Well, I apologize for how many there are, but these pictures pretty much sum up my holidays.
We went to California the week before Christmas and had an absolute blast! We went to Disneyland... The beach... A couple temples... It was great fun! We got home the 22nd, then launched right into Christmas festivities. Some of our extended family came to visit - it was lots of fun to see everyone! New Year's Eve was spent at home... It was nice. We watched fireworks off the balcony at midnight and called it good.
As much fun as it all was, it's nice to not have so many things to stress over at once... Now I just have to worry about mission things!
There's just this spirit of peace and good will toward men, and hope, and cheer, and gladness.
It makes me super happy.
It really feels like there's magic in the air.
The smell of pine... And gingerbread... And all things delicious...
The sound of bells... And carols... And happy people...
Sweaters (especially over-sized and/or ugly), the perfection that is snow, curling up next to the fire, drinking hot cocoa, and, especially, remembering Christ, the real reason for the holiday, and being so grateful for Him.
That said, one of my favorite things about Christmas is the music.
There are the great old classics...
And the great newer classics...
And the sort of okay covers...
And the really awful classics and covers...
Anyway, regardless of how much I love Christmas music, I got a little fed up with the overabundance of bad covers and weirdo classics last year.
Radio stations seem to love them despite their severe awful-ness.
Soooo... I set out to find some new Christmas music!
Here are some of my favorites. As it is not all Christmas music, technically, I give you...
Kira's not-super-traditional Wintersong Playlist of '12
A strange, wintry original: Horchata by Vampire Weekend
I'd look psychotic in a balaclava.
A funny, very different original: Don't Shoot Me Santa by The Killers
Also, the video.
A great cover of an old classic: Frosty the Snowman by Fiona Apple
Her voice. Really.
Also Zee Avi, who switched things up and changed it to a minor key! You can hear that here.
Two covers of an oldie, but goodie: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt (who should just get married already) and The Head and The Heart both did such wonderful covers of this song that I just had to put them both on here. So much love.
The only "seasonal" song I regularly listen to year round: Christmas Lights by Coldplay
Actually, one of my overall favorite songs. Because it is the most beautiful. Ever. That piano. Agh.
A good cover of my least favorite Christmas song: Wonderful Christmastime by The Shins
Read, "one of two versions I will voluntarily listen to." That does not include the original (sorry Paul), which I absolutely cannot stand. At all. Ever.
The other version I'll listen to, by Tom McCrae, is here... It's not as happy-sounding.
An original with fantastic imagery: That Was The Worst Christmas Ever by Sufjan Stevens
Not the happiest Christmas song, but it's so beautiful. And really... You can see the story play out in your head. Also, I just found this video, and it's really neat! And sad.
An original about the reason for the season: The Earth Stood Still by Future of Forestry
Not many contemporary, non-hymn Christmas songs are actually about the birth of Christ. I love this one - simple, but a good reminder. Plus it's pretty. :)
A lovely cover of my favorite: O Come O Come Emmanuel by Punch Brothers
Because their voices... And the bluegrass... And the song...
A year-round favorite that is also winter-themed: White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
It's just so bouncy and fun. Also, Fleet Foxes. Yeah.
A gorgeous, if sad, collaboration: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
The lyrics make me sad. But the vocals and the instrumentation... So beautiful.
Really, the Starbucks-sponsored album "Christmas Rules" (also titled Holidays Rule; the only thing that changes is the album cover), which I shared some of, should be on your listening list in its entirety.
Also, Sufjan Stevens Holiday radio on Pandora is pretty fantastic.
I am really, so grateful for everything that I have.
My Savior suffering and dying for me, though?
That takes the cake.
I am so grateful for the Atonement. I love my Jesus so much. I am so thankful that He loved me enough to go through so much for me. I am especially thankful for the opportunity I have to live with Him and my Heavenly Father again, through what Christ did for me.
I will do an official New Year post tomorrow, to be all sentimental and nostalgic and stereotypical blogger for you, but for tonight I just wanted to share how I brought in 2012.
Some of you may not be Coldplay fans, but anyone who has kept up on my posts will know that I absolutely love them.
In fact, even though there are so many numerous bands that I love, I would even go so far as to say that Coldplay is my favorite band - If I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, it would be them.
As I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I saw something beautiful -
I just about died. SO, naturally, and needless to say, when 11 o'clock rolled around, I tuned to PBS, even though I was watching the 1961 version of Music Man (that's saying a lot, by the way).
It did not disappoint. And it was seriously an amazing way to bring in the New Year.
Though we did miss a bit to pop in on NYC to watch the ball drop - tradition, you know. :)
Anyway, then I found out that you could watch it online.
AHHHHHHHHHHH.
And so, without further ado, here is my New Year's gift to you. ;)
Well I hope that everyone had a super amazing fantastic marvelous Christmas!
I did! Full of family and Christ and happiness! And food... So much food...
Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here is the marvelous:
Things I love:
-Jesus Christ
-Mary, for being probably the bravest and most amazing woman ever!
-Joseph, for being possibly the most fabulous husband in all history. Wow.
-The Shepherds, for spreading the word and for coming to worship baby Jesus. I am sure that Mary was grateful that He did not have to come into the world completely alone!
-The wise men, though they came later. They recognized a toddler as the future redeemer of the world. That would be so difficult... "Wise men sought Him, so should we."
-The smell of pine
-The DI right after Christmas (and any other time, but it was like... Ahhhhh!)
-Comfy shoes
-$2 cowboy boots. I am serious.
-Colorful cell phone cases
-My family
-Babies laughing
-Babies in general - they're kinda adorable.
-Cozy blankets
-Soft clothing
-Good deals
-Watching peoples' faces as they open presents
-Sleeping
-Getting a raise
-Looking awesome
-Sweatshirts
-Watching good movies that I have not previously seen
-Laughing at myself when I cry in Disney/Dreamworks/etc. animated movies
-Silver
-Christmas colors
-Getting things that I need from other people so I don't have to buy them
-Being spoiled (but only on occasion so I'm not a brat.)
-Charlie Brown
-The Wii
-Netflix
-Candycane Hershey's Kisses
-Delicious food
-People who care about other people
-The Christmas Spirit. It is real, folks. I will miss it a lot...
-Love
-Laughter
-Life
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. :)
