Top 10 0f 2010

Top ten lists are popping up everywhere this week as people look back on the past year. I thought I would add mine with the top ten books I read in 2010. In no particular order, here they are.

1. Asta in the Wings ~ Jan Elizabeth Watson. This is the story of 7-year-old Asta and her 9-year- old brother Orion. They have been isolated (locked in their house) from the outside world by their mother who claims the world has been ravaged by a plague. When their mother fails to come home from work one day, they break out of the house, encounter other people for the first time, and learn to navigate the world.


2. Olive Kittredge ~ Elizabeth Strout. I loved this Pulitzer Prize winner. Read more about what I had to say about it here.








3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame ~ Victor Hugo. By far the best of the classics that I read this year. Read more here.









4. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling ~ Maryrose Wood. A review I read of this book describes it as Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket, and that pretty well sums it up. A young girl named Penelope takes a job as the governess of two orphaned children who just happened to have been raised by wolves. It is funny and a bit mysterious. Unfortunately the ending leaves you hanging, but the second in the series will be out in February.



5. The Invention of Hugo Cabret ~ Brian Selznick. This is also a young adult book. It’s very thick, but most of the story is told in pictures, although it isn‘t really a graphic novel. It is about an orphaned boy who lives in the walls of a train station in Paris where he keeps all the clocks running. Beyond that, the story is hard to explain in a few lines. Check it out yourself.





6. The Lumby Lines ~ Gail Fraser. The first in a series, this novel is about an east coast couple who move to the small town of Lumby somewhere in the northwest and open an inn at a burned out, abandoned monastery. Of course they are not immediately welcomed by the quirky townspeople, but eventually they find their niche in the town. At times this book is laugh out loud funny - some of the running gags, such as the police reports in the newspaper and a pink flamingo who turns up in different yards wearing funny outfits, make this a really enjoyable read.



7. The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag ~ Alan Bradley. This is a sequel to The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, which I also highly recommend, and involves a young girl named Flavia de Luce who lives in rural England during the 1950s. She has an uncanny way of getting caught up in murder and then solving the mystery surrounding it. I’m very happy to have just found out that a third in the series is coming out in February!



8. Elliot Allagash ~ Simon Rich. I really don't know why I liked this book. I kind of feel like I shouldn't have. It's about an eighth grade kid named Seymour who doesn't have too many friends and who's future looks pretty bleak. All of this changes when he meets Elliot Allagash. Elliot is a wealthy new kid at school who knows how to pull strings and get results, even if he has to break a few rules to do so. He takes Seymour on as his project with interesting results. The ending is kind of weak, but it was a fun read getting there.




9. Entertaining Disasters ~ Nancy Spiller. The narrator of this book is never named, but she is a magazine writer who writes about the wonderful dinner parties she throws. However, it is all made up, because the narrator cannot handle the pressure of having a dinner party. When she meets a famous author who wants to come to one of her parties, she can't think of an excuse to get out of having the party and has to have it for real. As she is preparing for the dinner, she flashes back to her rather remarkable/unstable childhood, which helps the reader understand why she became the adult she is. As an extra bonus, there is a recipe at the end of each chapter.

10. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ~ Barbara Robinson. As a rule, I don't reread books, but I make an exception every year and pick this one up. If you've never read it, it should be at the top of your list of books to read. It is the story of the Herdmans, a family of hooligans who hijack the yearly Christmas pageant. At times it is laugh out loud funny, but the ending is very sweet. Read it.

So, that's my top ten. What's yours?

December Classic Reading

Well, December is almost over, and I have read my twelfth classic for the year. (Yes, that's right. Twelve classics. I can count them all since I finally finished Moll Flanders from way back in April, and no, it didn't get any better.)

I wanted to choose a Christmas themed book for December but had a hard time coming up with one. Anything I could think of I had already read. I finally settled on E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker. Luckily for me, I had a beautiful copy of this book sitting on my shelf that I had never read.

If you have seen the ballet, you will know the general story, although there are some significant differences. I don't really want to make a list of similarities or differences here, so if you want to know more, you'll have to read it for yourself.

