Best of 2008 & A Giveaway

As the year comes to a close, I've been contemplating what a great year in music it has been. (I'm sure you'll agree after you read my ridiculously long honorable mention list.) So I decided to pick my top 10 albums that were released this year. My criteria: I must LOVE 90% or more of the album. There is often a song or two that aren't really my cup of tea, but that doesn't ruin the album for me. So here's my list...

#1. 19 - Adele. Hands down, my favorite album of the year. I've revisited it all year long, and each time I do, I discover a new favorite. I love every single song, and at this point can't really choose a favorite. Maybe it's "Chasing Pavements", or perhaps it's "Melt My Heart to Stone." I can't really say...all 12 tracks are perfection.


#2. Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart - Rachael Yamagata. Once I got past the disgust from the explicit content and removed the offensive songs from my library, I fell in love with her voice and writing all over again. She is so incredibly talented, and I really hope she doesn't wait 5 more years to put another album together...and I hope she leaves the explicit content to filthy rap stars.


#3. We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. - Jason Mraz. This could have been my favorite album of the year easily, if #1 and #2 hadn't been released (funny how that works.) I love every track as much as the next one and I pretty much think he is a musical genius and kind of have a crush on him.


#4. Volume One - She & Him. I really hope that the Volume One title means that Volume Two is on it's way. This album was the most charming release to hit store shelves. From the gorgeous album art to Zooey's delicious voice...the entire project is like candy for my music loving soul.



#5. Viva la Vida & Prospekt's March EP - Coldplay. Emphasis on Prospekt's March. When I realized that the band was releasing an EP/extra tracks, I was sort of giddy. And then when I listened to Chris Martin's classical piece titled "Postcards From Far Away", I pretty much fell in love. I am considering starting a petition requesting an entire album of just his classical works. I could really get behind a project like that. Seriously.


#6. Be Ok - Ingrid Michaelson. She is the darling of Indie music and I love her fresh, whimsical style. Her songwriting is beyond charming and she hasn't disappointed with her third album.



#7. Jim - Jamie Lidell. I listen to this when I'm cleaning, when I'm driving, when I want to dance. It is the funnest album, from start to finish...I really love every song. And I especially love the way he slows it down at the end with the beautiful "Rope of Sand."


#8. Comme Si de Rien N'Etait - Carla Bruni. I love her voice. I love that I don't understand the lyrics (though it makes me really want to learn French.) I don't need to think or try to sing along...I can just listen and enjoy. I love the entire album, but my favorite song is "Deranger les Pierres."


#9. Songs for You, Truths for Me - James Morrison. I'm not sure why he hasn't become more of a household name, because he is such a talented musician. His voice is different and gritty, his songwriting is honest and beautiful. This album as well as his debut album, "Undiscovered" should be given more attention.


#10. Talking Through Tin Cans - The Morning Benders. This album doesn't exactly fit with this list. It's different, a little more rebellious teenager than I am used to listening to, but for some reason I'm smitten with this band. I love their hard to find album called "The Bedroom Covers" and especially their cover of the Cardigan's "Lovefool" but even this album has some really great songs. My favorites are "Crosseyed" and "Waiting For a War."


#11. High Society - The Silver Seas. I picked 10 albums that were released in 2008, but I knew something was missing. It was this album. It was actually released in 2007, but I discovered it this year, and I am so glad I did. This is one of my ALL TIME favorite albums...ever. Love it. Love it. Love it.


Honorable Mention: (bear with me)

• Spirit - Leona Lewis
• Fearless - Taylor Swift
• Dark Fades Into the Light - Sandrine
• Orange Days on Lemon Street - Lex Land
  
• A Long Lovely List of Repairs - Amelia
• Lenka - Lenka
• Honeysuckle Weeks - The Submarines
• Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
• Last Days at the Lodge - Amos Lee
• Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
• Gossip In the Grain - Ray LaMontagne
• A Good Day - Priscilla Ahn
• Bird EP - Holly Conlan
• Apple Tree - Katie Herzig
• Heal For the Honey - Brooke Waggoner
• For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
• Rockferry - Duffy
• The Gabe Dixon Band - The Gabe Dixon Band
• Seeing Things - Jakob Dylan
• Simple Times - Joshua Radin
  

If you've hung in there and read this crazy long post, then you deserve a chance to win something. One winner will receive my entire years worth of mixes. That's 6 mixes, plus the new mix I've made for January 2009. I will leave this giveaway open until Tuesday the 6th of January, 9am. So comment once before then, leave your e-mail address and by all means, please tell me YOUR favorite album of the year.

