Love

Today ends this month, this year, and our 30 days of Christmas music here. I've chosen a simple piece by John Rutter with a beautiful message to draw this season to a close and take us into the New Year. 

Oratorio

For me, Christmas is incomplete without listening to full recordings of Handel's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Here is one of my favourite pieces from the Christmas Oratorio, sung by the amazing Monteverdi Choir and conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Magi

Last year for Christmas, Jeff gave me John Rutter's new recording of A Song In Season with the Cambridge Singers. This album includes a new carol, Carol of the Magi. There aren't very many carols about the Magi (save for We Three Kinds and I Saw Three Ships) and this one has grown on me the more I've listened to it.

We rode all night through fields of darkness,
Our guiding light the Eastern star;
We came to Bethlehem, we all were weary:
We’d travelled far that night, we’d travelled far.
We heard that here we’d find Messiah,
Foretold by seers from days of old;
We looked for palaces and found a stable:
Could it be here, so bare and cold?
We entered in and there we saw him;
It seemed we’d known him from long before:
A child like any child, yet somehow different:
The face of every child in him we saw.
We’d brought him gifts, and now we offered them;
We knelt down low in silent prayer.
With eyes that seemed to know both joy and sadness
The child looked down as we knelt there.
So long ago, yet I remember
That child who lay at Mary’s knee;
How strange that every child seems so much like him:
His is the face I seem to see.

What Child

Craig Courtney composed a beautiful new arrangement of What Child Is This - click here to hear it. 

From The Wheatfield Etsy Shop

Gospel Glory

A little bit of gospel is always a good thing...

Christmastime

The great thing about doing this run of Christmas music here is that I learn new carols each year, like this one.

For Unto Us

May you be filled with the hope of this season, now and always.

Silent Night

For me, it's just not Christmas Eve without singing Silent Night. Here are two of my favourite versions of this beautiful carol. 

Joyful and Triumphant

Here are my two favourite arrangements of O Come All Ye Faithful- an old favourite by David Willcocks and a new favourite by Dan Forrest.

To hear the arrangement by Dan Forrest, please click here. 

Holy Night

When a beautiful song is sung by a beautiful voice, it's the best possible combination in the world.

Gloria

I love the carol, Angels We Have Heard on High. A beautiful new arrangement for choir and two pianos by Howard Helvey was published this year. Click here to hear it.

The angel nativity I bought in Tewkesbury, UK on our 2008 trip

Wonder

The first time I heard Morten Lauridsen's setting of O Magnum Mysterium, I was left speechless. Even now, after listening to it several hundred times, I am still awed. My favourite recording of this piece is this one, by English choir Polyphony, under the direction of Stephen Layton. To me, this is the sound of the wonder of Christmas.

Hark

I have been a fan of Rajaton, a 6-person Finnish a capella group, for many years. When they released a new Christmas CD last year, I was pretty excited. Here's one of my favourites from this new recording.

Sussex

When I was in university in northern Indiana, the Chamber Choir I accompanied often did collaborative concerts with choirs from other church-based liberal arts colleges in the area. Singing together with choirs from Anderson University was always a great time (even during Christmas concert season which inevitably occurred during finals). Here is the Women's Chorus from Anderson University with the Sussex Carol.

Joyfully

When I was in kindergarden, my family rode the train from central BC to Saskatoon to spend Christmas with our extended family. Riding the train for 2 days was a big deal for a little kid, as was spending Christmas with gandparents and cousins - that's probably why I still have many joy-filled memories of that trip. The moment that sticks out most in my mind is singing German carols in church on Christmas Eve, seated next to my maternal grandma. She patiently pointed out the words of each verse in the German hymn book, even though I could not yet read English, much less German. I remember two carols in particular- Nun ist sie Erschienen (The Sun has Arisen) which I included here on the blog last year, and O Du Fröhliche (O How Joyfully). O Du Fröhliche is still a nostalgic favourite for me; here it is sung by American baritone Thomas Hampson.

English translation (both literal and poetic) can be found here

Friendly Beasts

The Friendly Beasts is an old English carol that I learned about this year through this new setting by  Dan Forrest. Both the text and the composition are really lovely. Additional verses of this song (the donkey and camel) can be viewed here.

Jesus our brother, strong and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude;
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, strong and good.

"I," said the cow, all white and red
"I gave Him my manger for His bed;
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head."
"I," said the cow, all white and red.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where he lay; 

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay.

Thus every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel,
The gift he gave Emmanuel.

Our Song

While I wasn't going to replay any songs that appeared here last year, the arrangement of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" which our friends and cousins sang for the recessional at our wedding is way too wonderful (and special to us) not to replay. So here's the music we danced up the aisle to, five years ago today.

Sound the trumpet

Our family is filled with some very fine brass players. Since yesterday began the official 12-day countdown to Christmas, I couldn't resist including this wonderfully delightful piece by the Canadian Brass. It's truly worth listening to the whole thing!

