Christmas Music

Christmas music is a huge thing for me.  I have a fairly impressive iTunes library, and I'd say probably 30% of it is holiday music.  I used to start listening to it in September and finish in February, so I got my money's worth.  I still love it.  Not as much as I did five years ago, but it's a huge part of the holiday season for me.

I know that music resonates with a lot of people.  It certainly does for me; it can change my mood faster than anything else, including my prescriptions!  Listening to holiday music does tend to make me melancholy - the memories tied to my favorite albums are several years old and mostly tied to another lifetime, to be honest.  I'm finding that finally, after 6 years of being here in this state after 'the big move', I can enjoy the music again and only have pangs of sadness.  Mostly they're good memories now.

What are your favorite albums?  I love Amy Grant's first Christmas album - it brings back memories from my childhood; it was one of the first tapes I ever owned; my Nanny got it for me for Christmas one year and I wore that sucker out!  I also love any Harry Connick, Jr. album for Christmas - those bring back memories of my mama - she and I used to dance and sing to those songs, especially this one, and it still makes me laugh to think of it. 

I tend to go for the classics, although I do love Pentatonix new holiday album.  I'm slowly converting Chris to Christmas music too.  I have been listening only for a week or so this year; I'm trying not to burn him out.  

I hope that as you prepare for your holiday season - however you celebrate - that you're enjoying the tunes of your season.  

Big Event

I have an event - my first really - as a tatter coming up.  Brandeberry Winery is hosting a Girls' Night Out next week, and I get to be a vendor there selling my tatted jewelry.  I don't have thousands of pieces, but hopefully I have enough to give people a taste of what to expect from me.

I'm so nervous.

I wonder if I'll sell anything, or if people will like what I've made.  I wonder if I'll have enough change (if I'll need change at all).  I wonder if I've made things in the right colors, or if I've just messed it all up and I'm going to embarrass myself.

I know I need to just take a deep breath and plunge, but I've felt so off since my time in the hospital this past fall.  I've not shared a lot of the details of that time, but things haven't been the same.  I'm not feeling as creative and my personality feels different, too.  It's a huge adjustment.  Hopefully this will all come together and give us some money for Christmas and give me a little boost in my confidence - and who I used to be.

So here are some of the pieces I will have for sale next Wednesday.  If you see something you're dying to have, let me know; I'll either make you a new one or hold it back for you.  Prices vary but are very reasonable.  I have been tatting more and finishing more projects since the booking of the event, so that's a good thing!