The classic, BandAid from 1984. (and the "making of"). The LIVEaid version from 1985, and the remake, from 2004. (Edited to remove embedded videos. Links open a new window.)
I’ve got my cds out: Sarah Mclachlan: Wintersong, Partridge Family Christmas, Very Special Christmas several volumes (my fave is vol. 1 – Silent Night by Stevie Nicks), Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Elvis, Frank, Tchaikovsky……
ENJOY!!
The classic, BandAid from 1984. (and the "making of"). The LIVEaid version from 1985, and the remake, from 2004. (Edited to remove embedded videos. Links open a new window.)
I’ve got my cds out: Sarah Mclachlan: Wintersong, Partridge Family Christmas, Very Special Christmas several volumes (my fave is vol. 1 – Silent Night by Stevie Nicks), Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Elvis, Frank, Tchaikovsky……
ENJOY!!
We send a photo card every year. Love this one – great "time capsule" for 2007 as all the kids are wearing rock and roll band hoodies. This year marks the first time we all attended a concert together. They are sitting on the new deck…..five years ago it was only a concrete landing…….
Times flies, doesn’t it? Here’s a cute thing: this morning Peter asked me if I was going to make a cake. It’s been our tradition to have birthday cake on Christmas. We take baby Jesus from his manger and put him on the cake. The one thing kids understand is birthdays and presents, right? I thought it would be a good way to remind them of the real meaning behind the celebration. I love it that our 17 year old wanted to be sure we were doing it again.
I said this last year and it’s worth repeating: I wish you a Merry Christmas. And with that I don’t mean to be insensitive to the other holidays that are celebrated at this time of year. I hope that you GET that I’m really wishing you a Happy whatever-it-is-you-celebrate. The intended message is not necessarily about Christmas, it’s wishing you and your family the joys of the season, whatever it is that you honor.
EDIT: I meant to give a review of Sweeney Todd. Saw it last night. It did not disappoint – VERY fabulous. Yes, there was blood….but in an almost comic book way. Cinematography was brilliant, as was Depp. HBC was funny, in a dry, you-must-be-British kind of way. Swooning.
We send a photo card every year. Love this one – great "time capsule" for 2007 as all the kids are wearing rock and roll band hoodies. This year marks the first time we all attended a concert together. They are sitting on the new deck…..five years ago it was only a concrete landing…….
Times flies, doesn’t it? Here’s a cute thing: this morning Peter asked me if I was going to make a cake. It’s been our tradition to have birthday cake on Christmas. We take baby Jesus from his manger and put him on the cake. The one thing kids understand is birthdays and presents, right? I thought it would be a good way to remind them of the real meaning behind the celebration. I love it that our 17 year old wanted to be sure we were doing it again.
I said this last year and it’s worth repeating: I wish you a Merry Christmas. And with that I don’t mean to be insensitive to the other holidays that are celebrated at this time of year. I hope that you GET that I’m really wishing you a Happy whatever-it-is-you-celebrate. The intended message is not necessarily about Christmas, it’s wishing you and your family the joys of the season, whatever it is that you honor.
EDIT: I meant to give a review of Sweeney Todd. Saw it last night. It did not disappoint – VERY fabulous. Yes, there was blood….but in an almost comic book way. Cinematography was brilliant, as was Depp. HBC was funny, in a dry, you-must-be-British kind of way. Swooning.
Took a photo of the kids Thursday afternoon. Got my cards made, finally! Half of them went out today – the rest will wait until Monday. I’m starting to feel the "whew!"
I confess to having a wrapping paper crush. I love collecting rolls and rolls of handsome printed paper. But at this time of year paper can get me so cranky. How about when you love the pattern but the quality is dodgey, like too thick, or too thin? I adore when it comes with a printed grid on the back – perfect for those of us who mathmatically wrap boxes. And don’t you start to feel really wasteful when you see the bags of paper that goes in the garbage? (or the fireplace, if we had one) I have cheated a bit this year and got myself some of those holiday printed boxes – and simply taped the bottom to prevent peeking and stuck a sticker label on it. Gone are the days when I would make stashes of tags and delight in finding the perfect ribbon. Maybe it’s because Winston gobbles and gags on curling ribbon. I’m also enjoying the gift bags….had some leftover from last year. I cleverly packed them away with the holiday decorations last year so they were easy to find and re-use this year.
