The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear

I was very fortunate this year to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert featuring Alfie Boe, Tom Brokaw, and the Candy Bomber, Gail Halvorsen. It was easily one of the most fantastic performances I've ever been to. Mix Alfie Boe's amazing tenor voice with Tom Brokaw's incredible story of the Candy Bomber, as well as Richard Elliot's crazy organ-playing talents, and you're in for a night filled with emotion. It was truly a memorable event. Watch a snippet of the night here.

 

 I was able to attend the concert twice, and one of them happened to be Sunday morning. We were told not to applaud because it was a live recording for 'Music and the Spoken Word.' Let me tell you, that was not an easy task. It took all I had not to applaud because the story of the Candy Bomber is so incredible (you HAVE to watch it when it comes out on video) and Alfie Boe is amazing. 

Alfie played Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables so he sang, "Bring Him Home." It brought me to tears each time. You can listen to it here. I promise you won't regret it.

I snuck a picture of the Boe's, Brokaw's, and Halvorsen's posing for a picture after the Sunday concert. :)

I feel beyond blessed to live so close to Temple Square and that I'm able to attend its incredible events. If you want to listen to more of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concerts, or any of their other music, check out their YouTube website here. It's pure awesomeness. :)

Pine View Ladies

 Today I took my last final for the next two years. Such a weird feeling. Yesterday I officially moved out of my apartment in Logan. We had roommate Christmas and took a few pictures together before I left. Not gonna lie, I was heartbroken. I cried all the way out of Logan and the rest of the night. I love these six best friends so much and I'm going to miss them more than I'll ever be able to express in words. I've learned so much from their amazing examples and friendship. Each of them are such sweet, thoughtful, smart, hilarious, beautiful, incredible ladies. I know that the decision for me to move out is right and I know I have so much going for me and my future, as do they. This helps a bit with the heart tugging but I'm still going to miss them beyond belief. Thanks, girls, for making the last 2 years the best of my life! I love you all!

O Come, Emmanuel

December in Review

Choir concert at Catholic cathedral

Brooke's birthday

Window shopping on Main Street

Care packages and studying for finals

Christmas decorations and the best roommate Christmas ever (even if I've only ever had just one...)

Going to David Archuleta's concert! So amazing. He announced he's going on a mish! *tear* so proud.

Temple Square with family and seeing Jane at Desseret Book and the Trax! What are the chances...

A very spoiled Christmas

Church on Christmas day and then family!

The best skit you've ever seen in your life. ;) Based off this. Hilarious. Please watch.

New Years with the Washingtonites: Brent, Wade, and Laura

Goodbye 2011, welcome 2012! 

Christmas on a College Budget

Christmas may have been almost a month ago, but that's not gonna stop me from posting how to make gifts on a college budget. Cuz you never know, I may need to reference back to this someday!

1. Assemble brown paper sacks, colored pencils and pens. 

2. Create gift bags with said materials.

3. Buy gloves from the dollar store. Great because they are cute and el cheapo! 

4. Buy a Utah Truffle (found at Desseret Book). Divine chocolate for a cheap price.

5. Place gloves and truffles in paper bags and you're good to go! Thoughtful, personalized gifts made for less than $3 each. :)

It's November 1st...

...and let the Christmas music begin!! Not that I haven't been listening to it since mid-October (only through ear buds), but from now on it will be heard from the iHome. Roommates, welcome to Jessica's November-December-beginning-of-January music library. Endure it well. But really, it's not hard to endure. Christmas music is so happy and uplifting! Probably my favorite genre of music. Some may say that it's so repetitive. Well, that's only the case if your station is set to FM 100.3... you've gotta look! There's good stuff out there! If you're stuck, here's a few of my favorite Christmas CDs to begin to your playlist of joyous holiday music.

• Michael Buble's new CD, "Christmas." Uh. Can I just melt right now?! His voice is so, just, ah. No words to describe. Especially this song.
• Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong"
• Mindy Gledhill's "Winter Moon"
• Anything MoTab. Especially "Glad Christmas Tidings," featuring David Archuleta, "Spirit of the Season," featuring Sissel, and "Ring Christmas Bells," featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell.
• Any of the classics: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, etc.
• Jenny Oaks Baker's "O Holy Night"
• David Archuleta's "Christmas From The Heart"
• The Hotel Cafe, "Winter Songs"

Slightly Obsessing...

... over this CD. SO good. Oh goodness, I can't even tell you how much I love it. I went with my family to the concert last year and have been anxiously waiting ever since to get the CD. When I found out Mom bought it, it quickly found its way to my iPod. I just barely listened to it twice. I just laid on my bed, put a blanket over my head, and just soaked it in for the full 120 minutes. Life was grand. I know it's only October 9th, and most would agree that Christmas music should not be listened to this far in advance, but you can't help but give in to some good ol' MoTab and David Archuleta. Pure beauty.

Happy Christmas!

I'm Dreaming...

I honestly haven't asked for anything in particular this Christmas. Strange, I know, but I just can't think of anything. I did tell my Mom I wanted stuff for college, but nothing specific came to mind. I guess the only thing I really do want is a white Christmas. As of right now all I see is dead grass outside... no snow. We watched, "White Christmas" last night, possibly my favorite Christmas movie, and they were in the same situation, but on Christmas Eve a miralce happens. It snows. I'm hoping the same happens here. 

Here is Bing Crosby's classic version of, "White Christmas." I've listened to it at least five times today, hoping it might bring a Christmas miracle.

Christmasing

This past week has actually started feeling like Christmas is on it's way. I guess with school, piano, and rehearsals, it just hasn't felt much like Christmas. That, and the fact that there hasn't been much snow. Anyway, after a week of shopping, baking, wrapping, giving, and listening to Christmas music, I'm getting pretty excited for Saturday.

On Monday we shopped and shopped. Amazingly, I got all my Christmas shopping done it one day. Hooray! We stopped at Gardner Village to shop and to see the elves. They're all over the place and super cute.

{Hmm.. naughty or nice?}

{No one under the mistletoe this year... maybe next?}

Tuesday I spent the day baking goodies for neighbors and friends.

Wednesday I had rehearsal, but I also got my scrapbook out to look at past Christmas pictures. Here are some of my faves.

{Meeting Santa for the first time}

{Age 3}

And today is Joseph Smith's birthday. We are celebrating by eating stew and biscuits for dinner. The world was forever changed by this man and I'm eternally grateful for all he has done. He is a true Prophet of God.

{Image by Liz Lemon Swindle}

Happy Christmasing!