Still Married

Giving Away Heart Shaped Stones for Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

Murder and mayhem.... It's the kind of thing Still Married serves up in a Valentine's Day song. We're giving it away on our website - please help yourself at the link below:

Heart Shaped Stones Free Download.

A Tropical Vacation for Your Tongue

2012-02-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

I have pineapple on my mind. Craig and I spent a luscious week in Hawaii for our 27th wedding anniversary -- and we enjoyed (among other things) pineapple in all sorts of dishes. Our favorite, of course, was a wedge tucked on the top of tropical cocktail.

But back to real life....sigh. I was looking for interesting ways to serve pineapple (minus the rum) at home.

This dish, gorgeous to look at and deliciously complex in flavor, makes a lovely light lunch. For dinner, we've enjoyed it with grilled chicken and quinoa pilaf. And yes, you can use canned beets and canned pineapple - but the flavor is much livelier with fresh ingredients.

Pineapple and Roasted Beet Salad

1/2 of a fresh pineapple, cut in 1-inch pieces
3-4 beets, roasted, sliced *

Dressing:

2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

Whisk together dressing ingredients. Toss the dressing (you may not need all of it - add a little at a time and taste) with beets and pineapple. Enjoy.

* I wash the beets, wrap them in foil and roast at 350 degrees for 1- 1 1/2 hours - depending on the size of the beet. They should be tender - easily cut with a butter knife. Once they've cooled, peel and slice. Alternately, the Holiday Market deli (Redding and Cottonwood) sells roasted organic beets.

Printable recipe: CLick here.

Cultural Cruise 2012: Wrap Up

2012-01-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

Redding City Hall was buzzing with art fans last Friday evening. They were enjoying a fun stop on the 2012 Cultural Cruise, where artwork is displayed on all three floors. There was much oohing and aahing over a variety of works - paintings, photographs and sculptures. It took me awhile snap a picture of this amazing piece by artist James Freeman, because so many people were swarming around it.

Several North State Songwriters provided musical entertainment.

Folk-rocker, Nick Ciampi:

Paul Howell:

Cottonwood duo, The Pine Dogz:

And Craig and I - Still Married -- had fun with local tunes:

Grab a cup of coffee and spend some time exploring the exhibits on all three floors of Redding City Hall - they'll be there through May. You will be delighted, I promise.

Redding Cultural Cruise 2012

2012-01-18T21:14:00.000-08:00

A city-wide event celebrating art and culture -- it's a Redding tradition and we love being part of it.

Craig and I will be joined by several other North State songwriters at Redding City Hall on Friday, January 27th.

On the bill are: 5:00 Nick Ciampi
5:45 Paul Howell
6:30 The Pine Dogz
7:15 Still Married

Come check out the new artwork on display, enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. There are several venues on the Cruise - maps are available here: Cultural Cruise Map

2012 Word: Discipline

2012-01-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last year, I took Christine Kane's advice regarding New Year's Resolutions. Kane is a singer-songwriter and "Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World." She explains her philosophy on her blog: "Choose a word for the year and let it guide you to take action." You can read the whole piece on her website: Christine Kane: Resolution Revolution.

I procrastinated about what I was going to commit to for 2012, but I decided there was no way around it. My word for 2012 is discipline. That's not an easy word for me, because I tend to be relaxed and laid back. "Let It Be" has worked well for me. But at this age, at this moment, with my goals and aspirations, discipline is a requirement.

I've just begun fiddle lessons, and it's challenging my middle-aged brain to the limit. Practice doesn't make perfect - at least not so far - but the discipline is slowly easing me out of the "screeching cat" phase.
I'm working on a 10-song CD project that's only half written. Discipline (and coffee) will get me into my studio for the necessary early morning writing sessions.
Last summer, I started running and preparing healthy meals and I managed to lose 20 pounds. That weight is not going to stay gone without a little -- or most likely, a lot -- of discipline.

So, with this handy-dandy word tucked into my pocket, I'm ready for whatever the New Year has in store.

Do you have a word for 2012? Share, please?

New Year's Eve in Hawaii -- No discipline here, just aloha....

Merry Christmas Shortbread Cookies

2011-12-10T16:27:00.001-08:00

It's that time, again....a post from last year -- and the year before -- but cookie recipes are ageless. AIn't life grand?

