Heavenly Hymns
Away In a Manger vs. Away In a Manger
What, there are TWO? Well, yes and no. Like many hymns, there is more than one "standard" tune for this text. Many consider the first the "U.S." version and the second the "British" version. Which is your favorite? (Yes, there is a "mash-up" of these two songs, and it is lovely.)
Choral Carols
Little Drummer Boy vs. This Little Babe
The drummer boy is little, the babe is little. The songs are nothing alike. "Little Drummer Boy" has the advantage of being well-known and oft recorded. "This Little Babe" is maybe less well-known, but certainly musically superior. Listen to both and vote for your favorite.
Holidaze
I'll Be Home for Christmas vs. All I Want for Christmas is You
A sentimental favorite vs. a new classic. Tough battle...it all depends on the demographics here! Someone could do an awesome mash-up and call it "All I Want for Christmas is Home." (Maybe not.)
Kids Kristmas
Silver Bells vs. Winter Wonderland
Silvery! Wintery! Epic battle!
Enjoy the pretty lights. (People do weird things with their Christmas lights...)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Fa-la-la Brouhaha Round 1, Day 4
Heavenly Hymns
O Little Town of Bethlehem vs. The First Nowell
Two hymn standards go head-to-head! Will it be "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - an American hymn, or "The First Nowell" - decidedly British (just look at that spelling!)? Remember, the priest who wrote "O Little Town" was from Philly, if it makes any difference...
Choral Carols
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen vs. Good King Wenceslas
Perennial favorites of carolers, these are two songs of which you probably only know the first stanzas. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has the advantage of having that catchy chorus: "O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort AND joy, O tidings of COMFORT and JOY." "Wenceslas" tells a heart-warming tale, if you listen to all the verses in the order they occur.
Holidaze
White Christmas vs. Blue Christmas
White Christmas! Blue Christmas! Itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie yellow polka-dot Christmas! This series could have had so many more hits...
Kids Kristmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer vs. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Rudolph! Grinch! Epic battle!
Enjoy the pretty lights.
O Little Town of Bethlehem vs. The First Nowell
Two hymn standards go head-to-head! Will it be "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - an American hymn, or "The First Nowell" - decidedly British (just look at that spelling!)? Remember, the priest who wrote "O Little Town" was from Philly, if it makes any difference...
Choral Carols
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen vs. Good King Wenceslas
Perennial favorites of carolers, these are two songs of which you probably only know the first stanzas. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has the advantage of having that catchy chorus: "O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort AND joy, O tidings of COMFORT and JOY." "Wenceslas" tells a heart-warming tale, if you listen to all the verses in the order they occur.
Holidaze
White Christmas vs. Blue Christmas
White Christmas! Blue Christmas! Itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie yellow polka-dot Christmas! This series could have had so many more hits...
Kids Kristmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer vs. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Rudolph! Grinch! Epic battle!
Enjoy the pretty lights.
Fa-la-la Brouhaha Round 1, Day 3
Heavenly Hymns
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
At seven verses apiece, these two songs are longer than you think. While the first word of the stanzas of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" make a rather awkward sentence (O God See Lo Child Sing Yea), the first word of the stanzas of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" say OOOOOOO. Your choice here is really whether you like being told what to do, or telling someone else what to do.
Choral Carols
Breath of Heaven vs. Mary's Boy Child
Old skool Amy Grant vs. the King of Calypso. This match-up is really about the depiction of the young Mary, unmarried, having a baby. Are your heartstrings plucked by Ms. Grant, laying on the loneliness, or by Mr. Belafonte, joyously celebrating the birth of the babe?
Holidaze
Christmas Wrapping vs. Last Christmas
Battle of the Christmas love songs! Sure, Wham! has the name caché and breathy George Michael, but their lyrics pale in comparison to the epic journey told by The Waitresses. Each song's story lasts a year, but the outcomes are so, so different.
