What I got for Christmas:

So you all asked what I got for Christmas (and by you all I mean the people in my head that start asking me things when I am bored) and who am I to disappoint you? Here it is, a few things I got for Christmas:

 

Soda Maker: I was a little nervous about this when I opened it because I am obsessed with Diet Dr. Pepper and knew this would see very little action if the "Diet Dr. Pete" did not work out. But, getting an idea from one of my friends the 10 year old inside of me who still loves "Clearly Canadian" got REAL excited.

Scraper Mitten: I was given one of these when I first started to drive by a friend of the family and everyone thought I was crazy. It was a novelty gift at the time. Now these are everywhere and I got a new one that is much better than my first one. (Which came a part about 4+ years ago) I love the inside of this one so much I might buy a second and use them as my gloves. That would not be creepy at all.

 

Yes. I got a Marry Poppins, full-size,umbrella. AWESOME I KNOW!! This puts me one step closer to my full Mary Poppins outfit. (This was actually the first step, I have nothing else...yet)

I also received some clothes that I picked out, eos lip balm (that I am loving), Sephora Gift Cards, car wash tickets,  Best of Amy Pohler (finally) and a Rise and Shine alarm clock. (I am really excited about that last one...that is once I learn how to make it work) What did you get for Christmas?

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope your Christmas is filled with love, laughter and human interaction!

Music Monday: New Christmas Classics

Last week I mentioned a few of my favorite classic Christmas albums. Today here are some of the "New Classics" you should check out!

• Harry Connick Jr.- When My Heart Finds Christmas. This it Harry's first Christmas album from 1993- and it is one of my most played albums each year. Ah, I love his voice. On this album he has some great original songs, unique arrangements and an upbeat band. If you like fun crooner-esque Christmas music this is the album for you. (and once you fall in love with it go and pick up his other two Christmas albums!) 
• Chicago- 25. I went to see a Doobie Brothers/Chicago concert with my family a few summers ago. Dobbie Brothers were awesome...but I was highly disappointing with Chicago. I realized why on the way home- I am not a huge fan of their normal music. But I do LOVE their Christmas album!! (Which in July they played NONE of...booo) This album is filled with horn filled re-imaginations of Christmas classics. Even if you are not a huge fan of the smooth rock stylings of "Just You 'n' Me" or "You're the Inspiration" but like Christmas music- don't worry, this is for you too.
• Ready for a shocker... Clint Black- Looking for Christmas. What!?!? I know. My dad picked this one up and I thought is was going to be like the Allen Jackson one- banned to his car because we all refuse to listen to it. However, surprisingly we all loved this one. The whole CD is original songs about what to get your spouse for Christmas, how Christmas goes by so fast, and how a little boy keeps getting Santa to come back. Be warned: it is still country, but somehow this really country CD has found its way to our family's regular rotation during the holidays. 
• Kirk Franklin and the Family-Christmas. Just in case you forget the reason behind the season, Kirk and his amazingly talented choir are here to remind you. They make every song their own. It has the slow ballads that can bring tears to your eyes along with the upbeat songs that in true gospel fashion just don't end. I am not going to say this is for everyone (my best friend hates it) but it is for anyone with any musical taste or true appreciation for art ;)
• Finally, of course, you know its all coming...it became a classic the year it came out...and now people are covering it like the world is going to end next year...Mariah Carey- Merry Christmas. It is a great CD. Even though I have heard 50 new versions of her original song "All I want for Christmas is You" this year alone, hers never gets old. (along with this one, which is the first time I can remember anyone attempting it) Oh, did I mention her liberal use of choirs, ah I love that. If you do not own this, just let me know I have extra. I think I have bought this one about 6 times.

Some ones I thing are on their way to becoming classics are Straight No Chaser, Christina Aguilera, and Sarah Mclachlan. Next year this list will include Michael Buble and She & Him...my friends and all my parent's friends are loving these two, they will be around and on regular rotation for years to come.

Last but not least I wanted to sing the praises of the Christmas CD(s) I have been listening to most this year. You might not hear these on the radio (ever) or convince your family to adopt them into their 100 disc player devoted solely to Christmas music, but I LOVE 'em and have been listening to these almost exclusively this year!! That would be Sufian Stevens- Songs For Christmas. This box set that originally started as a project to help him get into the spirit and as a gift for his friends and family for the holidays, are 5 eps of amazing Christmas tunes. I really believe that these have something for everybody if you give them a chance. I love the beautiful arrangements with a multitude of instruments but also the simple piano ones just as much. His voice is so peaceful and his originals at times hilarious but always fun and inventive. If you do not already own these you are in luck because the price has dropped from "box set price" to that of a single album with its increase of availability and popularity.

Here is a sample, I hope you enjoy it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Music Monday: Classics

Like I have said many times before I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! So here are some of my favorite classic Christmas albums you should check out:

• Bing Crosby- White Christmas (the one w/a white background and he has a santa hat on) This album features the awesome Andrews sisters singing with the crooner on my favorite version of "Jingle Bells" and the best version of "Mele Kalikimaka" there is. Then you have his version of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" (which makes me sing "gather round" in the deepest voice I have when I hear any version of the song) and of course- White Christmas!! This is a must have for the holidays and you kind find it a million places for $6 or less.
• Brenda Lee- Jingle Bell Rock This is one of my dad's favorite so I grew up listening to this one. (along with Johnny Mathis one where he is holding skis, Perry Como, Elvis, and the next one on this list) This includes the most recognized versions of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree," along with songs I have never heard covered like "The Angel and the Little Blue Bell" "Strawberry Snow" and "Christmas will Be Just Another Lonely Day." (you should see my moves to that last one!) Brenda Lee's voice is great and the song choice is unlike any other- definitely check this one out.
• The Letterman- For Christmas This Year. Wow, what an great Christmas record! These guys can harmonize and sing so peacefully...it is beautiful. Their arrangements and songs are starting to pop up on newer Christmas albums a lot more (like "Christmas Waltz") but the originals are still the best. You know this album is good too when they have not released it on CD since the 80's and it sells used for over $400! Yes, they have other Christmas albums, but this one is by far the best...thank goodness my dad held on to his and I finally found a computer that could read it to copy. However- if you are in a hankering for some sweet sounds of Christmas but don't have the $400, you are in luck- it is now available for download!!
• Amy Grant- A Christmas Album. This is the most recent of my "classic" albums, released in 1983, but it is a staple of my holiday season every year. When I left for college this is the first Christmas CD I bought to start my own collection and this is also usually the one that tempts me and I end up listening to WAY before November. It is just so nice, and awesome, and fun, and awesome. The songs all go so well together (I actually used to think they were all the same song in the middle) and it is perfect for a nice Christmas nap, or to lull you to sleep as you dream of snow.

There are a few records to check out this holiday season and I hope they enhance yourenjoyment of this Christmas season!! If not maybe this will:

I used to perform this "with" my brother all the time, he hated it. He would

complain that he "did not wear dresses" and that he "was not a girl" but I think he 

was just being a joykill. This is also the only time I was allowed to hit him- my parents would just laugh.

A few more ideas of some great classics:

• Johnny Mathis- Merry Christmas (the one with the skis!!)
• Herb Alpert- Christmas Album (Recently remastered- what! what!)
• Time-Life Treasury of Christmas (original circa 1986, to make sure check for The Night Before Christmas)
• Vince Guaraldi Trio- A Charlie Brown Christmas (again check the cover- it is the one with a tree with Snoopy on top. Recently remastered-get excited!!)
• Dean Martin- Seasons Greetings (he was in the Rat Pack for a reason)

I could not help myself. Note: White Christmas soundtrack not availible- and never was, and 

never will be- unless you are a tech savvy do-it-yourselfer! ;)

Christmas Special

So along with a couple good Christmas album releases this year I have discovered some from the past as well. The latest is Christmas Special by Boy Least Likely to. They are overseas so the CD seems hard to come by but I have it on order and what I heard I have really enjoyed. (I might be picking up some of there regular ones next year) I cannot wait until it comes in so until then we can enjoy a new Christmas classic of their album. It is about how Christmas is a time to get together with friends...especially your friend that you started a sweet 80's band with when you were 13. Hope you like it!

Michael Buble Christmas Special Tonight!

This season can get really busy. So as I prepare for Christmas and work on my year end CD here is a little something to enjoy. (I heard his specials are going to be a yearly thing now on NBC!)

A 70's special gone wrong: