Music Monday: 2011 in Review

One thing I have really enjoyed over the past year has been 'discovering' new music. The internet is overflowing with fresh sound and talent, and it's exciting to come across something wonderful that you've never heard before. Almost as fun is sharing my discoveries with others. I've usually done this through word-of-mouth, Facebook and (less effectively) Twitter. I've blogged a few of them, but it occurred to me recently that it would be fun to blog my favorite music discoveries (new to me, anyway) of 2011 all in one post. So, here we go. . .

** Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars top my list of favorites that I first heard in 2011. I bought the whole album, and have been listening to it all year. Not tired of it yet. Second favorite track is Falling.


** Heart's A Mess by Gotye

This is definitely at the top of my list- Gotye's most recent album "Making Mirrors" is one of only four full albums I purchased in 2011. Again, I've been listening to it incessantly and I'm not tired of it yet! I'm excited to hear the single Somebody That I Used to Know is now getting some airplay on a local radio station.


** White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes. . . I just love this song, and the video. It's another one that has stuck with me reliably. Interestingly, nothing else by Fleet Foxes has grabbed my imagination quite like this one has.


** You Will Love This Song by Amber Rubarth

This is fabulous and charming. Check out her other project, too- the band Paper Raincoat- here's Sympathetic Vibrations


** Black Rock by The Infamous Stringdusters

This is an older video, and the band continues to evolve in new and exciting directions. It remains one of my favorite videos of theirs however, and it was key to me becoming enamored of their music last year. I have seen them play live several times now, and it is RIDICULOUS. Ridiculously, astonishingly good. Full disclosure: Billy is producing their next album. . . but I can honestly tell you my appreciation for this band stands entirely on its own. They definitely belong here in my top list.

** Mango Tree by Angus and Julia Stone

I simply adore this song, and a few others of theirs, as well. Check out Hold On, too- just stunning.


** I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan

This is delightful, and I also love the live version performed at Dick Mac's Pub. Check out her other videos, too- she makes me happy.

** Bouncing Stones by Spoonbill

Very, very cool. I love the groove and the video, too. Also check out Feather Leather:


** Closer To Love by Mat Kearney

This is another full album that I bought, and have thoroughly enjoyed.

For the 10th, here's just a random selection of some other favs:

* I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds
* Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
* Gravity by Sara Bareilles
* Loving Strangers by Russian Red
* A Little Bit of Everything by Dawes

What did I forget? What great music did you discover last year?

A Painting From my Past

Years ago, I was a penniless undergrad (art student) at the University of Georgia. I spent a lot of time in the Athens coffee shops, reading, writing and studying in between classes and work. My beloved Blue Sky Coffee house (OH! The Dancing Goats blend!) is gone now, and so is the downtown Jittery Joe's. But Espresso Royale, a stalwart landmark of downtown Athens, still sits just down the road from the old Lamar Dodd School of Art location. It was there when I first explored UGA as an option for higher education, and it is still in business now.

Sometimes I did not have even enough money to get a cup of coffee. Those days, I would buy a bagel for 75 cents (but not the 50 cent package of cream cheese) and get a cup of hot water to go with it. I'd brew my own tea with a teabag from home, and use the complimentary honey and butter for my bagel. I felt a little guilty, but at least I was buying something in exchange for taking up a table. Funny how fondly I remember these times. (And funny to think a bagel only cost 75 cents!)

Espresso Royale, like all the coffee shops and many other Athens businesses, served as a gallery space for local artists. The walls hosted an ever-changing display of local talent from painters, photographers, fiber artists, illustrators, printmakers. . . I loved to see what would turn up.

One day I looked up to spy this:

Well, I spied the painting on the wall, not a blurry reproduction of the painting on a magazine cover. Sadly, this is the best image that my limited internet skillz can reproduce for you here.

I was captivated by this painting. There's just something about it, something inspiring and beautiful, that spoke to me immediately and stuck with me ever after. I have never forgotten it. Many times over the years I've thought about it, and wondered who painted it (I'd checked, but had forgotten the artist's name), and where it was by then.

