“A Happy Yule Log” Recap & Review

Disclaimer: I absolutely love Hallmark Christmas movies. Everything I say is out of this undying, appreciative, in awe type of love. Yes, I make fun of them, but my husband and I make fun of each other all of the time, and we are annoyingly in love.

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Ahhhhhhhhh, would you look at that scene. Welcome to “A Happy Yule Log” airing on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. In the background, Faith Hill is singing about how she can’t find Christmas, and if she can’t find it in this den of pumpkins, garland, twinkle lights and a tree, I’d half-understand that. Faith, it’s technically Thanksgiving! This is how Hallmark does Thanksgiving–with a dollop of Christmas on the side. And, boy, do I love them for that!

Though, starting off, I do have some questions.

• Do the owners of this house know we are watching their fireplace?
• Is this a Truman Show situation?
• Honestly, were we invited?
• Seriously, are they going to call the cops on me?

Woah, wait. Can they see me? If I talk to them will they answer……….

No, haha, nah. That was a silly thought. And, no, I didn’t try it or anything.

I’m just going to sit here, and enjoy this peaceful view of a dog chillin’ by the fire.

Puppies, who did not study their camera blocking, slide onto the scene to the sweet sound of Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” They bump into each other and the decorations, and I am just so impressed that none of them ripped the place to pieces.

This is where things get a little violent. A kitten sneak attacks another while “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” ominously plays. Guys, listen to the lyrics! Santa will be here, so be good for goodness sake! Don’t you want a new scratchin’ post? Catnip mice? The ability to brag to others about making Santa’s Nice List? A smug confidence that you’re a good lil’ cat that you can carry with you throughout 2018?

Hours pass, and the yule log still burns. I’ve got a blanket on my lap, I’m cradling a warm pumpkin spice latte, and watching a dog and a cat, both named Happy, lounge lazily on my television screen. But, are they happy?

Am I?

Are we where we thought we’d be a year ago? Or five? Or when we were young pups in Kindergarten excited and dreaming about our future?

Where has the time gone, slipping so quickly away–

“Marshmallow World” by Darlene Love is bouncing from their living room to mine, but we don’t dance.

When did I stop dancing?

Cut to a cat with its head in a pumpkin. I never thought I needed to see a cat eating a pumpkin to the sound of the jazzified “Charlie Brown Christmas” version of “Greensleeves,” but I do believe I am in a better place because of it. It really pulled me out of my funk. It’s these little things that make me happy, and maybe that is okay.

I rate “A Happy Yule Log” My one-year-old dancing while watching “A Happy Yule Log” and barking every time she sees a puppy, which is a 5/5 on my scale of The Cutest Things Ever.

The Scale

1. A bug with some dirt on it
2. Channels other than Hallmark trying to make Christmas movies
3. Gummy bears
4. A huge basket filled with kittens and puppies mixed in with plush kittens and puppies
5. My one-year-old dancing while watching “A Happy Yule Log” and barking every time she sees a puppy

It made me laugh. Cry. Have a mild existential crisis. What a rollercoaster of emotions for something intended to basically be a 24 hour screensaver.

And, no, I did not watch the whole thing.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🙂