Lemon Drops and Hoofprints

Johnny Mathis - It's Christmas Time Again

Robbie Williams - Darkest Night

Jeff Goldblum - The Christmas Waltz

Matthew Ifield - It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas 

Taylor Swift - Christmases When You Were Mine

Diane Keaton - First Christmas 

Leslie Odom, Jr. - Last Christmas

Tony Bennett - I Love the Winter Weather

Johnny Tillotson - It's Christmas 

Jensen Ackles - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 

The Carpenters - Sleigh Ride

Mel Tormé - The Christmas Song 

Elvis - It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You

Dolly Parton - Comin' Home for Christmas 

The Philly Specials - All I Want for Christmas is You

Robbie Williams - Coco's Christmas Lullaby

Joni Mitchell - River

Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm

Randy Travis - Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

John Denver - Aspenglow

Letters to Cleo - Father Christmas 

Debbie Gibson - Christmas Dreams

Johnny Mathis - Christmas Time Is Here

The Philly Specials - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Jeff Goldblum - Winter Wonderland

Steve & Eydie - Let It Snow

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating

The Real Thing - Christmas Time

Il Volo - Stille Nacht

Leslie Odom, Jr. - Winter Song

Rosemary Clooney - White Christmas

Heartless Bastards - Blue Christmas 

Rick Springfield - Christmas With You

Steve Perry - Maybe This Year

Billy Idol - Silver Bells

 - December 2024

July 2024 Books

♥ The Friday Afternoon Club ¹ by Griffin Dunne - This book was spectacular and I wish it was longer and went even more in depth. Ever since seeing Dominick Dunne's documentary After the Party I have been so envious of Griffin's little sister, Dominique Dunne because she was so lucky to have two brothers and a father that completely and utterly adored her. I know that Griffin had to discuss her death, but what I genuinely loved about this book was getting to know her and Ellen (Mrs. Dunne) and Alex (Griffin's brother) and of course, about Griffin himself. There were so many hilarious stories that had me cracking up and falling more in love with the entire Dunne family all over again. I will most certainly be seeking out a real copy of the book and also listening to it all over again.

* Catching the Big Fish ¹ by David Lynch - I know I've said this before but I really think I need to force myself to meditate and definitely to look seriously in to Transcendental Meditation. I need all the help I can get. 

Life Is a Gift ¹ by Tony Bennett - I've had the physical book for years but knew it'd be another few before I got around to it so I gave the audiobook a try. Joe Mantegna narrates, but where I loved his reading of Puzo's The Godfather, this one just felt over the top. Any of Tony's achievements were said as if it was the greatest thing to ever happen. This rang false because if I learned anything from Mr. Bennett's first memoir, the man is humble to the core. Glad I have the physical book so that maybe down the line I'll pick it up and read it in Tony's voice. 

♥ Warren the 13th and the Thirteen Year Curse by Tania del Rio & beautifully illustrated by Will Staehle - I absolutely adored this series and daydream of them one day turning each book into a short series on one of the streaming networks. This one, about our beloved Warren turning thirteen and things going very wrong right from the start was fantastic, with all the old favourites from the previous two books plus a gaggle of new ones. I loved getting sucked in to the World of Warren and following on his adventures, missteps, and especially his lucky breaks. 

♥ Narwhal's Sweet Tooth by  - I saw this at Reads in Phoenixville and it was too cute to pass up. Little did I know it would deal with serious dental issues, of which I am all too familiar. It was hilarious and adorable as hell with a lovely message. I really need to get more of the books in this series.

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Silver Snow Dust

Snow - Leslie Odom, Jr.

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Linda Ronstadt

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays - Johnny Tillotson

Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton

Christmas On TV - Chris Isaak

Winter Wonderland - Ella Fitzgerald

The Christmas Song - Tony Bennett

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Matt Dusk

Silver - Johnny Mathis 

Happy Holiday - Andy Williams

I Don't Want Christmas to End - Zach Williams

All I Want for Christmas is You - Michael Bublé

Christmas Island - Jimmy Buffett

Hark the Herald Angels - David Hasselhoff

Fallin' Like Snow - Jaymay

Christmas Wish - She & Him

Los Peces en el Rio - Nadia Valiente

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

Christmas Without Daddy - Loretta Lynn

My Little Drum - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Christmas Time Is Here - Sarah McLachlan (feat Diana Krall)

What Christmas Means to Me - Cher

White Christmas - The Philly Specials

Carol of the Bagpipers - Craig Duncan

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Liza Minnelli

Go Santa Go - The Wiggles

Carol of the Bells/The Bells of Christmas - Barry Manilow

I Love This Time of Year - Hal David & John Cacavas

Night Before Christmas - Sam Smith

Wrapped in Red - Kelly Clarkson

Please Come Home for Christmas - Hannah Waddingham Feat. Leslie Odom, Jr.