I make about 70 pounds of this shortbread dough in December -- we give away most of the cookies - to customers, friends, roving bands of neighborhood teens. It's my favorite holiday recipe because it's SO simple and still so amazingly good.

You can roll the dough out, cut out fancy shapes. You can decorate them or drizzle them with melted chocolate. But I prefer them plain, naked -- pure, simple perfection.

I started with a recipe from Jeremiah Tower -- but I added vanilla to it and played with the baking time, so I consider it mine, now.

Feel free to consider it yours:

Christmas Shortbread Cookies

1 pound butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour. Form dough into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour. (Logs can be frozen.) Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Slice dough and place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for thirty minutes.

The cookies should be pale, not browned - take them out just as soon as the tops are dry. They will be delicate and oh-so-wonderful.

Enjoy!

NOT a Christmas Letter

2011-12-06T09:01:00.001-08:00

I completely flaked out in 2010 (and still feel guilty about it) but this year I managed to put together a Friedman Family video Christmas Card for 2011.

It comes with wishes of joy for your Holiday Season and all throughout the New Year.

or click here to go to youtube

51 Days

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's true. Christmas is just 51 ~~frantic~~ fun-filled days away. If you're thinking lists, gifts and oh-my-where-did-the-year-go? Don't worry, because local artists are here to help get you through this Christmas season.

This Saturday, you'll find 40 local artists and crafters at ARTsMART at The Mt. Shasta Mall from 10 - 9. Come out and enjoy art displays, demonstrations, musical entertainment and craft booths. The kids can work on fun projects, and you can peruse the art displays and find unique local gifts for everyone on your list.

Still Married will play original tunes in the Food Court from 11 until noon, and we'll have some CDs to give away. We'd love to see you there.

Simon's Still Amazing After All These Years

2011-10-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the brilliant Paul Simon on his 70th birthday. This is my favorite version of my favorite Paul Simon tune: Kathy's Song, performed by Eva Cassidy.

Enjoy:

Celebrating Redding's Sundial Bridge

2011-09-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled that Forbes Magazine has named the Sundial Bridge "One of the World's Most Incredible Bridges." Of course, I always knew it was special, and I've been inspired time and again by its beauty.

In celebration, we are giving away free downloads of our song, Under the Sundial Bridge on our website. Click here.

We're looking forward to sharing that tune and others on Thursday evening, from 5-7, at Redding City Hall at the Fall Art Reception. We'll be alternating sets with talented folk-rocker Nick Ciampi.

And because "Forever begins with a kiss under the Sundial Bridge," we'll be giving away kisses. Please stop by.

Be There: Art and Music this Week

2011-08-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Come out for the opening of abstract artist Lita Couhart's show on Wednesday evening, 5 - 7, at the Bohemian Art Loft. Her work is colorful and exciting and she uses textures and shapes in wonderfully imaginative ways. Lita is celebrating her first solo show here in Redding - come out and enjoy music and refreshments and meet the delightful Lita.

Aug 3rd, 5-7

Bohemian Art Loft

3304B Bechelli Lane

Redding

229-7818

Saturday evening, cool off with a drive up to Gray Pine Farm for dinner and some incredible Bluegrass/Americana music. Shasta County native Rita Hosking will be there with her band, Cousin Jack. Sharing the bill is North Carolina band Dehlia Low.

Rita charms audiences every time she comes to town. Her voice is magical and her songwriting is always poignant and poetic. Her Shasta County roots run deep, and her story songs are vivid and brilliantly crafted. Winner of the Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest, Rita's toured in Europe and recently finished recording her fifth CD.

Here's one of my favorites:

Craig and I are looking forward to some amazing musicianship and great harmonies from Dehlia Low. We caught them on TV a while back and were impressed with their soulful bluegrass-country tunes.

Cool mountain breeze, cool mountain music -- should be a perfect evening out at Gray Pine Farm.

Tickets are available at Bernie's Guitar
3086 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA
(530) 223-2040
or the Oak Run Country Store
(accepts cash or checks only)
(530) 472-1029
*subject to availability

Raise the Roof

2011-06-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Out little town of Cottonwood is pulling together this weekend. The mission? Raise $14,000 to fix the weather-damaged roof on the Community Center. The building is dear to my heart -- it's where my kids first learned to dance - and they ALL live to dance now.

