It's What We Do.... Dinner With Dear Friends!
The kids are gone and have their own families and traditions so in order not to put pressures on them, we go to Panda Palace and enjoy friends and some family. Why Panda Palace... Because we re-create "The Christmas Story"!!
This year we were pleased to have
the Branders (Leon & Marsha), the Dudas (Bob & Robin), the Finches (Brian & Jan), the Thedens (Hans & Kerstin),the Zaitz (Bob & Donna), Greg Leach and Carri
Fox.
Click for the 2400px by 1800px image
Let The Fun Begin At Panda Palace!
What do you remember about the movie???
We arrive early to make sure all is ready
Do You Remember? - In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank.
People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"
Greg studies the Christmas Story trivia that Paul printer off from IMDB
Did You Know? - JR & Karen sent us "The Christmas Story" book complete with sounds and details of the movie. The book made the rounds!
Donna and Bob were right on time... Yeah!! The party may commence!
Great shirt Bob... Body, not so much!
Do You Remember? - "It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!"... Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" ~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Carri and Greg welcoming friends
"Pssssst Robin.... Watcha doin' with my wine???"
Hans brightens the room when he enters....
It's the sun reflecting on his hairdo
It's 75 degrees here and tomorrow they will be freezing in London
Leon is having a great time.... He spotted the movie
Something To Think About - May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. ~Author Unknown
Ralphie is viewing the department store window
Did You Know? - The department store featured in the Santa scene is really Higbee's in downtown Cleveland. There is no Higbee's in Hammond.
Carefully hiding the BB Gun add inside Look Magazine
Did You Know? - The LOOK magazine used by Ralph Parker to insert his Red Ryder promotion for his mother's observation was a December 21, 1937 edition with a cover featuring Shirley Temple pouring tea for Santa Claus.
Frank delivers the menus... Dinner is about to get seriously underway
Great times with great friends
"We love this movie"
Did You Know? - Ralphie was supposed to be 9, but Peter Billingsley who played him was 12.
We heard Brian mumbling...."Nine??? I was nine once.... about 100 years ago!"
Bob remembers: There are four stages of man:
1. He believes in Santa Claus;
2. He does not believe in Santa Claus;
3. He is Santa Claus; and
4. He looks like Santa Claus
A great Christmas celebration... With dear friends and family
Let It Be So - To all the days here and after, may they be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter.
Here's to you! Paul remembers....
I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas
with a note on it saying, toys not included
Cheers and clinks
"Gar-Con Gar-Con... How is the guest of honor doing??"!
Frank gives us the sign indicating two "guests of honor"
Actually it was a secret sign to Frank.... Ready the "Guests Of Honor"
Fra-Gee-Lay.....
Notice the men looking at the TV screen
The appetizers are almost gone....
Everybody is wondering about the "Guests Of Honor"
Greg is still amazed by the leg lamp
Look out fuse box... Here comes the overload
Betcha Hans has tried this at home
"You can't do that in Europe with our 220V plugs"
Smile.... You are on candid camera
What did he say???? Was it fudge????
Old Faithful also shows up!
"What in the world is that???"
That looks like it hurt!
Frank delivers the second
"Guest Of Honor" un-carved
All the men screamed when they saw the head.... Soooo
Paul did the honors
Slice... Whack.... Carve...
At the end of the battle is was
Duck 1 - Paul 0
The people in the booth next to us wanted to see what a duck looked like....
We had two so we shared some with them
Old faithful had to make an appearance.... Paul or the Duck??
Squeezing the yellow "duck" was a lot more fun!
"Off with his head!"
We had to convince Kerstin that it WAS NOT DONALD DUCK
She does not look convinced
Donna decided to talk to the duck... Face to Face
Now we have the real rundown!!!
It's me
What a pile of dishes... Glad we do not have to clean up
Time for a Christmas Toast and a Special toast to Herbie
Darn near did.... Thank goodness he had glasses on!
"That's going to hurt"
"M-m-m-m-m-m-m Nick will have to wait!"
We explained it to Bob this evening
They know what is going to happen next!
The Bumpases dogs got the Christmas Turkey
"Eeeeeek... It has a head and it is smiling!!"
Did You Know? - [in a Chinese restaurant]
Waiter #1, Waiter #2, Waiter #3: [singing] Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra.
Chop Suey Palace Owner: No, no, not 'ra ra ra ra', 'la la la la'! Try again.
Waiter #1, Waiter #2, Waiter #3: Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra.
Chop Suey Palace Owner: No, no! Sing something else.
Waiter #1, Waiter #2, Waiter #3: Jingre bers, jingre bers, jingre arr the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sreigh!
Family and friends falling out of their seats laughing....
Did You Know? - The address for the Chop Suey Palace was 744 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Life is good
The giggler in charge
Greg gives another toast
...and a little Christmas story...
Bob is scared of the German Christmas Story...
Now the giggles begin
Bob does his magic trick
"OK Brian... How many fingers and phones am I holding up???"
We had almost a full house tonight
Carri has a new Japanese Camera... Press the button and it goes "Crick"
In Memory Of Our Dear Friend Herb Silverstein...
אנחנו מתגעגע אליך בכל לבנו
אלוהים ברך את החברים הרב היקר שלנו
We Miss You With All Our Hearts
God Bless Our Dear Friends Herb
Herbie always in our memories
