Merry Christmas!

While this blog has been sorely lacking in posts lately, I can assure you that it is fully because I've been busy catching up with friends and enjoying my Christmas break (and a heavy dose of Community). I love Christmas. The couple of weeks leading up to Christmas are great, but nothing beats the tradition combination of Christmas Eve-Day. My family does the exact same things every year, and have for as long as I can remember. On Christmas Eve, we all drive out to our family friends' house, join with a crowd of friends that might as well be family, and spend the night eating, talking, and singing songs (the first few are Christmas songs, but we usually give up after the first few, and branch off into some Janis Joplin, Joni MItchell, and The Eagles, to name a few). Christmas Day, we get out of bed, open presents, eat breakfast, and spend the rest of the day lounging around in our (new) pajamas, reading our newly acquired books, amusing ourselves with our new presents, and eating too much chocolate. For dinner, we usually have a nice traditional dinner with just the family. This year, we've finally accepted the inevitable and are having a dinner consisting solely of bread, cheese (in fondue form), and appetizers. It's lovely, and I couldn't be happier. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go join the family for (first annual?) Christmas Day Harry Potter double header, featuring Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and 2. I love this.

(P.S. ALSO. GETTING A KITTEN. YAY.)

It's time.

It is time.

CHRISTMAS SEASON TIME. This year, I'm going with the argument that, because it is now officially December, I am entitled to whatever Christmas activities I'd like. Today, I started my Christmas shopping and had eggnog ice cream. Hell. Yeah.

Also, the best part of Christmas becomes (widely, but not wholly)  acceptable today. Yeah. CHRISTMAS MUSIC. My favorite thing about the holidays. For me, the only Christmas music to rock out to (with very few exceptions) are these two CDs: A Very Special Christmas and A Very Special Christmas 2. They're compilation albums of all kinds of Christmas music. You have your Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, your Tom Petty and your U2, even Boyz II Men make an appearance, among many other big names. These albums were released in 1987 and 1992, and they are what I think of when I think of Christmas music. Every year for my entire life these CDs have been played during the holiday season, and every November I get excited about listening to them again. So go check out the track lists, and give the songs a listen. I guarantee that it will get you in the Christmas spirit. Depending on how I'm feeling (I'll try) I think I'm going to post one song for one of the albums each day until Christmas. Sound good? Good.

First song I'll share? Whitney Houston's version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" It's lovely, and always reminds me of the warm fuzzy feeling I get around Christmas.

Happy Holidays

Jonah & Padre performing

Christmas cracker toy and the tree

Greetings all!

Hopefully everyone survived the holiday madness, successfully burned a good sized hole in their wallets during Boxing Week shopping, and gained at least a good 4 to 5 pounds while stuffing yourself with delicious holiday food.

Personally, my house is full to the bursting with all types of food, both gifts and home-made. Delicious, yet so so bad. And by bad, I mean delicious.

Also, my family managed to attain the entire 1st season of Glee, the first part of the 2nd season of Modern Family, a DVD of a U2 concert, and several other TV shows on DVD. So yes, this means I have been sitting in my comfy recliner, eating chocolate, and generally being a big huge lazy blob.

Ah, gotta love the holidays.

Cutecutecutecutecute little boy!

But seriously, I hope that your holiday season has been good so far, and yes... I still have nothing of particular interest to tell you people. Yesterday my family had a huge family (and friends) dinner with 18 people, including one adorable little 4 year old. He got a playhouse for Christmas, and put on a lovely little puppet show for us all. Man, kids are cool sometimes. Also, note that, as seen in this picture, he is the best dressed 4 year old I have ever met. Seriously, last night he was wearing an vest, matching tie, blazer, and a sweet little hat to match.

Anyways, having successfully taken up a good chunk of your valuable loafing time (PS does anyone else know what else I mean by 'loafing'? Or is that just a phrase my cousin made up?), I shall reward you with a song, which I have no affiliation with, nor can I take even a smidgen of credit for. However, I like it, so here goes...

Old Man by Neil Young

Oh! For sticking with me here, I have a treat for you (kinda? maybe?). If you're like me, youtube is great for finding and listening to new music. This site here (bang) is awesome because it makes it super easy to get songs off of youtube onto your ipod/computer/mp3 player (hey, some people still live in the early 2000's I suppose). Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas dear reader(s)! I hope you all had the loveliest of lovely Christmas Eve's, with lots of family and friends and, of course, yummy food. And music. Music is good too. Personally, my Christmas eve, as per tradition, involved some rowdy versions of 'Hotel California' (correct lyrics not mandatory), 'Ring of Fire' (hand clapping mandatory), 'Case of You' (for those who insist on hearing at least one decent sung song), and, last but not ever forgotten, 'Santa Baby,' sung by two very reluctant twenty-somethings. Ah yes, my family is in fact very nerdy when it comes to singing songs in large groups.

Anyways, just wanted to say Merry Christmas. Have a good one!

(we listened to this on the way home tonight, and it's a fabulous song. That I may have mentioned before. Oops.)

Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons

T-minus 10 days until Christmas Eve!

This means it's time to finish (start?) the Christmas shopping and listen to Christmas music. This can either be good or bad, depending on your grinch-o-meter of the day. Personally, I enjoy christmas shopping in cheesy christmas-themed malls, but who knows... maybe that's just me. Anyways, here is a decidingly un-Christmassy picture for all you grinches out there, and a two versions of a Christmassy song for you people who like some christmas cheer(ish). The U2 version is on a christmas CD that's about as old as me, and has christmas songs by Run-D.M.C, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Madonna, and a bunch of other random fairly know artists. It's an extremely cheesy and not very traditional Christmas CD, but for some reason it's pretty much the only one in my house and my family listens to it every year. Anyways, check it out:

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)- Death Cab For Cutie



Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)- U2



Happy Christmas shopping kids!