about the creation of the World Wide Web – is that the best Christmas present ever?

Then Gracie and I chat about her birthday, and then we play a Christmas Trivia Game – who do you think will win?

Finally, I read a Christmas story entitled, “The Canned Plum Pudding” by Ellis Parker Butler. Have you ever had a regifting experience that went horribly wrong? Let this story serve as a lesson for you, and think twice before you send that gift off to someone else.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 This (Christmas) Day in History

08:30 Gracie’s Birthday and Christmas Trivia

29:00 Introduction to the life of Ellis Parker Butler

32:40 Story: The Canned Plum Pudding by Ellis Parker Butler

45:20 Closing Comments and some very interesting comments about the Nishnabotna River. And a blooper.

Music:

Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100270

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Works Cited:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee

Weaving the Web: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006251587X/timbernersleeshome/102-2010687-8580159

http://web.archive.org/web/20090614155722/http://ellisparkerbutler.info/epb/bio.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Parker_Butler

“God rest ye murdered gentlemen let nothing you dismay…”

Can a murder mystery be cozy? It can when in the capable hands of author Vicki Delany and her cozy mystery series, The Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. We head to Canada for a wonderful chat about her books. Unfortunately Rudolph, NY, where the series is set and Christmas is celebrated year round, is NOT a real place… but a Christmas podcast host can dream, right? And besides, who wouldn’t want to catch a sight of Santa in his swimsuit, am I right?…. Hello? Anyone? Just me?

After my talk with Vicki I read another selection from The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens and I have a serious moment and share some Easter meditations I’ve been thinking on lately. I also share another listener memory and talk about some Christmas snacks.

Grab your egg nog (yum!) and some marshmallow peeps (barf), it’s a Christmas and Easter episode!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Listener Memory and Christmas snacks!

07:21 Author Interview: Vicki Delany

41:18 The Life of Our Lord, part 2

57:52 My Easter Meditations

01:01:37 Conclusion

Author Website: http://vickidelany.com/

Book: “Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen” https://www.amazon.com/Murdered-Gentlemen-Year-Round-Christmas-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00SI0B5R6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HCUFIRORTT6H&dchild=1&keywords=rest+ye+murdered+gentlemen&qid=1616361097&sprefix=Rest+ye+murder%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

Help Support the Show:

Buy Me a Coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Music

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Earnest by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100248

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Winter is in full swing, and Grace and I have the giggles today. I ask her some Holly Jolly Christmas questions and they quickly spiral into moments of laughter as we’re interrupted by her Teddy Bears, we try to figure out the names of Santa’s reindeer, and I’m reminded how nice a kid she is when I ask her the question: if you could have any gift on your wishlist what would it be? Her answer surprised me!

I also share another listener memory from Rick, and how the song “Downtown” puts him in a Christmas mood, I recommend a book, and read the story “The Set of Poe” by George Ade.

Though I don’t mention it in the episode, we just hit 30,000 downloads! Thank you THANK YOU for all who have been listening this past year. I’m overwhelmed and grateful for you all!

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Holly Jolly Christmas with Gracie

19:37 Listener Memory

25:08 Cozy Christmas Book Corner: A Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton

31:47 Story: The Set of Poe by George Ade

45:15 Concluding Thoughts

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100270

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

https://bethkempton.com/christmas/

It’s the final episode of the 2020 Christmas season, and we’ve got a full and fun episode ahead.

I read another great memory from our listener Rick… we learn that sometimes gift giving can be a fun, but complicated, process. Then I interview Manny, the host of the Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad podcast and we talk about his podcast, paying it forward, and the magic of Santa.

After that, Gracie and I talk about her Christmas and some of the Teddy Bears she got, a couple of snow storms we experienced, and a (Covid Safe) Christmas surprise trip we were able to take.

I wrap up the first season with some reflections and stats about the show. I am overwhelmed by how you the listeners responded to the show. The show ends with a reading of Susan Noyes Anderson’s poem, “Christmas Past: The Afterglow” which is a fitting end to a wonderful Christmas season.