Cottonwood is dear to my heart because we fell in love with this place - the old-west landscape, the generous people and the can-do spirit -- when we moved here thirteen years ago.

The event gets underway on Friday at 1 PM, when Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh and Cottonwood Mayor Mary O'Keeffe begin a 24-hour stint on the Community Center roof. Trip-tip barbecue starts at 5 -- $15 for adults, $5 for kids.

Craig and I - Still Married - will play original Shasta County tunes from 5:30 - 6.

Other entertainment will be provided by Ronnie Brackett, Donna White-Frampton and Richard Horner. The evenings' activities include a live auction, silent auction and raffle. The festivities continue on Saturday with a pancake breakfast and Kids Fun Day including free hot dogs for the first 200 kids, compliments of Wallner Plumbing.

If you can't make it and would like to help out, our little town would sincerely appreciate your donation. Checks can be mailed to:

Cottonwood Community Center

PO Box 1909

Cottonwood, CA 96022

Exceptional Coffee and Original Tunes

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

My word for 2011 is "FORGE" (see New Year's blog post) and when I picked that word, I made a few promises to myself. One thing I vowed to do was participate in more Open Mic events. Sharing songs in a casual setting is perfect for networking, trying out new material, and honing skills that can ONLY be developed in front of an audience.

So -- how perfect is this? My buddy Nick Ciampi has organized a Songwriters Open Mic at Barista's Coffee ROASTING. Roast....Forge. Can you see how I might take that as an omen?

Nick is hoping the event will become a Thursday evening tradition at Barista's.

If you're a fan of original music, come on out on June 23rd. If you're a songwriter, please join us and share what you're working on. Sing a little bit and enjoy a cup of exceptional specialty coffee.

Songwriters Open Mic

June 23, 6-8 PM

at Barista's Coffee Roasting

1007 Dana Dr

Redding

530-221-7070

Presented by the North State Songwriters Group. If you'd like info on the North State Songwriters, please email me.

Shasta County Folk Song Honored

2011-05-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

We're very excited that our song The Hour of the Outlaw received an Honorable Mention in the Folk category of the West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest.

I wrote the song in response to a challenge on the Songwriting Scene blog: "Write a song based on a book title." I had read Maiya Williams' time-travel novel, The Hour of the Outlaw, to my kids a few years before and thought the title had a nice musical lilt to it. For the song's story, I found inspiration in a local historical event -- the Ruggles Brothers legend, with its bad boys, sunken treasure and lynch mob.

As a songwriter, I like to take the truth and make it better, so I whipped out my Poetic License and embellished the tale, creating a Shasta County folk song with a supernatural twist.

The song is on our latest CD, Storms and Other Blessed Burdens.

The Hour of the Outlaw
words and music © 2010 Erin Friedman

He checked his pocket watch and he pulled his hat down low
Crouched in shadowed canyon beside the stagecoach road
Stood ready with his shotgun and when the stage arrived
Shot the guard and stole the gold and proved his daddy right

The Hour of the Outlaw
Seconds beat like a drum
The Hour of the Outlaw
The countdown has begun

His daddy was a scoundrel, a gambler and a thief
Took a bullet in his back for the aces up his sleeve
Before he died he said, "Son, outlaw blood runs through your veins
And all I got to leave you is this pocket watch and chain"

The Outlaw of the stagecoach trail could not out run his fate
Time had come for justice and justice would not wait
An angry mob rode out to Whiskey Creek and tracked him down
Left him swinging like a pendulum from the highest tree in town

The treasure still lies buried on the banks of Whiskey Creek
Many men have searched and failed - fortunately
But when the time is right, some unsuspecting soul
Will dig up a cursed pocket watch and strongbox full of gold

70 Candles: Blowin' in the Wind

2011-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Bob Dylan celebrates his 70th birthday this Tuesday, so singer-songwriter (and devoted Dylan fan) Nick Ciampi has organized a party.

May 24th, 5:30 PM

Ultimate Pizza

1730 Pleasant Street

Redding, CA 96001

241-8646

"Dylan is a legend and still doing it," says Nick, when asked why he's putting together this musical tribute. "I wonder how many of us would be writing songs if he didn't start that bug in so many of us so long ago?"

Nick has invited area musicians to come out and join in the celebration. It will be "a night for people to get together and play and have fun," Nick says.

