Happiness Is…Date Night, Friday Night Lights and Good Music

January 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

Right now happiness is…

Friday Night Lights: BEST. SHOW. EVER. I am kind of in love with so many of the characters. Tim Riggins for being my equivalent to Sawyer from Lost. Matt Saracen for singing Mr. Sandman to his grandma. Tami Taylor for her hair…her glorious hair. Lyla Garrity for just being so darn pretty. Coach Taylor for his…everything. And the MUSIC, don’t even get me started on the MUSIC!

(insert cheesy picture here)

FNL-friday-night-lights-713832_1125_850

Date Nights: I mentioned our date night in this post, but I can’t reiterate enough how much getting out for dinner and a movie every once in a while is a necessity when you have two small children. As we walked into the movie theater I said, “I feel like we’re in college again!” Geez, it’s been a while!

“Girl from the North Country,” Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash: I mentioned that we loved Silver Linings Playbook in my last post, and this is one of the best songs from the sountrack. I have the original Bob Dylan record with “Girl from North Country” so hearing this brought me back to my 9th grade bedroom, listening to that scratchy voice on my Fisher-Price record player for the very first time. You just can’t recreate that feeling, and hearing it in the movie came pretty close. This version with Johnny Cash is legendary. I found another version with Joe Cocker on Spotify and loved it, too.

“I’ll Tumble 4 Ya:” My sis sent this song to me through Facebook today and, I mean…I just can’t get enough. How can you not love some good Boy George? And that title? What does it mean to “tumble” for one? I’m guessing it’s quite the term of endearment. I’m wondering why Tumblr hasn’t stolen it for their official motto?! This video is just pure amazing-ness. I dare you to watch it without smiling.

Feeling Good! It feels good to be back into blogging. It feels good to be eating better and working toward feeling better physically and mentally. Hail to Operation Feel Good 2013!

Filed Under: Beautiful Life, Entertainment Tagged With: ,

Alabama Shakes

May 3, 2012 Leave a Comment

If you’re in the mood to have your world rocked…

…check out the Alabama Shakes.

This girl is so.good.

Her voice completes, like, every musical dream I’ve ever had.

As my sister posted earlier this week, this is us after hearing their music:

My sister and I have also come up with a pretty perfect description of the sound…(which is one of our favorite things to do):

Tina Turner (circa Ikettes/Gong-Gong Song) meets Rolling Stones (circa Exile on St.) meets Joe Cocker (circa Feelin’ Alright and Help from My Friends) meets Janis Joplin (circa Get it While You Can), Velvet Underground (circa Oh! Sweet Nuthin’), with a little bit of Amy Winehouse, too (circa her ripping off the Shirelles fantastically, God bless her), along with some Robert Bradley, and  Smokey Robinson (Tracks of my Tears)!

I am lucky enough to have a super-music savvy  friend from high school who has introduced me to so many great musicians and bands (Robert Bradley and Dr. Dog to name a few) over the years. He also loves the Avett Brothers, which is always an A+ in my book.

Let me know what you think!

Filed Under: Beautiful Things, Entertainment Tagged With:

Music Monday #1

January 2, 2012 1 Comment
I’ve been toying with the idea of a “Music Monday” post and possible link-up for a few months now. I have had a hard time coming up with the “perfect” graphic which has put things on hold, but because I am SUPER obsessed with a certain song recently sung by The Avett Brothers, I think it’s time to JUST DO IT…what a way to start the New Year!

If you want to play along, you can do your own “Music Monday” post, and add my “Music Monday” button to the bottom and and link up with us!

Here are some songs I was really loving this summer (when I first thought of doing a “Music Monday” post):

1. Timshel, Mumford and Sons
I love these lines:
“But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand…”
2. Midnight Rider, The Allman Brothers
Maybe it’s because I grew up on this band, and it’s super-nostalgic for me, but there is just something about singing this song at the top of my lungs in my car with the windows rolled down that makes me feel FREE….especially this line, “I don’t own the clothes I’m wearing, and the road goes on forever…”
 While we’re at it, can we talk about the amazing-ness of Gregg Allman’s hair? 
3. Ride, Robert Earl Keen
Speaking of feeling free….this song does the same thing for me, and is perfect for summer-time…
“Gonna buy me a ticket to the end of the line
Wanna feel the air, breathe the countryside
As long as those wheels keep rollin’, I’ll be satisfied
Gonna ride, ride, ride…”
4. Knee Deep, Zac Brown Band (featuring Jimmy Buffett) mmer-
And speaking of summer-time songs, this one just puts me at ease…
“Mind on a permanent vacation
The ocean is my only medication
Wishing my condition ain’t ever gonna go away…”

