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.

    

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.

 

Michigan-The Food

 

 

     One thing about our trips to Michigan, we are never hungry. The restaurants and food choices are eclectic and interesting, cherries and whitefish can be found in many foods and you can dine as upscale or casual and you want. Thanks to Tripadvisor, we found a hidden gem in Muskegon, MI on our way to Traverse City. Mia & Grace is on our short list of new favorite places to eat. Located in downtown Muskegon, it could easily be passed over, but I am so glad we found it.

 

 

     We went early because I read that the restaurant was small and that there could easily be a wait for a table. We got right in and actually had a lovely table around the corner near the kitchen doors. I loved it because I could watch all the foods coming out of the kitchen.

 

     The menu is posted behind the counter on brown craft paper along with a list of their local food sources. Specials change according to what is available and they prepare limited amounts of some items, so when they are gone...they are gone.

 

     They even make their own sodas. My husband loves cream soda, so he ordered one and was so surprised to see it was actually made with real cream and vanilla beans. It was delicious, like dessert in a glass. I had read that we needed to try as many things as possible, so we each ordered an appetizer.  

 

     These are pictures from my phone (my camera was at the hotel) so they aren't perfect. My appetizer was heavenly. Dates stuffed with a mixture of blue and cream cheeses and topped with a candied pecan...drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

 

     My husband ordered the homemade pretzel with housemade mustard...oh my goodness, it just doesn't get better than this. I could have made it my entire meal!

 

     Our service was impeccable. Our server suggested two of their evening specials and we just allowed him to choose for us. My husband had the Pork Pie with Duck Fat Crust and fall seasoning. It sounds really strange, cinnamon, nutmeg...duck fat! It was so good. He loved it. I had Housemade Italian Sausage with Pici Noodles and Ricotta. I realize the sausage isn't all that pretty in the picture, but it was perfectly tender and lightly seasoned. I couldn't eat it all, but I certainly enjoyed every bite. They also had wonderful desserts, but we couldn't eat another bite. Mia & Grace is one of those places that I will think about until I get there again and we will plan a stop on our next trip north.

 

     Of course we had a few other delicious treats while we were gone. In Traverse City, we love to stop for lunch at the Green House Cafe. They have an excellent selection of homemade soups and my husband loves the BLT with Egg Salad. My choice of the day was the Cream of Mushroom.

 

 

     We returned to a favorite spot from our last trip, Soul Hole in Traverse City. My husband had the Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Shrimp and Crawfish and I had a Fried Green Tomato BLT that was large enough to share.

     We finally found time to visit The Jolly Pumpkin in Traverse City for lunch. We loved it. It has a pub atmosphere, is also a brewery and the food was interesting and delicious.

 

     When you sit down they bring you homemade potato chips with a delicious dipping sauce. Of course I had to try one of their wonderful beers. My husband ordered the Bison Sloppy Joe. He said it was really good and had a different taste than beef. He couldn't force me to taste Bison...but, he was happy!

 

     I ordered the Wild Mushroom Pizza with crimini and portobella mushrooms, roasted tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and truffle oil. It was the best pizza I've ever eaten and was so good that I took the rest back to the hotel and had it for dinner.

 

     We shared the Pumpkin Creme Brulee with toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds for dessert. I have only one word...purrrrrrrr!

 

     What I love about Michigan dining is that the prices are truly reasonable for the quality of the food. Most restaurants use local ingredients and you can have a gourmet meal without changing from your jeans and hiking boots. I've made myself hungry looking at the pictures and I can't wait to go back!

Luke Update and Other Things

 

     It has been an interesting time around our house. My daughter was home for 9 days! You have no idea what a gift that was for me. She hadn't been home in 18 months and she only gets here once a year. She hadn't experienced Fall since she moved 5 years ago, so that was her only request...she wanted to experience the season. We picked her up in St. Louis and took her along the Great River Road to Alton, Grafton and Elsa. The pictures above and below were taken at Pere Marquette Lodge.

 

     We also took a day and headed to Arthur, IL to Amish Country, where we went to an Amish auction (the handcrafted furniture is stunning), shopped at an Amish grocery store (noodles, homemade butter, fresh bread) and enjoyed being surrounded by all the horse and buggys. It is such a different world and yet not that far away.

 

 

     Her visit home was at the same time as my girlfriend's annual Witch Party, so of course we put on our witche's hats and had a fun luncheon with a coven of witches. Some of these women really go all out with their costumes. We completely took over the dining room at a local restaurant. It was such fun! Even more so with my girl child with me.

