Hark! I Hear Some Singing

When I married the first time I married a man with two small children.  I was barely 21 and the kids were 4 and 5.  J was 4 and E was 5.  E loved music....but was as tone deaf as they come.  This is hard for someone with a musical background....but he was so precious....and I loved to sing....so sing we did.  E had a favorite Christmas Carol that he loved to sing year round.  When he was five he actually thought the song was about our family.  It was too cute to hear this precious little blond headed doll come up and request "Hark The Harrell Angels Sing (that was our last name)."  Yep, I spelled it right....and if you try it out....it could actually be sung that way. No matter how hard I tried he would not buy that the word was actually Herald.  Even now I will slip and sing the familiar version of this wonderful old hymn and smile.  Whenever this song was played E would sing out with so much gusto.  But I think we all do that at Christmas time.  It seemed like yesterday everyone sang with a little more umph.  I love Christmas songs.  Don't you?  I especially love researching the stories behind them.  "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" has an interesting tale.  Did you know that  “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, was written by Charles Wesley.   His version is not the version widely known today. A sombre man, Wesley had requested and received slow and solemn music for his lyrics, not the joyful tune we now expect. What is more, Wesley's original opening couplet is "Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings".  I gave you a link to discover what a welkin ring is.  The popular version is the result of alterations by various hands, notably George Whitefield,  Wesley's co-worker, who changed the opening couplet to the familiar one, and Felix Mendelssohn who wrote the tune. Over the weekend I heard a wonderful rendition of this time old favorite that I thought I would share with you all today.  I hope you like it.  Click here to enjioy it.

I Chill Easily

“Why does it feel like a sauna in here?” Tom asked, fanning himself with his hand.

I looked up from my iPod Touch. I was in the middle of playing Words with Friends and I was losing horribly. By 200 points.

“I think it feels great,” I answered, surprised.

Tom shook his head. “What do you have the heat set as?” He walked over to check and I held my breath. I knew what was coming. I set my iPod Touch down—there was no way I’d catch up unless I got good letters. I tend to either get all vowels. No vowels. Or Q, X, M, I, and F.

“Holy crap, Amber! 76? Really? No wonder it feels so hot in here!” Tom shouted, coming back into the room.

Since we’re on base housing we don’t have to pay for the heat. This is why I crank it up because yes, I chill easily.

Tom does not.

He’d be fine walking around a home set at 70 degrees.

Meanwhile, I’d be freezing.

True, I could put on a sweater. Or wrap myself up in a blanket. But dangit, I don’t want to.

“I’m lowering it. I’m going to lo—hey!” Tom yelped.

He yelped because I leaped on his back so he couldn’t get to the thermostat.

“I will freeze! Do you want your wife to freeze?” I said dramatically. I slid off his back. “I’ll lower it to 75,” I added generously.

Tom blinked at me.

“74. Final offer,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

Tom rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’ll just burn to death.”

Okay, NOW who was being overdramatic?

“Well hey,” I said. “Maybe I have it up high so you’ll get nekkid to cool down.”

Tom blinked at me again.

“Like Joey did on Friends….” I trailed off.

Anyway.

It’s still 76 in the house and I love it.

Tom still claims he’s going to melt.

It’s not my fault he has more skin so he can keep warm. He’s 6 foot. I’m 5’3.

I have a feeling he’s going to lower the thermostat one day to see if I’ll notice.

I will.

And then I’ll raise it back up.

He’ll lower it again.

It’ll sort of be like the end of Sleeping Beauty when the fairies are changing Aurora’s dress from blue to pink.

Only in this case, it’ll be 70 to 76.

Project 365 - Week 49

It is week 49 of Project 365 and I am sad to see this year draw to an end.  Project 365 has been good for me to search for just the right picture, chronicle my year, and learn how to use my camera.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this.  Thank you Sara and I hope we are going to start over again next year.  If you would like to see all the pictures everyone has made them visit Sara's blog and enjoy.

Sunday, November 27th

 Mr. M.L. is fixing one of the burned out bulbs in our pre-lit tree so we can begin hanging the Chrismon tree.

Three of my favorite Chrismon ornaments.  They were made by our Ladies Guild.  Aren't they gorgeous?

 Bro. Frank, Ms. Beth, and Ms. Renee planning the Carol of Songs service for the 11th.  I love Christmas....don't you?

Monday, November 28th

 This was an act of love.  Frank is a huge Florida State fan and our neighbor Wayne is a huge Florida fan.  Frank made him this Florida plaque using his scroll saw.  That folks is love!

Tuesday, November 29th

The two versions of the Alabama plaque he has made.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I personally like the solid houndstooth one.  Which one is your favorite look?

Wednesday, November 30th

 If you don't like Christmas decorations then I am sorry.  I got a little happy with the decoration pictures and there are still so many more I want you to see.  Taking light pictures at night was a challenge for me.

Thursday, December 1st

I was in Montgomery on Thursday night at the AEA Delegate Assembly.  The first tree was on the corner outside our hotel, The Embassy Suites and the huge one with the blue lights was one of many in the Renaissance Hotel across the street and where our meetings were held.