5. Take Me Back Sweet Anna Lee, Spirit Family Reunion
How could I not love a song with the name Annalee? Of course, I am a little partial, but this song is AMAZING. It’s exactly “my kind of music,” whatever that means. We’ve been having a good time jamming out to this one with our own little Annalee and she loves to stomp and clap along.

*******************************************************
And here is what I’m currently loving…

6. Closer Walk with Thee, The Avett Brothers
A gospel song that has been done by everyone from Willie Nelson to Patsy Cline, I am currently OBSESSED with this version of “Closer Walk with Thee” from my boys. I am SO happy I got to see them perform this song live in Blacksburg this fall. I listen to it on repeat and I can’t stop coming back to these lines:

“Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.”

Something about those words just takes the weight of the world off my shoulders. It’s okay to falter, it’s okay to fail, it’s okay to fall down. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

What songs are getting you through this Monday? Play along and link up!

(Just copy the HTML code to the bottom of your blog post and my button will appear!)

Filed Under: Beautiful Things, Entertainment, Make it Beautiful Tagged With:

Love Anthem

September 16, 2011 Leave a Comment
If ever you needed an anthem, this should be it.

“Living of Love,” The Avett Brothers
For just one chance to find

Love was someone that you loved to find

For just the sense to try

To walk ahead and leave the pain behind

If the days aren’t easy and the nights are rough

When they ask you what you’re thinking of

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Your heart says not again

What kind of mess have you got me in

But when the feelings there

It can lift you up and take you anywhere

But the gravel beneath you and the limbs above

If anybody asks you where your coming from

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Say yes we live uncertainty

And disappointments have to be

And everyday we might be facing more

And yes we live in desperate times

But fading words and shaking rhymes

There’s only one thing here worth hoping for

With Lucifer beneath you and God above

If either one of them asks you what your living of

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

Say love, say for me love

“My boys” did not disappoint at their concert last night.
I am still on an “Avett Brothers High” and really wish I was going to the show tonight!

Thank you to my new friend, Lisa, for the picture!

Happy Friday!
Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With:

Please Remember…

June 16, 2011 1 Comment
…this beautiful family tonight in your prayers.
In Sarah’s words, “Tony has gone home…”
You may remember hearing his story in this blog post. Tony continued to use his music as a tool to uplift others until the very end and we will never forget his special gift. 
I have been blessed to be a witness to that gift and to the undying love he and Sarah had for one another.
“…I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived.
I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul and for me that has always been enough.” (Nicholas Sparks)
The CaringBridge journals written during this difficult time have displayed that love and been a true testament to their bond.
They truly amaze me.
Please feel free to visit his CaringBridge site or Facebook Page and leave a message of support…
Love.
Filed Under: Beautiful Life Tagged With: ,

Songs to hear: Peace and Sunshine

May 26, 2011 2 Comments
Things got a little busy last week and I never got to publish my favorite songs. Here are three that really stand out.
Enjoy!
1. “Quiet Your Mind”, Zac Brown Band
I heard this song for the first time last week and loved the message and these lines…

I feel the change
Goin’ on all around me
It’s strange
How I’m taken and guided
Where I end up 
right I’m needed to be 

 

2.” Home Cookin’,” The Band
I can’t believe last week was the first time I heard this song (or maybe really noticed it). It reminds me of my childhood.

I feel autumn in the air,I need someone that really cares. 
At times I miss the folks back there, I keep longing for, 
Home cookin’.Home cookin’.Home cookin’. 
Sure sounds good to a country boy like me. 










 




3. “Easy Skanking,” Bob Marley
This song just puts me in the BEST mood. It is my musical equivalent to sunshine. And it has a mantra I should try to stick with. 



