ABC has announced its renewal of the classic Peanuts holiday specials for another five years. It’s not any wonder why the beloved Peanuts are being renewed. Peanuts have become a worldwide staple in pop culture and continue to deliver exceptional ratings for ABC. Peanuts are celebrating their 45th anniversary this year since the first airing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in 1965. In celebration, all the specials are going to be re-mastered on Blu-ray (and regular DVD) as individual releases and in a “Holiday Deluxe Collection.” (Quick lesson for the technologically impaired, DVD’s hold only 8 gigs of data where Blu-ray holds up to 50 gigs. What does that mean exactly? Well it mean’s superior video quality than previously available and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Blu-ray is a perfect example of the amazing quality that Blu-ray’s can offer).

Peanuts are a seasonal favorite of mine and for many other people as well. The specials bring back a feeling of nostalgia, of a simpler time or even a feeling of childlike innocence. The Great Pumpkin is certainly one of my very favorite Halloween specials. I often feel like Linus, waiting for The Great Pumpkin to arrive each year (or in this case – for Halloween to get here). Linus’s advice still rings true some 45 years later “3 things I have learned never to discuss with people; religion, politics and the great pumpkin.” Its imagery, dialogue and music are all part of its classic status as an iconic piece of art. The Great Pumpkin’s musical masterpieces (by Vince Guaraldi) are just as recognizable as its animation. In my opinion – the peanuts specials are some of the best animated pieces of art to ever be created. The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is on Blu-ray September 7th 2010 or you can wait an additional two months for the deluxe collection.

I added TWO new wreath ideas to the decorating section as well as a Halloween CD review.