Winter Music

Nothing gets me through a tough time like some good new music.  Right now I am listening to Ingrid Michaelson's new album Human Again, and The Band Perry.  The toughest winter of my life coincided with Death Cab for Cuties album "Plans".  Even though life was harsh then, that album is like a warm fuzzy blanket, even when I listen to it now.

So find yourself some beautiful music that speaks to you.  Winter's almost over!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

Daniel is coming home tonight (Yay!), sorry...can't contain it.  Last year we got a Christmas tree and we are planning on going out on Friday night to get one and I am so excited.  It doesn't feel very holidayish around here yet so I lit a candle and turned on Nat King Cole to get the season going!

I love Christmas.  I love wrapping presents and getting so excited for everyone to get their gifts.  I love Christmas music (I don't think Daniel does...but he'll get used to it.)  I am excited to get into some of my Christmas piano music.  Confession to my mom...I have one of your copies of "Were you There".  (I hope not your only one!)  I just can't do a Christmas without it.  I really miss hearing my mom and her siblings sing it so I play it to give myself a little piece of home.  I am missing that song "Still, still, still" though so I will have to see if I can find it in a store or online.

I'll post a picture of my tree when I get it up. :)  Happy Holidays!  December 1 tomorrow!!  Remember when Christmas Day just wouldn't get here fast enough?  The older I get the more time flies because there is so much more to be responsible for!!

Fam...Check out Bigarade Beet Farm and post holiday memories!

Gift of Music

How could we exist without music?  Good music is a way to feel free from time for just a moment, and free from all the structures that we've built around time.  I say that sometimes I get lost in the sadness, when I notice the temporal nature of this thing called life.  But a rhythm, a pattern, a song, a genuine laugh, a child, and yes, of course even sometimes a beautiful calculus theory, can lift me out.  I don't hold the secret to happiness...only I think it must be cultivated and sustained.  We have to seek it out.

Philosophy aside, here are some of my "happiness songs" that are forming a base for the wedding playlist.  I think I have the folk music bug.

Also, I went on the most amazing walk today.  This picture doesn't do it justice but autumn is the most amazing time of year (except that it means winter is closer).