It is a fun Christmas read, even though the story is kind of weird and creepy at times. The whole mouse king thing kind of turns me off, and the fact that he has seven heads in the book doesn't help. Eeeek! The reader does learn more about where the nutcracker came from, why he is so ugly, and why he and the mice can't seem to get along.

My copy is beautifully illustrated by Gennady Spirin, but I also checked a popular edition out from the library illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I think I'll be adding that one to my book collection soon just because the illustrations are so much fun to look at.

So there you have it. Twelve classics in twelve months. I have a few ideas floating around in my head for my next reading plan. As "fun" as it was to read the classics, this exercise in reading definitely will not be repeated next year.

The end...

of Christmas goodie making that is. Here are the last of the goodies I made for Christmas.



Carrot Cake Jam. I took a break from cookies and candy one afternoon and made some jam to give as gifts.



Teriffic Toffee. This is a really easy and really yummy toffee recipe.



Chocolate Chip Biscotti. This was a new recipe I tried this year, and it was really yummy, too.



Peppermint Meltaways. A freind sent me this recipe, and if you are a peppermint lover, this one is for you. I thought they were a nice addition to my cookie trays.



Cranberry-Pear Crumb Pie. I made this on Christmas morning for Christmas dinner. It was beautiful and delicious.



Candy Cane Cookies. I really don't like making these cookies, but I love eating them. They have been our family's favorite Christmas cookie for as long as I can remember. I didn't make any this year, but luckily for me, my mom brought me this tin full of them for Christmas. How great is that?

Christmas Day!

What Sweeter Music
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!

Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
And give the honor to this day,
That sees December turned to May.

Why does the chilling winter’s morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn,
Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
‘Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth,
To heaven, and the under-earth.

We see him come, and know him ours,
Who, with his sunshine and his showers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
The darling of the world is come,
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome him. The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart.

Which we will give him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do him honour, who’s our King,
And Lord of all this revelling.

What sweeter music can we bring,
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?

Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Welcome, Winter!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Of The Father's Love Begotten

Of the Fathers love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun,
evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd,
when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the worlds Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing,
evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be:
Honour, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!

~From the original Latin of Aurelius Prudentius (5th c.) translated by John M. Neale & Henry W. Baker (19th c.)

More Goodies!

I added a few more goodies to my Christmas cookie arsenal today.



Spritz Cookies. Lightly spiced and tasting like Christmas. I make these every year, but this year I couldn't get my cookie press to cooperate and this is the only shape I could get to turn out. I like it though. Kind of reminds me of a poinsettia.



Chocolate Covered Cherries. These are actually very easy to make and so much better than what you buy in the store, and they get even better after sitting for a weeks or so. They should be perfect by Christmas Day.



Spoon Cookies. This is a new recipe for me this year, and I have to admit it could quite possibly be one of the best cookies I have ever tasted. They are tedious to make, but worth the effort. The texture of the cookie is kind of like a pecan sandie, and I sandwiched them together with some lovely plum jam my mom made this summer. Click here to go to the recipe.

Oh, Goodie!

I took a little trip to see my folks over the past weekend. I hadn't baked any Christmas cookies yet, so while I was home, my mom and I made some Christmas treats. Here are some of our goodies.



Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cakes. These are usually the first Christmas cookie I bake, and this year was no exception. I love the simplicity of these. Butter, flour, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla are the only ingredients. Some add nuts, but I prefer them without.



Peanut Brittle. This is the best peanut brittle you will ever eat. The addition of baking soda gives it the light, airy texture you can see in the picture. Yum!



Divinity. Yes, it's divine - so smooth and sweet. Candy making is always tricky, but we got this right.



Chai Birch Logs. My sister and brother-in-law make these every year at Christmastime, but since they aren't living down the street from me anymore, I had to make my own this year.

I was really pleased with how everything turned out, but I still have lots more to make. If you need me in the next couple of days, check in the kitchen. That's probably where I'll probably be.

