Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How About A Little "Whine" With Those Decorations


     I hope no one minds if I start this blog post with a little "whine". You know, as bloggers, most of us tend to give the impression that everything just goes along beautifully at our houses. We wake up perky, prepare perfect meals and between jobs, children and husbands, we find all the time we need to create, craft and decorate our homes. Well, my life is never like that...but, the past month has been the extreme opposite.

     It started with my food poisoning event (it was an event) on October 28th, which landed me in bed on both my birthday and Halloween. It was 5 days before I had the strength to even get dressed and in truth, many more days of trying to feel like I hadn't been hit by a truck. Coming on a few days later, my husband and I both caught colds that we simply could not shake. I was functioning, but didn't feel great...and then last Tuesday, my cold turned quickly into a sinus infection and bronchitis. I lost my voice which has not returned, ran a fever until yesterday and my cough is like a barking seal and can't be controlled. Thanksgiving was spent in bed. I did get up for a few hours Thanksgiving morning to make a pie and put together a meal because my son was coming...but, he didn't show up (that is another story). Needless to say, my husband had more than enough to eat...alone...on Thanksgiving.

     Bronchitis isn't something new to me. From the time I was a child, if I caught a cold in the fall...I ended up sick for weeks. The problem now is, I'm an adult and Christmas is coming! I have been able to get a few things done between naps the past two days, but I am really having fantasies of sitting on a beach in the sun, breathing in the salt air until I feel like myself again. Instead, I am drinking so much tea I could float, napping between cyber shopping and I must be feeling a little better because I'm getting mad! Merry, Merry and a Ho Ho Ho...

     So, I hope that all of you are feeling better than we are at my house. I hope you are perky, cooking up a storm, crafting, decorating and enjoying every minute of the holiday prep. I am getting there...but I apologize for the lack of visits to your blogs and comments on your posts. I will try to do better, now that I'm sitting up and can keep my eyes open!

     I have done some decorating the past couple of days. Luckily, I had already decided on my "theme" for this year and it was much more simple than some years. I decided I wanted something more natural, outdoorsy and winter looking than prior years. I went back to traditional red and green and there is not one silver, gold or colored ornament out in my house. In fact, much of what I have out will be able to stay out all winter.

 
     I always decorate the top of the china cabinet almost as if it were a mantel. The picture is one we have had for many years, the wooden trees, birdhouse and moose are part of my attempt at bringing a winter lodge feeling to the decorations this year.



 
     The library table behind the love seat has been draped with a vintage quilt that my husband's grandmother made. Twigs, pinecones, birds and reindeer continue bringing the outside into the house this year. My husband made the twig garland for me. We saw one very similiar in Michigan for a much higher price than I was willing to pay for some sticks!



     I am happy to say that I'm finally joining Marty again at A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday. Make sure you stop and say hello to her.  

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tablescapes and More Tablescapes


 
     It is that time of year again. Wrights Furniture in Dieterich, IL hosted the Annual Settings for St. Anthony's event. It is always a fun event, with beautiful tables, delicious refreshments and if you are lucky (I'm not) you might even win a great prize. I think the pictures speak for themselves...so enjoy and be inspired!



















 



 


 

 







 

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Abbey Road Sessions




     It had been quite a while since I was asked to listen and review new music and then I was sent two at the same time. So today, I will tell you about the CD I received just a few days ago, The Abbey Road Sessions by Kylie Minogue.

     I had heard of Kylie Minogue, but I really wasn't familiar at all with her music or her voice. When One2One Network asked if I would like to listen to it and write about it, I was more than happy to see what she was all about.

     Kylie has been singing for 25 years and for The Abbey Road Sessions album, she reworked the songs of her past and recorded in London's legendary Abbey Road Studios with her band and a full orchestra. Minogue is mostly known for her "pop" style and the songs on this album have been re-imagined and re-arranged to create an emotional album with clear, heartfelt vocals. After selling 60 million albums, acting roles and appearances...her voice is still youthful and unique.

     As for my personal review of the album, it is a difficult review for me. I love it when I get a new CD that is just my style of music and I love it. As for this one, I have nothing to compare it to since I had never listened to Kylie on any other album. I think if you are a fan of Kylie, you will enjoy listening to all of her hits with a new "twist" to them. I found her voice and style on this album not to be my personal taste, but it would be unfair to say it isn't a good album just because I didn't this style of music. I do appreciate the amount of work that must have gone into changing all of the songs, adding the orchestra and there is no doubt her voice sounds very youthful after 25 years! I think her fan base will be thrilled with this new project.

     I suggest that you listen to samples of the CD here. You can decided for yourself if this is the CD for you! The CD is available now and you can read more about Kylie at www.kylie.com.

     I will happily send my copy of her CD to the first person who asks for it and sends me their mailing address. I know that some of you are Kylie fans!


     I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

    

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Christmas Theme Preview and a Chris Mann "Roads" Review




    I was recently contacted by One2One Network to do a review on Chris Mann's new album, Roads. My answer was an easy YES! You see I had been following Chris Mann since watching him on The Voice last season. He came in 4th place, but he could have easily been the winner.

    What I loved about Chris is that while he is trained in opera, graduating from Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music in 2004, with a degree in vocal performance, he has the ability to also look and sound like a pop star. The only person that I can think of that has that same ability is Josh Groban, they both are what I guess I would call "cool opera" and are able to blend the two genres into something amazing.

     Roads is an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from Willie Nelson's Always on My Mind and Lady Antebellum's Need You Now to Ava Maria. Chris also co-wrote two of the songs on the album.

     My feelings about the album are a bit mixed, but it certainly has nothing to do with the amazing voice of Chris Mann. Every song he sings is perfection. I personally am not crazy about a couple of the cover songs (My Way, Always on My Mind) so as I listened to the CD, I found myself thinking, "I love this" and then, "oh, I never liked that song". My favorites are The Blower's Daughter which he sings with Christina Aguilera and Falling (which he co-wrote). It is truly a beautiful album by a man with a beautiful voice. You can listen to The Blower's Daughter by clicking here.

Playlist

Roads
Need You Now
Cuore
The Blower's Daughter Feat. Christina Aguilera
My Way
Unless You Mean It
Always On My Mind
On A Night Like This
Ave Maria
Falling
Viva La Vida 



Now, for a little bit of Christmas is Coming!
 
     I think most of you know by now that I like to "theme" my decorations each year. Yes, I was a good mother and always had a tree with the kid's handmade ornaments and their favorites, but now that they aren't here for Christmas (and neither are we) I go with whatever strikes me that year. Believe me, I don't have to add much to what I already have to change themes. I thought I'd share the trees from the years I've been blogging. My tutorial on making a tree topper is on my sidebar and it has the most views of all of my posts.
 
 
 
     Last year, the vintage tinsel tree with blues, turquoises, hot pink and peacocks! It was a fun one to play with and required almost no lights on the tree.
 
 
 
     2010, the tree and the house were done in silvers and golds...I always think this is the most elegant combination and the easiest to do.
 
  
 
     In 2009, I went with bronze, chocolate brown and hints of turquoise. It was really different, but I loved the look.
 
 
     So, just a sneak peek at what is happening around here this year. I'm not feeling all glitzy and glamerous...I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and wintery. I also have decided to make it easy on myself this year so that I have time to roast a few chestnuts and have a cup of cocoa in front of the fireplace. More to come, after Thanksgiving.