Chestnuts

Today, I'm baking Christmas cookies. That means I'm pulling out my A Carnegie Hall Christmas CD- the CD I always listen to while baking or preparing for guests during Christmas. It's classic- great voices, great musicians and great Christmas music. It's become one of my Christmas traditions. 

Midwinter

Here is one of the finest choirs in North America, The Robert Shaw Chorale, singing one of my favourite carols, In the Bleak Midwinter, written by Christina Rosetti with music composed by Gustav Holst. Breathtaking. 

Comfort and joy

Everywhere

The incomparable Chanticleer with their own arrangement of the spiritual "(Everywhere I Go) Somebody Talkin' 'Bout Jesus". I bet you'll be humming this for the rest of the day...

Carol of Joy

I first learned about the young American composer Dan Forrest while putting together last year's Christmas music - his arrangement of The First Noel took my breath away. Forrest's work continues to astound me and one of my favourite Christmas pieces is his setting of Eileen Berry's amazing poem, Carol of Joy.  This year, this is the song of my Christmas.

Carol of Joy 
Poetry by Eileen Berry, Music by Dan Forrest

Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky.
Lengthening shadows,
Dark closing in...

Then, through the stillness, carols begin!

Oh fallen world, to you is the song--
Death holds you fast and night tarries long.

Jesus is born, your curse to destroy!
Sweet to your ears, a carol of Joy!

Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep, empty valley veiled by the night;
Hear angel music--hopeful and bright!

Oh fearful world, to you is the song--
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound--

A carol of joy!

A Saviour is found!

Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
Look up sad hearted--witness God's love!
Join in the carol swelling above!

Oh friendless world, to you is the song!
All Heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn--
Oh fallen world!
Oh friendless world!

To you,

A Saviour is born!

Wonderland

In tribute to Dave Brubeck, the amazing American jazz pianist who passed away this week, here he is playing "Winter Wonderland".

Holly and Ivy

The great thing about Christmas carols is that they are reinvented and somehow, become new again. This year, I have heard two new arrangements of  "The Holly and the Ivy" which have made me like and appreciate this carol more than ever before. So, here are these two new arrangements, along with a more traditional one.

The Holly and the Ivy arranged by Ola Gjeilo Please click here to hear it

The Holly and the Ivy by Stephen Paulus, sung by the University of Utah Singers

And a more traditional version arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, sung by the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir

Expectation

"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is of my favourite Advent/Christmas carols. Jeff and I have both been humming it around the house over the past week and have listened to the acapella gospel version we posted here last year more times than we care to admit! For instrumental versions this year, Jeff chose the first arrangement on Celtic harp and I chose the second, on handbells.

Tree

This year it's white, cream, green and gold. I chose not to put out most of my other decorations (things in the window, garland etc.) and that makes the tree the focus. The room feels less cluttered and more simple overall... and I think I like it this way.

Bethlehem Bluegrass

Bells

This has always been one of my favourite Christmas pieces. This version features the Vienna Boys Choir.

Simple Gifts

Yo Yo Ma and Alison Krause with a simply beautiful arrangement of a simple song. 

Shall Come to Thee

Highly Favoured

Christmas Music

A few people have asked me if I'm going to do a series on Christmas music again this year. The answer is yes... but in a different way than last year. Jeff and I are both craving more calm and simplicity in life, so we've decided to make this Christmas a very simple one. In this spirit, I'm going to share a piece of Christmas music every day in December but forgo themes, categories, and a whole lot of commentary. It's just going to be Christmas music that we love. We hope you'll enjoy it, too.

More of the Tour

Here's some more of the touring we did during my friend Pam's visit.

Nanaimo Inner Harbour

Baby's first game of Ticket To Ride. Notice her excellent card holding technique.

Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria

Sign at the end of the pier at Fisherman's Wharf

Lighthouse at Trial Island

View from Clover Point Park

My alma mater, Royal Roads University

Walking along the Coburg Peninsula in front of RRU

View of the dockyards in Esquimalt (still on the Coberg Peninsula in front of RRU)

The very sweet face we grew to know and love

As you can imagine, our house has been very quiet since these two left. We've missed them a ton. 

Cathedral Grove

I mentioned that my very dear friend Pam came to visit for a week with her sweet baby A and  having her here was unimaginably wonderful. During her visit, we toured around to show her some of our favourite spots on this island. One of those places is Cathedral Grove.

Jeff recalls there being 400+ rings on that tree (which puts it on this island before Captain Cook arrived!)

Build-A-Bathroom Week 11

It took 11 weeks but we finally have a working, 3-piece bathroom. After the counter and sink were installed last Tuesday, Jeff and I had a strict schedule of tiling, grouting, sealing and plumbing (extending pipes then installing the faucet and drain) to get everything working in time for the Apparent Project sale I hosted on Sunday afternoon but we did it! On Saturday night I brushed my teeth in the bathroom (instead of the kitchen sink) for the first time in almost three months and I can't tell you how great it felt.