Yesterday I was making assorted phone calls that needed making, and during frequent hold times I started idly searching the internet for this painting. I had little to go on: girl in a yellow dress, Athens GA artist, surrealist style. But guess what? I found it! I found the artist!

His name is Terry Rowlett, and his portfolio is an inspiring collection of interwoven dreams and realities. You can browse the portfolio here:
http://www.terryrowlett.com/portfolio.html
And this painting from my past, called "Flight of Angela", is there on page 7. Click on it to view it larger- you can actually see it well.

I love the internet. :)

Five Great Gift Ideas for Your Lady on Valentine's Day

What sorts of gifts would really, truly be appreciated by almost any lovely lady for Valentine's Day?

The answer is, I don't really know. Because women are vastly different, and I'm not sure I can think of something I can honestly say that most women would like. It's impossible to accurately paint with such a broad brush. But I can come up with a few things that most women I know would appreciate, and there's a good chance your lovely lady would like one of these things very much:

1) Some sort of escape. I asked my friends what the most appreciated, most romantic gift would be for them, and this was far and away the favorite. Usually it's a weekend away from home, without kids. The specifics vary by individual- sometimes it's a few days at a beach resort with warm sun and frosty alcoholic beverages. Sometimes it's a retreat where she can engage in a favorite activity like yoga, writing, arts & crafts, tennis or whatever. It might be a cruise, or it might be a night in a quiet secluded cabin. It might even be tickets to a much loved performance or event, depending on what your lady loves best. Personally, I want a couple nights at the Snowbird Mountain Lodge. :) Oh, and by the way- a wonderful retreat is a whole lot less rejuvenating if she comes home to a mountain of undone chores. Try to arrange for a clean house to come home to.

2) Some sort of pampering. A massage (especially), a facial, a visit to her favorite hairstylist, a pedicure, etc. Gift certificates are an easy but relatively expensive way to give this gift, or you can take it upon yourself to pamper her. An uninterrupted candlelit bubble bath followed by a massage is sure to be appreciated- not to mention the romantic potential for the evening. Really take your time and make her feel wonderful. For myself and many other women, this is a pretty fail-safe gift. If you buy a gift certificate, try to find a spa where they never expire. It can be tough to find time to go, and you don't want your gift to lose value if your lady has to wait to redeem it.

3) A clean house. Seriously. Whether you roll up your sleeves and tackle it yourself, or get a cleaning service out for a day of serious scrubbing, nothing says 'I care' to a tired mama like helping out around the house. (Bonus points: hide little love notes around the house for her to find later.) An alternative is to tackle your "honey do" list. Don't give her a hard time for anything, just get the job done with a smile- and if possible, send her out by herself to relax while the cleaning gets done back home. A couple notes on this: if your sweetheart is not a tired mama, or is super particular about how things are done around the house, this might not be the ideal choice. Otherwise, this is a WONDERFUL choice. Another smaller option is the nice surprise of a cleaned, vacuumed, detailed car. (Many guys would love that, as well!)

4) A heartfelt expression of your love. Sit down with a beautiful card, piece of stationary or pretty blank journal and think about what makes your lovely lady special. Tell her why you are in love with her. Be specific. What does she do that's so wondrous it knocks the breath out of you? How does she make you feel? Why is it that out of all the women on Earth, you choose her? Why did you fall in love with her? Write from your heart. You can also make a video, write a song or a poem if that's your preference, or think of another creative way to clearly express your love and affection. There are many ways to hand-craft a gift for your lady that would be very meaningful to your relationship.

