A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Light of Christmas with special guest Sina Skates Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Sina Skates, playwright from the Birmingham Children's Theater, is back on the show today and we're talking about keeping the magic of Christmas alive - 365! Well at least that's what we started talking about. As usual the conversation wanders - we talk about what's coming this Christmas at the BCT, how to get through the difficult Christmases, what keeps us in the mood for Christmas all year round, and all kinds of other topics. Sina wants to be the Christmas light in a dark world and she brings plenty of that to our episode today! Make yourself cozy and enjoy this interview!

I'll see you on Friday with the first of a 4 part story - The Christmas Hirelings, by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. There's a lot of fun coming this month in the podcast!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

02:20 Interview with Sina Skates

1:00:15 What's coming to the Podcast in July

1:03:40 Christmas in July Coaster Cozies Contest

You can help support the show: www.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=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Angels We Have Heard on High 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/

The Hallmark Christmas Movie Episode, (or, How I Fell in Love with Lacey Chabert) with special guest Rachel McMillan Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

Happy Christmas in July everyone!! If you love Christmas movies, especially Hallmark, then this is the episode you must listen to. I have on author Rachel McMillan, author of the book "A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide". She's back to talk about Hallmark Christmas movies with me, and gives us some ideas on how and where to watch the coziest Christmas movies ever made. Then I read a poem called December by John Clare.

There's a contest going for Christmas in July going on, I will give one lucky listener a handmade Christmas coffee cup cozy so you can decorate your mugs year round. You can enter the contest by leaving a review, liking and sharing one of my social media pages, sending me a story or memory, and by donating to the show on ko-fi.com - you can get three or more entries! Just let me know if you'd like to be entered into the contest I'll sign you up.

Books Mentioned:

A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

A Singular and Whimsical Problem

The Mozart Code

Check out more of Rachel's books at rachelmcmillan.net and reach out to her on the socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachkmc/

Twitter: @rachkmc

Help support the show: www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

01:40 My thoughts on Pride, Prejudice, & Mistletoe

03:27 Interview with Rachel McMillan

45:58 Poem: "December" by John Clare

51:10 Contest entries and 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=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

A Cozy Christmas Horn of Plenty Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

There's a little something for everyone in this Cozy Christmas cornucopia of Christmas cheer! I talk a bit about the antique festival in our town, share some happy news from a listener, talk about Christmas in Iran, and I have a special guest read today's story! Martin Achatz from the Lit for Christmas podcast stops by to read his essay, Gloop Christmas. Also I announce a new Christmas in July Contest that begins today!

0:00 Introduction

2:18 Walnut's Antique Weekend

4:00 Happy Father's Day - Listener Memory

5:28 Listener Memory - Christmas in Iran

12:25 Cozy Christmas in July Contest!

16:28 Lit for Christmas Promo

18:35 Gloop Christmas by Martin Achatz

32:07 Another Christmas Story by Anthony Caruso Recommendation and Concluding thoughts

Joanne's Christmas Mystery by Ellis Parker Butler Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! This episode was supposed to be out last week but due to Graduations and crazy life stuff it got delayed until today.

Today's episode I talk about the book Christmas: A Biography, and then read you another story by Ellis Parker Butler.

In today's story Joanne is home from school for the Christmas holidays. She's hoping for a nice, relaxing rest but her next door neighbor and prankster Tommy Bassick might have something to say about that... Find out what happens to her on Christmas morning in this delightful and cozy Christmas story!

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=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

It Takes a (Christmas) Village May 17, 2021

Show notes

Merry Christmas - Today's episode will be an interview with Bill from thevillagecollector.com. You can also find him on the forums over at mymerrychristmas.com.

I love Christmas villages and I'm excited to have Bill back with us. In the interview we chat about his website and what will be going on there this year. We talk about some trends in collecting and his on going hobby of collecting the best videos of Christmas villages. Whether you are a collector or just an admirer of Christmas villages, you won't want to miss this episode!

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/

The Dangers of Regifting: The Canned Plum Pudding by Ellis Parker Butler May 03, 2021

Show notes

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

An Easter Carol by Charles Dickens with guest Gina Dalfonzo Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

The Long-Awaited, Over Due Easter Episode is here... and since the Eastern Orthodox Church apparently doesn't recognize Easter until May 2nd... I guess it's still early?

Anyway, in today's episode I have author and blogger Gina Dalfonzo on to talk about Dickens' The Life of Our Lord, and we end up chatting about A Tale of Two Cities... though I don't mention it in the podcast, I think Tale of Two Cities might qualify as an "Easter Carol" - a great story to read every year at Easter time!

I also finish reading The Life of Our Lord and offer up a new book recommendation: "Christmas: A Biography" by Judith Flanders.

Links: Dickensblog: https://dickensblog.typepad.com/

Christmas: A Biography https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWGZC1F/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Help Support the Show:

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

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

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Cozy Christmas Book Corner Recommendation: Christmas: A Biography

05:27 Interview with author Gina Dalfonzo about "The Life of Our Lord"

48:35 Story Time: The Life of Our Lord, part 3

01:01:28 Some concluding thoughts on Easter

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/

Bethlehem - Christmas 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=USUAN1100307

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Christmas in Rudolph, NY with author Vicki Delany Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

"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/

The Life of Our Lord: A Brief Look at the Gospel According to Dickens Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Happy Easter month, to those who celebrate! In today's episode I talk a little bit about Charles Dickens' gospel, The Life of Our Lord, that he wrote for his children. Since this is primarily a Christmas podcast, I read from his chapters about the birth and early life of Christ.

I also share a listener's thoughts about a different perspective on A Christmas Carol, give a book recommendation for this month's Cozy Christmas Book Corner, and I share a memory of mine that explains why the carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has haunted my nightmares.

Author Website: http://vickidelany.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:13 Listener Memory: A different perspective on A Christmas Carol

7:15 Cozy Christmas Book Corner: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

11:17 My Christmas Memory: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

15:33 Introduction to The Life of Our Lord

19:12 Christmas Story: The Life of Our Lord Chapters 1-2

26:37 Closing Comments

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/

God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen John Vallis (johnvallis.co.uk)

Licensed under Creative

Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Silent Night Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Connor the Reindeer? (and More Holly Jolly Fun with Grace) Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

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/