I'm planning to be there - I'll sing one of my favorite Dylan tunes, One Too Many Mornings.I first heard to the song on a Bobby Sherman album back in the late 60s. Yes - EVERYONE does Dylan.

Nick promises "a lot of great songs done in a lot of different ways."

So what's Nick Ciampi's favorite Dylan tune? "So many songs to choose from," he says, "I could write a book on my favorites." But he's especially fond of "Blind Willie McTell," a ballad he calls honest and real.

Come help celebrate an American Icon on Tuesday night. You're welcome to sing, if you'd like, sing along, or just enjoy the great pizza and the camaraderie of fellow music fans.

Here's The Kingston Trio's version of One Too Many Mornings:

A Saul T. Show this Thursday

2011-04-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

He's a mix of Jack Johnson and John Lennon with a dash of Ralph Stanley and he's coming to town on Thursday. You can catch Saul T. 's acoustic folk show at The Bohemian Art Loft - doors open at 8.

The Bohemian Art Loft

3048 Bechelli Ln, Redding

Check out his tunes here and enjoy the intimate venue Thursday night:

Saul T. on Reverbnation

Jewish Carpenter Tackles Coop

2011-04-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Several years ago when we had baby chicks, we cobbled together some plywood bins and called it a chicken house. Amazingly, the chickens thrived - produced many years of eggs, though their offerings were not always easy to find.

We are older and wiser, now, and one of us has obsessive-compulsive tendencies when it comes to building projects. Craig decided that this time he'd build a perfect chicken house, right of Better Coops and Gardens. He spent hours researching chicken requirements, calculating, measuring and planning. He built a Chicken Taj Majal for our girls.

Laying boxes - with a drop down door for easy access.

Roosting bars.

Now you would think these birds would be grateful - happy to nestle into their safe (expensive) plywood haven in the evening. No. Chickens don't do grateful, but they do aggravating very well. They huddle on the ground, under the ramp in the evening chill and we have to go out at dusk and gather them up one at a time and force them into their house.

Not the brightest of breeds, our Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps will find their own way into their coop at night or they will end up a tasty, not-quite-kosher midnight snack for our neighborhood owls.

Of course, our two old, retired chickens still prefer to free-range. They spend their days messing on my patio and their nights huddled in a jasmine bush. On occasion, they enjoy making a political statement.

Here's Killer, doing her take on "A Chicken in Every Pot:"

St. Patrick's Day Giveaway

2011-03-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

According to family legend, my great-great grandfather, George Convy, brought a piece of sod from the homeland when he emigrated from Ireland in 1866. Now and then, when he was feeling particularly homesick, he would take it out and have a good cry.

The Irish, who fled their country by the thousands, did not have a word for "emigrate" -- instead, they used the word for "exile," which struck me as sad and poignant. In this song, The Turf o' Tullamore, I pay tribute to my Irish ancestors, who came from Tullamore, Ireland, to make a new life in St Louis, MO, -- and who occasionally grieved for their homeland.

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, t
he song is available as a free download on our website, . Click here: Free Download Turf o' Tullamore

The Turf o' Tullamore

words and music © Erin Coombs Friedman

Into the West – land of the free
In freedom will I e’er a stranger be
So up the stairs I climb
Open up the trunk and find
The piece of home I carried ‘cross the sea

chorus:

Weeping o’er The Turf o’ Tullamore
Exiles both – the Irish sod and I
The Turf o’ Tullamore
Will know my bones forevermore
Sweeten my grave when I
Lay down to die

For my sons, I made a pledge
They’ll not beg the Crown for daily bread
There’s days I understand
The promise in this promised land
And days I fill my glass with my regrets

chorus

When I take my final rest
Lay the Turf o’ Tullamore upon my breast
And it’s sweet - the dream I’ll dream
Home to Erin’s fields of green
By the Shannon’s holy waters, I’ll be blessed

chorus

Youtube Link Here

Saturday Night Nick

2011-03-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

Our dear friend and musical mentor, Nick Ciampi, will be rocking Vintage in Downtown Redding this Saturday night, at the ArtHop After-Party. Nick plays the folk rock tunes you know by heart and a huge selection of his original tunes. In addition to being an all-around wonderful guy, Nick is also an inventor, music teacher, and guitar player extra-ordinaire.

Do yourself a favor and get out on Saturday night and do some serious Hopping. Then wind down at Vintage with a glass of your favorite beverage and one of Redding's favorite musicians.