Third Sunday of Advent

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

~ 12th Century Latin Hymn, translated by John M. Neale

Second Sunday of Advent

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

~Charles Wesley

Counting down the days...

Anyone remember these?



I talked my mom into buying this chocolate filled advent calendar for me when she and my dad came to town for Thanksgiving.

My sister and I often had these when we were growing up, and this is far from first one I've had in my adult life. There is just something special about looking for the door with the day's number and wondering what shape the candy will be in each day,(today's was a duck) and then eating that chocolaty flavored bit of waxy candy. Terrible but delicious at the same time.

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. There was so much to look forward to: no school, presents, family get togethers with cousins...I remember being tempted to eat every piece of candy in my advent calendar when my mom wasn't looking. After all, she always said, "when the candy's all gone, it will be Christmas."

Fast forward a few years.

I still look forward to Christmas Day, but I especially love the time before. I know that a lot of people get stressed during this time of the year, but I find myself wishing the time of anticipation and preparation could last a little bit longer. I love the hustle and bustle, the lights and decorations, cookie baking, Salvation Army bell ringers, carols...Maybe that's why I start my Christmas season earlier than most.

As we speed along toward Christmas Day, I know that I can't do anything to slow down time. However, I can take time to savor small things, like a piece of chocolate from my advent calendar, and make the most of this wonderful time of the year.

First Sunday of Advent

Koppangen
(Holy Night)

There is silence around me
In the peaceful winter night.
From the church down in the valley
I can see the candlelight.
And I stopped for a moment
In this winter paradise,
when I heard a choir singing
through the darkness and the ice.

And the rays from the lights behind
the window's vaulted frames
have united the souls in hope
that something great is waiting.
And I know that those who have left us here
had the same thoughts as I
we're like flames in the darkness
and stars up in the sky.

And I can see how they sparkle,
and they fade before my eyes,
and the truth is coming closer
like a wonder in disguise.
We are caught here for a moment
like an imprint of a hand
on an old and frosted window
or a footprint in the sand.

For a while I'm eternal-
that's the only thing I know,
I am here and we share our dreams
about our destination.
It is cold out here, and the snow is white
but I am warm deep inside,
I am warm 'cause I know that
my faith will be my guide.

Now there is silence around me,
I have heard those words again
in a hymn of grace and glory,
saying: nothing is in vain!
I can sing - and I believe it,
let the message reach the sky.
Oh silent night,
let your promise never die!

And I long for the others,
It is peaceful in the church.
He was born for a purpose,
and that's why we're here together.
Holy night, I feel like a child inside,
and believe he was sent.
So I'm lighting a candle
each Sunday in Advent.

~Py Backman

It's A Romp!

I have a very vivid memory from when I was around six years old of watching tv at my grandparents house. The show we were watching (probably Hee-Haw) ended, and a movie started playing.

The actors were all in period costumes and the opening scene was of a public square with a guillotine and people were getting their heads chopped off. My mom quickly realized what we were seeing and sent my sister and me off to bed, but not before the images of headless bodies and bodiless heads were seared onto my sheltered, six-year old brain.

Luckily, I recovered from seeing the shocking images, and somewhere along the way I learned that the movie was an adaptation of the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I’ve always wondered more about the story, so for my November classic, I read The Scarlet Pimpernel, written in 1903 by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

The story moves quickly and is filled with intrigue, betrayal, romance…just about anything a reader could wish for. The setting is France and England during the French Revolution, hence the beheadings in the opening scene.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is an unknown hero, who works between England and France to bring the condemned French aristocracy to safety, using his wits and disguises to outsmart the French authorities. As the plot thickens, he is betrayed by someone close to him, and a cat an mouse chase ensues between The Scarlet Pimpernel, the lovely Lady Blakeney, and French agent Chauvelin.

The only problem I have with the story is near the end of the book when a Jewish man comes on the scene. He is sorely mistreated by the French officials, just because he is a Jew. In this age of political correctness, I find the author’s characterization and treatment of him to be rather uncomfortable to read.

