I have always loved music. I grew up with parents who LOVE music...and they both passed their music preferences down to my brother and I. So I guess they're to blame for our eclectic (read: random) musical choices. Ha!
I was a road trip kid who learned quickly that being in the car (especially during the summer) meant wind in my hair and lots of singing! Some songs have a deep emotional impact to me. There are just some songs that anchor me to moments in time, places or memories. I'm not the only one, right?!
Today I am thankful for music. I grew up playing clarinet and piano, as well as singing in the school chorus and church choir. I find such joy in music.
No matter your mood, what you want to say, or your prefered style - music delivers!
I've played this Pentatonix cover of Daft Punk's songs a few times in the office this week. Tons of fun!
I also really enjoy music from the 30's to 50's. Anytime I sing this song - Paisley comes running!
It's been a while since I looked at the analytics for my blog. Always good for a giggle! Right?
Following are my just a sampling of how people wandered onto ye olde blog:
Hooters. I'm just going to presume that you were looking for a way to replicate their chicken wing recipe. MMkay?
Red Sox crap. OK, OK...they really did have a craptastic year. I admit it.
Super hot shirtless guys. Well, that's pretty darn specific. Sorry you couldn't find that here!
Happy endings. Please, please, please tell me you were looking for the sitcom. Otherwise...ick! You are NOT finding that here.
Real weiners. Given my new blog name, I'm not horribly surprised. However, I'm still having to shovel my mind out of the gutter.
Thrones. Why, yes, I am royalty! Thanks for noticing!
Visiting Boston. Yep, that one is actually legit.
How to make flip flops. Hmm...if you figure it out, let me know. I blew out my right flip flop on Monday.
Food or jewelry. Why choose, people?! Have your cupcake and your diamond studs too!
Do dogs have thumb nails. If you're the one that found me that way - I feel compelled to answer you. No, dogs do NOT have thumb nails...or thumbs for that matter.
I don't know how it happened...but it's December already! That means lots of presents, parties...and if you're like me, a few last minute guests or invites. I like to have a few things made that store well and travel well...and are pretty darn tasty. You can't go wrong with peppermint bark.
Reminder, I'm looking for you to find me the *worst* holiday display you can and submit it to my contest!
Peppermint Bark
12 Oreos, broken into small to medium pieces
6 oz hard peppermint candies, crushed into small pieces
2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup Red & Green M&Ms
Melt the chocolate. Combine candy cane chunks and cookies with chocolate, setting a few aside. Pour mixture onto a wax covered cookie sheet, add last few cookie, M&Ms and candy cane bits, pressing them gently into the chocolate, and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Break into chunks and store/serve.
I just love this song. For some reason it reminds me of trips to NM and TX to see my dad's family. That side of the family is HUGE and it was always such a joy to be surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, friends of family that I hadn't gotten to see in almost two years....
Maybe someday I'll get out there for another Christmas. I miss it!
Welcome to December! My month o' Christmas music has made its return. Hopefully I don't annoy the tinsel out of you... :-)
I'm starting with a childhood favorite! Who doesn't love the Chipmunk Christmas song?!
I know that you all have gorgeous holiday displays! Pretty lights, a perfect tree, and of course, nothing that could even come close to being called "tacky". Right?!
Well, I've seen my fair share of tacky holiday displays lately and I'm challenging you to find me the UGLY!!! Start snapping pictures of the eleven million singing Santa's on your neighbors lawn, the light displays that can be seen from space, the house two blocks away that has a flashing Santa and a house strung up with only red lights...or anything that seems horrifically ugly, distasteful or tacky!
Send me your ugly pictures by Sunday, December 16th and I'll post them all on Monday the 17th. Then EVERYONE can vote for the ugliest holiday display for the rest of the week. A prize (exactly what is yet to be determined) will be awarded to the submitter of the worst holiday display!
It's music week on 2 on Tuesday! One of my favorite subjects, dontcha know?! (Sorry... a bit of my Newfoundland heritage leaking out.) The best way for me to tackle the song choices is via youtube. That works, right? Right!
