How's that oil holding up?

It's the sixth night of Hanukkah.


Isn't it over yet?


Are You Jewish? Do You Like Elvis? Then You'll Love Jelvis -




My Yiddishe Julie Andrews -




Supercalifragilistic Mandy Patinkin -



Feast of Lights They Might Be Giants -




December 6, 1964 -
One of the first neurotic holiday Christmas specials, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, premiered on this date




Why is Dolly for Sue, who is apparently a perfectly ordinary doll, living on the Island of Misfit Toys? This gripping debate raged on for decades, until official word from Rankin-Bass recently decided the issue: Dolly for Sue is a "misfit" because she has psychological problems - she feels unloved.


AFLAC commercial -



Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer cartoon from 1944



Verizon Commercial



Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Regis Philbin -




It's the Feast of Saint Nicholas, yes that St. Nick. Amongst other things, he is the patron saint of children and was known for his generosity. He's also known as the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, merchants, the falsely accused, prostitutes (Huh), repentant thieves, pharmacists and broadcasters.

The biggest gift he ever gave was to a poor man and his three daughters. The man had no dowry to pay for his daughters and was worried that if they never married they would have no choice but to become prostitutes. Hearing this, Saint Nicholas visited the poor man at night and anonymously threw three purses filled with gold through his window. Because of this, he became the patron saint of pawnbrokers. Traditionally, three golden baubles are hung in the window of pawn shops to represent the three purses of money.

In honor of Saint Nick, we have a second Christmas video countdown today - Santa!


Here Comes Santa Claus Doris Day -




Jolly Old St Nicholas Ray Coniff -




Must Be Santa Bob Dylan -

Have some fruit

It's the Fifth Day of Hanukkah. Please drink more water and have some fiber.


Hanukka O Hanukkah Kenny Ellis -




What Do You Do with a Menorah?




Chipmunk Chanukah



Yes, now Hanukkah can be ruined by these rodents.


Christmas video countdown: Once again The Jacksons (that happy family from Gary, Indiana.)










Besides being a meal ticket from the grave, I wonder what Michael will get his brothers for Christmas?


Today early Christmas special - Mythbusters Christmas Special

Remember to eat some steamed vegetables

I tend not to recommend things (except the drinking of gin - Bombay Sapphire. I would be happy to accept gallons of the delicious botanical nectar to endorse the product (but I digress ...)

A good friend of mine, Claudia Sherwood, is having a book signing today of her photographs: Winter Musings: Images of Central Park

The book is a collection of black and white photography taken in various locations throughout Central Park in the winter. It starts off with a forward by Yoko Ono, and poetry written by a variety of different authors.

The book signing is at the Tavern on the Green Visitors Center at Central Park West and 67th Street on December 4th from 1-3pm.

If you can't make the book signing you can order the book on-line at The Central Park Conservancy - it makes a great gift.


Tonight's the Fourth Night of Hanukkah - now it time to figure out how to get rid of all of your relatives.



Hanukkah song (Part 3) Adam Sandler -



I forgot to play it last night


Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah Erran Baron Cohen -




My Menorah Chevonne -




Today's Christmas countdown - A Beach Boys Christmas

Little St Nick




Santa Claus is Comin' To Town




Christmas Day



What says Christmas more than music by kids abused by their domineering father (Tomorrow, Christmas songs by the Jacksons.)

I wonder if Lipitor is a sponsor of Hanukkah?

It's the third night of Hanukkah. Move on to the donuts.



The music of comedian Eric Schwartz aka Smooth-E -

Hanukkah Bird




Chocolate Coins




Honika Electronica




Today's theme - It's an Elvis Christmas today

Blue Christmas




Silent Night




Christmas Medley




Here Come's Santa Claus



As we often suggest - place your hand upon the screen and feel St. Elvis warm your loins with the spirit of the holiday.

Hopefully you're all not too bloated.

Tonight is the second night of Hanukkah -

The Chanukah Song Part 2 Adam Sandler :




Dreidel Erran Baron Cohen:




8 Nights of Hanukkah



Today's Theme - Dr. Demento's Christmas:

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth Spike Jones:



I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas



Santa Claus and His Old Lady Cheech and Chong:



Christmas at Ground Zero Weird Al:

For those on a diet, look away

Hanukkah starts tonight, get the loose pants out. And what better way to celebrate the festival of lights than making Potato Latkes. I do not have a Jewish Bubbe, so I will not claim these are authentic but I think the great Talmudic scholar Orrin Hatch would approve.

And kids, know when a simple game becomes an addiction - please no actual gambling while playing with your dreidels. Gamblers Anonymous (718) 352-1671.


Potato Latkes

Ingredients

* 3 large baking potatoes
* Pinch of salt
* 2 tbsp. matzoh meal or flour
* 1/2 onion
* black pepper
* vegetable oil
* 1 egg


Tools


* Heavy bottomed Skillets
* Large Mixing Bowl
* Spatula
* Large Metal Spoon
* Box Grater / Food processor
* Fork
* Kitchen towel


Directions

Get out your food processor and grate you potatoes and onions, those of you who are purists or masochists, can use your box grater. Place the grated vegetables into the kitchen towel and wring out as much liquid as possible (if you're a masochist - please have someone whack you with the kitchen towel until all of the moisture is removed.)

Add the grated potatoes and onion into the mixing bowl. Beat your egg (please wait to beat the masochist). Add the beaten egg, salt and pepper, and matzo meal or flour in the bowl and mix.

Place the skillet over a medium flame. When skillet comes up to heat, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil to coat the bottom of the skillet.

Add the potato mixture into the skillet - 2 to 3 tbsp. of potato per cake - Flatten the cakes slightly with a spatula. (Don't crowd the skillet - make about 4 at a time.)

Cook until the cakes are nice and brown on the bottom, then turn and cook the other side.

Remove them from the skillet and place them on a baking tray with a paper towel. You can keep them warm while making the rest of the latkes by placing them in a warm oven (set at 250°F degrees.)

Serve with applesauce or sour cream and maybe some nice smoked salmon on the side would be nice.

Remember, pace yourself - 8 days is a long time

Hanukkah starts tonight, get the loose pants out.

Original Hanukkah Song Adam Sandler -




Hanukkah Harry



I'm Keeping Kosher for Christmas



And kids, know when a simple game becomes an addiction - please no actual gambling while playing with your dreidels. Gamblers Anonymous (718) 352-1671


Today's Christmas theme - Sometimes the holidays occur during war time -

Happy Christmas (War is Over) John and Yoko -




Snoopy's Christmas




Pipe's of Peace Paul McCartney -




I'll Be Home For Christmas Bing Crosby -