“Frosted windowpanes, candles gleaming inside…,” “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…,” “Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes…,”  “O Holy Night…”  These are just a few opening lines from some of my holiday favorites.  I have a penchant for rich voices so I tend to favor the Three Tenors but there’s plenty of room for others, like The Chipmunks.  My holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the tunes I remember from my youth.  Robert Goulet’s version of “The Christmas Waltz” is a favorite along with Andy William’s version of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

The Three Tenors garner a prominent spot in all of my holiday CD mixes as does Jo Stafford.  Growing up we had an album entitled “Ski Trails,” very apropos for a young and active family living in Burlington, VT.  On that album Jo Stafford sang songs like:  “Moonlight in Vermont,” “It Happened in Sun Valley,” and romantic songs of the time period.  I can’t go through any holiday season, or winter season, without listening to those songs often.

Here’s the secret about me.  I’m a hard-core Romantic.  My head twirls with visions of walking hand-in-hand in a light snowfall.  I tingle at the thought of mistletoe and deserving recipients of that tradition (me included!).  The fireplace aglow, the only other light in the room is the Christmas tree, a hearty libation, bread, cheese, and lots of cushions on the floor…that’s my idea of a comfy evening with a loved one.  And always playing in the background is my favorite holiday, winter season, music.

So far, most of my holiday seasons have been spent that  only in my imagination.  However, I think Meg Riley, one of the main characters in The Quarry’s Child, may have a chance at that situation with her newfound buddy, State Police Investigator Hugh Doherty, or will it be in mind only?  Good question.

Happy Holidays to all!!!