Home for the Holidays: The Ultimate Playlist

A few years ago (2005 I think?) I became an obsessed Christmas elf and created a mixed CD of my ultimate holiday songs. Not only did I just create this CD...no, no. I made multiple copies to give to my coworkers as a little holiday gift. And was it good enough with just the hand written label? Oh, no! I dug into my Creative Memories goodie bag and created unique album art, complete with a playlist for each one. And yes, I was so proud of my work that I took pictures:





Now, before you dismiss me as a total Christmas freak, check out the playlist and tell me this is not a fun holiday album!

1. Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells MICHAEL W. SMITH
2. Winter Wonderland HARRY CONNICK JR.
3. Sleigh Ride SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS
4. The Happy Elf HARRY CONNICK JR.
5. Santa Baby KYLIE MINOGUE
6. The Christmas Song NAT KING COLE
7. Hope of Israel MICHAEL W. SMITH
8. Peace NORAH JONES
9. Winter Peace JIM BRICKMAN
10. Celebrate Me Home KENNY LOGGINS
11. (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays BARRY MANILOW
12. Winter Weather SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS
13. Donde Esta Santa Claus? GUSTER
14. White Christmas THE DRIFTERS
15. All I Want for Christmas Is You OLIVIA OLSON
16. I’ll Be Home for Christmas MICHAEL BUBLÉ
17. Do You Hear What I Hear? WHITNEY HOUSTON
18. O Holy Night *NSYNC
19. ‘Til the Season Comes ‘Round Again AMY GRANT
20. What a Year for a New Year DAN WILSON
BONUS TRACK!Carolina Christmas SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS

And now, for your listening pleasure, Home for the Holidays 2005 (almost complete). Enjoy!

Celebrities Endorse Book-Giving For the Holidays

From Elmo to Deepak Chopra to John Lithgow, a whole lineup of celebrities declare books great gifts.

There have been more Christmases than I can remember where I've marvelled at a deliciously new stack of books amidst the shredded wrapping paper and bows. It's always been my favourite thing to give and receive because a book can do so many things for a person. It can be an education, or an escape. A time-passer, or a heart breaker.

So you've heard the celebrities' reasons...why do YOU think books make great gifts?

Revival: Dusting Off the Cobwebs

So it's been what, almost a year and a half since I've blogged here. Shame on me...especially since my last post was about tips for being a good blogger. Heh.

Today I was inspired to dust off the cobwebs, and get writing again. I'm four months into my maternity leave, and have found myself feeling a bit lost. I love being a mama, and love that I have the luxury of time at home to care for Littlelicious until next July. However, when I brought him home from the hospital, I lost my identity as I knew it.

For over ten years, I've been a career woman. I defined myself on my jobs and aimed to achieve and set the bar high. I thrived on the daily rewards of accomplishment.

And now, my daily accomplishments include getting Littlelicious to nap for an uninterrupted hour, avoiding being spit upon, and coaxing those delightful little giggles out of my son.

That's a whole different world of accomplishments right there.

Anyway...I went to The Company's holiday luncheon today, where I reveled in the company of my colleagues, and decided it was time to reclaim my sense of self. Or at least the part of it that I can while balancing a four-month-old on my hip.