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

What I Love About the Last Few Days of December:

(Our Christmas picture of the kids, 2008)

• I will put away the Christmas decorations and enjoy the simple peacefulness of a clutter free home.

• No more Christmas music. By this time, I am SO ready to move on to new music. Enjoy the new playlist to the right. I am.

• The kids are home, but we have no big plans. They are content to play with their new Christmas toys, and I am content to relax at home.

• Going to movies. It seems that up until December 25th, I am much too busy to see a movie, but after...we have all the time in the world. So far we've seen... "The Tale of Despereaux" (I was disappointed, because of course, the book was much much better), and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", which I loved. Today we will take the kids to "Bedtime Stories" and I really can't wait to see "7 Pounds" and "Valkyrie."

We had a wonderful Christmas with our entire family, no one was missing and it was great. The tons of snow made for such a magical Christmas...I really can't remember the last white Christmas we had. I hope you had a wonderful time with your loved ones as well.

P.S. Tomorrow, I will post my favorite music of 2008...there will even be a giveaway involved.

Silent Night, Holy Night

Photo Tag

This is the perfect day to be tagged. Thanks Lisa. I have been busy baking for Ethan and Lily's school Christmas parties and have had no time to think about what to post today.

I have been instructed to post the 4th picture of the 4th photo file in My Pictures. Here it is...and I love it.

This is a picture of my Aunt Phyllis, Uncle Stan, and Aunt Carolyn. I feel very blessed to have been born into the Mathews family. Even though we are large, we are a tight knit group and I look up to my aunts and uncles so much, every one of them.

I have always admired my aunts because they are the kind of women who can do everything. They are great mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, friends, leaders, cooks.

Plus, this photo proves that my little Ethan has the Mathews looks, I think he very much resembles uncle Stan in this picture.

P.S. I forgot to tag others...here goes...Danyelle, Mitch, Jenny, Alicia.

Danyelle's Day

I hope each one of you has a friend like Danyelle. The kind of friend that inspires you, the kind of friend that you don't have to worry about something you've said, the kind of friend that isn't high maintenance, the kind of friend you don't need to talk to every day, but when you do, it's easy to pick up right where you left off. The kind of friend that let's you vent about raising teenage daughters.

Every day I am grateful to have Danyelle as a dear friend. Really really grateful.

Happy Birthday Danyelle, I love you.

P.S. Don't you think Danyelle and Ryan are among the most beautiful people you've ever seen?

Thank You, Mother Nature

I love the snow. I love the cold. I love to be in my cozy home looking out at the snow falling down, sipping hot cocoa. It is perfection.

Saturday night, mom, me and my girls went to the Nutcracker ballet. This was our 8th year. It is one of my favorite traditions of all time. This year as we left, it was cold and snowy and blizzard like. That only made the experience more memorable.


Thank you Mother Nature for spreading our area with white. I love it.

And as the snow continues to fall, and the temperature continues to drop, I can only hope and wish that this year, we will enjoy a White Christmas.

The Hustle and Bustle

Sometimes this time of year, I get overwhelmed with all of the hustle and bustle. But then, on a morning like this, I sit back and remember that I actually really enjoy that hustle and bustle. It is exactly those things that make my life busier than normal that also make this my favorite time of year. This weekend is going to be busy, but in the very best ways. I will be spending all weekend with family. Here's some of my weekend plans...

• work on Christmas cards
• take the kids to do their Christmas shopping
• Jocelyn's basketball tournament
  
• our traditional ornament making @ mom's
• the annual Nutcracker performance
• hopefully enjoy some fresh snow (really really hoping)

Why It's Great to Have Brothers

I have two brothers, Mitchell and Marshall, actually I only ever call them Mitch and Marsh. Despite the torture that they inflicted on me whilst growing up, (locking me out, punching holes in my door, making fun of me (plant-pizza-pizza), etc.) they are really great brothers. Yesterday, they both helped me and fixed some broken part of my life.

First, Marshall...er, rather, Dr. Mathews, adjusted me and it was the best adjustment ever. Exactly what I needed to feel wonderful. Thanks Marsh. If you are looking for a great chiropractor, please give him a call.

Dr. Marshall Mathews
at Back to Basics Chiropractic
783-1899


Then Mitch came over and fixed my sickly computer. It is almost all better, he will stop by again today to finish up the healing. Mitch is an incredibly smart and talented guy. He can fix just about anything and he is a jack of all trades.
Thanks Mitch.

