My Christmas Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Visions of Sugar Plums

2010-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Visions of Sugar Plums
Author: Janet Evanovich
Published: November 5, 2002
Genre: Fiction, Christmas, Comedy

My husband and I love to listen to the Stephanie Plum Numbers books by Janet Evanovich. We listened to one of them on a road trip, and have been hooked ever since. Janet has written a series of "between the numbers" books that are holiday focused.

Stephanie Plum works for her cousin Vinnie as an "Apprehension Agent" i.e. a bounty hunter. But she is a really really bad bounty hunter. She usually only catches people by pure luck.

These "between the numbers" books introduce a new "supernatural" man into Stephanie's life. He shows up to get her in the holiday spirit, and helps her with an apprehension.

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as the main books, it was still a fun read.

I own this book. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this movie from Amazon, please click here: Visions of Sugar Plums: A Stephanie Plum Holiday Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels).

MOVIE REVIEW: White Christmas

2010-08-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: White Christmas

Starring: Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen

Rating: NR

Release Date: 1954

DVD Release Date: November 3, 2009

This movie features the songs by Irving Berlin. It is a story of two male performers (Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby) who cross paths with two sister performers (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen). They end up working together to try and save a run down in run by the guy's former commanding officer in the Army. They move their theater act to his inn for the holiday season.

This is one of the classics. It is a little long, but it moves along quite well, aside from a scene or two. This is one of my favorite movies, not only for the sentimental value, but for the great songs.

I own this movie. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this movie from Amazon, please click here: White Christmas (Anniversary Edition)

MUSIC REVIEW: A Christmas Together by John Denver and the Muppets

2010-08-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: A Christmas Together
Artist: John Denver & The Muppets
Original Release Date: October 1979
CD Release Date: 2000 and 2006

This is one of my favorite Christmas albums. I consider it to be a classic. I'm pretty sure the first time I heard this was on one of my Dad's 8Track cassettes. Having heard it so much during childhood, it really became part of our Christmas traditions.

It definitely has a "folky" feeling. There are some beautiful original songs on the album, as well as your typical Christmas songs. Most of the songs feature the Muppet's voices and John, but a few are just John, or just the Muppets. My favorite version ever of "The 12 Days of Christmas" is on this album. I always tear up when I hear "A Baby Just Like You" which is a ballad that John wrote for his son Zachary. My brother's name is Zac, so it was always extra special for us.

I highly recommend this album. I would consider it to be a must-have.

I own this album. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this album from Amazon, please click here: A Christmas Together

RECIPE: Andes Peppermint Crunch Chunkies

2010-07-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Andes Peppermint Crunch Chunkies

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sweetened grated coconuts

1 1/2 cups Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips - will use whole bag

Preheat oven to 300. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in egg and vanilla extract. On low speed, add baking soda, salt, and then flour. Mix completely. Stir in oats, coconut, and baking chips.

Measure out 2 tbsp balls (using medium scoop). Place round balls on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart. Press lightly. Sprinkle remaining chips on each cookie. Bake for 20 minutes. Do not overbake. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool

Yield: 30 - 3" cookies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is by far one of my favorite recipes for Christmas cookies. I love all things peppermint, so when I saw the Andes peppermint baking chips, I was so excited. This recipe came right off the back of the bag, and is absolutely lovely. I get a lot of compliments on this cookie at Christmas. I've never really frozen the cookies, but I'm thinking about doing that this year so that they last longer. :)

BOOK REVIEW: Skipping Christmas

2010-07-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Skipping Christmas
Author: John Grisham
Published: November 6, 2001
Genre: Fiction, Christmas, Comedy

Luther and Nora Krank were one of the families that have a lot of Christmas traditions, the party, the Christmas cards, and of course decorating their house as part of a neighborhood contest.

They figure out that they had spent $6100 last Christmas. This year they decide that they aren't going "doing" Christmas because their daughter will be out of the country during the holidays. Instead they are going to use that money to go on a cruise. The book continues as their friends and family react to their decision.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of John Grisham's "lawyer" books, but it was nice to see him try a different kind of book.

I own this book. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this movie from Amazon, please click here: Skipping Christmas

MOVIE REVIEW: Christmas in Connecticut

2010-07-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Christmas in Connecticut

Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet

Rating: NR

Release Date: 1945

DVD Release Date: November 8, 2005

This is a hilarious 1940's movie about a woman who writes housekeeping articles for a magazine but who has no housekeeping skills. Imagine a Martha Stewart who can't really do any of the things she is famous for. She gets thrown into a situation where she has to fake it for her boss (who doesn't know she is faking it in the articles). Lots of funny mishaps and mistakes. Ruined dinners, kidnapped babies, faux marriages, and an arrest.