Here’s something I finally figured out: After getting all frustrated that I couldn’t find my scissors, or the tape, or a pen, as I dashed from table to table in a wrapping frenzy, I smacked my head in a duh-moment and got out my studio apron. Pockets are perfect for keeping scissors and tape as you take on the wrapping task. I should really tie the scissors to my apron! (is that what apron strings are??!!)
So here’s a great gift idea for the women in your life (because we KNOW the women do the wrapping). Get an apron, with nice big front pockets. (Maybe you could even spray paint some cool things on it!) Then fill the pockets with a wrap-assistance-kit. Scissors, tape, pen, ribbon, labels and tags. Wouldn’t that be a loving gift? Include a xmas music cd and you have a useful and thoughtful gift. Maybe even insert a little notebook for list making. Think about that as you scarf up all the after-christmas-sale stuff. OH, and send early!
Took a photo of the kids Thursday afternoon. Got my cards made, finally! Half of them went out today – the rest will wait until Monday. I’m starting to feel the "whew!"
I confess to having a wrapping paper crush. I love collecting rolls and rolls of handsome printed paper. But at this time of year paper can get me so cranky. How about when you love the pattern but the quality is dodgey, like too thick, or too thin? I adore when it comes with a printed grid on the back – perfect for those of us who mathmatically wrap boxes. And don’t you start to feel really wasteful when you see the bags of paper that goes in the garbage? (or the fireplace, if we had one) I have cheated a bit this year and got myself some of those holiday printed boxes – and simply taped the bottom to prevent peeking and stuck a sticker label on it. Gone are the days when I would make stashes of tags and delight in finding the perfect ribbon. Maybe it’s because Winston gobbles and gags on curling ribbon. I’m also enjoying the gift bags….had some leftover from last year. I cleverly packed them away with the holiday decorations last year so they were easy to find and re-use this year.
Here’s something I finally figured out: After getting all frustrated that I couldn’t find my scissors, or the tape, or a pen, as I dashed from table to table in a wrapping frenzy, I smacked my head in a duh-moment and got out my studio apron. Pockets are perfect for keeping scissors and tape as you take on the wrapping task. I should really tie the scissors to my apron! (is that what apron strings are??!!)
So here’s a great gift idea for the women in your life (because we KNOW the women do the wrapping). Get an apron, with nice big front pockets. (Maybe you could even spray paint some cool things on it!) Then fill the pockets with a wrap-assistance-kit. Scissors, tape, pen, ribbon, labels and tags. Wouldn’t that be a loving gift? Include a xmas music cd and you have a useful and thoughtful gift. Maybe even insert a little notebook for list making. Think about that as you scarf up all the after-christmas-sale stuff. OH, and send early!
It’s been a few years since we’ve written letters to Santa. Our kids are getting older but the secret magic of Santa will always be alive in our home. It warms my heart that both Fallon and Peter are cool with going to visit Santa at our mall out of respect for the tradition, and respect that Sam will always Believe. 
We’ve come a long way from the boys wearing matching corduroy overalls, and Fallon in a velvet dress. It was such a stress to get them all dressed and perfect for the Santa visit. I never thought I’d have two wearing skulls in our annual picture…..but I also never thought I’d still be doing this with three teenagers. Standing in line, with all the other parents who had darling but whining babies in strollers, was a test of patience and a Gesture of Love. I mist up just thinking about this gift they’ve given us to be present for Sam.
More news about Sam and the great teachers I’ve told you about: This time they’ve invented a new role for him at school. He’s the basketball team manager! He’s helped out at two games so far. Check out the cool shirt Mr. Dave made him. Sam put it on and said "how do I look?" It was one of those really special moments as it was spontaneous and appropriate. When you live with a child with Autism you get used to the things they say and the way they say them, and you know what they mean. THIS was just one of those times where it was unprompted and totally right on. He’s very proud to have this job and we’re so proud of him!
Tree is up! Shopping is done. Packages mailed. Wrapping is 90% done. Cookies will get baked after school ends this week. Cards? Not yet. Yipes!