Take it easy (easy skankin’);


Lord, I take it easy! (easy skankin’);
Take it easy (easy skankin’);
Got to take it easy (easy skankin’).
See: we’re takin’ it easy (ooh-wah-da da-da)
We taking it slow, (ooh-wah-da da-da)
Takin’ it easy (easy);

Got to take it slow (slow-slow)














Which one is your favorite?

		

		
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Songs to hear

		
		
May 13, 2011  Leave a Comment 
		

			


Here are some of the songs I heard this week and why I love them. 


Enjoy and take a listen!




1. Paint the Town Beige, Robert Earl Keen


This song reminds me of how I used to think I was such a wild, “city” girl. Now I live a quiet life in the country and quite enjoy it, though sometimes I get a wild hair and do things like paint my door bright green (among other stuff that shall go unmentioned ;)  Maybe I don’t paint the town red anymore, but I think am okay with just painting it beige…




“I gave up the fast lane for a blacktop county road.
Just burned out on all that talk about the motherlode
I traded for a songbird and a bigger piece of sky.
When I miss the good old days I can’t imagine why…”




I love how young REK looks in this video.  








2. Last Request, Paulo Nutini


Speaking of “the good old days” I saw Paulo in concert at the Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore with my good friend Kara back when we were just phasing out of the “college scene.” By the end of the day we were exhausted, wrinkled from the sun, and sick of all the fifteen year old girls screaming for Paulo.




Now I take music festivals in small doses.


This song is sweet and romantic, and pretty Paulo is not too bad on the eyes. 




 







3. Please Call Home, The Allman Brothers


Speaking of sweet and romantic, this song is just that. I sadly JUST heard this song for the first time this week. How could I have missed it?  I love that raw, bluesy voice. You must listen to get the full effect:










4. The Perfect Space, The Avett Brothers


Like most of The Avett Brothers songs, the writing is phenomenal. Here is a little snippet:




   


I wanna have friends that I can trust,








that love me for the man I’ve become not the man I was.


I wanna have friends that will let me be


all alone when being alone is all that I need.


I wanna fit in to the perfect space,


feel natural and safe in a volatile place.


And I wanna grow old without the pain,


give my body back to the earth and not complain.


Will you understand when I am too old of a man?


And will you forget when we have paid our debt


who did we borrow from?




Don’t we all just want to fit into the “perfect space”? 


5. Brand New Day, Van Morrison
This song has, quite possibly, my favorite lyrics of all time. Thank you, Van. I just might have to name my first son after you (if of course, my husband will allow…and it’s not looking good. Maybe we should make “TEAM VAN” shirts…”)


When all the dark clouds roll away




And the sun begins to shine
I see my freedom from across the way
And it comes right in on time
Well it shines so bright and it gives so much light
And it comes from the sky above
Makes me feel so free makes me feel like me
And lights my life with love 


 


Please listen to this unplugged and AMAZING version here.


Anyone know how I can get this version on my I-pod?!




 


6. Typical Situation, DMB

Man, I love how these songs are flowing together so perfectly. I didn’t even plan it like this…this is the order I heard them in throughout the week. Speaking of feeling free, this song also has some of my favorite lyrics, though it’s one of those I usually skip because I see the title and think, “Oh, I’ve heard this song a million times…” When I actually let it play through I remember how much I love this part: 




“Oh, everybody’s happy, 


everybody’s free,  


We’ll keep the big door open 
And everyone’ll come around… “




You can watch it here.




 ************************************************************************************************************


I think it’s safe to say I am drawn to music reminiscent of all things


good, wild, sweet, romantic, and FREE…




Happy Friday!





		

		
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The Sweetest Gift

		
		
May 9, 2011  1 Comment 
		

			
I think I have the most beautiful mother in the whole world.








“It was a halo bright


Sent down from heaven’s light…








…The sweetest gift…






…A mother’s smile.”




I remember my mother singing this to me as a child and thinking it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. I’d give anything to hear her sing it again RIGHT NOW. Maybe she can make that happen next time I see her, which will hopefully be soon. No matter that I am almost thirty years old, I miss her like crazy and hate that she and my family live 2 hours away. I’m praying that they will be able to move down here to our neck of the woods VERY soon. 