What is the song you play when you want to get pumped up?
LMFAO is fun and upbeat!
What is the song you play when you want/need to cry?
Amazing Grace makes me cry like a baby. And so do bagpipes. I come from a large Scottish family...so it only makes sense. :-)
What is the song you play when you’re cleaning?
I love, love, love Florence and The Machine. This song gets a lot of play in my house, car, etc. :-)
What is the song you play when you’re exercising?
My excercising these days is mostly walks around the neighborhood with the pups. I love 80's pop and Crowded House plays the Isle of Wight Festival every few years (it's on my dream concert list, for you music junkies!) which inevitable ends up on BBC or Paladium for me to watch.
Wishing you all a very, very Merry Christmas! I hope it's filled with family, friends and fun. :-) And...that Santa got your wish list & brings you everything you asked for!!
I'll be doing a My Memories product review & giveaway right after Christmas! Then, my 500 Follower Giveaway next week too!
Um...how in the world is it just days away from Christmas?!?! I have gotten some fabulous Christmas cards from people. Cute, funny, sweet, pup-filled. A great variety! If your card to me got returned - I'm sorry! My mailman apparently doesn't like doing his job, and has been randomly returning mail as "undeliverable". *Sigh*
This week I'm sharing my mom's (Bailey's) Irish Cream Cake. Soooo good! I don't know where she got the recipe...but if you recognize the recipe, let me know so I can give the right person credit. :-)
Bailey's Irish Cream Cake
1 cup chopped nuts
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package vanilla instant pudding
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup Irish Cream liqueur
Glaze
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Irish Cream liqueur
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour your pans. Sprinkle your chopped nuts across the bottom of your pans.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and pudding mixes.Mix in eggs, water, oil and Irish cream & mix on high for 5 minutes (the batter will be nice and fluffy). Pour batter over nuts and bake for 1 hour.
Cool for 5-10 minutes, then invert on a serving dish. Prick top and sides. Spoon glaze on top and brush on sides of cake. Allow cake to absorb moisture, then repeat until all glaze used.
Glaze - In a saucepan combine butter, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring contantly for 5 minutes. Remove from heat & stir in Bailey's.
Many thanks to the fabulous Kristine for letting me borrow steal this quiz!
1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate, of course! Have I not mentioned before that I have a problem with the consistency of food/drinks?! That included eggnog. Plus, it has raw eggs in it. ICK!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
He wraps EVERYTHING!! Santa's a smart guy and knows how much we all like unwrapping presents.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I know that this isn't going to make sense to most people... but I like both. My tree/house will always be white light only (unless future hubby is adamant about colored lights). I like colored lights. Just not on my house; I'm a purist. :-)
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope. A. It's poisonous to dogs. B. I have no one to kiss!!
5. When do you put your decorations up? It varies each year. Some years I'm really into Christmas; some years I'm not. This year, is very minimal...and the only tree is at my parent's house. *whimper*
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Hmm. Now that I think about it - I don't have a favorite.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Let me start by saying that I adore both sides of my family. But Christmas' with my dad's family were a smidge more memorable because they were out west, and outside the "norm". My two biggest Christmas memories: A. The year we slide backwards (in a car!) down a mountain in New Mexico. B. The year we started the morning with a rare snowfall in TX & got to end the day with running through the sprinklers. :-)
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was 9 or 10, and I found out at school. I was devastated! Once I found out, I became Santa's bi-otch and was put in charge of wrapping presents.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Nope! It's never been our tradition to do it...but I envy all the families that had the Christmas Eve pj present-opening. :-)
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
At my parents house is all the ornaments that I got as a child. My tree is usually just red and white ornaments. I like simple!
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Actually...both. I love to see it snow. However, I don't particularly like to drive in it, and don't trust other drivers in the snow. Guess New England isn't the place to be living, huh?! :-)
12. Can you ice skate?
It's been a few years since I've tried...but I think so!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I love all the gifts that I get. I think my favorite so far has been the industrial model of the Kitchen-Aid stand mixer! As a child, Cabbage Patch Kids topped my list for a few years.