5) If you really want to buy a physical gift, there are a lot of choices but you need to be sure you're getting something that YOUR individual lady will love. The old standbys of chocolate and flowers are pretty great, especially if combined with something else. Personally I love flowers that are delivered when I least expect them, and chocolate is good any time. :) Jewelry is a lovely choice, but be sure it's something your lady would love to wear. Some grown-up classic choices are a strand of pearls or diamond earrings, but not every woman wants those. Lingerie might be a great choice- most women could especially use a great quality, well-fitted bra. She'd need to be fitted in person by a lingerie salesperson who knows what she is doing. Try the department store Nordstrom- they can be expensive but the salesladies in the lingerie department know what they are doing. Then again, maybe your lady would much rather get comfy pajamas for Valentine's Day. Or maybe she has her eye on a new camera, or some climbing shoes, or shrubs for her garden, or a book she wants to read. . . be sure whatever you get, you've put some thought into what your particular lady would appreciate.

That's it- five great ideas to pamper your lady for Valentine's Day. I realize I'm a little late posting this, but keep these ideas in mind for any day you want to do something extra-special for your lady. What would the most romantic, most appreciated gift be for you?

Stuff I Like: Children's Books- the beautiful, set 1

It's been a long time since I did any product recommendations here. Which is funny, because I LOVE finding the perfect whatever-it-is-I'm-looking-for when I need to shop for whatever it is I'm looking for.

I have a particular love for children's books. Sometimes, I prefer reading children's literature, whether or not I have any children I am reading it to. And, OH!!! Picture books. I am such a sucker for a beautifully done picture book. Since I've already mentioned some of our favorite board books, I thought it was high time I spotlighted some of our favorite picture books (thus far, anyway). Today, I want to focus on a handful of the beautiful.



Giving Thanks by Jonathan London, illustrated by Gregory Manchess
This book is stunning. It's my favorite picture book right now. A boy goes on a hike with his father, and relates how his father gives thanks to the wonders and beauty of nature along the way.
(from the text:) "To me, it's a little embarrassing to say thanks to trees and things. But Dad says it becomes a habit; it makes you feel good."

The prose is inspiring, and the paintings are gorgeous. I am awestruck by the mastery of the brushstrokes, the perfect color, the familiar and beautiful landscapes. I love this book.
(detail:)



* * *


Ignis by Gina Wilson, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
Another gorgeously illustrated book. The story is longer, fitting (in my opinion) beautifully into classic fairy tale traditions. The images are beautiful, evocative and alive. Ignis is a young dragon who cannot yet make fire. He goes on a quest to find his fire, meeting new friends along the way.

I especially love his time with Cara, a little girl. It's my favorite part of the story.

A magical book about friendship, perseverance and triumph.


* * *


Grandfather Twilight
by Barbara Berger
Perhaps you can tell by my creased and dog-eared photo above, but our softcover copy of this book has seen much love. It actually belonged to myself and my siblings, and now it belongs to my children. It was always one of my favorites, for the simple sweet text and the quiet, lovely images.

Grandfather Twilight is shown as he goes on his nightly walk, bringing peaceful twilight colors to the forest and shore on his way to deliver the moon.


* * *


Cinderella
adapted and illustrated by K.Y. Craft
Let me preface this by pointing out that if the traditional fairy tale of Cinderella bothers you, then this is not your book. Cinderella is the meek, modest girl who is "rescued" by the prince, and they get married and live happily ever after. That hasn't changed here. However. This lushly illustrated book is an absolute joy to behold.

The images are like a treasure box of gold and shimmering jewels. And Cinderella does at least model a kind, forgiving nature that triumphs over spitefulness. Plus, did I mention the book is beautiful?



* * *

That's enough for today. More another time. Enjoy!

Scatterbrained Mini-musings

Ohhhh, I have a migrane.

The wild grapevines are starting to gild the foliage here and there, in tangles by roadsides- the first sign this year of Autumn. I welcome thee!

Babyman slept soundly last night from about 9:30 pm till about 3:30 am. 6 hours! A record. He then slept on, till about 7 am. I am very pleased- it's a sign, I hope, of better nights to come. A light at the end of the tunnel. A knot at the end of my rope. And so on, and so forth. Too bad I stayed up late. DOH!

My new favorite drink at Starbucks is a tall soy chai latte, no water. Yum.

