5 on Friday -- Set 200!

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the sets posted by the other 5 on Friday bloggers -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

200 musical sets! If my February-of-2010 self could see me now...

Let's head into the Christmas swing of things, shall we? My sister and I will be having our annual Sisters Outside Lights Christmas Party tomorrow, so here are five tunes to set the mood.

1 - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree -- Brenda Lee

2 - Wonderful Christmastime -- Paul McCartney

3 - Joy -- Apollo 100

4 - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- Andy Williams

5 - Wizards in Winter -- Trans-Siberian Orchestra

5 on Friday - Set 137

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

This week's set is dedicated to my agoraphobic husband, who worked my Indie Artist Alley booth for all four days of Fan Expo last month.

1 - My Funny Valentine - Frank Sinatra

2 - I Will - The Beatles

3 - The Look of Love - Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66

4 - Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Andy Williams

5 - The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley

5 on Friday - Set 100!

The 99-cent December Book Blowout Event continues!

My debut Dark Ages vampire novel SAINT SANGUINUS is proudly taking part in this exciting month-long e-book sale.

Browse through 11 genres by 100 independent authors

For more information,
CLICK HERE to visit the BOOK LOVERS BUFFET [Julia's note: link no longer live]

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Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

As most of you know by now, 2011 has been one of the most amazing years of my life. I'm a bit verklempt to see it go, if you want to know the truth.

But 2012 beckons.

A very Happy New Year to all A Piece of My Mind readers!

1 - May Each Day - Andy Williams







2 - Counting My Blessings - Diana Krall







3 - With a Little Luck - Paul McCartney and Wings







4 - I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermits







5 - Theme from Ironiya sudby - Composed by Mikael Tariverdiyev

This is the theme song that runs throughout the Russian New Year's film, Ironiya sudby, which my husband, my mom and I will be watching tomorrow night. We've also ordered a few dishes from a Russian restaurant here in town - Laura's Cafe - including borscht and kinkhali (dumplings.) Plus, my mom has prepared lobster mousse (to substitute for the ruined fish aspic dish featured prominently in the farcical plot) and Russian potato salad, as we're mirroring the New Year's feast shown often in the film.

At midnight tomorrow night, I hope you'll all be raising a glass to toast the year in! Doesn't matter what's in the glass - water will do perfectly.

Of course, at my house we'll be sipping Bottega Il Vino Dei Poeti Prosecco, for which I made a special stop over at Bishop's Cellar on my way home from work. I had my first taste of this when my friends Dawn, Maureen, Shelley and I had a girls' overnight in Wolfville a few years ago. That was the start of my love affair with prosecco.

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2012 be a year where you dare to reach for the dreams you've kept alive in your heart.

CLICK HERE to watch video

 

5 on Friday - 44

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

My sister and I just had our annual Christmas Lights Party, where we put the outside lights up at my mom's house (where I live, as well.) We look forward to this all year.

First: pour whisky or wine into our Christmas mugs














Second: put Frankie on the CD player out on the front steps and begin the event with "I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells, oh!"

Third: try to remember the labyrithine electrical cord set-up (my sister always comes through)

Four: chat about stuff while untangling wires, winding twist-ties around bannisters and propping up ornamental lights

Five: laugh

Six: go in for supper that Mom whips up for us




























So in celebration of Christmas lights everywhere, here are the light shows devised by ordinary joes of all stripes, whose dormant creativity bursts forth in this season that embraces the waning light of winter.

1 - Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney and Wings

The mood is right
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The party's on
The feeling's here
That only comes
This time of year

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

- Paul McCartney



2 - Jingle Bells - Ochre



3 - Dig That Crazy Santa Claus - Ralph Marterie

Dig that crazy Santa Claus
With his red suit on
Dig that walk, that crazy talk
Man oh man, he's really gone

Drags his sack through a chimney stack
All the little hepcats jump for joy
So cool it, Rudolph! Cool it!

With your nose a-glow
Tell those groovey reindeer
When Santa starts to blow
Go! Go!

- Johnson / Rene / Rene



4 - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle bell-ing
And everyone telling you 'Be of good cheer'
It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all

- Pola / Wyle



5 - Wizards in Winter - Trans-Siberian Orchestra