This cracked me up. So what happens when it takes 57 minutes to get through the line? Kidding aside, I so appreciate the postal service. They are who I trust with my business shipments. I count on USPS to bring me the orders I placed online this year to avoid the mall bustle. They drop off joy everyday – goodies and cards. Lots of wonderful things have arrived on my doorstep thanks to Faye. *Don’t forget to leave a little something for your mail carrier this year.*
Hope your list of to-do’s is coming along swiftly. More importantly, I hope you are taking all the hustle and bustle in stride. Aren’t we lucky to make Christmas happen for our loved ones?
It’s been a few years since we’ve written letters to Santa. Our kids are getting older but the secret magic of Santa will always be alive in our home. It warms my heart that both Fallon and Peter are cool with going to visit Santa at our mall out of respect for the tradition, and respect that Sam will always Believe.
We’ve come a long way from the boys wearing matching corduroy overalls, and Fallon in a velvet dress. It was such a stress to get them all dressed and perfect for the Santa visit. I never thought I’d have two wearing skulls in our annual picture…..but I also never thought I’d still be doing this with three teenagers. Standing in line, with all the other parents who had darling but whining babies in strollers, was a test of patience and a Gesture of Love. I mist up just thinking about this gift they’ve given us to be present for Sam.
More news about Sam and the great teachers I’ve told you about: This time they’ve invented a new role for him at school. He’s the basketball team manager! He’s helped out at two games so far. Check out the cool shirt Mr. Dave made him. Sam put it on and said "how do I look?" It was one of those really special moments as it was spontaneous and appropriate. When you live with a child with Autism you get used to the things they say and the way they say them, and you know what they mean. THIS was just one of those times where it was unprompted and totally right on. He’s very proud to have this job and we’re so proud of him!
Tree is up! Shopping is done. Packages mailed. Wrapping is 90% done. Cookies will get baked after school ends this week. Cards? Not yet. Yipes!
This cracked me up. So what happens when it takes 57 minutes to get through the line? Kidding aside, I so appreciate the postal service. They are who I trust with my business shipments. I count on USPS to bring me the orders I placed online this year to avoid the mall bustle. They drop off joy everyday – goodies and cards. Lots of wonderful things have arrived on my doorstep thanks to Faye. *Don’t forget to leave a little something for your mail carrier this year.*
Hope your list of to-do’s is coming along swiftly. More importantly, I hope you are taking all the hustle and bustle in stride. Aren’t we lucky to make Christmas happen for our loved ones?
I don’t have the tree up. I haven’t started my cards (don’t even have the photo taken yet). And everytime I’ve been out shopping I’ve gotten MYSELF something. I could say that I’m doing my husband a favor by doing his shopping for me, right? I spent the entire day wrapping and labeling, and getting packages ready to ship (so many loved ones who live far away!) I was totally planning on making the trek to post office today when I got a call that school was let out early – snow and ice storm. So I ran around picking up kids and pizzas and didn’t get the one thing crossed off my list I needed done today. Drats!
I do have some good things to show you. I just scored this book on ebay. I have been trying to get a copy of this book for years. It’s the same one my Mom still has and I swear it is magical. You know when you see something from your past and the visual tips off powerful and sentimental feelings? THIS book does that for me. I love the illustrations. I could lick them. I wanted to grow up and have a home like this one with a tree like that one. I am pleased the book is on it’s way to me so that I can tuck it away with the holiday stuff in January and then be delighted all over again every December when I come across it.
Yesterday I got Sam to sign 20 Chicken Soup books that we are giving as gifts. He was so cute doing it – such a super star!
Jenny and I came across this dude making some spray art. It was awesome to see him in action. I’ve seen some youtube videos of guys doing this kind of thing but seeing him work the cans on the sidewalk was really cool. I’m not interested in making this kind of art myself but I did pick up a few tricks and I had to buy a piece. Yes, I’ll tell you about the spray tricks later.
Some of you asked for a close-up of the yarn necklace Jenny made me – here it is, with her permission. Someday I will show you the felted purse she gifted me with – when you see it you’ll know she GETS me.
Recently I had a kindness exchange with two women I have never met. First is Jolene – what a sneak she was to surprise me with her cool tiles using my own artwork. I think I made out better in the deal than she did. Jolene, do you honestly think I’ll be putting my coffee cup or diet coke on these? Not. Thanks for the surprise!