Kids Kristmas
Silver and Gold vs. Christmastime Is Here
Rudolph vs. Charlie Brown Christmas! Who will win???
Enjoy the pretty lights.
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
At seven verses apiece, these two songs are longer than you think. While the first word of the stanzas of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" make a rather awkward sentence (O God See Lo Child Sing Yea), the first word of the stanzas of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" say OOOOOOO. Your choice here is really whether you like being told what to do, or telling someone else what to do.
Choral Carols
Breath of Heaven vs. Mary's Boy Child
Old skool Amy Grant vs. the King of Calypso. This match-up is really about the depiction of the young Mary, unmarried, having a baby. Are your heartstrings plucked by Ms. Grant, laying on the loneliness, or by Mr. Belafonte, joyously celebrating the birth of the babe?
Holidaze
Christmas Wrapping vs. Last Christmas
Battle of the Christmas love songs! Sure, Wham! has the name caché and breathy George Michael, but their lyrics pale in comparison to the epic journey told by The Waitresses. Each song's story lasts a year, but the outcomes are so, so different.
Kids Kristmas
Silver and Gold vs. Christmastime Is Here
Rudolph vs. Charlie Brown Christmas! Who will win???
Enjoy the pretty lights.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Fa-la-la Brouhaha Round 1, Day 2
Heavenly Hymns
What Child Is This vs. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
These two songs don't really have anything in common except that they're really old. "What Child Is This" is both younger and older than "Lo, How a Rose": the lyrics for "What Child" were written 1865 while the text of "Lo" dates from the late 16th century. However, the translation of "Lo" was 1894. Also the tune of "Lo" dates from 1599 (harmonization 1609) while the tune for "What Child" (yup, "Greensleeves") was written in 1580. Like I said, both old.
Choral Carols
Sussex Carol vs. Wexford Carol
This battle is known as "Nerds Know the Difference." The "Wexford Carol" is Irish while the "Sussex Carol" is English (kind of), but don't let that influence you. The words for the "Sussex Carol" were first published by an Irish priest who lived awfully near to County Wexford, so the two carols are probably cousins.
Holidaze
Baby It's Cold Outside vs. Let It Snow
Don't go! It's cold and snowing and don't you want to just stay here a little longer? Granted, "Baby It's Cold" comes on a little strong. "You could get pneumonia and die"? Really? Death? On the other hand, "Let It Snow" is maybe on the naive side of the coin. However you prefer it, here are two date night songs for your listening pleasure...
Kids Kristmas
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas vs. Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey
Hippo! Donkey! Epic battle!
Enjoy the pretty lights. (People do weird things with their Christmas lights...)
What Child Is This vs. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
These two songs don't really have anything in common except that they're really old. "What Child Is This" is both younger and older than "Lo, How a Rose": the lyrics for "What Child" were written 1865 while the text of "Lo" dates from the late 16th century. However, the translation of "Lo" was 1894. Also the tune of "Lo" dates from 1599 (harmonization 1609) while the tune for "What Child" (yup, "Greensleeves") was written in 1580. Like I said, both old.
Choral Carols
Sussex Carol vs. Wexford Carol
This battle is known as "Nerds Know the Difference." The "Wexford Carol" is Irish while the "Sussex Carol" is English (kind of), but don't let that influence you. The words for the "Sussex Carol" were first published by an Irish priest who lived awfully near to County Wexford, so the two carols are probably cousins.
Holidaze
Baby It's Cold Outside vs. Let It Snow
Don't go! It's cold and snowing and don't you want to just stay here a little longer? Granted, "Baby It's Cold" comes on a little strong. "You could get pneumonia and die"? Really? Death? On the other hand, "Let It Snow" is maybe on the naive side of the coin. However you prefer it, here are two date night songs for your listening pleasure...
Kids Kristmas
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas vs. Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey
Hippo! Donkey! Epic battle!