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
It's not a single thing...it's the accumulation of ALL the things! The cookies baking, presents wrapping, shopping, giving and getting Christmas cards, hanging with family...ALL of it!
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
The holiday desserts that are made, I still pull out and make in the summer...so perhaps I make them less special than they ought to be. So I don't have a favorite!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I really like driving around and seeing all the Christmas lights. Sometimes I drag others with me...sometimes I go alone. But I need so see the displays. It's really funny to see some of the garish things people put up mixed in with the astonishingly beautiful displays their neighbors have. :-)
17. What tops your tree?
A star!
18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
GIVING!!! I love giving gifts.
19. Candy canes: yuck or yum?
Definitely "yum". Mint is one of my favorite flavors.
20. Favorite Christmas show?
I love watching "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown" & "Prep and Landing". I also really enjoy seeing some of my favorite shows do Christmas episodes. It's fun!
21. Saddest Christmas song?
The Christmas Shoes
“He said, I wanna buy these shoes, for my mama, please. It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Can you hurry, please? Daddy says there’s not much time. You see, she’s been sick for quite a while and I know these shoes will make her smile and I want her to look beautiful, if mommy meets Jesus tonight.”
22. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
I love most of them! I love the Chipmunk Christmas song, All I Want For Christmas Is You, I’ll Be Home for Christmas…
I'm joining Neely and Amber for "It's OK" Thursday. It's been a while since I've partaken in the fun... :-)
It's OK...
...That I totally slacked off and didn't order my Christmas cards until Sunday. Once I get them, I think I can have them in the mail in two days or less. (Or maybe I'm delusional!)
...To be absolutely addicted to iced peppermint white mochas right now. Darn you, Starbucks!!
...To be just a smidge overwhelmed right now.
...That I think that blow up holiday lawn decorations are kinda hideous. And to secretly want to see them banned. Or destroyed. Or maybe just go out of fashion.
...To be thrilled that the knitting in my Etsy store seems to be selling, and that custom projects are rolling in. :-)
...To have been a little disappointed with the season finale of Covert Affairs. It's going to be a long wait until its return!
...That I'm almost certain that I'm getting a Kindle Fire. I'm so *excited*!
The pups and I finally got our act together. What makes it so funny (in my opinion) is what's on the INSIDE! If you want to be on our Christmas card list this year - email me!!
Missing Cookie Christmas Card
Heartfelt: Christmas photo cards and holiday cards at Shutterfly.
Hi, ladies! Is everyone getting in the holiday spirit? I am!!
In fact, I'm so in the spirit - that I'm extending the discount on my Etsy site! I'll have a few more things up tomorrow, and you can use coupon code: SANTAPAWS2011 to get 10% off. Right now, I'm planning to extend it to Thursday night at midnight EST. :-)
I'm sharing this recipe with you for the second time. I love it that much!! The first time around, was two years ago...and most of you lovely ladies hadn't meandered onto my blog yet.
It just isn't Christmas without at least one batch of these suckers. They are so addictive, that I only make them if I'm going to a party or can eat a few and leave them at someone else's house. :-)
Saltine Sweeties
1 sleeve (approximately) of Saltines
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (chopped)
Line a large (12x18) cookie sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil. Place saltines in a single layer to cover the bottom of the pan.
Melt butter and sugar together in a saucepan & pour over saltines.
Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes (until saltines start absorbing the liquid mixture). Remove from oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crackers. Return to over for a minute or so - until chocolate chips are melted. Use a spatula to evenly spread the chocolate chips over the saltines and scatter the nuts across the top of the chocolate.
Cool in refrigerator for about an hour, remove foil from the bottom of the bars and break into chunks.
Last week, I promised you all a guest post today. And here she is - the fabulous Mrs. Jones! I just adore this woman, and I think you will too. :-) Today she's sharing with us her holiday season top five!
