Step Into Christmas

I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Christmas music probably my favourite music genre, well after Disney soundtracks that is. And yes I do consider both of these to be "genres", at least according to my iTunes sorting they are. I have 118 songs on my iTunes under the genre "Holiday Season". There is just something about those sleigh bells jingling in the background or the excessive use of "Tis" that makes me happy.

Now most people think that radio stations switch over to Christmas music way too early - I think they don't start playing it early enough. I am obsessed with Christmas music, in case you didn't get that already and I like to start Christmas right after my birthday. It's a good thing I have those 118 songs to tide me over until the radio stations get with the program. It's actually pretty embarrassing considering how early I start Christmas that I waited til today to write about it. I guess I was just so busy jamming to my Christmas songs.

For those who perhaps are only embracing the Christmas spirit now I've included below some of my favourite songs. I actually just wanted to put sound clips but I could not figure out a way to do that so I'm just linking to the YouTube videos.

Step into Christmas - Elton John

OK so though this song is probably very very old, I only discovered it last year and O-M-G  ... I'm in love. It's got the feel of Crocodile Rock but with jingles and Christmas lyrics. It's so much fun and I will admit to dancing (likely the Carlton) when I'm home alone and the chorus comes on. There is a video with Elton John singing but the video and audio are both poor quality. And hey! Nothing's wrong with combining Christmas & Disney.

Deck the Rooftops - Glee Cast

Here's another really fun upbeat song. I ♥ Glee and if you're looking for some must-have Christmas CDs add this one to your list. Every song is a winner.

It's Christmas Time - Jules Larson

This song was actually featured on the Grey's Anatomy Christmas episode (well quasi-Christmas, I believe I saw a Christmas tree at some point). The song was actually available to download for free the day after the episode so Yay for free songs! I haven't a clue who Jules Larson is but perhaps now I will look into her other works (well after Christmas that is).

Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Two artists that I love oh so much collaborating on such a beautiful song. "Is love alive" ... ahh it just warms my soul. This song is actually from The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs CD which was on my wish list but pretty hard to find so I'm not keeping my hopes up [edit: which I got for Christmas]. This song as the same kind of feel as Sarah McLachlan's Song For A Winter's Night, which is perhaps why I like it so much.

OK, back to something a little more upbeat:

We Need A Little Christmas - Glee Cast

That's right, I went back to Glee. That's how much I love this album. I actually wanted to find a video of the song being sung in the episode but sadly could not find any. The premise, for those interested, is that the Glee Club is going caroling in the classrooms to raise money for homeless children. Most students however don't like Christmas songs (shock of the year, I know!!) and the teacher actually throws her shoe at them. Yeah, there high school isn't very supportive eh? Regardless though, it's a really awesome song.

And despite the fact that I don't want to stop, I'll end with my all-time favourite Christmas song:

Baby It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin + random??

I love this song so much but I have issues with how many different versions there are and the lack of proper information on YouTube. Dean Martin preformed this song with like 3 other female singers and some of those have gone on to record this song with other mail singers so trying to track down the female lead in this version is downright impossible. Regardless of who sings this song with Dean Martin, I really do love it.

For those who were just getting into my Christmas music selection here are some other great songs to check out:

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (Can't have Christmas without this one)
Happy XMas (War is Over) - John, Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey
Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

And OK, I cannot believe I found a YouTube video for this! I just have to include ....

Ay, Ay, Ay It's Christmas - Ricky Martin

And it's live too! If this doesn't make you smile then you are one heart-less soul-less grinch. :)
- Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Richtree Café

Clearly I'm not blogging enough. I guess I just feel like every blog has got to be something epic. However, striving for epic randomness can be difficult (sometimes impossible) so here's a simple something to tide over what few readers I have. I'm actually taking a page from Leianne's blog and I'm gonna write about food - or at least try to.

Now, I'm not a food person and I should make that known upfront. Sure I eat food (well I kinda need to to survive) and I have my favourites but I am no food connoisseur (thank heavens for spellcheck!). I do have one love though, and that, my friends, is pizza. I'm too exhausted today, but someone remind me to talk about my love of pizza. Now that could be a blog and a half but for today, I just want to share my experience at Richtree.

So, today I went with my mama to Square One and we stopped at Richtree to eat. From all the shopping, I was so tired and definitely needed a break (and this was at 12 noon). I didn't know this before but they have a pizza station where they make pizza for you, fresh -- like on the spot! Picture an omelette or crepe station, but 10x better. The chef (pizza-maker) runs the dough though this flatting machine (similar to what Buddy would use on Cake Boss for fondant), throws in some flour, then tops it with whatever you want before throwing the pizza in a pizza oven. True, a pepperoni pizza is so standard, but this one was made just for me!

My mama got a steak sandwich with vegetables. I'm sure if this was Leianne's blog there would be like 20 adjectives describing the texture, taste, and possibly aroma, of the steak. But seeing how, like I said, I'm not a food connoisseur, I will simply say that it looked alright. I  personally hate steak but my mom did say that it was very delicious, and she commented on the bun and how it was perfect meat to bread ratio. She finished her meal off with a latté. I'm clearly not as classy.

 p.s. Blame the poor quality on my cell phone. Neither of us brought our cameras.