Wrap Music

Do you like to wrap gifts? I do, and I always have. I remember being about six years old and falling in love with the process of putting pretty paper with pretty ribbons and making a box look even prettier. Over the years, I've tried to get as creative as possible, even to the extent of making my own paper and ribbons. Some of those efforts turned out fantastic, others...well, not so much.

I still love to wrap gifts, however, almost as much as I like to give gifts. Today was wrapping day. I should be at taekwondo class right now, but it took me four HOURS to wrap my gifts and I didn't make it. For me, they have to be colorful, sparkly, and just plain fun. No duplicates are allowed, of course. This year I had some really great double sided paper, so I even made some coordinating paper ribbons. If I get motivated, I'll make some gift tags, but at this point, it's not highly likely. Anyhow, I think it's fun, even if it does take me hours. I draw the line at wrapping my own gifts now, but I've done it in the past. I still have a few items to arrive in the mail, but those are small and easy.

I might also make some ornaments to put on my "handmade" tree in the dining room. Each year I make a few out of pretty papers and scrap supplies to put on that tree, mainly with photos.

So much for the WRAP, now on to the MUSIC.

Are you watching Clash of the Chiors? As a choir member myself and part of a musical family, I'm watching. As I was watching Ginger's man, Nick Lachey tour his hometown and my home city Cincinnati last night, I was kind of bumming that I didn't even think to try out. Can you imagine being in NYC at Christmas and singing with Nick Lachey? What a Christmas to remember. Of course, Ginger would never forgive me if I got to spend a week with NL.

My friend Greg's coworker is the big black man from Cincinnati who was featured last night along with his daughter. It was really fun to sit there and say "Hey, there's Greg's friend!". That was cool. I was also pretty amazed that Blake Shelton, the cute country singer from Oklahoma, said that he doesn't read music! Is that even possible for a recording artist? WOW!

So how did I think they all did last night? Well, I'd love to say that I thought the Cincinnati gang was the best, but I give that crown to Patty LaBelle's group from Philly. I'm a sucker for great gospel music and they really brought it! My pics are 1) Patty LaBelle - Philly 2) Nick Lachey - Cincinnati 3) Kelly Rowland - Houston 4) Blake Shelton - OKC and bring up the rear 5) Michael Bolton - New Haven Conn. Seriously, the only group I didn't think was very good was the group from New Haven, but then again, I don't care much for Michael Bolton either. I hope the Cinci gang sticks around....I tried to vote but couldn't get through, so I gave up and went to bed.

That's it for today. I'm off to bake more biscotti....it's my latest thing. I'll post the recipe tomorrow. It's great for gifts!

Comments

[Patricia]

Love the photos!

[Amy Sheridan]

Fun post! You've motivated me to get going on my wrapping, and to actually enjoy it!!

[Jan Connair]

I missed Nick Lachey's choir, but I loved Patti LaBelle's group! The others were pretty milquetoast, really. Couldn't get excited about their song selections. Someone needed to sing Janet's "Amazing Grace." That would've been a show-stopper.

As for wrapping--yuck! That's my most dreaded holiday duty. Hate it, hate it, hate it! My gifts lucky to have tags on them, much less ribbons and bows.

[JanMary, N Ireland]

Great photos, I love to wrap, but they don't end up as lovely as yours.

Don't have that choir show yet, but we usually end up with the same as you, is it revenge for sending you Simon Cowell?

[evitangel]

OMG - your wraps are fantastic!

[Tina]

So funny that you were thinking "why didn't I try out for this whole Clash of the Choirs" thing?? While I was watching last night, I was thinking of you and all the hard work you do with your choir... How fun would that have been?? I agree with the order that you ranked the groups....Patti was just well, nothing short of fantastic. She is amazing. That was so fun to watch!!
By the way, I too LOVE LOVE LOVE to wrap presents and make them all pretty....
Merry Christmas! (may or not be getting around to sending out cards this year....(
Love-
TIna

[Ginger]

Want to wrap my presents? I hate it. I buy whatever wrapping paper is on sale and just schlap it on. I've never gotten into it and I can't wrap a gift to save my life. LOL!

Now - about Nick. I could talk ALL day long about that beautiful man. For one of the first times in my life, I wish I could sing. But, I didn't even know they had that show. Oh well...I can't carry a tune in a bucket so it would have done me NO good.