This song captures what being a mother is all about…unconditional love.
Take a listen, and as I said on Facebook last night,
if this doesn’t make you wanna kiss your momma, nothing will! 










The Sweetest Gift–The Judds




One day a mother


Come to a prison


To see an ‘erring


But precious son


She told the warden


How much she loved him


It did not matter


What he had done




She did not bring to him


(Bring to him)


Parole or pardon


(Pardon free)


She brought no silver


(Brought no gold)


No pomp nor style


(Him to see)


It was a halo


(Halo bright)


Sent down from heaven


(Heaven’s light)


The sweetest gift


(A mother’s smile)




Her boy had wandered 


Far from the far side


Though she had pleaded


With him each night


But not a word did 


She ever utter


That told her heartaches


Her smile was bright




(Repeat Chorus)




She left a smile


You can remember


She’s gone to heaven


From heartache’s free


Them bars around you


Will never change her


He was her baby


An error will be




(Repeat Chorus)




It was a halo bright


Sent down from heaven’s light


The sweetest gift


A mother’s smile







		

		
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Sometimes We Cry

		
		
April 27, 2011  1 Comment 
		

			
I heard this song today and really like the matter-of-fact-ness of the title.




Yeah, sometimes we cry.


It’s normal.




It’s not that bad.




It’s just something we do.




Sometimes.




And it doesn’t mean we’re depressed


or weird


or crazy.




It just means




sometimes




we cry.




I can almost hear myself repeating this to my daughter someday


when she gets her first scraped knee


or broken heart.







(Ughh, I can’t even imagine)




“It’s okay Annalee,


sometimes we cry.”


 


But only sometimes.








The rest of the time


we smile


and laugh


and try to forget


all the times we cried. 
















Sometimes we know, sometimes we don’t


Sometimes we give, sometimes we won’t


Sometimes we’re strong, sometimes we’re wrong


Sometimes we cry


Sometimes it’s bad when the going gets tough


When we look in the mirror and we want to give up


Sometimes we don’t even think we’ll try


Sometimes we cry







Well we’re gonna have to sit down and think it right through


If we’re only human what more can we do


The only thing to do is eat humble pie


Sometimes we cry







‘Fore they put me in a jacket, and they take me away


I’m not gonna fake it like Johnnie Ray


Sometimes we live, sometimes we die


Sometimes we cry







Sometimes we can’t see anything straight


Sometimes everybody is on the make


Sometimes it’s lonely on the lost highway


Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry







Gonna put me in a jacket, and take me away


I’m not gonna fake it like Johnnie Ray


Sometimes we live, sometimes we die


Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry







Sometimes we live, sometimes we die


Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry 




*I love how you always remind me to love you, Van*



		

		
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Friday Fun Playlist

		
		
April 8, 2011  Leave a Comment 
		

			


 Here are my favorite songs of the week!


1. Romeo and Juliet,Indigo Girls (the lyrics still give me chills)


2. Glory Days, Bruce Springsteen (a happy, fun, sing-along that never gets old!)


3. Head for the Hills/Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Goose Creek Symphony (if you haven’t invested some time in this band, do it…now!)


4. Pretty Mama/Hey, Good Lookin’, Goose Creek Symphony (I love pretty mama…)


5. Gone for Good, The Shins (a fun addition to my country tunes)


6. The Wind, Cat Stevens (from Almost Famous like so many of my favs)


7. Never Going Back Again, Fleetwood Mac (I love singing this song!!)


8. Think About It, Otis Redding (classic)


9. I’ve Got Dreams to Remember, Otis Redding (a beauty)


10. Bring it on Home to Me, Sam Cooke (original) or Wilson Pickett (sing this to your love)


11. Rivers of Babylon, Sublime (repeat offender)


12. Make You Feel My Love, Adele (she forces me to listen to these lyrics written by Bob Dylan)


13. Night Train, Amos Lee (love his voice)


14. The Perfect Space, The Avett Brothers (“I wanna fit in, to the perfect space, feel natural and safe in a volatile place”)


15. St. Joseph’s, The Avett Brothers (love this spontaneous version)


16. Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum (another classic, love the hippie video)


17. Your Love, Emma Burgess (an 80′s remake of “I don’t wanna lose your love tonight…”)




Which one is your favorite?

		

		
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