I Heart Christmas Music!

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is having the opportunity to hear Christmas music performed live.  I don't think of myself as a religious person but there is something about Christmas music that gets me every time!  I had the opportunity to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform Christmas music last Sunday morning and it was glorious.  Every Sunday the choir gives a concert for the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast (which, incidentally, is the longest continuing broadcast in the world) and in December this broadcast features Christmas music.  It is held in the LDS Conference Center (which is quite the building) and it is free to the public.  It was a wonderful concert featuring "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Dance and Sing," "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly," "And The Glory of the Lord" from Messiah by Handel, "Noe! Noe!," "The First Noel," and "Carol to the King."  I can' think of a better way to listen to Christmas music than to hear it performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I loved it so much that I have decided to go back every Sunday in December!  Go here for more information about upcoming broadcasts.

Note:  I have a friend who sings in the choir and it was fun for me to see him.

Festival of Trees 2017

Last night I volunteered at the Festival of Trees for the ninth year in a row!  This is such a worthwhile cause and I am happy to be able to help each year as a hostess.  Hundreds of trees are decorated by individuals and donated for auction.  They are then put on display for the public to view and all proceeds go directly to Primary Children's Hospital.  After my shift I like to wander around and look at all of the trees displayed (and get a sweet roll).  Here are some of my favorite trees.

This was probably my favorite tree!

The sports junkie in me loved this one!

This is another favorite.  I love the birdbath!

This is for my Mom who is an Aggie!

This was a popular tree in my area because every little kid wanted to sit in the chair (I don't blame them).

This was the most popular tree in my area.  It is in honor of a little boy named Carson who loved going camping.  One lady started crying when I told her the story.

This year I was able to see the gingerbread houses and the Death Star was my favorite.  Obviously!  The Festival of Trees will run until Saturday at the South Towne Expo Center.  Go here for more information.

Christmas Traditions

Even though I live alone I have a lot of holiday traditions.  I always like to put my Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving because I like to celebrate the season for as long as I can.  I have a tradition of watching It's a Wonderful Life while I put it up (I've done this ever since I moved out on my own).  Putting up my tree is a lot of fun because all of my ornaments have special memories.  My Mom gave me all of the Hallmark limited edition hockey player ornaments (Wayne Gretzky is always the first ornament on the tree and Eric Lindros always goes on the back of the tree).  I also have lots of ornaments from around the world purchased on my trips (my favorites are some hand carved ones from Germany).  All through December I love spending the evening with only the light of the Christmas tree while watching my favorite Christmas movies.  I always add a movie to my collection every year.  This time of year I especially love listening to Christmas music performed live.  On Temple Square just about every high school choir from Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming performs at the Assembly Hall every night and these concerts are free.  I sometimes find myself listening for hours (go here for a schedule).  I also started the tradition of seeing the Lower Lights perform a couple of years ago and I am excited to see them again (go here for tickets).  There are also two performances that I always try to see.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without HCT's production of A Christmas Carol (go here for tickets) or Ballet West's production of The Nutcracker (go here for tickets).  Finally, I have a few traditions with my niece and nephew such as making gingerbread houses and opening Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

I am so happy that the Christmas season is upon us and I am really looking forward to all of my traditions.  Do you have any fun Christmas traditions?

Christmas 2016

Christmas this year was absolutely wonderful.  We began on Christmas Eve with the traditional opening of Christmas pajamas.

On Christmas morning, Sean gave me strict orders to be at the house at 8:30 but I was a little bit late because of the snow (I actually got stuck in the driveway).

Sean got a lot of games for his Xbox One, a new TV, and a cool chair for playing his games.

Tashena got a new bed and lots of clothes.

Marilyn made quilts for Sean and Tashena in the Bountiful High School colors.  Tashena was really excited because she can take it on the bus to her away games.

I got a Fire Stick, bluetooth speakers, lots of movies, and some new boots.

After opening presents we had a fabulous dinner of chicken cordon bleu.  Most of us had naps after dinner (Sean played with his games) then we played a mean game of shanghai rummy (Tashena won).  In the evening, Kristine, Marilyn, Tashena, and I went to see the movie La La Land.  I was a little bit worried because I had really talked it up but Kristine and Marilyn loved it (Tashena kept asking me when it was over).  It was a great day!

Note:  For the record, I have now seen La La Land three times!