Friday, December 2nd

I remembered that I had not made a Friday picture as I was leaving my room to come home on Friday and knew that I probably would not have another chance.  This tree was in the entrance of the Embassy Suites Hotel and I caught this shot from the hallway outside our room on the third floor.  They also had many gorgeous decorations and when I asked if I could photograph them the manager asked if I would not.  He did say though that if I got a shot or two in with people in them it would be ok.  I have never been much of a rule follower.  I did honor his wishes....and only shot this one...with no flash.

Saturday, December 3rd

Frank and I rode down one road on our way home from the auction tonight.  This is shot at a small lake. I loved the way the words create this mirrored image.  The shot below is from the other side of the lake.  It is Santa in his workshop.

 The tree below is one of three trees in a house right before the lake and I think they are gorgeous.  I love the swirly ends.

I love Christmas time can you tell!  Have a great week and I am dying to see some of your decoration pictures.  Have a wonderful week and God bless you all real good!

Novica.com Review and Giveaway! $50 Gift Certificate! **CLOSED

CLOSED--winner posted here!

I have always been impressed with Novica. I even did a giveaway for them awhile back.

Novica.com, if you didn't know, is this brilliant site that has many different gifts made from people all over the world. You can find jewelry, paintings, home decor...and more! Another plus? Most of their items ship free at the moment!

The site is perfect for finding a gift for that special someone during the holidays. You can find all sorts of accessories. Not sure on what to purchase? Well, how about a pair of cufflinks for the guy in your life? Or, you can find different mens accessories. Can't find a present for your mother-in-law? Check out the beautiful womens scarves! If you need something for a father-in-law then why not check out the walking sticks? I swear, it's not as strange as you might think. These walking sticks are a work of art:

Novica was kind and gave me a gift certificate so I could pick something out.

I went with this fabulous Mahogany puzzle box "Ranch house."

Natalie wanted it. She said it was a beautiful Princess house:

And I just have to point out that I LOVE how it was packaged:

This was handmade by a wonderful artist named Francisco Mendoza.

Want to help other artisans?

Check out Novica Live

Here's some information about it from the site:

"For our consultants, getting in early is a big opportunity in direct sales. They'll be able to make some good money and support artisans worldwide. We're expanding across the country right now and signing up new consultants every week.

The starter kits are only $199 and have over $400 worth of samples and $150 in business materials. We have a lot of promotions going on for our early consultants, including anyone that becomes a Director this year will go to Bali next year."


And guess what? Novica is being extremely generous because they gave me a $50 gift certificate for a lucky reader to win!



Giveaway Rules

--Must be 18 or older

--Must leave e-mail address in your comment if it's not linked up to your blog


Mandatory Entry: go to Novica.com and let me know what you'd get if you won the gift certificate.


Extra Entries

--Like Novica on Facebook

--Follow Novica on Twitter

--Follow my blog

--Mention this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter


For each thing you do, please leave a separate comment.


Giveaway will run until December 12th.


Good luck!!

Thomas, Rich. The Incredible Hulk: An Origin Story--ESSENTIAL

Thomas, Rich.  The Incredible Hulk: An Origin Story, interior illustrated by Val Semeiks and Hi-Fi Design. Marvel [Disney], 2011.  $8.99.  Violence-G.  PICTURE BOOK.  How did Bruce Banner become the Incredible Hulk?  As a child he was timid and didn’t have many friends.  As an adult he worked as a scientist for the army.  He studied an energy called Gamma Radiation.  During an experiment, he saw a teenager that was too close and in danger.  He saved the boy, but his body was affected by the Gamma Radiation. He became the Incredible Hulk and had to run for his life. Marvel’s comic heroes continue to be in high demand as new movies are released (Avengers 2012) and characters are reinvented.  The illustrations combine comic style cartooning with a traditional picture book style.  A must purchase for boys.  EL – ESSENTIAL.  Samantha, Public Librarian.

Twelve Haunted Rooms of Halloween--ADVISABLE

Twelve Haunted Rooms of Halloween, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan.  Sterling Children’s Books, 2011.  $14.95. PICTURE BOOK.  A Halloween version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, a bear peaks into twelve haunted rooms and sees “a bat hanging from a bare tree,” monsters, zombies, goblins, etc.  The cartoon illustrations capture the Halloween spirit of spooky fun without being too creepy.  Illustrator Macky Pamintuan adds to the fun by adding 5 additional characters and items that are hidden throughout the book.  A great book for a storytime at home or at the library.  EL– ADVISABLE.  Samantha, Public Librarian.

Kostyal, K. M. with The Colonial Williamburg Foundation. Christmas in Williamsburg: 300 Years of Family Traditions.--OPTIONAL

Kostyal, K. M. with The Colonial Williamburg Foundation. Christmas in Williamsburg: 300 Years of Family Traditions. Photography by Lori Epstein. 57 pgs. National Geographic, 2011.  $17.95.  NONFICTION.  The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation “operates the world’s largest living history museum” (book cover) and is over 301 acres and includes 88 structures from the 1700s (http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/visit/whatToSeeAndDo/historicArea/). The book feels like a souvenir or tourist guidebook for the museum, rather than a general interest book about the history of Christmas in America.  The writing-style is formal and often uses primary source quotations. The reenactment photographs are vibrant and show the beauty of Williamsburg.  Teachers or parents looking for ideas for a party or a new Christmas tradition will find some great traditional craft ideas and recipes.  EL – OPTIONAL.  Samantha, Public Librarian.