I have the best brothers!

Sicko

I sit here typing in the cold cold office of Brandon's workplace. My computer is sick, the facebook virus kind of sick. Who knows when it will be made well. I'll be back as soon as it is.

Loves,
Marilyn

P.S. Enjoy the Christmas playlist please.

Happy Today Because...

* It's Friday. No homework for the kids.
* I finally finished the program for the ward Christmas party. sigh.
* I feel better today. Been feeling crummy all week.
* Our Christmas lights are up. And perfect. Thanks honey.
* Picasa updated their collage feature and I LOVE IT!
* I finally feel like starting my Christmas cards...what a weird funk I've been in.
* I'm going to see Australia tonight with Brandon.
* My mom called last night to tell me she loves my November's Chill playlist.
* Brandon and I are a planning a fun family winter trip. (Details later.)
* Laundry is almost conquered...at least for today.

Happy Weekend!

Post #3

Apparently, I've got a lot on my mind today. Three posts, that might be a record.

Last night, I took a friend to see a movie for her birthday. She served her mission in Australia so of course, she picked the movie "Australia."


This movie is now firmly planted in my top ten of favorite movies. It was that excellent. And I will be taking my husband to see it tomorrow night because it's romantic and because it was that excellent.

I have heard people compare this film to "Gone With the Wind", and after viewing it myself, I would have to agree. Sweeping, Beautiful, Epic, Grand, Compelling. I Loved It!

Common Sense Review: My children won't see it until we can rent it and watch it on clearplay because there is one major swear word and one love scene.

In case you weren't aware...

We sell Christmas trees. Real ones. The kind that smell great.

If you are still in search of the perfect Christmas tree, head on over to the Kennewick Ranch & Home parking lot and purchase yourself a beautiful tree.

Your nose will thank you.

If I Were Uber Cool...

...I would have thought of this.

Wishing You a Merry 'Vintage' Christmas! from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

What a swell video.

Etsy Masculine 2008

I received a request to do a new Masculine Etsy board for 2008, so here it is. There are endless gift ideas for the men in your life on Etsy and if you love the idea of creative and handmade gifts, then Etsy is the place to shop. Here's a link to last years Etsy board.

(click on the picture for a more detailed viewing)

From left to right:

For the hunter: Antler Tip Key Ring by AntlerQLWear

For the classic rock fan: Beatles Notebook by ikcdesign

For one who admires clever design: Bottle Opener Belt Buckle by Metalogical

For the gun fanatic: Bullet Pen Set by awelldressedbullet

For the eco-conscious: Code Green Tee by BinaryWinter

For the outdoorsman: Compass by WoodElements

For the fishing expert: Fishing Fly by MountainRiverFlies

For the golf guy: Golf Tee by JamJamTees

For the guy who likes to smell great: Manly Man Soap by SeattleSundries

For the guy who is obsessed with mountains: Mt. Rainier Photograph by Rainwolf

For the man who appreciates well made: Leather Skeleton Key Wallet by UrbanHeirlooms

For the man who loves pepper (Brandon): Wood Peppermill by PCwoodcraftandPens

For the guy who won't go anywhere without his toothpicks (my dad): Toothpick Holder Keychain by CredibleCreations

For the snowboarder: Visor Beanie by pdxbeanies

For the budding musician: Wind Guitar Tee by agdam150

For the guy who needs a smart, sophisticated place to jot down his thoughts: Wool Journal by JennaDesigns

There is no reason to buy some generic gift from a box store when such an array of beautifully handmade options are out there. Many Etsy shops offer free shipping this time of year and I have never worked with an Etsy seller that didn't 100% appreciate my business. I'm telling you... Etsy is the way to go!

Winners

Happy December! My favorite month of the year. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and I hope you did too, now we begin celebrating Christmas. My favorite holiday.

Today I will:

• fill each pocket of our advent calendar with the name of one of our Christmas books, and that way we will be sure to read all of our favorites
• finish putting up the Christmas decorations
• create Christmas playlists for the children
• make Kris Kringle for FHE tonight
• prepare MaryAnn and Donald's prizes...for they are the giveaway winners.

MaryAnn was #16 and Donald was #26. Those were the random numbers chosen (I just couldn't stop with one winner.) MaryAnn, if you could please e-mail me your address (lomaril at aol dot com)...Donald, I already know yours :) Congrats Winners!

Now that it is December, only the Christmas playlist will remain, but you can always access my playlists here.

image via Martha