ArtHop After Party

Saturday, March 12th 9 PM

at:

Vintage Wine Bar

ArtHop Maps on ANewsCafe.com: Here

Check out Nick's website: Here

In Search of The Perfect Gig

2011-03-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Business That Pays the Bills (Wrap-N-Pack) has demanded our undivided attention for the past year. We've managed some songwriting and recording, and we play occasional gigs, but mostly we've been busy helping our customers.

We probably should have stepped into this musician thing back when we were young and bullet-proof. But here we are, in our fifties, where a good night's sleep is mandatory, and our business and our kids require us to be upright and responsible during the day. So nighttime gigs are pretty much out of the question.

Late nights are not an option, and our free time is limited. That didn't keep us from envisioning The Perfect Gig for Still Married: It's in the early evening and it lasts about an hour. At The Perfect Gig, the audience is congenial and connects with the music. There are smiles, mutual respect.

It's elusive, and, we thought, probably imaginary.

But last Friday afternoon, we lucked out, and enjoyed The Perfect Gig, when we played our tunes for the residents at Oakdale Heights Assisted Living. The folks there were kind, beautiful and generous with their attention. They smiled, they sipped wine and sang along while we played "Stand By Me" and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." We felt truly blessed to be there and share the music.

Now that we know where The Perfect Gig awaits, we look forward to returning.

Celebrate Culture

2011-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Cultural Cruise - a city-wide celebration of the arts - gets underway on January 28th at 4 PM.

From the Turtle Bay website: Join the Turtle Bay Museum, Shasta County Arts Council’s Old City Hall Gallery, Redding City Hall, Redding Library, First United Methodist Church, Shasta State Historic Park, Shasta College Art Gallery and North Valley Art League for a night of visual enjoyment. Cruise with your family and friends around Redding to see exciting art exhibitions and enjoy refreshments at each hosting gallery – a truly pleasurable evening. Pick up a Cultural Cruise map at the locations listed above for more detailed information. FREE!

Click here for a map: Cultural Cruise Map

Craig and I will be playing our original music at Redding City Hall beginning at 5 PM, along with another husband and wife duo, The Pine Dogz.

We've shared the bill with Steve and Diana Wallis several times and always have a ball.

We're looking forward to sharing tunes from our new CD, Storms and Other Blessed Burdens, including this one, inspired by a Shasta County legend:

THe Hour of the Outlaw
words and music © 2010 Erin Friedman

He checked his pocket watch and he pulled his hat down low
Crouched in shadowed canyon beside the stagecoach road
Stood ready with his shotgun and when the stage arrived
Shot the guard and stole the gold and proved his daddy right

The Hour of the Outlaw
Seconds beat like a drum
The Hour of the Outlaw
The countdown has begun

His daddy was a scoundrel, a gambler and a thief
Took a bullet in his back for the aces up his sleeve
Before he died he said, "Son, outlaw blood runs through your veins
And all I got to leave you is this pocket watch and chain"

The Outlaw of the stagecoach trail could not out run his fate
Time had come for justice and justice would not wait
An angry mob rode out to Whiskey Creek and tracked him down
Left him swinging like a pendulum from the highest tree in town

The treasure still lies buried on the banks of Whiskey Creek
Many men have searched and failed - fortunately
But when the time is right, some unsuspecting soul
Will dig up a cursed pocket watch and strongbox full of gold

This Year's Word: Forge

2010-12-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

This year I'm taking Christine Kane's advice. Kane is a singer-songwriter, and, according to her website: "Mentor to Women who are Changing the World." Kane suggests that instead of making (and breaking) resolutions, we choose a single word for the year - a "word that can guide you to take action." She explains it eloquently on her website: Christine Kane.

I considered what's coming up this year, and I've settled on my word for 2011: "Forge." I'm intrigued and inspired by the image of a fiery cauldron that transforms and creates with the power of heat.

Songwriting -- when I do it right -- requires figuratively going into the flames, wallowing in the embers and ash and coming out with something new and interesting. The process is not pretty or fun and often heavy sweating is involved. The music project I'm working on for 2011 will require a fair amount of time in the fire, and I'm ready.