The Good Life

I'd had this book for a while and finally began reading it in May. I don't read as many book-books as I'd like, since audiobooks are so much easier for me. I was thoroughly disappointed that Mr. Bennett never recorded his memoirs. Oh, wouldn't that have been wonderful?! But alas, it was not to be. I was reading chapter six at the time of his passing and it's still sad to think that his light no longer shines here on Earth. He had a good, long life, but longevity doesn't negate the desire to have someone live forever. 

There were so many great moments in this book. Some of my faves are as follows:

• Bumping into his old pal Frank Smith at Thanksgiving in 1945 in Mannheim, Germany of all places! (page 69)

• When guitarist Chuck Wayne heard a comic trash-talking Tony and their act in Florida and the two of them went down to the club, went backstage and threatened the comic should he ever mention them again. Ha! Turned out it was Don Rickles. (pages 128-129)

• The stories about his devoted fans, Molly and Helen, and the pickles they'd find themselves in, like missing the bus back home, and came crying to Tony for help. (pages 129-131)

• The first song that really made me fall in love with Tony Bennett's voice was I Wanna Be Around. I was in high school and this sad love song just spoke to me. Sadie Vimmerstedt wrote the opening two lines and sent them along to Johnny Mercer. He finished it off, writing the rest of the lyrics and music, then gave Sadie fifty percent of the publishing rights. Tony said that for years he'd receive postcards from around the world from Sadie, who was able to quit her job and travel, travel, travel! (page 173)

• All the sweet, kind things he said about lovely Judy Garland. (pages 175-178)

• On a sad and lonely Christmas 1965 in a hotel room, away from his boys and estranged from his wife, Duke Ellington sent over a choir to sing On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) as a Christmas gift. (page 189)

• Later in life he would spend Christmas Eve with Ella Fitzgerald. He'd take his daughters over and Miss Ella would cook up a feast and Tony said it was the "best food you could ever dream up." (page 220)

• My next trip to Ohio I simply must stop at the Butler Institute of American Art because Tony's painting "Homage to Hockney" is included in their permanent collection. The best bit is that all of Tony's paintings display his given name - Anthony Dominick Benedetto. (page 243)

Querido Tony

Because of You

Where Do I Begin

Just In Time

The Lady is a Tramp with Lady Gaga

With Plenty of Money and You with Count Basie

The Very Thought of You

Night and Day with Lady Gaga

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

All My Tomorrows

Laura

Let's Face the Music and Dance with Lady Gaga

I'll Be Around

Samba De Orfeu

If I Ruled the World

Anything Goes with Lady Gaga

How Insensitive

Blue Velvet with k.d. lang

Who Can I Turn To

The Blvd of Broken Dreams

Are You Havin' Any Fun?

Body and Soul with Amy Winehouse

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

The Shadow of Your Smile

I Left My Heart in San Francisco with Judy Garland

Stella By Starlight

I've Got The World on a String with Diana Krall

When Joanna Loved Me

Love Is Here to Stay with Diana Krall

So In Love

Cold, Cold Heart

You're the Top with Lady Gaga

The Good Life

July 2023 Donations

The Tony Bennett Legacy Fund

The Tony Bennett Legacy Fund has been launched to continue the work of Exploring the Arts’ founder and legendary artist, Tony Bennett.

Twenty five years ago Tony and his wife Susan set out on a mission to bring the transformative power of art to public school children.

We are proud to honor Tony’s life and legacy by establishing this fund to ensure his and Susan’s vision endures.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

A Sorrowful Farewell...

...to a great man, an exceptional talent, and possessor of one of the world's most unique voices. I'm halfway through his first memoir, The Good Life, and Tony Bennett has been on my mind every day this month. When I awoke this morning and saw on Instagram the photo of Tony that actually starts off the chapter I'm on I felt a zing of connection. My smile instantly vanished when I read the post.

Songs for the Jet Set

Tony Bennett's Instagram page mentioned the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set and I clickety-clacked myself to Apple Music and downloaded it. It's a terrific album and I love that each song, at least those on the original record, is designed to take the listener to a different spot in the universe.