See you all in a couple of weeks for Season 2!

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

1:23 Listener Memory

5:00 Interview with Manny from the Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad podcast

38:13 Gracie’s Christmas

54:35 Season One Recap

01:02:12 Poem: Christmas Past: The Afterglow by Susan Noyes Anderson https://susannoyesandersonpoems.com/

Music:

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Noel by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Angels We Have Heard by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In today’s episode, Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter stops by and we enjoy a cozy chat. (This is the full interview that you heard a portion of in the Christmas Extravaganza episode.) Todd and I talk about:

-podcasting

-working at the USPS

-The Weather, Family, and Christmas

-The Killian Family Cookie Day

-Christmas Trees

-An exclusive never-before-told Todd Killian Christmas memory!

-I also share a story with Todd about why my sister sends me a penny at Christmas.

Check out Todd’s podcast at https://www.christmasclatter.com/ and sign up for his upcoming newsletter!

I’ll be back in a few days with an episode with a story and some listener memories. Take care everyone and have a Merry Christmas!

Help Support the show at https://ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

We have a tale of two musicians today in this 2nd part from yesterday’s Cozy Christmas Music episode.

First up is singer/songwriter Lucas Morgan. He is 17yo high school student who has just made his first album, called “Get Your Christmas On”. It was so fun talking to a young man who knows what he wants to do and is going after it with passion. We chat about his album, his favorite music, and Christmas! Keep an eye on this kid – I think he’s going to do great things!

You can find his album on amazon or sample it on youtube.

Here is his website: https://lucashuntermorgan.wixsite.com/lucasmorganmusic

His Spotify link:   Grab your Christmas bratwursts everyone, because next I talk to Jake from the Chardon Polka Band. Like Lucas, he began to get interested in music while in school. Now he is a full time musician and brings the joy of polka music where he goes. Their new album, A Very Polka Christmas, brings some much needed fun to 2020.   Hit the links below for more info and music! It’s polka-liscious.   www.chardonpolkaband.com facebook.com/thechardonpolkaband http://www.youtube.com/thechardonpolkaband

Have yourself a Totally Rad Christmas, Dudes!

Today’s guest is THE Gerry Davilla from A Totally Rad Christmas, and as you can tell right from the beginning, this episode is far out and gnarly and… all those other 1980’s terms I can’t remember. It begins with my very worst impression of one of my very favorite podcasters… and it derails from there… as you’ll hear in the interview, I left all the bloopers in. 🙂

Gerry and I get together and we laughed a lot, we told stories, we talked about movies, about the 80’s, we had some moments of loud laughter and deep thoughts about our families and a little bit about faith, too. Come sit with us by the cozy Christmas fire, and enjoy today’s episode!

I share a story a listener sent me about a special memory she has of her grandpa, and then I read “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry and reflect on the story for a few moments.

There’s a lot of fun you won’t want to miss! Later dudes…

Music Credits:

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Angels We Have Heard by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

SILENT NIGHT by John Vallis (johnvallis.co.uk) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

It’s Part 1 of a 2 Part episode focused on A Christmas Carol!

In today’s episode, I sit down with author Gina Dalfonzo and talk about the theme of redemption in A Christmas Carol. She had a new book published this year called The Gospel in Dickens, and if you’re interested in the theology of Charles Dickens you should check it out.

So come on in, sit down by the Christmas fire as we discuss some of the theology found in A Christmas Carol.

And stay tuned for the next episode – it’s dropping on December 14, and we will have a very special guest who comes by to chat more about A Christmas Carol.

Note: Religion can be a touchy subject. I know that all my listeners will have different views in their beliefs, and I in no way want to exclude anyone from this episode or the conversation. I’m here to learn and my hope is that this episode gives us all a deeper understanding of the text of A Christmas Carol and the religious beliefs of Charles Dickens that did influence a lot of his writing.

More about Gina Dalfonzo:

Dickensblog

The Gospel in Dickens

You can help support the show: https://ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Music:

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/