…or in this case, Breakfast and a show.

Ah, Christmas morning at the Waffle House can be entertaining.

Who am I kidding, The Waffle House can be entertaining any time.

Christmas Day is the busiest day of the year for Waffle House.  This Christmas morning, as usual, while every one at home was still abed, I slipped out, went for my walk, and hit the WH for my usual breakfast of one and and one piece of toast, and did the crossword.

I wasn’t alone.

There was a Christmas family gift exchange going on.

An entire family was there, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, the kids, the sons-in-law, and all the grandbabies.  They were exchanging GAG gifts.  Yucking it UP, taking pictures, taking UP four booths, having a Big Ass White Trash Family Christmas right there in the Waffle House.  It was heavy on the gag, BTW.  All the Alabama fans got LSU crap.  A couple of Justin Bieber CDs were involved, reindeer antlers for the car, and more, much, much more.

Self-made sleeveless Ts were the uniform de jour.  It was all I could do to tell them they could buy them that way.  I mean, really you don’t have to cut the sleeves off any longer!!

And they were noisy.

I could hardly think to do the crossword.

And the “waitri” (that’s the plural of waitress, I looked made it UP.) wouldn’t let me take pictures!!

Well, there is a tree there.  And apparently, the trailer was too small.  And they did tip.

…Christmas is over, back to work.

Boo hiss!!

I promise I’ll be pithy tomorrow!

Merry Christmas from the Southland.

We celebrate Christmas here no matter the weather.

It can range from 8 to 80 degrees, but Santa comes every year, and snow, rain or shine…we leave milk and cookies for the Fat Man.

And even if Dolly has a Hard Candy Christmas, we enjoy the Holiday.

Enjoy these Southern Christmas scenes and know that “the staff” at Redneck Latte Ravings wishes you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Every year, the Atlanta Boys Choir sings in Christmas at the Georgia State Capital.

From Mount Vernon to Drayton Hall, all the restored historic Southern Mansions gussy UP for the holidays.

And down in the New Orleans, the French Quarter mixes its own special blend of Christmas with French, Spanish, African-American, and Creole cultures.

If you’re suffering from the cold weather, there’s nothing like a Florida Christmas.  When we lived there, we would sometimes swim on Christmas Day just to say we did!

Click here to hear one of my favorite “Southern” Christmas songs! (and skip the advertisement).

…I know, I know, you’re thinking…”If that so and so talks about one more Christmas song…”

Well, be nice, It’s Christmastime.

The song dates from 1944, and was introduced to the world by Judy Garland in the movie Meet Me In St. Louis.

Meet Me In St. Louis is a classic movie, not all that Christmasy, but a good one and a must see.  It’s set in 1904 and centers around a middle class family and the coming World’s Fair.

But…the song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is another great Christmas song that is sung by every one, every where, every year.

When Garland first heard it, she thought it was depressing, and if anyone knew depressing, it was Judy Garland, but, with a quick re-write, it became the Christmas Classic we all love to hear.

Over the years, it’s been recorded by tons of people, and the lyrics have again changed.  .

The original lyrics are…”…But at least we all will be together, if the Fates allow, From now on we’ll have to muddle through somehow. So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.“

There was no hanging a star on the highest bough, it was about being apart at Christmas.

The meaning changes when the lyrics change.

The Fates allow has become  if the Lord allows.

And muddling through is now hanging a star UPon the highest bow.

Some how, some way, it’s almost become a religious song, when in reality, it is simply a song about having a wonderful Christmas whether you’re with the ones you love or far apart.

So, when you’re done shopping today, and come home, sit back relax, have a cup of Redneck Latte, and enjoy the movie version by clicking here.

And, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

ps. My favorite version is by Diana Krall, even with the new words, it’s pretty awesome.  If you’d like to hear it, click here.