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Sweet Cole is letting me kick off this work week by guest posting on her blog, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm Mrs. Jones from Keeping Up with the Joneses. I've been blogging for a few years now, and I've made some fabulous friends through it. A writer by trade, I'm grateful for a place I can just be me - my words, my thoughts, my little place in the blogosphere.
I admit to being a little scatterbrained today. My Crimson Tide is officially BCS Championship bound, and I'm still walking on air JUST a teensy bit. :-)
Today I wanted to share my holiday season top five. You know, the things you'd never skip. The things you love. The things it's not Christmas without?
1) Trimming the tree. I love Christmas, and my house isn't complete without our big tree - and my little tree. Mr. Jones, my wonderful husband, indulges me and let's me put the little one trimmed in pink in our room. It's been my tree since I was a little girl, and I love seeing it as I fall asleep.
2) An extra special day. Dec. 20 is our anniversary. This year, we'll have been married for three years. Time is flying by. It's also our little puppy's "coming-home-aversary". She came home two years ago, on our first anniversary.
3) Family time. Spring is the busiest of seasons for my family, so the slow time we get to celebrate is always extra special.
4) Down time. I'm a lucky girl, and I get around 10 days off at Christmas each year. I love making some extra special meals, hot lunches, and getting our home back in order for the new year.
5) Pulling out the china. My Lenox Holiday china is a sentimental staple. My grandmother passed away when I was in middle school, but she left me a beautiful legacy. Each Christmas, from the time I was little, she gave me a place setting of this beautiful china. While I love Christmas, and china - the love that went into putting my set together makes me smile every time we use it. I leave our little kitchen table set for two all December, because it brightens up the house - and life.
And, of course, I get to pick this Christmas song of the day, so I leave you with Celine Dion's O Holy Night... a favorite song by a favorite artist.
Merry Christmas lovelies! What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
**Update: It's taken much of the day to wrangle the pups and work through a Shutterfly problem (shout out to Mrs. Jones), but the cards are D-O-N-E! I'll unveil the front of them in a few days. :-)**
So, I participated in my first craft fair on Friday night. I happily talked and talked...and talked to all the lovely folks who came to the fair. Handed out my card. Politely thanked people when they exclaimed how adorable my items were.
But I only made THREE sales. And two of them were to family! {Whom I love, adore and am eternally thankful for their support!} Disappointed doesn't begin to describe the feeling as I packed everything back up for the night. I don't even want to know how the lady did it - but she got 4 dozen {at least} Angry Birds hats from a manufacturer! I had the dumb luck of being two tables down from this lady and didn't stand a chance against the cosmic pull of those darn birds. {FYI...I do actually like Angry Bird.}
Luckily...the night wasn't a loss! I learned a few things:
Make an early request to be close to the front door. That way, people need to walk past you coming and going.
This place could have made a killing if they charged the kids each time they participated in the cake walk. {For those of you not "in the know", a cake walk is like musical chairs...but slower and the child in the chosen space when the music stops wins a cake.}
Sometimes, you end up next to REALLY "interesting" people.
My vendor space was directly next to a woman selling Lia Sophia. Great jewelry, and the woman seemed nice enough. And then she started talking... In the first 90 seconds of our introduction, she tells me that she works as a social worker and asks if I'd like to adopt. SERIOUSLY!!!! Five minutes later, she taps my on the shoulder and shares that her undies are too tight!
The vendor on my other side? Tells me that she'll be at another craft fair tomorrow. But one where she think she can sell her homemade bongs!
If nothing else... my evening was entertaining!
Oh, and just because I love you all {seriously, I do!}, you get 10% off my Etsy site through Monday night. Just enter: SANTAPAWS2011 as your coupon code. :-)
I love this song! It's one of my favorite Christmas "silly songs".
During September - 10% of your purchase will go to Little Paws Dachshund Rescue! Purchase and be entered to be the mystery hostess and get all the fun rewards. :-)
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