11th day of Christmas

The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir might be a favourite of mine for sentimental reasons, but that does not diminish the fact that they were a very fine choir. The choir (sadly, which seems to have ended) was made up of Mennonites who like to sing- skilled amateur singers who freely donated their time and talent. From 1991 until 2004, the group would get together about once a year, rehearse a few times, record a CD and sing one concert to launch their CD. That was it. 

The choir donated all of their proceeds (more than $700,000) to Communitas Supportive Care Services, a non-profit society in Abbotsford that provides services, resources, and advocacy for people living with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities.  I love that this group made glorious choral music but more importantly, that they used their voices to help people who have none. 

Nun ist sie Erschienen (The Sun has Arisen) is a Russian Mennonite Christmas Hymn that 
I particularly love. Whenever I hear it (or an arrangement of it, as in this recording),
I am transported back to one of my earliest chidhood memories- Christmas 1979 in Waldheim, SK, 
sitting in church next to my Grandma. I can still hear her singing this hymn, in German. 

10th day of Christmas

Josh Groban's  Christmas CD, Noel, is one of the first ones I bring out in early December- it will get a fair bit of airtime in our home throughout the holidays. It's well mixed with lush orchestration and Groban's wonderfully warm voice- a voice I don't tire of listening to, ever.  I've posted Petit Papa Noel and my favourite piece on the CD, Silent Night, but you might also want to check out It Came Upon A Midnight Clear and Little Drummer Boy.

9th Day of Christmas

Last week, I featured Diana Krall for Jazz Monday. This week, I turn to the greatest of Canadian Jazz pianists, Oscar Peterson. And his interpretation of O Christmas Tree? Blissful perfection.

For something a little more upbeat, try his quartet's version of Jingle Bells, Let it Snow, and this über cool Winter Wonderland. 

8th day of Christmas

I accompanied John Rutter's Candlelight Carol years ago and fell in love with this sweet and gentle piece. There is a great Youtube video of it (complete with musical score) sung by the Cambridge Singers, Rutter's own choir, that has restricted embedding on blogs so I can't post it here.  Click here to see it directly.

7th day of Christmas

While I love voices and choirs, Jeff loves instruments. For my dear instrument-building and instrument-loving spouse, Saturdays this month are going to feature Christmas music played on some of Jeff's favourite instruments.

Those who know Jeff know he adores pipe organs, so the first Instrumental Saturday HAD to highlight a pipe organ! We were amazed by Richard Elliott's original arrangement and performance (incredibly without any music) of two classic Christmas carols and hope you enjoy them, too. 

6th day of Christmas

I'm not exceptionally well versed in contemporary popular music. There are, however, a few "new" Christmas carols by current artists that we really love. Fridays this month, we'll share some of these pieces here.

Jeff and I think that composing/writing trio Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend are the best modern hymn writers in the world today. Their lyrics are biblically based (not me-centered and none of that unbearably gushy Jesus-is-my-boyfriend nonsense) and their music is singable and interesting- certainly music written for more than just three guitar chords. While In Christ Alone and Power of the Cross have become very popular in many Christian churches, this trio has written some really beautiful Christmas pieces that are less known. One of our favourites is a setting of the Magnificat.

On their Christmas album, Jeff really loves the Getty's arrangment of the 6th century Latin carol  O Savior of our Fallen Race while I like the more modern Joy Has Dawned and find myself humming the very sweet Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven, a new children's carol.

Salmon #7: Salmon Tacos

When I visited a friend in Northern California years ago, she took me out for a local delicacy- fish tacos. I was dubious but to my sincere surprise, I absolutely loved them. With growing confidence in my ability to cook fish and a ripe avocado and mango that I needed to find a quick use for, I decided to be brave and try salmon tacos.

I'm so glad I did because they were DELICIOUS. They are much lighter than the deep fried fish tacos I remember but that's probably a good thing. They are fresh, clean and oh-so flavourful. The fish was so good that Jeff and I both couldn't help sneaking a few bites while assembling our tacos. We can't wait to have it again. To make this dish a little fancier, skip the tortillas and serve the salmon as whole fillets topped with the salsa.

the finished product, made with white flesh Chinook salmon

adapted from A Dash of Sass

serves 3 (makes 6 medium or 4 large tacos)

1 mango, diced

2 green onions or 1/4 red onion, diced

2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped

juice and zest of 1 lime
1/2  jalapeño pepper, diced (optional)

salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound salmon (~2 6oz fillets), skin removed

olive oil

soft tortillas (corn or wheat)

1 large avocado, diced

sour cream

To make the salsa: Combine the diced mango, onion, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, jalapeño and salt. Stir to combine and set aside (the avocado will be added just before assembling the tacos).

To prepare the fish: Combine chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, brush one side of the salmon flesh lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with the spice mix (using about a half of the spice mix). Place salmon in the pan, spiced side down. Brush olive oil on other side of the salmon fillets and sprinkle with remaining spice mix. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. As always, be careful not to overcook! Remove from pan and set aside to rest for a minute or two.

While the salmon cooks and rests, warm the tortillas in the oven and add the diced avocado to the salsa. To assemble the tacos, first break the fish fillets into smaller pieces- you can chop it but I just flaked it with a fork. Spread a scant teaspoon of sour cream over the tortilla then top with chunks of salmon and avocado mango salsa.

5th day of Christmas

While much of the music I will feature this month will be fairly classical in nature, Thursdays are going to be all about Gospel. I love Gospel music because it is filled with harmony, energy, and raw emotion. In order to sing gospel, you've got to feel it first. I love that Gospel Music is just about singing along- and most any contribution can fit right in.

Chris Tomlin is probably considered more of a contemporary Christian artist than a Gospel artist but I love this version of the advent carol, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus from his Christmas album. It's not very rehearsed or polished- it's just voices spontaneously singing praise. To me, that's what good Gospel music is all about.