Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #1 - Oh, Holy Night

If I could sing, I would sing this song all the time.  
The range of the music is incredible.
And only so many singers can do justice to the words and sentiment...
Like Josh Grobin...


Thank you for reading my blog,
and I hope you enjoyed this countdown...!

I wish you and your family and friends
a most Peaceful and Loving 
Merry Christmas!!




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #2 - Little Drummer Boy

There are some images that just get stuck in your head, and this version of "Little Drummer Boy" is permanently etched into my brain.



It's from the TV series "West Wing," and Toby Ziegler arranges a military burial for a homeless vet that died from exposure at the Vietnam Memorial wearing a coat that Zeigler donated to charity.

Tears, chills, this scene does it to me every time...
That's why it's my #2.

I hope this Christmas Eve finds you and your loved ones safe, warm and protected.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #3 - Santa Baby

Ok, this is my one naughty song of the bunch....
and my number 3 most favorite Christmas song ever.
Props to Eartha Kitt, but I always liked Madonna's version just a little better...


My favorite line, of course,
"Come and trim my Christmas tree, with some decorations bought at Tiffany's."

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #4 - Christmas Child


I searched the web for a long time for this song.
I only remembered singing it once during a 
Christmas music presentation at our church when
I was in high school.

And the only words I remembered well
was the opening lines,
"I heard a knock upon my door,
midnight Christmas Eve."

Our version was soft and slow,
with bells and pianos and guitars.
And, I never forgot it...
And, am glad I found a version of it.

"I heard a knock upon my door
Midnight Christmas Eve
Half asleep I hurried down
My visitor to receive

At first I thought no one was there
Then all at once I saw
A little baby lying there
Crying there at my door

Refrain:
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo, loo-lee
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo lie.
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo, loo-lee
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo lie.

I took the baby in my arms
On that winter’s night
The church bells never rang so clear
The stars never shone so bright

And as I gazed upon the face
Of the foundling child
It seemed the angels on my tree
Looked down at me and smiled

Refrain:
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo, loo-lee
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo lie.
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo, loo-lee
Loo, loo, loo, loo, loo lie.

I thought about the Holy Child
That Christmas long ago
And that was when I saw the note
Lying there in the snow

“Please whoever finds my child,
Be good to him and kind.
God Bless You.” That was all it said
“Mary” it was signed"


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #5 - Carol of the Bells

As I move into my Top Five of Christmas song....

There is some music that can just move you in a certain way.
That can bring out the full emotion of the season.
Every year, this song does it for me.
And, this version is both chilling and inspiring...



"Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold,

Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,

Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here,

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
On on they send ,
On without end,
Their joyful tone to every home
Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong"

Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #6 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas


As I stated in a prior post,
I've spent a lot of Christmases away from home.

During the lean years, we managed to somehow
always afford a tree...
and, when I was too busy to decorate,
somehow my now-hubby still managed to make 
Christmas special...

Like searching through the boxes while I was at work
this one Christmas Eve, so I'd have a little surprise
when I got home and could share a few
precious hours with him until the next overnight shift.


"Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now"


Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #7 - Wizards of Winter


Before I saw the original video many years ago, 
I had never ever heard of Trans Siberian Orchestra. 
Now I am a fan. 
I still love this song. 
Love, love, love this video. 
And can't wait to be able to create my own light display like this...  
I keep dreaming... 
and collecting lights...

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #8 - Sleigh Ride


I don't know why, but I actually prefer the acoustical version moreso
than the sung one.... just my preference...



"Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing 
Ring ting tingle-ing too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you


Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "Yoo Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you



Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap
let's go
Let's look at the snow
We're riding in a wonderland of snow



Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with the song
Of a wintry fairy land



Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two
Birds of a feather would be



Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you



There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop
Pop! Pop! Pop!



There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives."

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #9 - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas


I hate to admit it, but
I really miss snow.

I grew up in Southern California where the 
weather varied from warm to hot
to warm to rainy and
then back again.

I really knew nothing about seasons until I moved to
the midwest during med school
I then proceeded to stay in cold places like
Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, Buffalo.

After 10 years you really get used to changes in seasons.
Now I'm back in Northern California where the weather
is luke warm, foggy, pleasant, then the rain starts
in October and ends around March.

Christmas to me means snow...
and, I miss it...



Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #10 - I'll Be Home For Christmas


I've traveled a lot over the last several years.
From College to med school to internship and residency,
there's been a lot of times that just the thought of being home for
Christmas made the journey worthwhile.

I think that on every trip home, I probably 
had this song running through my head.
I'm sure that a lot of people can certainly relate.

This year, it's another trip away from home to work
in Sacramento over this next week.
I'll be driving home to arrive just before Christmas Eve.
You can be sure I'll be thinking of a nice warm fire,
all my decorations, and my hubby and fur kids waiting for me
there in our wonderful home...



"Christmas Eve will find me
where the love light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas,
if only in my dreams."

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #11 - Holly Jolly Christmas

Who doesn't love Rudolph...?
And, reindeer??

I have a collection of silver reindeer that I've been
slowly building up over the years...


The herd is back and bigger than ever...
and this song from "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
is definitely a Christmas favorite...!




"Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet!"



Before tomorrow's entry heading into the Top 10,
here's a bonus Honorable Mention...

Remember this almost 30 years ago...??
Do They Know It's Christmas..?

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #12 - Happy Holidays


This song always puts me in the mood
for Christmas...!

"It's the holiday season,
with the whoop-de-do and hickory dock,
and don't forget to hang up your sock,
cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
he'll be coming down the chimney,
coming down the chimney,
coming down the chimney down!"


Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Countdown - #13 - Do You Hear What I Hear...?

Christmas is my most favorite holiday and time of year...
I LOVE to decorate, and bake, and eat, and buy presents, and and and.... And, I do love the music... but, please, not until the day AFTER Thanksgiving...

This year, I thought I would do a countdown to Christmas, and share with you my 13 mostest favorite Christmas songs...


#13  - Do You See What I See?


I can still remember this song from first grade.
In fact, I think this Bing Crosby recording is the one I remember.
  
I can still imagine the lonely field.
The shepherds, the sheep, a shining star...
I want to say there were finger puppets involved...

"Said the king to the people everywhere, 
"Listen to what I say (what I say, what I say).
Pray for Peace, people everywhere.
Listen to what I say (what I say, what I say)
A child, a child sleeping in the night,
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.""

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The Mid 40's are in the Books

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