I made my husband watch this with me last Christmas, and I think he was pleasantly surprised. A lot of my opinion on this is based on nostalgia, since this is one of my Mom's favorites. But I think even a newbie will like it.

This is definitely one of the classics. Originally made in black and white, it is available in color now.

I borrowed this movie from my parents. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this movie from Amazon, please click here: Christmas in Connecticut

MUSIC REVIEW: Christmas Portrait by the Carpenters

2010-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Christmas Portrait
Artist: The Carpenters
Original Release Date: November 1978
CD Release Date: October 25, 1990

My first impression of this album was one of familiarity. There were a number of songs on this album that have become "standard" Christmas music that you hear on the radio, and in the stores. The other songs on the album that I wasn't as familiar with were very beautiful. The songs on the album were a good mix of traditional Christmas music, including a few religious selections. As I was listening to this album, it felt very heart-warming. The pieces are beautifully arranged. I haven't listened to much music from the Carpenters, but this album can stand alone, even if you aren't familiar with their other music.

My favorite pieces were the Overture, An Old-Fashioned Christmas, Christmas Waltz, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and O Holy Night.

I am adding this album to my wish list. I would consider this album to be a must have. I've seen a lot of other reviews out there with the same opinion.

I borrowed this album from my local library. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase this album from Amazon, please click here: Christmas Portrait.

~Sarah

MUSIC REVIEW: Holiday Spirits by Straight No Chaser

2010-06-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Holiday Spirits
Artist: Straight No Chaser
Original Release Date: October 28, 2008

Straight No Chaser originally formed when they were students at Indiana University. The a cappella group first became popular when their video of "The 12 Days of Christmas" went viral on YouTube. I vaguely remember seeing them on some of the morning talk shows last year, but I had never consciously remembered hearing them.

During my first run through, I got the impression that they were a great a cappella group, but it didn't strike me as a "must-have".

As I listened to it a second time through, the stand out song really was "The 12 Days of Christmas". Their rendition contains a few other songs (Africa, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Santa is Coming to Town) throughout the piece, and it is a very fun and lively arrangement. If you are really interested in a cappella music, then I would definitely add it to your list.

I borrowed this cd from the local library. I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you would like to purchase the cd, you can click here: Holiday Spirits.

~Sarah

Christmas Food

2009-11-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

I'll be reviewing some of my favorite Holiday food and recipes.

Andes Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Molasses Cookies
Moravian Cookies
Andes Mint Cookies

Let me know if you have any great Christmas recipes.

Christmas Books

2009-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of the book reviews:

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
Sugar Cookie Murder by JoAnne Fluke
A Christmas Treasury

I hope you find a few that you will enjoy!

Christmas Music

2009-11-24T13:33:00.001-08:00

Here is the list of Christmas Album reviews:

A Christmas Album - Amy Grant
Christmas with Sinatra and Friends
Time-Life Treasury of Christmas
A Fresh Aire Christmas, Manheim Steamroller
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi Trio
A Christmas Together, John Denver and the Muppets
Christmas Portrait, The Carpenters
Holiday Spirits, Straight No Chaser

It's hard to even know where to start with Christmas music. There are SO MANY OPTIONS. So for now, I'm just going to be reviewing the Christmas music that I currently own, and the stuff I can borrow from others. I will be trying to put together a list of all the "bests" that are out there, so if there is something you would like to hear about, let me know.

Christmas Movies

2009-11-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of Movie Reviews:

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
A Christmas Carol (1999 - Patrick Stewart)
The Polar Express (2004)
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (?)
A Christmas Story (1983)
It's a Wonderful Life (1947)
White Christmas (1954)
Muppet Family Christmas (?)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I'm sure most of you are very familiar with most of these movies. Hopefully you will discover a new gem or two. If not, it can just serve as a good reference. :)

ps - it will probably be a little while before the reviews are actually up. I wanted to get the main list started so I could have a reference post.

Welcome!

2009-11-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas was always a special time in our family. We didn't have a lot of "extras" growing up, but my parents always found a way to make Christmas special. As an adult, I've tried to incorporate some of the traditions that I had growing up, and create some new ones.

The other day I was searching for "the best Christmas albums", and honestly I wasn't having much luck. I did find a few articles recommending certain albums, but I was interested in a wider variety of reviews. I realized that I may not be the only one out there looking for recommendations. There are so many different Christmas music albums. It seems like every artist does one (or more) at some point in their career. My Dad is HUGE into Christmas movies, music and books, so I already have a good base to start doing reviews. There probably won't be a lot of reviews up by THIS (09) Christmas, but hopefully by next year, the lists will be long!

Right now I plan on reviewing mainly Christmas music and Christmas movies. Depending on how it all goes, I will probably expand into Christmas books and food! Who knows where this might lead us! Let me know if you have any specific requests.