Samba do Avião - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro 

Fly Me to the Moon - The Moon

How Insensitive - Rio de Janeiro

If I Ruled the World - London

Love Scene - Harlem

My Ship - Paradise

Then Was Then and Now Is Now - Hollywood

Sweet Lorraine - Chicago

The Right to Love - Dreamland

Watch What Happens - France 

All My Tomorrows - Florida

Lazy Afternoon - Cloud Nine

Gathering Wishes

I Love the Winter Weather/I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Tony Bennett

The Christmas Song - She & Him

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Michael Bublé

If I Get Home on Christmas Day - Elvis Presley

(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Carpenters

Christmastime Is Here - Mel Tormé

It's Not Christmas If You're Not Here - Johnny Tillotson

It Won't Seem Like Christmas - Loretta Lynn

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin

This Is a Christmas Song, My Love - Jaymay

It's Christmas Now! - JoJo Siwa

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Johnny Mathis

Happy Holiday - Andy Williams

Please Come Home for Christmas - Elle King

Hoping for Snow - The Vamps

Officially Christmas - Dan + Shay

Step Into Christmas - Elton John

My Favorite Things - Tony Bennett

Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande

Put the Lights On the Tree - Sufjan Stevens

One Dark Christmas - Mark Russell

Christmas Tree - Lady Gaga

Frosty the Snowman - The Ventures

Christmas Night in Harlem - Louis Armstrong

Take Me Home for Christmas - Dan + Shay

On Christmas Day - Billy Idol

The First Noel - Johnny Mathis

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Chris Isaak

Christmas Time Is Here - Shawn Colvin

It's Not Christmas 'Til You Come Home - Norah Jones

Winter Wonderland - Steve & Eydie

Christmas Eve Montage - Danny Elfman

Christmas All Over Again - The Goo Goo Dolls

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Flipped Fedoras

Make You Mine This Season - Tegan and Sara

Snow - Joss Stone

Merry Christmas - Ed Sheeran & Elton John

Coming Off the Snow - Olly Murs

A Smoky Mountain Christmas - Dolly Parton

Bertha's Large Loins Sale

I have no idea why I named this Idaho Potato Mix Bertha's Large Loins Sale. I can only assume that it was bizarre and silly and made no sense and that's why I chose it. Truly baffling.

•Side A•

9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

Unconditional Love - Cyndi Lauper

Where the Streets Have No Name - The Pet Shop Boys

What Have I Done to Deserve This? - The Pet Shop Boys

Wimoweh - The Tokens

Creep - Radiohead

Closer - Nine Inch Nails

Swanee - Judy Garland

Rent - The Pet Shop Boys

West End Girls - The Pet Shop Boys

Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Tony Bennett

All I Have To Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers

Holidays in the Sun - Sex Pistols

•Side B•

No Sleep Till Brooklyn - Beastie Boys

You - Candlebox

Ambition - Lady Patra

Buffalo Stance - Nenah Cherry

Physical Attraction - Madonna

Istanbul - They Might Be Giants

Minimum Wage - TMBG

Your Racist Friend - TMBG

Bombtrack - Rage Against the Machine

Road Movie to Berlin - TMBG

One Thing Leads to Another - The Fixx

At Seventeen - Janis Ian

Aquarius - The Cast of Hair

29-31 July 1994

#3 of the Idaho Potato Mixes

A Spinster's Christmas 2021

I went a little overboard this Christmas and I think for next year I'll go with the whole less is more thing. Like last year, this time around I had a few gifts from friends. The Brian Johnson book was from Uncle Alan when Jax and I went to see him for the Books and Cooks tour, the tinsel candle was from Maggie, and the bag tied with the ribbon was from Maureen. I scored lots of wonderful books - mostly all memoirs - and some Kate Gabrielle swag. All in all it was a relaxing day watching movies starring John Mills, Kevin Corcoran, and of course, Hayley Mills! (Swiss Family Robinson, The Trouble with Angels, Pollyanna, and The Parent Trap.)

Fantastic Edie Sedgwick artwork by HipnessAndOutrage!

Honey from Amy and Don's farm!

 

Yummy vegan chocolates from Lauryn - ain't she sweet?!

And a beautiful infinity scarf from Melanie!

Bonus! Photo of Amy's farm, all nice and white Christmas-y.

