Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Starting Early, Amen!

Well it is now officially November and I feel a bit better about my confessions.... I've been listening to Christmas music and picking out my Christmas crafts since the beginning of October!

I wanted to take a moment to share a favorite website which has a ton of ebooks you can download (just but ebook in the search).  At http://www.favecrafts.com/  you will find so many crafts you can never say there isn't something that you cannot "make" for the holidays!  I like to do easy crafts for our church fair and in past I have also done a Christmas craft with the children at the church.  I have to plan on two levels... the very young (which I learned last year NEVER give a child a glitter glue bottle!) and the older ones which range from 10-13.  I've even done things with the youth (a button wreath) which has proved fun.  They can easily use glue guns and can take directions well.  Well, at favecrafts.com you can find it all!

I am planning on making several homemade gifts this year.  I have made November my painting month (I am a decorative painter) and December is my baking month.  It just seems right this year.  Buying gifts is fine, but sometimes I like to give a little more of "me" and this year is the year!

My second "confession" is listening to Christmas music.  I have already gotten three new Christmas CD's.  Some I like more than others.  Here is my humble review of the three I've gotten so far.

1.  Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony.  I was thrilled to see them do a new CD.  I was big fans years ago when they were together.  I liked most of the music on this.  Their voices were wonderful (as usual) and they had a nice selection of old tunes.  The arrangements though were a little off for me.  But, I don't regret the purchase.  The Beach Boys was certainly an influence

2.  Point of Grace Home for the Holidays.  I love their harmonies as well!  They have another CD Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection, which I did like more.  I tend to be a traditionalist.  The one song that I was intrigued with was Not So Silent Night.  It was lovely and like a poem.  Labor of Love was well, a bit different.  The second verse mentions blood on the ground.  It caught me a bit off guard.  Although I have to admit I did listen to every word after that. These ladies are great; Christmas music and their other CD's as well.

3.  Celtic Thunder Christmas.  Of the three I was disappointed in this.  I have come to love the harmonies of all the voices but in this CD they played up the individuals.  Not that they have bad independent voices, but I really wanted to hear ALL the voices. 

I am expecting Susan Boyle and I will review that when I get it.  Also, I am planning on writing about my recent trip to Savannah Georgia!  It will take a bit to get that one together, but I will post it. (between painting and such!)

Well, that is it for the moment.  Enjoy the autumn season.... although I love the "feelings" of Christmas, ice storms I do not! LOL.  After Christmas I have no use at all for snow and I am ready for spring by the end of January. 

I must start practicing being in the moment and treasuring each moment more!!!!