I hope you like yellow! Swedish monkeys tell us what year is ending and what year is beginning. Our smiling bartender pours a cocktail. There is a small open container of cigarettes in front of him and a pack of L&M’s where the Formica counter meets the wall.

Katie Kellogg wears horn-rimmed glasses, sling-back Cinderella slippers, red lips, red nails and rouge. She’s pulled up her plain-Jane party dress revealing some leg. In her left hand: her thigh. In her right: a mass produced clear green glass with a reindeer motif. At the bottom of that fancy glass: a perky pair of little plastic breasts! Happy New Year!

Here’s to you and your best new year yet!

Submitted by Cathy

“Submitted for your approval is my little Topiary Candy Tree. I know it’s a bit of a diversion, but i hope you like it!

The gumdrops are from Logan’s Candy — Mr. Phoenix’s hometown favorite. I layered a little Red Cellophane over the Foil just to make it a little more festive.”

Who is the creative design genius that was able to get their half-flocked Christmas tree to blend into the wallpaper? That is not an easy effect to achieve! This Slide was marked “Janet’s first look at Santa’s Gifts.” The life-like, wide-blue eyed plastic toddler in full make up, formally dressed, rubber-faced, stuffed plushie man-dog and a deluxe dollhouse with all the trimmings are all wonderful gifts. But what I want to know is which one sent a signal to her brain that then sent a signal to her hands to reach down and give herself a reverse Melvin?

HAPPY HOLIDAZE!

Disney’s biggest live action star Annette Funicello sports smart western wear for an afternoon autograph session. Spin and Marty, signing beside her, go for a more casual jeans and t-shirt look. A uniformed Disneyland security guard protects the Mickey Mouse Club Stars form circle skirted and plaid shirted fans.

Speaking of the Mickey Mouse Club in 1972 when I was twelve I got a big beautiful Hobie skateboard for Christmas. I soon discovered that the best place in my neighborhood to ride it was a driveway down the street and around the corner. It was the only hilly spot around. Afternoon after afternoon I would go over there and ride my skateboard. One day the mother came outside and said “my son wants to know if you’ll come in and watch the Mickey Mouse Club with him.” I didn’t know him. He was a year older than me and far more bookish. I went in and sat in their den and watched the show with him. Then when it was over he said “Do you want to come to my room and listen to the soundtrack for Funny Girl?” I can’t tell you what he said after that!

Here’s to Annette, the Mickey Mouse Club the Funny Girl Soundtrack and YOU!
HAPPY HOLIDAZE!

Submitted by David Clough

“Thanks for the great idea! I was so inspired by the Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree video! On mine, I used just Broccoli, Tomatoes, and Carrots since those are the only raw veggies my peeps like. I guess I can’t call it a Weenie Tree, but if I had put Weenies on there, it would have been a waste because no one would have eaten them. Thanks again!”

Submitted by Beth Yates

I followed the traditional Astro-Weenie recipe almost completely, leaving out the radishes (yuch!). I used both “frilly” toothpicks and the multi-colored ones but found the carrots hard to poke, so there’s not too many. Since I was taking the tree to a Yacht Club function, I topped it with a version of our Seal Beach Yacht Club flag.

Submitted by Mary

It’s the Holidays again and people are starting to have that need to throw get-togethers, parties and other such forms of beguilements. I present to you a show-stopping, attention getting, ice breaker (yeah, it does all that!) appetizer center piece to lighten up the eve.

From the original recipe, I opted simply for Green Olives, Pepperoni, and Cubes of Muenster Cheese. I’m a bit surprised at myself for missing an opportunity to use Weiners, but I gotta mix it up a bit, ya know?

Submitted by Stacy & Brian

We were wowed by your Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree, and decided to make our own, dazzling our friends in the nation’s capital. Because it’s hard to improve upon a classic, we followed the recipe faithfully – except for two twists:

1. We added par-boiled kumquats for a little extra orange zip.

2. We added two Astro-Weenie transport handles for better road stability. Made from two 12″ metal skewers (see photo). This accessory got the tree to our host’s house in one piece!

The only complaint: Hillshire Farms Beef L’il Franks. Everyone agreed they were nasty. Next time I’ll try Morningstar Farms Mini Veggie Corn Dogs.

I believe we are in the midst of spawning a holiday tradition that will bring people closer to the true meaning of Christmas.

The Hollywood Freeway goes from side to side. The Union Bank building was the first skyscraper in Southern California. It was dedicated in 1966. We are high up atop one of the twin Arco Towers as they near completion. Rarely do we see a fake Christmas tree and an American flag together but here they are high on a steel beam labeled KAISER TOWER dangling from a crane fixed high above the city. The workmen protect their heads with smart red hardhats. They stand in awe of their patriotic holiday display. It is truly inspired. One of the men makes a timeless early morning fashion statement by pairing a black sweater vest with a lipstick red long sleeve shirt over white bun-huggin’ bellbottoms. Everyone knows you’re not supposed to wear white to a construction site!

Here’s to the flag and the tree flying high together, bellbottoms and YOU!
HAPPY HOLIDAZE!

Submitted by Craig

Knowing that I would be getting to the party late, I added some dessert features. I was dying to stick on some of those horrific crab apples I loved as a kid, but I couldn’t find them on short notice. I settled for Maraschino Cherries, Sugared X-Mas Candy, Dried Dates & Mango, as well as my personal favorite – Fig Newtons. I substituted Vienna Sausages for Cocktail Weenies just because they are slightly more disgusting. It was pricy but well worth it. I stood there, laughing by myself as I was making it. The Radish top worked well to anchor the flashing starlight that came free with my last purchase of Duracells. The hardest part of the whole deal was getting the monstrosity to the party in one piece! Have fun!