Week of Sniffles and Holiday Cheer...

Happy Saturday. :)

We are totally battling colds over here, and it hasn’t been fun times. Mainly catching snoozes whenever a few minutes arize, and wiping a LOT of noses, and hearing a lot of whining. Some from me. :P

So the first week of December has gone by like a flash, and I am sorry to say I didn’t take photos every day this week.:\ But I’ll do better. :)

If you’ve been keeping up (or not!), and you have a few pics from the week to post, get them up into the Photo-a-Day gallery at JessicaSprague.com, and I’ll be choosing a random image whose owner wins their choice of any of my classes for FREE. :D There are some amazing and beautiful and inspiring images up there.

And we have already had TWO egg nog milkshakes to kick off the season right! I can hardly stand to drink egg nog straight up, but in a shake it is so delish. And we found these Pepperidge Farm Ginger Family cookies that are totally perfect with it.

So how are your holiday preps going?

We had to use our Christmas tree last night for our church Christmas party, so it’s still in a box in the back of the car, but will go up tomorrow. And we have a few boxes of decorations inside, and more in the garage. Kind of a lame start, huh?

Are you doing all handmade gifts? Handmade cards? Got any cute inspirational links to help me out of this cold-induced humbug?

Above all, what music are you adding to your holiday collection? Do you have any holiday music traditions? I was out and about on Thursday and heard an interview with Mary Chapin Carpenter, where they played her singing Once in Royal David’s City. I had to run right home and get that one. :) I also got Josh Groban’s holiday album, Noel, from last year. Wow. What a voice for Christmas music. I don’t have the hugest holiday collection, and my taste runs a little traditional, so these were a great addition! What are you listening to?

I’ll post the FREE CLASS winner tomorrow evening! :D

Comments

[BeccaGroves]

Jessica!
I feel like the best gift I got this year was learning a new skill in digi scrapbooking from you. I love it and love knowing how to do something that I had to work at and finally got the hang of. I've been using my skills for all sorts of different projects.

So my Christmas music pick might be a bit biased, as it is my sister-in-law. But the album is fantastic and so is she. The album is new this year: O Holy Night by Sara Groves. Check her out at www.saragroves.com

You can hear sound clips at:
http://euphrony.blogspot.com/2008/10/music-review-sara-groves-o-holy-night.html

Again, can't wait to keep learning with you.
Thanks for sharing your gift with me.
Joyfully, Becca

[Heather Kennedy]

Wish I could link you up to our adorable Christmas postcards that I got back in the mail today from the printer. That I made. myself. both sides. from "scratch" thanks to you. ;-)
I love that JG cd too!

It will feel like Christmas here when I make our recipe for chocolate crinkles. I'm done with the store bought gifts and have a list of things to sew up for the girls for their dolls and toy horses. Henry could care less so he'll probably just get a blanket or a custom iron-on tee shirt.

We're in a lull between colds here so I send some of our wellness and well-restedness your way!

[Shannon in WA]

I love Christmas music! It really gets me in the right mood for the holidays. I downloaded "Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs" and I love it. I'm also considering "This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday's, Vol.1" and Faith Hill's new Christmas album.

I hope you guys are feeling better soon! Happy Holidays!

[Lorie]

I like lots of different types of Christmas CD's but right now I have Third Day's Christmas CD in my player. I also have Manheim Steamroller, Sandy Patty, Wow Christmas and a lot more. Fun stuff!

[Jamie]

Who doesn't love Sara Groves, she is amazing. I am a Christmas CD freak show. I have over 50 and have a few on my list this year. My favs... Bebo Norman, Harry Connick Jr, Martina McBride, and the Oak Ridge Boys... they are classic.

[Jeanne T]

So sorry to hear of the cold bug running through your house. Hope all the noses are soon to be wiped their final wipe. I've been up all night with a little one who is throwing up. Otherwise fine, but something has been upsetting her tummy.

I am a big fan of Brad Paisley (country music) and I recently picked up his Christmas album. Has some classics, but one song he wrote when he was 13 and it starts out with him as a kid singing it, then he as an adult takes over. Very cool. My favorite song is Secret Agent Bird...about Penguin, James Penguin who becomes Santa's secret spy...very cute and upbeat song. My girls love it!