Otherwise, this book is a really fun. As one of my college literature professors used to say “It’s a romp!”

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite novels. Apparently there is a new movie version coming out next year. From this trailer, it looks really well done. I'll definitely be first in line to see it.

Pumpkin: It's not just for pie anymore.

Around this time of year I love cooking with pumpkin. It's so good in recipes both savory and sweet.

I saw this recipe for Salted Pumpkin Caramels on a food website a couple of weeks ago, and I've been obsessing over it ever since. Yesterday, I finally got around to making it.

I'm always a little leery of candy making. It can go wrong so quickly, but I count yesterday's attempt as a huge success.

Click here to go to the recipe.

I really stuck with the recipe on this one, with the exception of doubling the amount of pumpkin pie spice. I also found already toasted pepitas which saved me from having to toast them myself.

Crunchy from the pepitas on one side and salty on the other, with spicy, pumpkiny goodness in between. These are delicious. I'll definitely be adding this to my permanent recipe collection.

No Sparkly Vampires Here.

I’ve had vampires on my mind lately, probably because they are everywhere: TV, movies, books, Sesame Street…

This is my favorite vampire, Count Von Count, in one of my favorite Sesame Street segments, The Batty Bat.



Anyway, I recently read two kind of serious and creepy vampire books. The first was The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which I read on the recommendation of several people, and the second was Bram Stoker’s Dracula, my classic reading for the month of October.

The Historian is really long, but worth reading, even though I think that at least a third of it could have been edited out without really affecting the story. Basically, it tells the story of a father and daughter and several academics who unwillingly get pulled into researching the history and myths surrounding Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula.

The story is told from several different points of view, often in long letters, and moves back and forth between several decades and many countries, Even so, it isn't hard to follow.

It is kind of creepy, though. There are vampires, and they are gross. Definitely not all sparkly and appealing like some other writers might suggest.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is often referenced throughout The Historian, so I thought is would be an appropriate follow up.

It begins with an English man, Jonathan Harker, being held prisoner in Dracula’s Transylvanian castle after being summoned there for business. He escapes and makes it back to England only to find that Dracula has also moved there and is terrorizing the people Harker associates with. So, Harker, along with his wife Mina, vampire expert Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and a few others, set out to destroy the monster which is Dracula.

I really like this one. It was pretty tame for being a “horror” story, but that's all right with me. Supposedly, it is full of social commentary regarding things like progressivism and threats of female sexual expression in the Victorian era. I chose to read it just for entertainment purposes, so I didn’t really look for those themes, although some of them were hard to miss.

However, by the end I was confident that I could kill a vampire if I had to, the process was described often, and I also learned a few good uses for crucifixes and garlic.

Also, I learned that if I ever see a bat fluttering outside my bedroom window, I should not let it in, as it will probably end in gruesome results, or at least the need for a blood transfusion.

A Cold, A Cake, And A Tragedy

I have a cold.

This is bad enough by itself, but something terrible happened yesterday because of it.

I was feeling kind of sorry for myself, because I felt so lousy and there was no one around to give me any sympathy, and was trying to think of a way to cheer myself up. The first thing that came to mind was cake. I know the thought of a baker with a cold is kind of gross, but I did my best to keep away the germs, and I went into the kitchen and whipped myself up a little chocolate cake.

It turned out lovely, which is amazing since I was a little cloudy from some medication, but I noticed as it was baking, I couldn’t smell it. After it had cooled, I cut myself a piece to give it a try, and might as well have been eating plain old rice cakes. You know, the unsalted kind that are like styrofoam. It had no taste whatsoever.

Stupid cold. Zapped my taste buds. And my sense of smell. And I couldn’t enjoy my chocolate cake. Tragic.

So, I wrapped it up and put it in the freezer to save it for a day when I can enjoy it’s chocolaty deliciousness to the fullest.

In the meantime, can somebody get me another tissue?

Candy Corn Cookies Redux

I was really unsatisfied with my first attempt at candy corn cookies, so I had to try again. This time I ended up more with what I had envisioned. Aren't they cute?