Super cool video clip courtesy of Michel via Whatsapp:

Snowfall

by Tony Bennett

Merry Merry Mixie (AKA Chagrinning)

Here's 2021's December playlist and I really kind of love it. It's a mega holiday mix for my trip to Ohio. I knew I'd be spending the beginning of December in lovely Chagrin Falls and wanted a lengthy playlist to have on while driving around town and also just chillaxing back at the house. It's one of my best. Can't wait to drive around looking at the holiday lights with this on in the background.

Happy Holiday - Steve & Eydie 

Christmas Is the Best of All - Johnny Tillotson

The Christmas Feeling - Mel Tormé

Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis

Deck the Hall - Nat King Cole

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Dorothy Loudon

A Winter Romance - Dean Martin

Christmas Is Coming - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World

Merry Christmas Darling - Carpenters

Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

Christmas With You - Stephanie Mills

Merry Christmas Everybody - Oasis

Pretty Paper - Chris Isaak

Unwrap You at Christmas - The Monkees

Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas) - Pearl Jam

Someday at Christmas - Stevie Wonder

Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees - Elvis Presley

Christmas Island - Ella Fitzgerald

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Carpenters

Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas - Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé

Hurry Home for Christmas - Steve & Eydie 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Luther Vandross

Snowfall - Tony Bennett

March from The Nutcracker - 101 Strings Orchestra

Christmas Saves The Year - twenty one pilots

Mistletoe and Memories - Johnny Tillotson

Silver Bells - Mel Tormé

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Ella Fitzgerald

Christmas Wish - She & Him

It Won't Cool Off - Dean Martin

Blue Christmas - Bright Eyes

You Make It Feel Like Christmas - Neil Diamond

To Heck With Ole Santa Claus - Loretta Lynn

Do You Hear What I Hear? - Andy Williams

Christmas Treat - Julian Casablancas

The Christmas Song - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Angels We Have Heard on High - Sufjan Stevens

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

Everyday Is Christmas - Sia

Wonderful Christmastime - The Shins

Christmas - Leonna Naess

The Christmas Blues - Dean Martin

I Won't Decorate Your Christmas Tree - Loretta Lynn

Caroling, Caroling - Idina Menzel

Blue Christmas - Johnny Tillotson

Under the Christmas Lights - Gwen Stefani

That Holiday Feeling - Steve & Eydie 

In the Bleak Midwinter - Wolf Alice

Cold December Night - Michael Bublé

O Holy Night - Nat King Cole

Let's Start the New Year Right/What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Mel Tormé

Jingle Bell Rock - Billy Idol

Sleigh Ride - Fun.

A Winter's Tale - Queen

Back to Jim Thorpe with Kay

I made it to Kayla's house in Philly at 10:30 - exactly on time. We were out the door at 11 and hit next to no traffic on the way, reaching Broadway in JT, PA by 1:15 with only one peepod break in Allentown. Fifty-eight grueling minutes later we finally found a parky spot, just as we were about to give up. The town was jumpin' but we weaved through the crowds to our favourite shops. Kay got the Medusa head she admired last time we were at Emporium of Curious Goods and I got some bracelets. Then we each picked up a couple books at Sellers plus Hank's Root Beer and a vegan cupcake at Muggle's Mug. It was hotter than we wanted it to be at halfway through October but we had a really good time and some of the trees were beginning to show their Autumn colours. Tony Bennett, Mathis, and Hozier played in the background of our chit chat on the way there and Billie Eilish took command on the way home. Stopping for Naked Lunch at MOM's on the way home was a scrumptious end to our day together. I'm hoping in December she and I can go shopping in Haddonfield, NJ and maybe over to Collingswood. More on that later!

Love for Sale

When I found out that Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett were releasing their last album together I felt compelled to splurge and buy the limited edition box set from Gaga's website. It would feature the following:

CUSTOM 2-PIECE DEBOSSED INDIVIDUALLY FOIL STAMPED/NUMBERED TELESCOPE BOX

INCLUDES:

-LOVE FOR SALE VINYL

-30 PAGE CUSTOM EMBOSSED SKETCHBOOK, FEATURING 3 SKETCHES BY TONY BENNETT

-PENCIL/SHARPENER SET

VARIOUS PRINTS INCLUDING:

-4 PHOTOS

-6 LITHOGRAPHS

-3 WATERCOLOR PRINTS

-2 CONCERT POSTER REPRINTS

-1 RE-PRINTED LETTER

It finally arrived last night and the unboxing was a complete thrill. I sat cross-legged on my Ikea race course rug and was astounded at the gorgeous presentation. I can't wait to frame some of the photos and Tony's beautiful watercolour prints. Check it out: