The Best Christmas Albums Ever

As I have ever since I started this blog, this year I'm participating in Faith's 12 Days of Christmas blog party! Today I've got some of my most favorite Christmas albums to share with you, so hang tight!

Also, be sure that you click on the below image to visit Faith's blog and see all the other posts in the party!

The Ball Brothers—Christmastime, Vol. 2

*smirks* didn't see this one coming, did you? This was a super sweet early Christmas gift from some dear friends . . . and I've already listened to it over ten times (I kinda lost track after nine or so #oops). Surprised? You shouldn't be. xD

Chris Tomlin—Glory in the Highest

I love this song so, so much . . . and the rest of the songs in the album are fabulous. ;)

The Oak Ridge Boys—Christmas

I realized that it's been three years since I've shared music that I grew up listening to, hehe! This album isn't one that I'd normally listen to, but it's a family tradition to listen to it every year while decorating, baking, eating on Christmas Eve, etc . . . my family is rather sentimental. ;)

Craig Duncan—Bluegrass Christmas

*cackles* Didn't see this one coming either, did ya?? Random fact: Spotify said that my most-listened-to artist of the year was Craig Duncan . . . go figure.

Guy Penrod—Christmas

Guy Penrod was my second-most-listened-to artist of the year, so of course I'm gonna be recommending his Christmas music!

The Nashville Superpickers—Pickin' On Christmas

Bluegrass. Instrumental. Superpickers. Need I say more??

Michael W. Smith—It's a Wonderful Christmas

I love MWS's music, especially since Kordell and I got to go to one of his concerts last month (more on that in an upcoming post)!

What are your most favorite Christmas albums/artists?? Do you have any that are special to you because of the memories that come with them?

Faith Like That

I could see his hands were shaking

As he took the microphone

He said my little boy's not gone

He’s just gone home

Then opened up his Bible

And read from John 14

He said, I'm here to celebrate his life

Not grieve

It hurts how bad I miss him

But what better place to be?

He’s with his other Father

Who loves him more than me

I want to have faith like that

Let it be who I am

I want to see the bigger picture

And trust it’s in God’s hands

I want have faith

I want to faith like that

Well I walked up to him after

Not real sure what to do

I hugged him,

But wondered who was hugging who?

Before I could say I’m sorry

He said, It’s gonna be alright

And as we stood there

I could almost hear Him smile

I thought I could give him comfort

Yeah, I thought I believed

I went there for him

But, he was there for me

I want to have faith like that

Let it be who I am

I want to see the bigger picture

And trust it’s in God’s hands

I want have faith

I want to faith like that

I want to walk the walk

Not just talk the talk

I want to make it who I am

I want have faith

Yea I want to faith like that

For the Love of Instrumentals

How are y'all doing on this fine Saturday? (Or at least, I'm assuming it's a fine Saturday? I don't know, I'm scheduling this post, haha) It seems like just yesterday that I wrote my last post. (Don't forget to submit your farming questions, by the way!)

Anyway, today I'm here talking about instrumental music. Because it's far too underappreciated. I love instrumentals—just ask my sis. Actually, I'm listening to one just as I speak (or type . . . ?)!

There are so many different kinds of instrumentals. Orchestral, classical, and bluegrass, among others . . . but today I'm gonna talk about my favorites. ;)

So first off, lemme just give you a couple of artists: Andy Leftwich and Craig Duncan.
Okay, I'm in love with their songs. Andy Leftwich is so talented (I can only hope to play mandolin like he does some day . . . ), and his songs are sooooo catchy! Here's a couple of my favorites:

Why do I love Craig Duncan's music? Maybe it's because he does such a variety of genres and songs! I mean, he does Celtic music (for which I have a minor obsession)

And bluegrass

And even songs from the Civil War (from both the North and South)

And he's got several tribute albums, but I'll just share a couple from his Elvis and Frank Sinatra albums . . .

And, just for good measure . . . POLKA!

He's got a bunch of others, but I'll spare you. ;)
Now let's just appreciate the beauty of some random instrumentals . . .

Whatcha think? Do you love instrumentals as much as I do?

My Favorite TV Show Themes

I don't know about you, but for me, theme songs are a huge factor in my opinions on TV shows. (I mean, not much, but...some, at least.) Like, have you ever just started dancing during the opening credits to your favorite show because the theme song is just. so. good? Or you listen to it on repeat? Or you sing along because you've seriously seen and listened to it so much that you know every line, word for word? Yeah, I'm going to be talking about a few of those.

One of my favorite things to do with these is, when I find (or think of) another one that I love, I'll add it to my TV themes playlist on Spotify, then listen to them on shuffle and see how fast I can name them.

The Loner

I'm not a huge fan of this show, but I love the theme song, and I was so sad to find that this song isn't on Spotify. 

The Virginian

Ohh, this brings back so many memories. Mostly of watching the episodes on Sunday afternoons during the Summer because that was basically the only time we watched TV.

Rawhide

Again, one of those shows we watched together as a family.

Bonanza

Now, once again, Bonanza isn't particularly a favorite, but the theme song is the bomb.

Mission: Impossible

The show is just as epic as the theme song. And I mean the old show, not those new movies. *shakes head sadly* The old is so much better than the new.

The Pink Panther

I'm not gonna lie, the show drives me insane. But the theme is epic. (And yes, I'm well aware of my overuse of the word 'epic'. Don't judge, Squirt.)

NCIS: Los Angeles

While I love the show, there are some questionable parts. Watch with discretion.

MacGyver

As my sis so eloquently puts it, "I love this song. I love the show too. Almost as much as the song."

Magnum P.I.

I've never seen this show, so I can't exactly recommend it... ;P

Hogan's Heroes

Last, but certainly not least. The show is hilarious.

So there's ten of my favorite TV show themes. Can you see a theme here (no pun intended)? Yes, my family is sliiiiightly biased to the old shows.

What are some of your favorite themes?

Silly Songs with Kaitlyn

The part of the show where Kaitlyn comes out and... well, pretty much does nothing but ramble about one of the best kids' shows of all time.

Because if you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile, if you like to waltz with potatoes up and down the produce aisle...

How can you beat VeggieTales?!  I know some don't exactly like it... but you're missing out!  VeggieTales is a classic, fun, and lesson-filled show.  It's even got puns and jokes with meanings only people teenaged and older will understand woven throughout the entire thing.
And of course we can't forget the interruption in the middle of the show—"And now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry, the part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song."

One of my very favorite episodes is The Ballad of Little Joe.  Not only does it bring back amazing memories of watching it with my siblings during sleepovers at grandparents' houses, but it's downright funny!  Like dodge ball city.  The dodge ball avalanche still cracks me up.  And I still sing along to the birthday song—"Yippee-ki-yo-ki-yay, today is a special day!" and "Look, I made a frosting cow!"  Besides, it's a western.  You can't beat westerns.  Especially when this particular western makes references to Gunsmoke.

Along with the movie, the silly song in the middle is one of my very first VT memories.

"Belly button?" "Uh-uh!"

Yeah, I'm still fuzzy on the point of that song.  I mean... Mr. Lunt has no belly button?  Oh, the tragedy!

One silly song that nearly broke my heart when I was little, though, is Pizza Angel.  The poor dude waited for hours and hours, and then his hopes were dashed when the delivery boy shows up, having eaten Larry's entire pizza—and says, "you don't have to tip me or anything."  Made me mad, but it also devastated me, actually almost brought tears to the eyes of little me.  I guess back then the saddest things I knew were missing pizza.

One of my least favorite silly songs would have to be the one that of course happens to be Birdo's favorite.  And, since he's such a good impersonator, he naturally enjoys mimicking Mr. Lunt.  Drives me nuts.  But then again, driving little sisters nuts is what brothers do best, right?

And... it's about cheeseburgers.  They do say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so I guess it's no wonder.

"Cause you're his cheeseburger, his lovely cheeseburger, he'll wait for you-ooooooo!"
That's another song that made me sad.  And mad.  He betrayed the cheeseburger!  For bacon & eggs!


Y'know, now that I think about it, there were several that made me sad.  Pizza Angel, His Cheeseburger... and The Hairbrush Song.  I mean, Larry can't find his beloved hairbrush!  And we come to find out that Bob actually betrayed Larry and gave his hairbrush to the peach—a FRUIT—without permission!
Not that it was wrong for Bob to share.  But to share poor Larry's hairbrush?  Shame on you, Bob.

Well, now that we're on the subject of sad songs, another one is Oh Santa.  Larry made Santa cookies and stayed up late just to meet Santa and give him the cookies he worked so hard on.  And then comes a bank robber, a viking, and that very same peach that took his hairbrush—and ate his cookies!

A song that really cracks me up is Hopperena.  Especially when Archie starts dancing.

I'll stop with the silly songs for now.  Though I could go on with The Water Buffalo Song, Barbara Manatee, The Song of the Cebu, among others.
Do you enjoy VeggieTales?  What's your favorite silly song?

It Is Well

My name is Horatio Spafford.  Back in my prime, I was a successful businessman with a love for the Lord, my wife Anna, and my children.
Life was well.  Until the fateful year of 1871.  Most of my real estate holdings burned to the ground in the famous Chicago fire.  
Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, my only son Horatio Jr. died of scarlet fever.
Two years later, my good friend Dwight L. Moody was scheduled to speak in Europe, and I decided it was time to take a family trip.  Due to business, however, I was delayed and sent Anna and our four daughters on ahead.
In the middle of the voyage... the vessel on which they took passage was hit by a large ship.
Anna alone survived.
It was two years until I rejoined my wife in England and, as the ship on which I traveled passed over the site of my daughters' deaths, I wrote these simple, yet so intricately meaningful, words:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll; 

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control:

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part, but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul!

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

God, when all else fails, when I feel like my world is falling apart, when everything I hold dear is shaken...

Help me, Father, to say it is well, it is well, with my soul.

Mercy Said No

I was just a child, when I felt the Savior leading

I was drawn to what I could not understand

And for the cause of Christ, I have spent my days believing

That what He'd have me be, is who I am

As I've come to see the weaker side of me

I realize His grace is what I'll need

When sin demanded justice for my soul

Mercy said no,

I'm not gonna let you go

I'm not gonna let you slip away

You don't have to be afraid

Mercy said no,

Sin will never take control

Life and death stood face to face

Darkness tried to steal my heart away

Thank You, Jesus, mercy said no

For God so loved the world, that He sent His son to save us

From the cross He built a bridge to set us free

Oh, but deep within our hearts, there is still a war that rages

And makes a sacrifice so hard to see

As midnight fell on crucifixion day

The light of hope seemed oh so far away

As evil tried to stop redemption's flow

Mercy said no,

I'm not gonna let you go

I'm not gonna let you slip away

You don't have to be afraid

Mercy said no,

Sin will never take control

Life and death stood face to face

Darkness tried to steal my heart away

Thank You, Jesus, mercy said no

And now when heaven looks at me

It's through the blood of Jesus

Reminding me of one day long ago

Mercy said no,

I'm not gonna let you go

I'm not gonna let you slip away

You don't have to be afraid

Mercy said no,

Sin will never take control

Life and death stood face to face

Darkness tried to steal my heart away

Thank You, Jesus, mercy said no

It's About the Cross

It's not just about the manger where the baby lay,

It's not just about the angels who sang for him that day,

It's not just about the shepherds, or the bright and shining star;

It's not all about the wise men who travelled from afar.

It's about the cross, it's about my sin, it's about how Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again.

It's about the stone that was rolled away, so that you and I could have real life someday;

It's about the cross.

It's not all about the good things in this live I've done,

It's not all about the treasures or the trophies that I've won,

It's not all about the righteousness that I find within;

It's about His precious blood that saves me from within.

It's about the cross, it's about my sin, it's about how Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again.

It's about the stone that was rolled away, so that you and I could have real life someday.

It's about the cross.

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great, but it's the ending that can save you, and that's why we celebrate.

It's about the cross, it's about my sin, it's about how Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again.

It's about God's love nailed to a tree, it's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should've been me.

It's about the stone that was rolled away, so that you and I could have some life someday.

So that you and I could have real life someday. 

It's about the cross.

A Contemporary Christmas

It's Christmas Eve, people.  Like, wow.
To be honest, I'm still stuck in November–y'know, pre-Thanksgiving? XD
Anyway, these aren't traditional songs.  But they're beautiful and... yeah.

Chris Tomlin - Glory in the Highest

Newsong - The Christmas Shoes

Point of Grace - Carol of the Bells/What Child is This?

Barlowgirl - Hallelujah (Light has Come)

Brandon Heath - Just a Girl

Michael Card - Joseph's Song

4Him - A Strange Way to Save the World

~Kaitlyn

A Country Christmas

For having grown up with brothers obsessed with country songs, I kinda learned to hate it.
But I have to admit, there's some really good ones out there.
So here.  *shoves them at you* Enjoy.

The Oak Ridge Boys - Jesus is Born Today

Lonestar - Little Drummer Boy

Kenny Chesney - Thank God for Kids

Josh Turner - The First Noel

Alan Jackson - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

George Strait (because we can't have a country music post without the King of Country, right? XD) - There's a New Kid in Town

Scotty McCreery - Mary, Did you Know?

~Kaitlyn

A Humorous Christmas

Are you stressed, doing your last-minute shopping, getting ready for company, or just plain grumpy?
You've come to the right place.  Now, before you start thinking I'm making a sales pitch, I'm not. XD Maybe one or two of these songs will make you laugh just a little bit, or at least put a smile on your face. ;)

United States Navy - Sleigh Ride

Straight No Chaser - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Farmer Derek Klingenberg - Walking Around a T-bone Steak
(Okay, I'll admit this isn't exactly a Christmas song, but it's a parody of Walking Around the Christmas Tree, and it does mention Christmas, sooooo)

Straight No Chaser - The Christmas CanCan

Tim Hawkins - Do You Hear what I hear?

~Kaitlyn

An Instrumental Christmas

Can you tell I love music? XD
Here's some amazing instrumentals of some amazing Christmas songs:

Nashville Superpickers - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Craig Duncan - Go Tell it on the Mountain

Lindsey Stirling - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Angels we have Heard on High

Trans Siberian Orchestra - Carol of the Bells

Lindsey Stirling - I Saw Three Ships

Banjo Ben - Joy to the World

~Kaitlyn

A Vintage Holiday

I would've named this post "A Secular Christmas" but that would've been an oxymoron. 

There is no such thing.

So, I'm going to simply title this post "A Vintage Holiday"... because all these songs ended up being from the early 1900s, and that's what Christmas has become in the world—a simple holiday, I mean.  Just like Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day or Thanksgiving or... well, you get the idea.

Jesus has been replaced with Santa Claus, gifts and advertisements saying "you deserve this gift—come spend big bucks and reward yourself!"

I know, not all stores are this way.

It's just society.

ANYWAY, the purpose of this post was not to go on a rant.  Sorry about that. XD

It was to share some of my favorite holiday/winter songs.

So I'll get off my soapbox and do that now.  *nods*

Dean Martin - Winter Wonderland

Frank Sinatra - Let it Snow

Johnny Mathis - It's Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas

Bing Crosby - Silver Bells

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

Bing Crosby - White Christmas

~Kaitlyn

He is Risen!!

Hi people!

Happy Easter!!  :D

~Kaitlyn

Songs & The Stories Behind Them--Part 2

Hi people! 

I'm back with the second edition of… well… *points to the post title*

Jesseca is doing I'll be Home for Christmas, Faith is doing Silver Bells, and I will be doing Winter Wonderland.

I’ll be Home for Christmas

Ahh, the very title of this song seems to burst with some sort of whimsical, old-fashioned elegance. Indeed, the words bring us back to a time when truly the greatest gift for anyone was to be home with their loved ones on Christmas day. This song takes us back to a time when life was a little slower. When days seemed to last just a bit longer, and when the world was at war.

Written in 1943 by Kim Gannon, it was rejected by those in the music industry because of the fact that it was “just too sad.” However, he seems to have had friends in high places. ;) One day, a bit later in the year, he was playing golf with Bing Crosby. The two men were discussing the subject of music, and Gannon went ahead and sang the song he had written for Crosby. Immediately, Crosby saw the potential it held, and he decided to go ahead and record it. The rest, they say, is history. Or should I say, it was written at the correct time in history.

