MUSIC mondays: the SOUNDS of SILENCE

This week's version of Music Mondays is a little different.  Usually I like to use this time to talk about a new song or artist I've discovered, but this week I'm sharing an oldie, but a goodie.

I was listening to a cover of The Sounds of Silence the other day, and was struck by these lyrics:

"People talking without speaking.  People hearing without listening."

Holy crap!  These lyrics resonate with me SO much right now.

This last week I have been bombarded with the opinions of others by way of articles, memes and quotes.  And, I've done my fair share of reading and listening to what other people have had to say.

But, at the end of the day, I don't really feel like much is being said.  And there's definitely a whole lot of selective hearing going on.

I guess I just wish that when I logged into Facebook, instead of a plethora of never ending "shares", my feed would be full of actual statuses written by my friends who are writing about whatever floats their boat that day.

Our country is so divided right now, and I'm genuinely curious how people feel.  But, instead of telling me how you feel via the New York Times, how about just tell me in your own words. 

Of course, there are going to be exceptions to this.

But, in general, I think if we start to talk using our own words, we'd really start to speak.  I think we'd notice a difference in our conversations with each other, and I think we'd feel much more understood.

Likewise, if we're going to find common ground, we need to start listening to each other.  I'd be willing to bet if we engaged in more meaningful conversations, ones where we're actually listening to each other, we'd find that we have so much more in common with each other than we ever thought possible.

But, I'm just one person, and my opinion doesn't matter all that much.  But, I'm glad I'm expressing it in my own words rather than letting some article express it for me.

Now, please enjoy this AMAZING video of Simon and Garfunkel singing The Sounds of Silence.  It's breathtaking.

MUSIC mondays: {White Night}

Here's a new band I discovered a few days ago.  The POSTELLES.

I really like their sound because it's upbeat and fun and overall I just get a good positive vibe when I listen to this song.

If I were to ever host a party at my house, this is the type of music we'd all be dancing to.

INSTAGRAM wednesdays: dustin's ANNIVERSARY PRESENT

Dustin's favorite musician is Melissa Etheridge.  He's seen her five times in the last four years.  Whenever she tours in SLC or a neighboring state, we get tickets.  She is an amazing performer, and if you're into concerts, you'd love seeing her live.  She puts on a great show.

Anyway, the last time we saw her was earlier this month - just two days after we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.  Obviously, the perfect present I could get Dustin was for Melissa to wish him a Happy Anniversary during her concert.

So, I went to Twitter because if you want something done, you tweet about it!

I sent maybe three or four tweets within a two day span.  Nothing major.  I wasn't really expecting anything to become of it, but at the same time I didn't feel like my efforts were all in vain.

So, the day of the concert, I sent one final tweet.  Once at the venue, we found our seats and had a KILLER view.  We were five rows back and the microphone was directly in front of us.  When Melissa came out onto the stage, she was so close I could see her fingernails.  It was perfect.

Then, during the show, someone yelled "It's my birthday, Melissa."  So, she, of course, said happy birthday.  And then she said, "I'm supposed to wish Dustin a Happy 10 year anniversary."

We were dying.  I couldn't believe she (or one of her "people") saw my tweets and actually followed through with my request. 

We immediately stood  on our feet and screamed, and since we were so close, she totally saw us.   She threw one of her guitar picks in our direction, but it fell short and the person in front of us caught it.

It was the coolest night ever.  I was so happy my crazy idea actually worked.  I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to give Dustin a better gift, so I'm calling it good for the duration of our marriage.

{#neverunderestimatethepoweroftwitter}

MUSIC mondays: JAMMIN' in the CAR

I really, really hope my daughters learn to love music as much as I do.  Music is something that I feel very passionate about, and so I try to make sure the three of us always listen to music at least one time throughout the day.  Usually, we do this while driving in the car.  And, I like to listen to my music loud, and, thankfully, my girls do too.  Here are a few of our favorites!

Bad Blood by Taylor Swift

I'm not gonna lie:  I hate loving this song, but it's a good song.  It just is.  In fact, the girls and I love a lot of songs from this album.

Give Us a Little Love by Fallulah

This song was one of my Pretty Little Liar finds.  Luckily, I began watching that show otherwise I never would have found this song.  LL loves to clap along to this song, and I'm confident that one day she'll be on beat.

Skipping Stones by Claire De Lune

Another Pretty Little Liar find.  The best part about this song is around 1:52.  Isabelle just starts to belt out the lyrics.  It's awesome.

Pretty Little Liars {the SOUNDTRACK}

I've learned within the last little while that I like my entertainment to be mindless.  In all seriousness, when I sit down to watch a show I just want to be entertained.  I don't want to be challenged or uplifted or educated.  I want to be entertained.  This does not mean my taste in TV shows is bad (hello, 30 Rock.  Best TV Comedy ever), but it may explain why I've suddenly found myself watching Pretty Little Liars.

There's little to be said about the writing for the show.  For crying out loud, I'm four seasons in and there are still no answers to the cliff-hanger from the pilot episode.

But, who really needs good writing and realistic situations any way?  I mean, the "teenagers" in the show are all played by people well into their 20s and 30s, so, clearly, we're not striving for perfection.

But, that's okay.  