Next is from Marlynn Likens. She visited Massachusetts and stayed in the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. I not only scored brick dirt from the house, but this wonderful and thoughtful book too. You can’t see it but my favorite part is under a picture of Lizzie is "What was she thinking?" Again, I made out better in the exchange than she did. (Looking forward to meeting you at the workshop in May!)
And now the Not So Good. Not really bad. More like bummers.
So you probably already knew House and Garden is over. Do you also know Blueprint is done? Done! Come on! I loved this one. It was so refreshing to see edgier layouts and graphics. I was doubley impressed that a Martha mag was so hip, (not that she’s incapable of being hip). I’m so over every magazine looking like each other. Aren’t you sick of it? Let’s pick on Victoria. I will admit I raced over to the site when there was an announcement that it was coing back and got in line to have one mailed to me. I don’t know what I was thinking…..I guess I was hoping for a little update. I was hoping they have been paying attention to what’s when going on since they went dormant. I’m sure the die-hards are thrilled with this issue since it looks like any other Christmas issue they published. There will be those that are so glad it hasn’t changed…..but I’m yawning. Try Artful Blogging and Somerset Life. I think they really hit the mark with a fresh approach – visually very appealing.
Another bummer: So how can I rant about Victoria being stagnant and then turn on my heal and start a new complaint regarding change? Is change good? We say change is good. But not always. Not when it isn’t something we are ready for. I guess we can convince ourselves of anything depending on how we choose to view it. In this case I’m not saying that change is bad….it’s actually handsome. But it’s not the same. It left and I didn’t get a goodbye visit. The renovation of the Royalton Hotel was a surprise. I didn’t know it was coming so I was very upset. The new look pays respect to the original lobby in that it still has a mystique because it’s dark and non-traditional. Some of the views in the re-do make you feel like you are IN a Louise Nevelson sculpture. That part was cool even though I wanted to hate it.
It certainly is a case of You Had To Be There back when The Royalton opened. I think it was 1988. The owners were Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, and it was designed – down to the very last piece of hardware, by Philippe Starck. Swoon. I spent a New Year’s Eve there. I was engaged there. It was OUR special place. It’s part of my history. I took Jenny there last weekend. We had a terrific lunch, tucked away from the hustle of the street. It is still The Royalton, just not royal blue. I felt so strongly about it I had to write to Mr. Starck in France. It won’t matter if I never hear from him – at least he’ll know he matters to me.
Gotta end on a good note.
Very often I’ll get emails asking how I do things on this blog. "Slight Of Hand" is my answer. I’m on post number 202, and it took a while to find my way. Just look at the archives….proof that it took some time to hit my stride with figuring this out. All my graphics are done in Photoshop. I’m self-trained, and still use 5.5 (even though a sweet friend gave me a later version, I haven’t been able to make myself install it!) I was curious about how to make things digitally and stumbled around and found out things through play and practice. No magic tricks. Just doing the work. When I finally discovered custom brushes there was no stopping the fast train I was on.
I’m currently writing an article about brushes to be in the debut issue of Somerset Digital Studio. If you bribe me enough I may share a tutorial here. In the meantime I’ll leave you with a link to the font many have requested:
Found at DaFont.com. Lots of great (free) fonts there.
I guess I’m not so bad….just procrastinating, and snowed in. How much is checked off your to-do list?
I don’t have the tree up. I haven’t started my cards (don’t even have the photo taken yet). And everytime I’ve been out shopping I’ve gotten MYSELF something. I could say that I’m doing my husband a favor by doing his shopping for me, right? I spent the entire day wrapping and labeling, and getting packages ready to ship (so many loved ones who live far away!) I was totally planning on making the trek to post office today when I got a call that school was let out early – snow and ice storm. So I ran around picking up kids and pizzas and didn’t get the one thing crossed off my list I needed done today. Drats!
I do have some good things to show you. I just scored this book on ebay. I have been trying to get a copy of this book for years. It’s the same one my Mom still has and I swear it is magical. You know when you see something from your past and the visual tips off powerful and sentimental feelings? THIS book does that for me. I love the illustrations. I could lick them. I wanted to grow up and have a home like this one with a tree like that one. I am pleased the book is on it’s way to me so that I can tuck it away with the holiday stuff in January and then be delighted all over again every December when I come across it.
