Christmas Time Pretty Baby

I Love Christmas! And being the music lover that I am, there's nothing like good ole Christmas music, from traditional carols, to Christmas hymns, and then the more popular pieces. I just can't get enough. I've already gotten my Christmas CD's out (actually did that before Thanksgiving) and am listening religiously to a radio station playing nothing but Christmas music 24/7. So, from now til Christmas, I'm starting a new series. I'm planning to share with y'all some of my favorite Christmas songs. First up in this series are my faves by.... one of my alltime favorite artists...... ELVIS!

While this video presentation leaves a little to be desired, it's the words and their meaning that are really touching...

If Every Day Could Be Just Like Christmas...
What a Wonderful World This Would Be


Now, Santa Claus is Back in Town to bring me lots of presents, cuz I'm always a good girl!


Let's not forget that no Christmas by Elvis collection would be complete without
Blue Christmas so...



Now, it's your turn... what are your favorites?

Poor Tad

We had some exciting news this last week. A week ago, after some prodding from his Dad, Tad informed me that he had a girlfriend. "A Girlfriend" I shouted. All the while thinking my baby is too young to have a girlfriend already (even tho' he's a handsome devil like his Dad). He shushed me saying "Mom don't say it out loud". We were in our home alone in our kitchen, like anyone else would hear me. Apparantly his little girlfriend, Jaci, is a little forward because as I was told the story she came up to Tad and asked if he liked her, because little Ms. Jaci liked him and they could be boy/girl friend. Well, Tad was all excited about his first girlfriend, and approached Shelby about donating some of her jewelry she doesn't wear anymore so he could give it to Jaci. He found a little ring and gave it to her yesterday and then today... his heart is broken. That little witch broke up with him. Typical female, hold out for the gifts and then dump the fellow. So, Tad is a little down in the dumps tonight. Maybe some brownies and ice cream will cheer him up a little.

Say It Ain't So!

I can't believe it! Emeril Live! starring Emeril Lagasse will no longer be airing on the Food Network channel. I used to just love Emeril. And in some ways, I still do, though now he's become a caricature of himself. All those "BAM's!", "Pork Fat Rules", "Kick it up a notch", and his myriad of other sayings just became too much. It's taken up so much time, he doesn't do the real cooking anymore. And that was the best part, he was an excellent teacher. Emeril made the Food Network what it is today. Before his show, there were repeats of older food shows and new ones with hosts that seemed more like a mannequin than an actual chef. Now, the Food channel is so well known we know the chef's names from Paula, to Rachel, Bobby, Giada, and Mario, I could go on and on. Largely thanks to Emeril. He's not leaving the channel entirely, not yet anyway. His current contract expires in summer '08, so we'll have to wait and see, but for the meantime Emeril Live is gone and his Essence of Emeril will remain with new shows upcoming.

Thanks for the memories, Emeril. BAM!

Give Thanks

Give Thanks with a grateful heart
Give Thanks to the holy one
Give Thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His son


Give Thanks with a grateful heart
Give Thanks to the holy one
Give Thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His son

And now, let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now, let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give Thanks.... we Give Thanks

Being Thankful

We can all find things to be thankful for this year. Even though this has been a difficult year for me, I am still so very blessed. I have a nice home (even tho' it's topsy turvy now because of the remodel), a sweet ride, two children that drive me crazy, and a wonderful man that loves and accepts me for who I am, and does his very best to spoil me. We are so blessed with wonderful, supporting friends and family, careers we enjoy, and a faith that stabilizes our crazy lives. So, take a moment this Thanksgiving and find one thing for which you are truly thankful.

Fashion

I love fashion. At one time, when I was much younger, I wanted to be a fashion designer. There was a tv show on CNN called Style with Elsa Klench and I loved that show. It introduced me to the world of fashion and design and ignited that spark within me. Unfortunately, I was never able to explore that desire, but I now live vicariously through my new favorite tv show... Project Runway. It stars supermodel, Heidi Klum as the host, Tim Gunn as the design director and advice guru for the contestants, designer Michael Kors, fashion magazine editor, Nina Garcia as judges, and of course the contestants all vying for the opportunity to win enough money to start their own fashion line. If you're even remotely interested in fashion, you've got to check out this show!



Oh, and Beth, I agree with you, Rami may be it.. I also liked Chris, but that Christian is a little intense, talk about diva!

Blades of Grass.....

In honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, I solemnly submit this moving piece. It was written as a tribute to our fallen heroes by Senator Orrin Hatch. While I may not agree with his politics, I respect his musical talents and as the child of a veteran, I am thankful for this piece. Our daughter, Shelby, performed this selection with the West Middle School chorus during part of their Veteran's Day program. This weekend, and on Monday in particular, let us take a moment to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom and let us be thankful for them and their families.

God rest their souls.

Of Course!

Get a Cash Advance

*Hat tip Gavo (who may I add is only Jr. High School level)

All Saints Day

FOR ALL THE SAINTS




For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Happy Spooks Day

Here are my spooks!



Little Red Riding Hood



Pirate Boy


They had loads of fun at our church's annual Fall Festival/Block Party. They each won something from the cake walk, so I ended up bringing back home the chocolate fudge cake I made, but that's okay! Tad also won two 2-liter drinks from the ring toss game and they have loads of candy. My ingenious teenager has decided to take part of her bag of goodies to school to sell for five cents a piece. She's got bills! She's in deep to the landlord for running up her cellphone bill. All in all, it was a lot of fun, now I'm ready for a break!