Having been written from the POV of a soldier during WWII, the song put into words exactly the kind of bittersweet longing that most soldiers and families were feeling during this era.

Even now, the song brings back the nostalgia of home and family. So if  by chance you are not able to be with those you love this Christmas, remember, you still can be there. If only in your dreams.

I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me.

Please have snow, and mistletoe, and presents on the tree.

Christmas eve will find me, where the love light gleams.

I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.

Silver Bells

by Faith Potts, New York Times bestselling author

 Silver Bells, a popular and well-loved Christmas song, was composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. The song was first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in The Lemon Drop Kid {1951}. It was first recorded in October of 1950 by Bing Crosby, Carol Richards, and John Scott Trotter with his Orchestra. The song has since been sang and recorded by many well-known singers and actors. It hit the charts in the United Kingdom for the first time in 2009.

 As of the inspiration for the song, sources disagree. Several cite Jay Livingston for stating that the inspiration came from Salvation Army bell-ringers and Santa Clauses on New York City street corners. But co-writer Ray Evans told in an interview that the song was inspired by a bell on a shared desk belonging to Jay and himself.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style

Don't you just love it when the streets are decked out in light-up snowflakes and snowmen, with lights strung through the trees?!

In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas

Again, don't you just love it? I don't! :) It's so wonderful when you can just feel Christmas in the air. The joy, the love, the laughter…

Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
and on every street corner you'll hear…

Smile after smile...lovely line. Okay, so not everyone you meet is going to be smiling. Because we're living in this world after the fall, there is sin – a messy, ugly, dirty thing which wrecks anything and everything it can. But with Jesus as the Lord and Light of our lives, we can still experience a joyful life free from the guilt and shame of sin.

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day

Doesn't the chorus here just give you happy feels?! Eeps!

Strings of streetlights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures

I can perfectly picture a city street with snow falling down and people rushing home, their arms full of brightly colored packages. <3

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear…

Ahhh, I'm telling you, this is such a visual song! I really love the lyrics. :)

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day…

Thanks for reading everyone! Hope you enjoyed, and Merry Christmas!! *passes out candy canes*

Winter Wonderland

In 1934, Richard Smith (from Honesdale, PA) found inspiration after seeing Honesdale’s Central Park covered with snow.  He wrote the lyrics while in the West Mountain Sanitarium, being treated for tuberculosis.  Felix Bernard wrote the music for it and it was recorded by Richard Himber in ‘34.

Guy Lombardo’s orchestra made it a top 10 hit, and Johnny Mercer took it to #4 in ‘46.  Obviously, it became a hit.

I love this song because… well, just because.  I’m not sure why.  My mom, sister and I will sing it in 3-part harmony over and over and over and we’ll never get tired of it.  Every time we sing the song, I imagine… I imagine a pasture, surrounded by trees, covered with snow.  And the snowmen… well, what does a traditional snowman look like?  I’m sure everyone has their own ways of making snowmen. ;)  The one I imagine is just a simple snowman: a couple of big black splotches for eyes (I don’t know if they’re coal or what), a mouth made of rocks, arms out of branches.

I suppose another reason I like this song so much is because Kansas is notorious for no snow on Christmas.  Which is sad.  But, the song in my head helps my imagination put snow on the ground. ;)

But something I do not like is the fact that there is never any mention of Christmas in the song.  I mean, shouldn’t there at least be some mention of Jesus or the God who created the winter wonderland?  *Nod* yes, there should.

Sleigh bells ring

Are you listening

In the lane

Snow is glistening

A beautiful sight

We're happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song

As we go along

Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say are you married?

We'll say no man

But you can do the job

When you're in town

Later on

We'll conspire

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid

The plans that we've made

Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman

And pretend that he's a circus clown

We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman

Until the other kiddies knock him down

When it snows

Ain't it thrilling

Though your nose gets a chilling

We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way

Walking in a winter wonderland

~Kaitlyn