Enjoy the pretty lights. (People do weird things with their Christmas lights...)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Fa-la-la Brouhaha, Round 1, Day 1
Heavenly Hymns
Angels We Have Heard On High vs. Angels From the Realms of Glory
Straight off, we have an angelic battle. "Angels We Have Heard" is probably the better known of the two, and has the advantage in this bout, being number 116 in the Pilgrim Hymnal (while "Angels From the Realms" is the also-ran at number 117). It features an epic "Gloria" chorus, and is likely why you think of eggshells at Christmas. Our other angel hymn is that one you know but can't quite hum, and possibly you think the second line goes "God has spoken, He is mad." Or maybe that's just me.
Choral Carols
Gesu Bambino vs. Do You Hear What I Hear?
In our "songs we hear the choir sing" category, we have two holiday standards. "Gesu Bambino" is that song you know and can sing all the words to, but never know the name of because it isn't anywhere in the song. Nope, not in there. Not in the Italian either. But watch the video and sing along. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" wound up on both the favorites and least favorites list last year. Certainly it might have been shorter if the little lamb had answered the night wind with a simple "Yes." Both songs are appropriate for mid-level choirs, though "Do You Hear" has a way better SSA arrangement.
Holidaze
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) vs. Do They Know It's Christmas
While some might consider this the "battle of the Christmas downers," really it's a Beatle Battle. Ok, not really. It's a battle of a songwriter named Yoko and a songwriter named Midge. But seriously, it's a battle of lyrics that are hard to hear, and reminding us that Christmas is more than just what's comfortable at home.
Kids Kristmas
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town vs. Here Comes Santa Claus
Santa Claus is coming. HE'S COMING! But how? And with what? There's so many questions!!!
Enjoy the pretty lights.
Angels We Have Heard On High vs. Angels From the Realms of Glory
Straight off, we have an angelic battle. "Angels We Have Heard" is probably the better known of the two, and has the advantage in this bout, being number 116 in the Pilgrim Hymnal (while "Angels From the Realms" is the also-ran at number 117). It features an epic "Gloria" chorus, and is likely why you think of eggshells at Christmas. Our other angel hymn is that one you know but can't quite hum, and possibly you think the second line goes "God has spoken, He is mad." Or maybe that's just me.
Choral Carols
Gesu Bambino vs. Do You Hear What I Hear?
In our "songs we hear the choir sing" category, we have two holiday standards. "Gesu Bambino" is that song you know and can sing all the words to, but never know the name of because it isn't anywhere in the song. Nope, not in there. Not in the Italian either. But watch the video and sing along. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" wound up on both the favorites and least favorites list last year. Certainly it might have been shorter if the little lamb had answered the night wind with a simple "Yes." Both songs are appropriate for mid-level choirs, though "Do You Hear" has a way better SSA arrangement.
Holidaze
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) vs. Do They Know It's Christmas
While some might consider this the "battle of the Christmas downers," really it's a Beatle Battle. Ok, not really. It's a battle of a songwriter named Yoko and a songwriter named Midge. But seriously, it's a battle of lyrics that are hard to hear, and reminding us that Christmas is more than just what's comfortable at home.
Kids Kristmas
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town vs. Here Comes Santa Claus
Santa Claus is coming. HE'S COMING! But how? And with what? There's so many questions!!!
Enjoy the pretty lights.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Fa-la-la Brouhaha!
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| Photo credit: Grzegorz Łobiński |
These songs made the tournament after a very scientific process of asking people on Facebook. They have been grouped into four divisions:
- Heavenly Hymns (straight from the hymnal and into your heart)
- Choral Carols (songs you want to sing in church, but leave it to the professionals)
- Holidaze (radio favorites)
- Kids Kristmas (pretty much what it sounds like)
***
Disclaimer: This contest is for fun. No whining, no complaining. FUN ONLY!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Many Projects...One Post
Weeeeellllll...I've done better with my Pinterest challenge than I have with blogging about it.
