Day 6 Making Merry

The first time I ever heard the term Making Merry was in my all time favorite Christmas film A Christmas Carol and of course later in book by Charles Dickens.


                                  I was surprised to see it in comic book version hehe

I sometimes wonder why I embrace this story so much....each year I read the book, and it is my mission to see as many versions of the film as I can...there are alot... I think one thing is the aspect of ghosts and the unknown...I like an eerie story

also it's possible I may be a bit of an Anglophile

Making Merry is mentioned several times, but below the classic scene 

at Old Fezziwigs Christmas Party

One thing I do know though...is I have a dislike for those who

embrace Mr. Scrooge today..well the former Scrooge I should say

people who ACTUALLY say Bah Humbug and scowl at others making merry.

It serves nothing but themselves, it is a very selfish, self centered way to be....

For after Scrooge was visited by the 3 spirits, he changed. 

He embraced his fellow man, he himself became a Merry Maker.

He LEARNED something about himself and about humanity.

Some of my favorite parts are the Merry Making ones...

and seeing Scrooge, the miser, enjoy them.

I think I like to see reform....

I am off to MAKE MERRY for the next couple of days... no doubt with good red wine, delicious home made food made by various hands with care and goodwill. Merrymaking, with laughter in hopes it falls on the ear of  the old Ebenezer Scrooges that are here and there...

Day 4 Making Merry

One of the oldest ways to Make Merry..and one of my most faves is with beer! :))) I love good quality, strong beer with taste.... Alot of beer makers have special celebratory Ales this time of year....here's a few....
                                                             I love Belgian Beer :)

Samuel Smiths 

One of my all time favorite beers

brewed in Yorkshire, England

Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, California

Produced this 

lovely, dark Christmas Brew...

a word from Anchor

Each year since 1975, Anchor Brewing creates a distinctive Christmas Ale, available from early November to mid-January. A rich, dark spiced ale, our secret recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.

Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew. Our tree for 2011 is the bristlecone pine. Found high atop California's White Mountains, bristlecones are among the oldest living things on the planet. Some date back nearly 5,000 years, to the dawn of the ancient art of brewing.

Each year our Christmas Ale gets a unique label and a unique recipe. Although our recipes must remain a secret, many save a few bottles from year to year. Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years. Different nuances emerge as the flavor mellows slightly, much like the memories of great holiday seasons past. Celebrate the holidays with Anchor Christmas Ale, an Anchor tradition since 1975.

Another Belgian,strong, dark and rich...

At 10% this beer is sure to keep you warm

this Winter Solstice

As a lover of Dickens I love the name and art on this

winter warmer from Bridgeport Brewery in

Portland, Oregon

ahhh Rogue Brewery an amazing

American brewery in Newport, Oregon

makes this little Red Ale for the holiday

season. 

Everything this brewery makes is phenomenal

and I'd love to get my lips around this one.

A word from Rogue:

Rogue is a small revolution, which expresses itself through handcrafted Ales, Porters, Stouts, Lagers and Spirits, and this is the way we conduct our business. The spirit of the Rogue brand, even the name, suggests doing things differently, a desire and a willingness to change the status quo. A Rogue Ale, Porter, Stout, Lager or Spirit is crafted to give it unique character, innovative in its makeup and brewing, a process that has not compromised quality. We believe if a Rogue Ale, Porter, Stout, Lager or Spirit cannot be all of these things, it should not be made at all.

From Samuel Adams in Boston, Mass

this little winter warmer is everything you might want 

if one wanted their Christmas Cake AND Beer, 

but one could only choose 1 of the 2 :)

Again I absolutely love the name and art here...

How cool is this? A Christmas Beer Fest

Held annually in Prague...love it!

Day 2 Making Merry

.....an excerpt from Nibelungenlied...a German epic poem that is believed to have been written ca 1230 it was about a Dragon Slayer whom was murdered and of his wifes revenge....I am including it today because of the Making Merry quote below....but Epic this poem is indeed and I will have to delve into it further at some point

The hero kissed his wife ere he joined the hunting train God grant my dearest one I may see you soon again Meanwhile with your companions make merry as you can And drive away the hours till you see your faithful man 

Day 1 Making Merry

Whilst I was absent, it occurred to me to write about morphine...I was on quite a bit of it in the hospital and it made me think it might prove interesting to research. One thing I do know, it makes for some interesting dreams! Instead I intend to Make Merry this week!  My illness and medications meant No Coffee (or other caffeine eek!) No Alcohol and No Spicy Food (med interaction?) time for that too change me thinks ;)


"Making Merry" Not really a term we use here in the states...at least not in present times, but I like it! The term was first known to be used in 1618.

One of the earliest known works of literature is called The Epic of Gilgamesh, it is Mesopotamian the epic poem uses the term....


The Original tablet it is inscribed on....

As for you, Gilgamesh, let your belly be full,
Make merry day and night.
Of each day make a feast of rejoicing.Day and night dance and play!
Let your garments be sparkling fresh,
Your head be washed; bathe in water.
Pay heed to a little one that holds on to your hand,
Let a spouse delight in your bosom.