3 {Other} Christmas songs

I love Christmas music.

Golly, who doesn't?

Also, who says "golly" anymore? I think we should bring it back.

Anyway, Christmas music is splendid. I love traditional Christmas songs that there are a zillion different versions of.

BUT I also have a few songs that aren't quite as well known. Like, there are only a couple versions of it, or maybe even just one. Or it just doesn't get the play time that all the other songs do.

I thought I'd share three of those with you today. Just the ones that came to mind first...

1) "Ding Dong Merrily on High" by Celtic Woman

Dude, this song is awesome. It is an older carol that you've probably heard before, but if you haven't heard this version, check it out. It just feels Christmasy. It makes me want to ice skate while it's snowing and angels are singing and bells are ringing...or something.

2) "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill

A very pretty, very meaningful song. Sung by Faith Hill. Gorgeous.

3) "Christmas Makes Me Cry" by Mandisa and Matthew West

Kind of pop-y, but moving nonetheless. Good vocals, too!

Have you heard these? What other Christmas songs do you like that don't get played a a gazillion times every year?

Happy Thanksgriving

I haven't told you about our Thanksgiving. Silly me.

I loved Thanksgiving this year.

So much good food! So much good company!

We went to my grandma's house in Thatcher. We ate, had our traditional rocket launch, played games, took naps, etc. It was yummy, relaxing, and perfectly enjoyable. Everything Thanksgiving should be.

But I don't have any pictures, which...well, let's be honest, is typical.

And I SO wish I had a picture of what was easily one of my favorite parts of the day, but I don't. So I'll just tell you about it.

We drove up to my grandma's house, made our way to the back porch, and saw a nice little scarecrow adding a little fall flavor to the back porch. The scarecrow was holding a little sign to welcome us all there.

And what did it say?

"Happy Thanksgriving."

It made me laugh. Every time I saw it. And now, just thinking back on it, I still laugh.

My grandma is the best.

So there, a Thanksgiving post. Glad I got that off my chest.

The bark and the bite(s)

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Mint.

One day, Mint met a girl named Chocolate.

He was a boy, she was a girl...can I make it any more obvious? (Thanks, Avril).

They fell in love and got married.

The world has been a better place ever since.

The end.

Do you understand the moral of this half-baked fairy tale? Let me make it as clear as possible to you:

mint + chocolate = perfection

And one of the reasons Christmas time is the best is because it is during this festive season that mint and chocolate come together to create one of their finest accomplishments: peppermint bark.

Hi, my name's Katie and I'm a peppermint barkaholic.

It started with Williams Sonoma peppermint bark several years back. Mm mm good.

However, this goodness comes with a price...a price that is right around $20 per tin.

Bummer, dude.

I've tried making peppermint bark. Believe me, I've tried. It's all right, edible and all, but just not as good. Not as good.

BUT this year...I have discovered two - yes, TWO - acceptable alternatives that do not - do NOT - cost $20.

Presenting:




No, neither one is the Williams Sonoma stuff...but they are both chocolaty, minty, and downright yummy.

If you're like me, and peppermint and chocolate rocks your world, try these. I predict that you will like them.

And if you don't like them, e-mail me and I'll send you my address so you can send me the leftovers.

And the world will be a better place

Is it just me, or does the world actually seem like a better place after the Devils' WIN over the Tucson team last night?

Block 1:





Block 2:




It pretty much makes you forget about how crappy the rest of the season has been.

Until next year.

Sweaters

So...I feel like lots of people swoon over fall.

Am I right? I think I'm right.

Well, I am not really among the swooners.

Sure, I like fall. I may even like fall a lot. I like Thanksgiving. And I like pumpkin things. And I like the end of 142 degree weather every.day. And fall means almost Christmas, which is super cool.

Yes, fall has its benefits, but in the end, I'm more of a spring/summer kind of gal.

Except for one thing - sweaters.

Dude. I love sweaters.

Maybe it's because I love layered looks. Maybe it's because I don't love my arms. Maybe it's because sweaters keep you (mostly) warm, and I'm a huge fan of warmth. But whatever the reason, I think sweaters are the bomb. I even have short-sleeved cardigans that I like to wear in the summertime.

And I know - I KNOW, OK?! - that most people don't really consider Arizona's fall to be "sweater weather," but guess what? I do. 70s or below = sweater.

So here's some sweaters that I'm currently loving/coveting. Yes, they're all from American Eagle. If you don't know by now that I love me some AE, well, now you do.



Oh, the cuteness!

For Dallin: I guess I'll have to wait until Christmas...since I would never just up and buy a $40 sweater! Sheesh!




For everyone else: I guess now I just have to decide which one/two to splurge on.

Bye Bye Boppy

Have you seen "Bye Bye Birdie?"

I never had. I knew a lot of the songs since one of my high school choirs did a review of them, but I'd never actually seen the movie.

And then I found out about Biltmore Fashion Center's movies in the park (free movies outside - fun!) and the only weekend that worked for us was the weekend they were showing "Bye Bye Birdie." So now I've seen it. Er, most of it. We were a little late. But that's beside the point.

In fact, that whole thing is kind of beside the point, because what I really wanted to tell you was this: I'm done breastfeeding.

Hoorah!

No one told me that BF-ing took over your life. For me, it was very time consuming, and at times, pretty darn painful.

Not saying I won't do it with the next one, because I totally will. It's just...I'm going to enjoy the break. And I'm going to take Excedrin for my headaches because I can and it's da bomb.

And when I moved the boppy pillow from it's home of 11 1/2 months (our bedroom) to its new home (our spare/junk/tornado-just-hit-it room) I couldn't help but sing "Bye bye Boppy" in my head. Or maybe out loud.

Maybe.

One.

Oh, you clicked over to my blog hoping to find out what we've been up to for the past few weeks? Maybe get a picture or two of Madelyn in her adorable Halloween costume? Perhaps hear about how school has been going for me (hint: blegh)? Or my feelings about Fall? Or an amazing pumpkin recipe or two?

Well stop dreaming my friends, because I'm not updating you on any of those things right now.

Today we're talking about today.

Today is Madelyn's very first birthday.



Now, I don't want to get too sappy about this. I'm honestly not freaking about too much about having a one-year-old. It is crazy...but come on, I knew it was going to happen someday. In fact, I knew the exact day that it was going to happen, so I could prepare. So don't expect me to be all "AAH MY BABY IS ONE!!!" kind of thing.

But there are a few thoughts I have.


Mostly, I just want to let the cyber-world know that I love love love my baby girl.

I'm so proud of everything she's already accomplished and become in one short year.

I'm grateful to her for making me a mother. It's the most rewarding job I've ever had.


I'm so very excited to find out what the coming years bring for both of us. I hope she grows up to be happy, healthy, loving, brave, smart, confident, and well aware of how much so many people love her.

I'm starting to wonder if the day will ever come when my heart doesn't just expand every time I look at my girl. I don't think it will.

Happy birthday, Madelyn!
Thank you for being my sunshine.