A Christmas Tree

Sorry I've been absent, but I get really involved at Christmas. This year was bittersweet as it was the first Christmas without both my mom and dad. They were physically missed but I knew they were with me in spirit. You see my mom and dad loved Christmas. They also loved decorating for christmas. I've always been inspired by them to make Christmas special for my family. This year was special as I inherited my mom and dad's artificial tree. This tree has been in the family since the early seventies.

This tree was bought in the early seventies and still is in remarkable shape.

Here it is as of today, with a lot of it's original ornaments.

One of my favorite ornaments was a Hallmark Keepsake "Lights and Motion" ornament. This one was Santa's Elf who hammered away. It may a soft sound and was very soothing. My brother inherited that particular ornament but I was able to find one on ebay and got it. It is a really cool ornament.

A vintage Santa Claus

Beautiful hand blown glass ornaments

One more look. I hate to take it down,

Midnight Clear by Andreas Vollenweider

I hope to try and turn many of you to some of the great Christmas music I have and give exposure to these great artists. I hope to cover many different artists and genres. First up my favorite Harpist of all time, Andreas Vollenweider When I first heard him on the album "Caverna Magica" I thought this was the coolest new age music I have ever heard. Soothing but yet he knew how to make the harp groove. This Album of Christmas music is as Vollenweider wrote: "...we are by our nature profoundly spiritual beings, whether we like it or not. We always will be magnetically attracted by the miraculous." The music contained on this album speaks to that sentiment. Listen, Enjoy, BUY!

RIP The Great Andy Williams

To me Andy Williams is Christmas! I knew of his battle with bladder cancer and thought I need to get down to Branson to see his Christmas show before he passes. Unfortunately I never made it. Andy Williams was so much a part of my youth. His Andy Williams show was a staple I watched regularly from from 1962 to 1971. His mixture of comedy sketches, guest stars and his music was so entertaining to me. I loved all the special guests he had on his shows, Bobby Darin, The Osmond Brothers, Petula Clark.


His Christmas Shows were his finest. Andy was synonymous with Christmas.


But perhaps my favorite part of Christmas was listening to my parents play the red Andy Williams Christmas album. I can remember falling asleep in my bed listening to those great songs. Every year at christmas I play that album with fond memories of christmas's of the past. Thank you Andy Williams.

Your music will live on forever. You will be missed but never forgotten

The Joy of Easy Listening (2011)

Found this great BBC video about the Easy Listening style of music. I remember hearing a lot of this music
growing up in the 60's. Check it out!

American Life

Sorry I have been away for awhile, I had to deal with some personal issues. I have been reflecting a lot on my life growing up in the 60's. I saw this great video on youtube that really captures what life was like for us. Enjoy!!

Christmas 2011

The Last Night of Christmas

January 6th is the last day that I celebrate Christmas for the year. referred as "The Twelfth Night", the "Feast of the Epiphany", "Little Christmas".

Here's pictures of our tree's and our decorations.

Until next year, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I will patiently wait until November 1st, 2012 and then start my traditions all over again.

Happy New Year

Festival, New year | Forward this Picture

Happy New Year! I hope this New Year will find everyone better off than last year. I would hope that all of us could spend this year thinking of others, loving more, listening better, being more tolerant and compassionate. When God said "Love Thy Neighbor" he meant it. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed my Christmas comp this year. For now I must take down the link but know that I am already working on next year's. May Christmas be in your heart each and every day. I know it is for because I BELIEVE.