So last night we did a girls Christmas Caroling Event. Our troop fell from a larger attendance down to 4 with Christmas busy season, ear infections and the like. So the four of us headed out to conquer the grandmas at home and neighbors near by. Our first stop was Grandma Cuddles and she was so surprised. "I've been here over 40 years and never had carolers," Grandma Cuddles told. So we sang our little hearts out to her and left her with some pretzel stick candy canes. ( So easy recipe below)
http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-chocolate-pretzel-rods.html
Then we stood on her sidewalk planning our next stop and trying to coordinate our song lineup a little better. "You need a flashlight, honey?" Grandma asked re-opening her front door. Such a granny thing to say right? So sweet.
So off we were to the next stop. Sadly we knocked and rang the bell. Sat. No answer. Ok, you sure do look like you are at home Martha with so many lights on. So you know what? We called her. Answering machine. No problem. We sang "We wish you a Merry Christmas" into their machine. However, somehow Jackie and I simultaneously changed the line "Good tidings we bring to you and your kin" to "Good tidings we bring, wherever you are."
Now its kinda funny that we did this together without planning or thinking, but simply both forgetting the lyrics and improvising. Even better is that our friend Susan was with us who just moved from Indonesia 5 months ago and now we have permanately helped her memorize the song incorrectly.
Next stop, the lady was seriously so excited she was jumping up and down and clapping. She ran to get her husband and granddaughter and opened up the door for the whole family to take in our "wonderful" voices. It was fabulous to be so welcomed. After a round of "Jingle Bells" accompanied by my clever car keys from my pocket and our ever popular "We wish you a Merrry Christmas", the husband asked could he sing one to us. The next sound to fill the streets of St Matthews was a booming Frank Sinatra voice singing "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It was good fun for all. And a little less painful on the ears.
Our final stop we had to plan a bit as it was a drive further across town. So I called my Meemaw and planned to hang up if she answered, by that we would know she was home and made the trek across town. Alright, she answered. However, 5 minutes after my hang up, my cell phone rings, "Meemaw calling." Crap. When did Meemaw start using caller id. Welcome to 2011, right?
We were able to surprise her anyhow and sing her a song on her front steps all the same. And as Grandmas do she invited us in to visit and we caught up on family a bit before us carolers headed off to the Deli to feed our bellies.
All in all it was a wonderful night of caroling. Fun for those we visited as many had never had carolers before. Fun for us, because while most of us had caroled before, Susan never had, and I can say I've never caroled with an Indonesian :)
So I agree with Buddy. It doesn't take a well trained voice or a group of 10 or more. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