I haven't been able to capture it well in a photograph yet, but the vanity tile ties in really nicely with the shower tile and pulls the whole room together

There are a few minor things left to do (recessed cupboard door, floor heating thermostat, kick plate on the vanity, hand towel bar, mirror etc.). We're going to work on those items in December and when everything is done, come back to show the final reveal. Some of you have asked about a materials list- I'll include that with the reveal as well. 

Art with Purpose

Last year, I went to a jewellery party and learned about The Apparent Project in Haiti. Haiti, as you've probably heard, is a country in crisis. Poverty, disease, natural disasters, political instability and ongoing devastation from the 2010 earthquake make everyday life and survival a struggle for many Haitian families. Faced with few options, many parents choose to place their children in orphanages.

To give these families hope, dignity and a real chance to stay together, The Apparent Project helps Haitian parents learn creative skills in jewellery making, book binding, metal work, sewing, woodworking and other decorative crafts. Proceeds from the items they create, gained through sale in Haiti and abroad, go directly back to the artisan. 

I think that social programs which help families stay together are incredibly important. And I think the items made by these brave artisan parents are beautiful. 

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Photo courtesy of The Apparent Project / Market Haiti websites

Yesterday afternoon, my living room was filled with Haitian crafts and Christmas shoppers. While I'm not sure that perpetuating North American consumerism is the best way to support poverty around the world, I do feel strong about the work of the Apparent Project. I hope that in a small way, we helped build stronger families and communities in Haiti. 

Joyful

The Stellenberg Girl's Choir, based in Cape Town, South Africa, is a high school choir of girls age 13 to 18.  They have found considerable success on the world stage and while they are a fantastic group of young singers, what I like most about them is the immense joy that fills their music- it's just infectious. This is a group of young women who undoubtedly, love to sing.

See what I mean?!

What we did last night

I forgot a "My view Wednesday" post this week... here's our view instead from last night.

For our date night tomorrow night we're going to get really wild and bring out the grout.

Comfort Food

T'is the season of soups, stews and things simmered in the crock pot. It was my turn to cook for our care group this week and I made a Cheese and Corn Chowder I've not made in many years... and it was delicious.

adapted from the More with Less Cookbook
serves 4-6

2 1/2 cups frozen corn
boiling water
1 teaspoon of sugar
6 slices of bacon, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 red or yellow pepper, diced
2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups of carrots, diced
1 cup of celery, diced
2 cups of leftover mashed potatoes OR diced raw potatoes
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon of dried)
2 cups milk **
1 cup grated sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese **

Place the frozen corn in a blender and pour in enough hot water so that the water level comes almost up to the corn. Pulse so that the corn breaks up but is not entirely pureed. Add sugar and set aside.

In a soup pot or dutch oven, brown bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving rendered bacon fat in the pot. Add onions and cook over medium high heat (in bacon fat) until translucent. Add garlic and peppers and stir for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, carrots, celery, potatoes, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add corn mixture and cook 5 minutes more. Stir in parsley, then add milk and cheese and cook at a lower heat for 5 minutes, making sure the milk does not boil. Add bacon and serve.

** To make this soup dairy free, I simply replace the milk and cheese with soy milk and soy cheese.

Build-A-Bathroom Weeks 9-10

With my wee blogger break last week, I didn't update week 9 of the bathroom renovation.  In truth, there wasn't much change during week 10 (we were having too much fun out and about with our house guests) but with some major changes yesterday, we now see that the end is in sight! Here's progress we've made since the last update.

Floor: The floor is completely finished, and baseboards are installed. It's warm (even without the in-floor heating on yet) and has the most wonderful texture underfoot. Best of all, it's not slippery at all when getting out of the shower. 

When Jeff removed the toilet to install the floor, he painted over the last bit of original green paint behind the tank

Shower: With a few tweaks to the shower valve (thanks to some great customer service from Kalia, the Canadian manufacturer of the shower fixture and faucet), Jeff fixed the hot water issue. It's now HOT! We've been using the shower for two weeks and it's wonderful- light, spacious and very functional. It's also fantastically easy to clean.

Shower curtain stolen from the downstairs bathroom... I've looked all over Nanaimo and Victoria and can't find one I like!

Accessories: We chose towel racks and the TP holder and Jeff hung them last weekend. In the overall scheme of things, this was pretty minor but made all the difference in making the bathroom feel so much more like a functional bathroom (and less like a building site). We went with a double towel rack and it's working great for us.

Counter & Sink: The counter and sink were installed yesterday afternoon. While those two items caused us the most stress and frustration, we are absolutely thrilled with how they've turned out. 

Sparkly bits of chipped glass embedded in the Environite counter

So what's left? Artwork. Door for the recessed cabinet. Tile back splash. Faucet. Mirror. Floor heating thermostat. Accessories. And a few things I've probably forgotten about. The list, however, is getting progressively shorter and the end is truly in sight. That feels fantastic.