Lucky for me, my crafty sister made these first, and I was able to copy her recipe and idea. Thanks, Leslie!

Sugar Cookies
Mix together well:
3/4 cup shortening (use part butter)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Add:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Make a double batch of the recipe. Color 1/3 of the dough yellow, 1/3 orange, and leave the rest plain. Evenly layer the dough in a loaf pan. Let it chill completely, then slice thinly and cut into triangles. Bake at 400 degrees 5-6 minutes.

Super easy, super cute, and it makes a ton of little cookies. I didn't want to eat them all, and as I happened to be heading to my folks' house shortly after baking these, I took them along as a trick-or-treat. I think they enjoyed them.

Christmas Music Part 4: Albums 16-20

16. Bebo Norman ~ Christmas: From the Realms of Glory Bebo Norman entered the Christian music scene a few years ago, and this is his requisite Christmas album. His take on classic Christmas carols, like Joy to the World and O Come, O Come Emmanuel are nice, but where he really shines is on his original songs. Christmas Time Is Here is sung as a duet with Amy Grant and is a happy song ushering in the holiday season. Born to Die and Mary’s Prayer are both about Jesus and what he did for us. Also worth noting is his cover of Jackson Browne’s Rebel Jesus. I think everyone can relate to this song in some way. If you’ve never heard it, look it up.

17. Jars of Clay ~ Christmas Songs I’ve been a fan of Jars of Clay since I was a teenager, so I was excited when they finally came out with a full length Christmas album about three years ago. It’s not a typical Christmas album as it is fairly low key, and not overflowing with the sounds of jingle bells and ho ho hos. But that’s ok. I like it anyway. My favorites are their cover of Wonderful Christmastime, their original song Hibernation Day, and Love Came Down at Christmas.

18. Kristin Chenoweth ~ A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas When Kristin Chenoweth first appeared on the scene, I wasn’t too impressed. Then I saw her in a production of Candide and realized that she really did have a great talent - I just wish she would use her full voice more. On her Christmas album, she sings about half of the songs in her Munchkin voice (maybe she spent too much time on the set of Wicked?), and the other half in her fuller, prettier voice. I love her versions of Do You Hear What I Hear?, What Child is This?, and Home On Christmas Day. She also gets bonus points for singing Christmas Island.

19. Michael W. Smith ~ Christmastime I really enjoy this cd, but I have to be in the right kind of mood when I listen. Even though it is fairly upbeat, something about it makes me really melancholy, and I don’t like to be that way during the holidays. It is beautifully arranged and orchestrated with choirs and special guests and about half way through there is a wonderful duet with Michael and Sandy Patty singing The Christmas Waltz. That song alone is worth the price of the cd. It also features Chris Rice’s Welcome to Our World.

20. John Denver and the Muppets ~ A Christmas Together Finally, no Christmas is complete without a visit from the Muppets and John Denver. You can usually find this one in the five dollar bargain bin at Wal-Mart, and if you don’t have it in your collection, I recommend you go out and buy it NOW. It’s so much fun, with The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Christmas is Coming, and When the River Meets the Sea, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and well, you get the picture. The whole thing is fun. I've heard that this was originally a T.V. special, but I’ve never seen it. Hopefully, someday I will. Until then, I’m content with just listening to the cd.

So there you have it. Twenty great Christmas cds from my collection and my favorites, at least for this week. I hope you are now inspired to dust off your Christmas music and start listening!

Christmas Music Part 3: Albums 11-15

11. Jimmy Buffett ~ Christmas Island When I heard the song Christmas Island on the radio for the first time, I loved it. It took me a few years to figure out who sang it, and I finally bought the cd a couple of years ago. The whole album has an island feel, which makes sense since it is Jimmy Buffet and is just a fun, upbeat Christmas album. I usually keep it in my car throughout the Christmas season. It’s good driving around town while you're Christmas shopping music.

