First, it's kind of pop-y sounding, but I love it. The harmonies are beautiful, the voices are beautiful, and I just love, love, love a cappella. This song starts out good, and it just gets better and better.
And here's a funny one by the same group. It's the most fun Twelve Days of Christmas I've seen in a long time.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Holiday cheer
Since the first of December, it seems like life at our house has exploded. We have had activity after activity, mostly due to my poor planning and inability to say no, but also because it's the end of a school semester for Jack, the end of the year in Primary, and the holiday season.
If it were any other month, I would probably be crawling into a ball in a corner crying about how overwhelming my life is. I have, in fact, had moments of panic. But since our crazy schedule has also been filled with a mothering group meeting, a Christmas nativity open house, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, a game night, crocheting/crafting, babysitting friends' kids, book group, bilingual story time, decorating gingerbread houses, and parties, it has actually been fun. Not to mention the fact that my house is generally more clean because I'm often expecting people over, and that's a good enough reason for me to clean up.
I can also see just by looking at my calendar that things are going to "calm down" a little. By that I mean that we're about to leave town and spend some more fun time with family for Christmas and New Year's.
Some things that I feel have also kept us a little more centered are some regular (as regular as possible) evening activities. They only take a few minutes, but Ellen and Jack look forward to them and it makes taking baths and putting on pajamas so much easier. We have a felt nativity calendar that we add a piece to every evening. I also clipped the advent calendar from the December issue of the Friend magazine this year. Adding a Christmas carol and those two things to our nightly routine of a few scripture verses and family prayer has helped me enjoy our busy days and remember the purpose of it all.
Now if you, like me, have realized that the "Christmas music radio station" plays any song that mentions the word Christmas and that most of them actually have nothing to do with traditional carols or even fun kids' Christmas songs, and that bothers you, even though you keep listening and hoping that the next song will be some pop star singing a horrible version of "O Holy Night" because even that would be better than the rest, here are a couple of songs I rediscovered this year.
Little Baby
Joy to Everyone
Finally, if you happen to be hosting or attending a holiday event involving food, (!) let me share these two recipes that were surprise hits at a potluck dinner we had with friends and our combined bazillion kids, who were so excited to be playing together that they spontaneously burst into a chant of "we need one more! We need one more!" Like you need one more treat recipe, but here it is:
Reindeer Treats
These are not attractive, as suggested by the name. But they are delicious, even to my normally sweet-averse taste.
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 can roasted peanuts
SLOWLY melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. (In the microwave or a double boiler is ideal, but you can just use a regular pot and the stove, too.) Add marshmallows and peanuts and stir until coated with chocolate. Drop onto waxed paper and let cool. Enjoy.
One batch we made adding about a cup of Rice Krispies cereal. We loved the extra crunch.
The second recipe is a little involved, but definitely worth the effort.
Chile Verde
If it were any other month, I would probably be crawling into a ball in a corner crying about how overwhelming my life is. I have, in fact, had moments of panic. But since our crazy schedule has also been filled with a mothering group meeting, a Christmas nativity open house, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, a game night, crocheting/crafting, babysitting friends' kids, book group, bilingual story time, decorating gingerbread houses, and parties, it has actually been fun. Not to mention the fact that my house is generally more clean because I'm often expecting people over, and that's a good enough reason for me to clean up.
I can also see just by looking at my calendar that things are going to "calm down" a little. By that I mean that we're about to leave town and spend some more fun time with family for Christmas and New Year's.
Some things that I feel have also kept us a little more centered are some regular (as regular as possible) evening activities. They only take a few minutes, but Ellen and Jack look forward to them and it makes taking baths and putting on pajamas so much easier. We have a felt nativity calendar that we add a piece to every evening. I also clipped the advent calendar from the December issue of the Friend magazine this year. Adding a Christmas carol and those two things to our nightly routine of a few scripture verses and family prayer has helped me enjoy our busy days and remember the purpose of it all.
Now if you, like me, have realized that the "Christmas music radio station" plays any song that mentions the word Christmas and that most of them actually have nothing to do with traditional carols or even fun kids' Christmas songs, and that bothers you, even though you keep listening and hoping that the next song will be some pop star singing a horrible version of "O Holy Night" because even that would be better than the rest, here are a couple of songs I rediscovered this year.
Little Baby
Joy to Everyone
Finally, if you happen to be hosting or attending a holiday event involving food, (!) let me share these two recipes that were surprise hits at a potluck dinner we had with friends and our combined bazillion kids, who were so excited to be playing together that they spontaneously burst into a chant of "we need one more! We need one more!" Like you need one more treat recipe, but here it is:
Reindeer Treats
These are not attractive, as suggested by the name. But they are delicious, even to my normally sweet-averse taste.
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 can roasted peanuts
SLOWLY melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. (In the microwave or a double boiler is ideal, but you can just use a regular pot and the stove, too.) Add marshmallows and peanuts and stir until coated with chocolate. Drop onto waxed paper and let cool. Enjoy.
One batch we made adding about a cup of Rice Krispies cereal. We loved the extra crunch.
The second recipe is a little involved, but definitely worth the effort.
Chile Verde
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The peeps have spoken.
Look at all those kids crammed in Grandma's play house eating popsicles right before Thanksgiving dinner!
Flash forward.
Tonight I had dinner all ready and on the table. I looked over into the living room where everyone else was playing and said (as I often do),"Okay, peeps! Come sit down. It's time to eat dinner."
Ellen responded in her most serious voice, "The peeps are not coming. The peeps are coloring."
What?!? Thanks, peeps.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My favorite picture subject of the wedding
I know, I know. My sister, the bride, was beautiful. But I could not get enough of this adorable baby. I took several dozen photos of her alone. I wasn't the only one who found her irresistible.
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