Here are a few projects that have been finished in the past month or so:
1. Crochet Necklace
Here's the pin.
Here's my necklace.
I think the next one I make will have more beads, smaller beads, at varying intervals, and pull the crochet tighter around the beads. But I really like wearing this one. Simple, and great colors.
I got these beads at Michael's on WICKED SALE...50% off...and decided on DMC pearl cotton for the stuff to crochet with. I used a small crochet hook (size B...the smallest I've ever used). I "loaded" all 20 beads onto the floss and started single chaining. Every 20 chains, I'd bring a bead up and crochet around it. It's just one big loop...I thought it looked best on me with four even loops which made little bead outcroppings, but it's unbound and has the flexibility to be worn differently.
I'm all for flexibility in accessories.
2. Nightstand!
Here's the pin.
So. I didn't have a nightstand next to the bed. I was using a ClosetMaid Horizontal Organizer unit. Like this one:
Except on end.
Which is fine, except that our shoes are all over the floor, and as awesome as the ClosetMaid Horizontal Organizer is, it's NOT a nightstand.
So we got this one for free on Craigslist.
Since I had to sand it down so much, I took the time to prime it. I'm glad I did. It made the paint go on nice and easy.
I found a can of "new black" paint that had been returned to Lowe's. $5! A pretty Martha Stewart stencil on the drawer, a coat or two of Rustoleum polyurethane over the whole thing, and a $1 knob from Second Use, and...
...voila! So pretty! It looks great next to our black bed frame, and will go with any quilt we choose to put on the bed.
3. Pot Roast
Here's the pin.
I don't have a picture of the final roast, nor did I actually get to taste it. But I heard from Recipe Taster #1 that it was pretty good. He's not got a super sophisticated palate, and usually enjoys whatever I cook, so I'll have to post more about this the next time I make the recipe.
Here are a few projects that have been finished in the past month or so:
1. Crochet Necklace
Here's the pin.
Here's my necklace.
 |
| This bannister post looks eerily personesque |
I think the next one I make will have more beads, smaller beads, at varying intervals, and pull the crochet tighter around the beads. But I really like wearing this one. Simple, and great colors.
 |
| Look at those great colors. So great. |
I got these beads at Michael's on WICKED SALE...50% off...and decided on DMC pearl cotton for the stuff to crochet with. I used a small crochet hook (size B...the smallest I've ever used). I "loaded" all 20 beads onto the floss and started single chaining. Every 20 chains, I'd bring a bead up and crochet around it. It's just one big loop...I thought it looked best on me with four even loops which made little bead outcroppings, but it's unbound and has the flexibility to be worn differently.
I'm all for flexibility in accessories.
2. Nightstand!
Here's the pin.
So. I didn't have a nightstand next to the bed. I was using a ClosetMaid Horizontal Organizer unit. Like this one:
 |
| It's an organizer! It's horizontal! |
Except on end.
 |
| No longer horizontal! And less effective as an organizer! |
Which is fine, except that our shoes are all over the floor, and as awesome as the ClosetMaid Horizontal Organizer is, it's NOT a nightstand.
So we got this one for free on Craigslist.
 |
| Ug. Ly. |
Since I had to sand it down so much, I took the time to prime it. I'm glad I did. It made the paint go on nice and easy.
I found a can of "new black" paint that had been returned to Lowe's. $5! A pretty Martha Stewart stencil on the drawer, a coat or two of Rustoleum polyurethane over the whole thing, and a $1 knob from Second Use, and...
 |
| A thing of beauty and a joy to be able to store my nighttime crap in. |
...voila! So pretty! It looks great next to our black bed frame, and will go with any quilt we choose to put on the bed.
3. Pot Roast
Here's the pin.
I don't have a picture of the final roast, nor did I actually get to taste it. But I heard from Recipe Taster #1 that it was pretty good. He's not got a super sophisticated palate, and usually enjoys whatever I cook, so I'll have to post more about this the next time I make the recipe.
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