12. Buddy Greene ~ Christmas…Not Just Any Night Buddy Greene is best known for his harmonica playing, but he has a nice singing voice, too. This album is about half harmonica and half vocal, mostly traditional Christmas music. The whole thing is beautiful. I’ve played it for people before, and actually seen tears at the end of The Christmas Song - it’s pretty poignant. Buddy Green is also known for co-writing Mary Did you Know, and even though it is over done on Christmas albums lately, there is a really nice arrangement here.

13. Aliqua ~ All I Want I got this cd last year, and listened to it A LOT. Aliqua is a group of ten girls who sing choral music, but mix it up a little bit. For instance, they sing Britton’s This Little Babe, but instead of the traditional accompaniment, they arranged it with a kind of flamenco beat and guitar accompaniment. Other standouts are A La Nanita Nana, All Is Calm, Christmas Angel, and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, sung almost entirely on the syllable “plum.” Check it out.

14. Liberace ~ Christmas Through the Years I got this in a bargain bin at Wal-Mart, probably close to 15 years ago, and I still love it. Love him or hate him, Liberace knew how to do Christmas music. All the music on this album sparkles, kind of like Liberace himself. The music quality isn’t the greatest, it sounds like an old record, but I think that adds to the appeal. Some of it is instrumental, while he sings some of the songs, and even recites ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Classic.

15. Michael Crawford ~ A Christmas Album Michael Crawford is another performer that people either love or hate. Obviously I fall on the love side. On this disc, Michael sings mostly traditional songs in the way only he can. He is backed by beautiful orchestrations and choirs throughout the album, and even sings a duet with Twila Paris. I like all the songs on this cd, but my favorite is the non-Christmas Scarlet Ribbons.

Final five tomorrow!

Christmas Music Part 2: Albums 6-10

6. Guitar Winterlude This is one of the first Christmas cds I start listening to each year. I like to turn it on and listen to it in the early morning, while the world is still dark and quiet. It is just really pretty, ambient, mostly guitar-led Christmas carols. There is a whole Winterlude series that was popular many years ago, and I also have Piano Winterlude and just plain Winterlude. They are all quite lovely, but Guitar Winterlude is my favorite.

7. The Soul of Christmas: A Celtic Music Celebration with Thomas Moore I don’t remember where or why I got this cd. I think I ordered it blindly from a catalog, and I’m glad I did. It came encased in a little blue book that has some pictures, poems, and philosophical writings on Christmas by Thomas Moore. There is also a cd with a man with a really nice Irish brogue readings from the book. But the accompanying music cd is a treasure. It isn’t overly Celtic sounding, as the title would suggest, but calm, quiet carols of Christmas, my favorite being Jesus Christ the Apple Tree. (Does anyone know why this song is only done at Christmas? I like to sing it year round.)

8. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ~ The Christmas Album I’ve been known to drive people crazy with my incessant playing of this cd around Christmas. In my opinion it's the perfect mix of traditional Christmas songs and new Christmas songs, with just enough of a country feel that you will wish you were in a snug cabin somewhere on a mountain side. It is just an all-around great Christmas album, especially for people from Colorado who truly know that “the closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere, is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow.”

9. Anne Sofie Von Otter ~ Home For Christmas Anne Sofie Von Otter is a mezzo-soprano from Sweden. On this disc she sings some classic Christmas songs, but also sings several Swedish carols in her native tongue. It is beautiful music and instrumentation. On most of the songs she is only accompanied by one or two instruments, a guitar and a violin, an accordion, which really allows her voice to come through. Standout tracks include the opening song Kopangen, which she sings in both English and Swedish, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Wonder as I Wander, and Deck the Hall/Utterns Polska.

10. The Carpenters ~ Christmas Collection (Christmas Portrait & An Old Fashioned Christmas) When I was about seven years old, I was fairly certain that I was going to grow up to be Karen Carpenter. Obviously that didn’t happen, but I still enjoy her music. These Christmas albums cover just about every Christmas song ever written, and they are done in classic Carpenter style with Richard’s sparkly piano playing, tight vocal harmonies, and Karen singing like only she could.

#11-15 tomorrow!