I've taken up knitting and crocheting again and am in the throes of making all kinds of yarn-y gifts.

Take care and hope you all feel better soon!

[Jackie Wood]

So sorry to hear about your colds. Being sick is never fun and it is worse during the holidays, hope you are all feeling better soon!

For us it is not Christmas without Johnny Mathis. I music tradition from when I was young. Although I have to say that my favorite Christmas CD for the past several years is Christmas Shoes by Newsong.

Take care and happy tree trimming!

[claudia]

Oh, if you like traditional - a few years ago I picked up "The Night Before Christmas - Thomas Kinkade" collection. 2CDs + bonus DVD includes Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Judy Garland & Nat King Cole to name a few. But also some like John Denver, Andy Williams, Diana Ross & The Supremes - so it's got a little of everything. Sometimes I've just got to hear those Christmas songs sung by the "original" artist in mind, ya know what I mean?

And I agree Josh Groban's voice is amazing. Off to buy some egg nog now to try a shake, yum :)

[JenaRN]

Sorry to hear that ya'll are battle the cold bug too-I've had it all week and it's kickin' my butt! I'm just hoping that it means it'll be out of my system before we head home to Maine for Christmas on the 20th! I'll be praying that we ALL feel better! Cheers!

[JenaRN]

Forgot to add that I am totally digging this years "The Essential NOW that's what I call Christmas" which I downloaded from ITunes-nice mix of traditional, kids, etc. But my all time favorite is the Charlie Brown theme music from it's Christmas CD-makes me smile and get moving every time I hear it! Merry Christmas!

[Lori]

I have to say that I also am enjoying the "Essential Now That's What I Call Christmas" cd. I think I got mine at Target - also saw it at Costco. It has lots of the fun songs that kids love. My kids love the Beach Boys one, and the Jackson 5 one.
One cd I love that has more religious Christmas songs is "Sing, Choirs of Angels" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was put out in the last few years, and has amazing arrangements by Mack Wilberg. So beautiful!!

Hope you guys feel better soon.

[LivE]

The Boys *just* put up the tree yesterday (with a little help from mom)... and since we're fixing up the unit beside (which should be ready for some special guests by next year ;) ), that also means we had the perfect excuse to go minimalist with our decor this year! Yeah! >heehee

(If it's any comfort to you, I'm faaaar from getting the holiday to-do list checked! :P)

Take care, Jes dear, and I hope you all feel better when you wake up tomorrow morning! :)

[euphronny]

I love Christmas music - but it usually doesn't love me too much. I get lyrics stuck in my head too easily, and Christmas music is just too memorable. I have to exercise caution.

I saw that Becca referenced my review of Sara Groves new Christmas CD. FYI, I just posted today (http://euphrony.blogspot.com/2008/12/music-monday-free-sara-groves.html) that I am giving away a copy. (Incidentally, Becca, I had a nice time chatting with Troy and Sara at the AMJ Tour about IJM, etc. Nice family you have.)

[Joy]

GMTA! I believe Josh Groban's "Noel" is likely my favorite holiday music. And I also downloaded MCC's this year! I always build a holiday play list in November and this year it was @ 321 tracks w/18+ hours of music. Now, I don't like every single track, but I download whole albums. Oh...and I 'rent' my music through Rhapsody's "Music to Go" service so I can do this w/o breaking the bank! I have everything from Josh Groban to Yo-Yo Ma, the Carpenters to Harry Connick, Jr., Enya to Lonestar.

Another great favorite is MercyMe's "The Christmas Sessions". You HAVE to hear their "Joseph's Lullabye". Your heart will thank you!

And I designed my own 4x8 cards this year...which you can see an example of on my blog if you're still bored and looking for something to read :)

[Share :)]

I love Christmas music and Josh Groban and MoTab are my all time faves!
Traditional, classic, b-e-a-utiful!
I'm praying for you friend, that you and your families colds will go away so you can enjoy the season!
Hugs!