In these ~~wicked~~ challenging economic times, our business model needs to forge ahead: evolve, grow and change. It will require forging something exciting and new from something old. Not sure what or how. But, hey, those aren't my words this year. ;-)

And dealing with our children as adults - or almost adults - requires forging new ways of parenting and being in the world with them. Not quite as challenging as transforming iron into hardened steel, but sometimes it feels pretty close.

So - as I forge into the New Year, I look forward to seeing how this word guides and inspires me. And I'm wondering if you have a word for 2011. Tell, please....

Whatever your words, your plans and your dreams are for the New Year, I hope your days are filled with love and joy and peace.

Have Yourself a Local Little Christmas

2010-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's unique, it's local, it's inexpensive. And heck, we've arrived at Countdown Time and those stockings simply must be stuffed. Why not stuff them with local music and support our local art community, too?

For original country-folk tunes, all of our Still Married CDs are available at Wrap-N-Pack in Redding and on CDBaby.com.

The North State is home to a wide variety of artists and you can find a selection of CDs at:

The Gift Gallery at Old City Hall

Bernie's Guitar -3086 Bechelli Ln, Redding

Enjoy the Store

The Gift Store at Turtle Bay

On CDBaby.com you'll find Chuck McCabe's tribute song: "I'd Rather Be in Redding" on his critically acclaimed album "Creatures of Habit." Great stuff there, including the sweet, poignant "My Prayer for You."

From Chuck McCabe's song:

"My prayer for you

That you may do

What makes you laugh

What makes you new"

And may your Christmas be filled with sounds and songs that make you smile.

It's All About Butter

2010-12-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

It's that time, again....a post from last year:

The freezer is cleared out in preparation for my annual holiday ritual: The Stockpiling of the Cookie Dough.

I make about 70 pounds of this shortbread dough in December -- we give away most of the cookies - to customers, friends, roving bands of neighborhood teens. It's my favorite holiday recipe because it's SO simple and still so amazingly good.

You can roll the dough out, cut out fancy shapes. You can decorate them or drizzle them with melted chocolate. But I prefer them plain, naked -- pure, simple perfection.

I started with a recipe from Jeremiah Tower -- but I added vanilla to it and played with the baking time, so I consider it mine, now.

Feel free to consider it yours:

Christmas Shortbread Cookies

1 pound butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour. Form dough into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour. (Logs can be frozen.) Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Slice dough and place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for thirty minutes.

The cookies should be pale, not browned - so keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures vary.

Enjoy!

Free Christmas Download

2010-12-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

These years are starting to run together a bit...tonight is Christmas Movie and Latke Night at our house.

It's about this time each year that we prescribe a little R & R for ourselves. It involves champagne and movie-watching. The movie is always the Frank Capra classic It's a Wonderful Life.

It's sappy-but-sweet and we've watched countless times. Craig and I and the kids have committed most of the dialogue to memory - and snippets of it have become part of our family shtick.

"Where's that money, you silly, stupid old fool?!"

"I heard it - bout time one of you lugheads said it."

"You call this a happy family? Why do we have to have all these kids?"

My aunt, Carol Coombs, played little Janie Bailey in the film, the piano-playing gal who banged out Hark, the Herald Angels Sing "over and OVER!!!" --'til Jimmy Stewart just about went over the edge. That sort of thing happens at our house, too.

This song was inspired by the movie, and the kind folks over at KLXR AM 1230 had this song to their Christmas playlist for the past couple of years.

It's yours to download for free on our website this month: Still Married

It Was a Wonderful Life

Last Spring I left behind a picture perfect family
Then I learned all that glitters is not gold
By September, I was sorry, sad and lonely
It’s Christmas Eve - I’m at the end of my rope

There’s an old movie playin’ on the TV
‘Bout a man who had it all but wanted more
He’s got Clarence – Me? I got Jim Beam
We’re both wishing we’d never been born

It was only black and white
But It Was a Wonderful Life
It used to be mine and I want it back
One more time for Auld Lange Syne
It Was a Wonderful Life
And I want it back

I want to run through the streets of our home town
Find you waitin’ there beside the Christmas tree
Bells are ringing, children singing - I see it all now
I’m home again and an angel gets his wings

It was only black and white
But It Was a Wonderful Life
It used to be mine and I want it back
One more time for Auld Lange Syne
It Was a Wonderful Life
And I want it back

Can we hit rewind – get our happy ending this time?

Make this Christmas dream of mine come true

Listen on YOUTUBE: here