Littleman's favorite phrase right now seems to be "You don't underSTAND me!" (~rolling eyes~) The kid is 4 for heaven's sake!

Sweetcheeks had a fun birthday. (Thank you all, who came out!) He's 3! I think he had a blast, and really felt special. I was glad to see that. It's tough, being the middle kid.

Babyman LOVES to wave these days. Smile and wave, smile and wave. Politics? Hollywood? He laughs a lot, loves to hang upside down and is trying to figure out the whole crawling thing. He likes cheerios and can really pack away some baby food. (I think it's all stored in his fat little knee rolls.) Still nursing, too. He loves music and singing, and will "sing" along with a CD or "sing" himself to sleep. He loves books and no paper is safe in his reach. He's still quite demanding, but will play by himself for short stretches now.

Thanks to a Wendy's kids meal prize, the boys have discovered the joy of books on CD. (So something good came out of that trip, besides convenience!) We have been listening to Magic Tree House books on CD just as fast as we can check them out from the library. It's been great!!



On that note, I've completely run out of steam. Besides, my head feels like it is imploding and I'm a little nauseous. I'm going to go to bed and pray for a repeat sleep performance from Babyman tonight. Is there a Native American dance, like a rain dance, to encourage babies to sleep at night?

Oh, CRAP.
Did I jinx it?
Babyman wakes.
Dammit. And a whole host of other expletives.
Ah, well. Off I go.

Babyman's First Swim

I was gone again, and now I'm back again!

I thought I'd show you a few pics from Babyman's first swim, when we were in Orlando a couple weekends ago.



The water was so pleasant, and Babyman loved it.



(Check out his delightfully ridiculous hair.)



He did some splashing about and kicking, and enjoyed playing with the bilibo minis but mostly he just enjoyed being in the water and watching his brothers.



As always, Sweetcheeks was hard to catch with my camera. But I tried. Then I put the camera away and just played with my boys.



They had an absolute blast.

* * *

Thumbs-up today to bilibo! We have a big one and a couple of minis. They are a really cool toy!

Stuff I like: children's books

Friday, March 07, 2008

Stuff I like: children's books
Current mood: cheerful

Whew. What a week.
* * *

Anyway, tonight I have a post that was inspired by Foolery. Here, in no particular order, are just a few of our most favorite children's books (thus far)- I'll shoot for some of the lesser-known.

First, some board books:


Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
I love this book for it's sweet text, great rhythm and lovely illustrations. My boys have enjoyed it, and it's been a favorite for some of my friends, too. I like to give it as a gift. I like how the illustrations show a nice variety of people, places and objects that young children might encounter in their own lives.



*


Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
This is classic Boynton, with wonderful rhythm and a nice sense of whimsy. It always made my boys giggle. We also love her Barnyard Dance for the same reasons.



*


Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children
This is a very beautiful book, with brightly colored close-up photographs of babies' faces. Any book with clear photos of baby faces seems to be a delight to other babies, and my boys have been no exception. I also love that this book celebrates the beauty found in many other cultures. The text, while not inspiring per se, is sweet and doesn't detract from the photography.


*


The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jan Brett
This is the classic poem by Edward Lear, only here it is illustrated in Jan Brett's lush, detailed style. Be warned, older children (and silly adults) may giggle incessantly at the cat's being called "Pussy", but despite the antiquated language the poem is a delight and the illustrations are positively superb. Again, this one has a lovely rhythm when read out loud.



*


My First ABC Board Book by DK Publishing
This has simply been a favorite of my boys. They really love looking at the pictures, identifying things and learning the letters. Over and over again, they choose this book.


*


In the Garden With Van Gogh by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
I love that this book introduces children to the paintings of Van Gogh, and the text is nice too. My boys enjoyed it (especially Sweetcheeks). There are several other books in this series, as well.




I think I will stop there for now. More another day!

* * *

Tonight's thumbs-up is for Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap. I have been having to wash all our dishes by hand (long story) and this stuff is great. I'm really pleased about that, because it is also biodegradable, all natural and cruelty-free. Booya!