Lit for Christmas Martin Achatz

Welcome to our Valentine’s Day Lit for Christmas party of Season Four!

In this episode, Marty and Beth guzzle down Love Martinis and discuss Seven Stories of Christmas Love by Dr. Love himself, Leo Buscaglia. 

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot every time you hear our 15-year-old son in the background.  CAUTION: You WILL get very drunk.



SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Love Martini

(courtesy of https://picturetherecipe.com/recipes/valentines-special-love-martini-cocktail/)

Ingredients:

· 1/2 shot Malibu Rum (Substitute Coconut Cream for non-alcoholic version)

· 1/2 shot Peach Schnapps (Substitute Peach Nectar for non-alcoholic version)

· 1/2 shot Vodka (Substitute (Substitute Strykk Not Vodka for non-alcoholic version)

· 3 shots Cranberry Juice

· 2 strawberries, for garnish (optional)

· A wedge of lime (optional)

· Sugar to rim the glass (optional)

Directions:

1. To make strawberry hearts for garnish, cut a small "v" to remove the stem of the strawberry. Then cut it into slices.

2. Rim martini glass with sugar (optional).  Use a lime/lemon wedge along the rim of the glass to get it wet and dip the glass in a plate with sugar.

3. Gently mix the Malibu Rum, Peach Schnapps, Vodka, and Cranberry Juice together in a shaker over ice and pour it into the prepared glass.

4. Garnish your love martini with a couple strawberry hearts and a strawberry on the rim.

Directions for Non-Alcoholic Love Martini Recipe

Follow same directions as above, eliminating, substituting Coconut Cream, Peach Nectar, and Strykk Not Vodka for Malibu Rum, Peach Schnapps, and Vodka.



Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and
poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has
worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with
her loving husband.



Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

Bieber, Justin. "Christmas Love." Under the Mistletoe.
RBMG/Island Def Jam Music Group, 1 November, 2011.



A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring
Lionel Barrymore.



This month's Christmas lit:

Buscaglia, Leo.  Seven Stories of Christmas Love. New York, William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1987.

Welcome to our first Lit for Christmas party of Season Four!

In this episode, Marty and Beth partake in a little drink called the Frodo and talk about the creator of Middle Earth, J. R. R. Tolkien, and his book Letters from Father Christmas, in celebration of what would have been Tolkien’s 132nd birthday on January 3, 2024. 

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot every time you hear the words "Polar Bear." CAUTION: You WILL get very drunk.



SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Frodo

(courtesy of Tara Reyes and https://popgoestheculture.com/pop-culture-kitchen-middle-earth-cocktails/)

Ingredients:


1 shot vodka (eliminate for nonalcoholic version)


1 shot peach schnapps (substitute peach nectar for nonalcoholic version)
2 shots cranberry juice
2 shots lemonade

Directions:


Add the cranberry juice to a cocktail glass with ice.
Add vodka, peach schnapps, and lemonade to a mixing glass and shake well.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with maraschino cherry, if desired.

Directions for Non-Alcoholic Frodo Recipe

Follow same directions as above, eliminating vodka and substituting two shots of peach nectar for peach schnapps. 



Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing,
and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Spotify.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to
take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has
worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with her loving husband.



Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

Dalton, Brendan and the 1740 Boys Choir. "Christmas
in the Shire." Christmas in Middle-Earth. bandcamp.com, 27 November, 2020.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.



This month's Christmas lit:

Tolkien, J. R. R.  Letters from Father Christmas. Harper
Collins Publishing, 1999.

Merry Christmas, all you Lit for Christmas partiers!

Welcome to this bonus Christmas Day party!  For this special Lit for Christmas party, Marty shares his essay "Joy to the World." 

BONUS POINTS:  Tell someone you love them today.



TODAY'S CHRISTMAS SPIRIT:

Marty Schnog

Directions:


Pour a mug of eggnog
Add three to four shots of Bailey's Irish Cream
Drink



Lit for Christmas Party Host:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing,
and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

Additional Episode Music:

"JOYFUL (Ode to Joy)" by Anne Crosby Gaudet (youtube.com/watch?v=5mXVv2U5HNA)

This episode's Christmas lit:

Achatz, Martin.  "Joy to the World."  

Welcome to our Christmas Eve Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend and new cohost and co-drunk, Andrea, talk about the meaning of life, joy, and Christmas as they discuss Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air.  It’s
an episode that’s sure to appreciate your loved ones this holiday season. 

BONUS POINTS: Take a shot anytime you hear a terrible dad joke!  WARNING: THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM!



GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

The Brain Cocktail (recipe adapted from cookingchanneltv.com)

Ingredients:


1 1/2 shots of peach schnapps (substitute peach juice for virgin version)
1 1/2 shots of Bailey's Irish Cream (substitute Bailey's Coffee Creamer for virgin version)
Dash of grenadine

Directions:


Pour peach schnapps in a glass.
Slowly add Bailey's Irish Cream, allowing it to clot.
Slowly drizzle with a dash of grenadine on top.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, making the substitutions listed above.



YOUR HOSTS

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing,
and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is
a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor ho puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Andrea has had several careers and has a hard time labeling herself.  She has an art degree from Michigan State and considers herself an anti-social hockey mom, timid badass, and defender of public resources.  She currently works at Peter White Public Library as the hype girl.



Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

McLachlan, Sarah.  "In the Bleak Midwinter."  Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan.  Arista, 2006.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Kalanithi, Paul.  When Breath Becomes Air.  Vintage, 2017.

Welcome to our post-Thanksgiving Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, celebrate an early Krampusnacht as they discuss Brom’s yuletide offering, Krampus the Yule Lord.  It’s a knock-down, drag-out, to-the-death battle between Santa and Krampus! 



BONUS POINTS: Take a shot anytime the word “yule” is said!  Yule be drunk before you know it!



GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Yuletide Moon Cocktail (recipe adapted from adirondackwinery.com)

Ingredients:


1 shot of Merlot or dry red wine (substitute cranberry juice
for virgin version)


1 shot of Bourbon (substitute non-alcoholic bourbon for virgin
version)


4 Cherries, pitted (fresh or in jar)


3 tablespoons Orange Juice


2 tablespoons Maple Syrup


Dash of cinnamon and nutmeg


1 Lemon Zest (optional)

Directions:

1.   Place cherries in a tall glass, then muddle.  Keep the cherries in the glass once muddled.

2.   Add orange juice, maple syrup, Merlot (cranberry juice for virgin version), bourbon (non-alcoholic bourbon for virgin version), and mix.

3.   Pour into an old fashion glass with handful of ice.

4.   Stir then add lemon peel (optional), cinnamon, and nutmeg.



GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, making the
substitutions listed above.

⁠

YOUR HOSTS

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is
a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor ho puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree
and avoiding the Lizard Man of Bloomington.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading eco-lit, true crime, and Alice Hoffman books.



Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"We Wish You a Scary Christmas."  Pipes, Douglas. Krampus
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.  Back Lot Music, 2015.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Brom, Gerald.  Krampus the Yule Lord.  Harper Collins Publishers, New York:  2012.

Welcome to a little shot of Lit for Christmas for Christmas Podcast Day!

For this special episode, Marty shares some shots of Christmas poems about Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that he's written over the years!  Merry Christmas Podcast Day!

BONUS POINTS:  If you already have your Christmas tree up, take three extra shots of whatever's open in the liquor cabinet.

Lit for Christmas Party Host:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Music for this bonus episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This episode's Christmas lit:

Achatz, Martin.  "Fezziwigging," "Ghosts of Christmas Past"