Yesterday I got Sam to sign 20 Chicken Soup books that we are giving as gifts. He was so cute doing it – such a super star!
Jenny and I came across this dude making some spray art. It was awesome to see him in action. I’ve seen some youtube videos of guys doing this kind of thing but seeing him work the cans on the sidewalk was really cool. I’m not interested in making this kind of art myself but I did pick up a few tricks and I had to buy a piece. Yes, I’ll tell you about the spray tricks later.
Some of you asked for a close-up of the yarn necklace Jenny made me – here it is, with her permission. Someday I will show you the felted purse she gifted me with – when you see it you’ll know she GETS me.
Recently I had a kindness exchange with two women I have never met. First is Jolene – what a sneak she was to surprise me with her cool tiles using my own artwork. I think I made out better in the deal than she did. Jolene, do you honestly think I’ll be putting my coffee cup or diet coke on these? Not. Thanks for the surprise!
Next is from Marlynn Likens. She visited Massachusetts and stayed in the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. I not only scored brick dirt from the house, but this wonderful and thoughtful book too. You can’t see it but my favorite part is under a picture of Lizzie is "What was she thinking?" Again, I made out better in the exchange than she did. (Looking forward to meeting you at the workshop in May!)
And now the Not So Good. Not really bad. More like bummers.
So you probably already knew House and Garden is over. Do you also know Blueprint is done? Done! Come on! I loved this one. It was so refreshing to see edgier layouts and graphics. I was doubley impressed that a Martha mag was so hip, (not that she’s incapable of being hip). I’m so over every magazine looking like each other. Aren’t you sick of it? Let’s pick on Victoria. I will admit I raced over to the site when there was an announcement that it was coing back and got in line to have one mailed to me. I don’t know what I was thinking…..I guess I was hoping for a little update. I was hoping they have been paying attention to what’s when going on since they went dormant. I’m sure the die-hards are thrilled with this issue since it looks like any other Christmas issue they published. There will be those that are so glad it hasn’t changed…..but I’m yawning. Try Artful Blogging and Somerset Life. I think they really hit the mark with a fresh approach – visually very appealing.
Another bummer: So how can I rant about Victoria being stagnant and then turn on my heal and start a new complaint regarding change? Is change good? We say change is good. But not always. Not when it isn’t something we are ready for. I guess we can convince ourselves of anything depending on how we choose to view it. In this case I’m not saying that change is bad….it’s actually handsome. But it’s not the same. It left and I didn’t get a goodbye visit. The renovation of the Royalton Hotel was a surprise. I didn’t know it was coming so I was very upset. The new look pays respect to the original lobby in that it still has a mystique because it’s dark and non-traditional. Some of the views in the re-do make you feel like you are IN a Louise Nevelson sculpture. That part was cool even though I wanted to hate it.
It certainly is a case of You Had To Be There back when The Royalton opened. I think it was 1988. The owners were Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, and it was designed – down to the very last piece of hardware, by Philippe Starck. Swoon. I spent a New Year’s Eve there. I was engaged there. It was OUR special place. It’s part of my history. I took Jenny there last weekend. We had a terrific lunch, tucked away from the hustle of the street. It is still The Royalton, just not royal blue. I felt so strongly about it I had to write to Mr. Starck in France. It won’t matter if I never hear from him – at least he’ll know he matters to me.
Gotta end on a good note.
Very often I’ll get emails asking how I do things on this blog. "Slight Of Hand" is my answer. I’m on post number 202, and it took a while to find my way. Just look at the archives….proof that it took some time to hit my stride with figuring this out. All my graphics are done in Photoshop. I’m self-trained, and still use 5.5 (even though a sweet friend gave me a later version, I haven’t been able to make myself install it!) I was curious about how to make things digitally and stumbled around and found out things through play and practice. No magic tricks. Just doing the work. When I finally discovered custom brushes there was no stopping the fast train I was on.
I’m currently writing an article about brushes to be in the debut issue of Somerset Digital Studio. If you bribe me enough I may share a tutorial here. In the meantime I’ll leave you with a link to the font many have requested:
Found at DaFont.com. Lots of great (free) fonts there.
I guess I’m not so bad….just procrastinating, and snowed in. How much is checked off your to-do list?