 

     We did arts and crafts! I know that you all are aware that I have no talent in that category, but after reading about making swearter pumpkins on StoneGable's blog, I thought we might be able to handle it. I went to Goodwill for sweaters and had them washed and ready. Believe it or not, ours turned out really well (for us). I'm linking to Yvonne's tutorial here. Believe me, if I can do this, you can.

 

     We spoiled ourselves a little bit at a spa. We actually went to Branches twice. My daughter had a facial and manicure while I had a pumpkin pedicure and then a few days later, she had a massage while I had a facial. Everything was wonderful, relaxing and very comfortable. I think a monster has been created as I can't wait to go back. 

 

     She had planned this trip to be home for my birthday, which was last Monday. I kept saying that between my trip to Michigan and then having my kiddo home for so many days, I simply didn't need a birthday this year. Well, it is a good thing that I felt that way, because Sunday night I had food poisoning from a local restaurant lunch. I have seriously never been that sick in my life. So, my daughter spent her last day home bringing me ice chips, rubbing my neck and making jello. I couldn't stand without getting dizzy until Wednesday and it was Thursday before I got dressed. I lost an entire week...Happy Birthday to me! I will admit, if I had to be that sick, it was certainly nice having her home to take care of me! One thing about it, life is rarely dull around my house!

 

 

     I kept reminding myself as I was sick last week, that it was really nothing compared to what this brave little guy has been going through. As you can see, he has lost most of his hair and is a bit puffy from the steriods. He has been having some wonderful experiences made possible by generous people in town. Our local fire department made him and honorary fireman, even letting him go on a call and hanging his picture on the wall. One of the most moving things I have ever seen is that they put out the word to other fire departments in the state, and over 100 departments each sent him a hat...such kind people in the world.

 

     Today is an important day for our friends and a very difficult one. Luke has his bone marrow test today and this is the day they have to decide to either have the bone marrow transplant or extremely strong chemo. Whichever direction they choose, it makes the other no longer an option. The doctors are split on their advice, so our young friends have to make this decision on their own, with God's help. Either choice will be dangerous for their 5-year-old, but may save his life. I can't imagine being in their shoes. So, please say a prayer for them today...for guidance and peace with their choice.

 

Michigan-The Shopping

     When I think of fun vacations, I think of scenery, food and shopping! If you missed some of my scenic pictures of our trip to Michigan, you can see them here. Today, I thought I would share a few of my favorite shopping spots when we head up north.

     Do you ever walk into a store and think to yourself "this is a blogger's paradise"? That is exactly how I felt when I discovered Sensible Pearl's in Suttons Bay, MI. We love Suttons Bay...it is small, beautiful and has darling little shops.

 

I was so excited to finally find Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

I do have a project in mind, but you all know how

I am with "arts and crafts". It is a large piece of

 furniture, so any advice is welcome.

 

 

I also couldn't leave these precious velvet pumpkins behind.

 

 

     We usually try to plan a visit to Leland, MI for lunch. Leland is home to historic Fishtown, which has small shops and eateries.

 

 

 

This trip, look what I found! Two of them came home

with us...I really wanted them all.

 

 

     Much of what we do in Michigan is outdoors, including the shopping. There are so many orchards, fruit stands and farmer's markets. What I love is that many of them are on the honor system. We bought wonderful Honeycrisp apples and just put our money in the box and took what we wanted. The above pictures are of one of our favorite places...Pond Hill Farm, located just outside of Harbor Springs, MI. When we first started coming here, it was simply a working farm that sold flowers and vegetables with a few animals for kids to play with. Now, it has a winery and restaurant. We still love all the hand-canned items that are just like grandma used to make.

 

 

There are also bakeries on every street corner...

so, we just had to have some cinnamon breads.

 

 

In Holland, MI on the way home...we

stocked up at the farmer's market on

local vegetables including fresh chestnuts.

 

 

     Of course it wouldn't be a trip if I didn't come home with at least one pair of new shoes. I bought these crazy boots and I just love them. They have birdhouses, cats and top hats mixed with florals on them. They are my "girly" work boots!

 

     We  stocked up on all our favorite jams, sauces and salsas...some wine and beer from local wineries and breweries and even did a little Christmas shopping. As you can see, you never get bored along Lake Michigan! Next up...the food!