Pretty Little Liars is an entertaining show that I can watch after a long day.  For whatever reason, it helps me unwind.

Plus, there's Ezra.  Adorable-English-teaching-dating-your-student-so-you're-basically-a-pedophile Ezra.  What's not to love?

But, more importantly, the show has a killer soundtrack.  I usually find a song I love during every episode, and thanks to someone who has more free time than I do, I can view the songs from each episode at this handy website.  And then add to my music library the songs I like best.

I particularly like the song called BONES by MS MR.  Their songs are $1.29 on iTunes, which usually means they're popular and/or played on the radio.  So, I may be late in the game when it comes their awesomeness, but better late than never!

 Enjoy!

#mindless #entertainment

MUSIC mondays: my PLAYLIST

I have a few different playlists on my iPhone.  Generally speaking, I have a list that is more chill music and a list that is more upbeat.  Every once in awhile, I'll go to my entire library and shuffle the songs, but for the most part I stick to my playlists.

And, because I'm weird, my playlists have to have cool names.  Names like Playlist 1 and Playlist 2 just doesn't jive with me. Today, I'm sharing almost all of the songs on my playlist titled 

{Coffeehouse Rock}

Amos Lee - Colors

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You

Band of Horses - The Funeral

Band of Horses - I Go to the Barn Because I Like

Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost

Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus {Acoustic Version}

Family of the Year - Hero

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek

JJ Heller - When I'm With You

Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah

Jack Johnson - Cookie Jar

First Aid Kit - Emmylou

Flunk - Blue Monday

Elton John - Your Song

David Berkeley - Fire Sign

The Cure - Lovesong

Ben Harper - Forever

Ani DiFranco - You Had Time

Coldplay - Fix You

Chris Isaak - Wicked Game

Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky

Damien Rice - Cannonball

Emma Louise & Husky - The Sound of Silence

Mazzy Star - Fade Into You

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

John Mayer - Free Fallin' (Live)

Snow Patrol - Run

Richardard Thompson - Persuasion

VAST - Don't Take Your Love Away From Me

Shake Shake Go - England Skies

Metric - Gimmie Sympathy

The Morning After Girls - Alone

The 6ths and Katharine Whale - You You You You You

A Great Big World - Say Something

Amy Stroup - Just You

Be sure to check out some of these songs.  They're great.  I'm always on the lookout for more music.  Send me your favorites.

my {VIOLIN} + me

Every once in awhile, I'll catch myself being very narrow minded.  Typically, it involves me and my way of thinking and not necessarily directed at anyone...which is probably a good thing.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, Dustin and I were asked to play a musical number in church.  We, of course, said yes and began practicing for the big day.  We tossed a few ideas around as to what song we should play, but eventually we chose one we had performed numerous times before.

{side note}

I can't play like I used to - you know, during the years that I was taking lessons and practicing at least three hours a day - so, I always worry about how I'll actually sound in front of an audience.  This was easily one of my most embarrassing performances ever.  I mean that quite literally.  I messed up at the end of the song, which consisted of two half notes. Like, two slow half notes.  I somehow messed up the first note, did not recover at all and then messed up the last note.  I was in shock, honestly, and looked at Dustin and we both started laughing at each other because there was nothing left to do but just laugh.  Seriously, who messes up like that?

{ok, back to my point}

Later that week, I walked passed my empty living room and saw my violin case resting on the floor.  The girls were playing contently in their room, so I decided to get it out.  It dawned on me that I didn't have to be preparing for a lesson or a recital or a church musical number to play.

For some reason, I had convinced myself there had to be a purpose to play.  And, suddenly, my tunnel vision faded, and I picked up my instrument and just played.  I found a book of music that I first learned when I was 7 or 8, and I just played through it.  It was so much fun.  Memories of learning these pieces for the first time flooded my mind.  I was impressed with how familiar they all seemed.  One day, I'll dive into the more advanced pieces and see if I still have any of that kind of talent left in me. 

But, for now, I'm glad I've come to realize that there's plenty to gain from just playing for fun.  For example, gaining skills to avoid bombing future church musical numbers.

#myfingersfailedme

If you know how to play an instrument, play it!

MUSIC mondays: PERSUASION

Nothing is quite as good as a finely crafted love song.  Like, with lyrics that are real and raw and that show how vulnerable we are when it comes to matters of the heart.

I first heard the song {PERSUASION} on one of those music TV channels.  Those channels were the greatest thing to me at the time because I discovered so many artists I never would have by only listening to Utah's less than creative radio stations.

Anyway, this is one of those songs that I can listen to over and over again and never get tired of it.  I love the overall message that, despite what we see in the movies, love is not a feeling that can be switched on or off.  It reminds me of all those times I let my heart dictate my actions rather than my logic.  I think that's something so many people can relate to.

"After all the foolish things that we've been through, I can always make a start on something new.  And I'll always be a man who's open to persuasion."

I mean, seriously, how real is that?  

Regardless of our flaws or inconsistencies, it's still okay if someone loves us.  And, it's okay to love someone that isn't perfect.  And we don't have to throw in the towel after one argument.  Our relationships don't have to be nice and neat and tidy.  There's ups and downs and everything in between.  And that's okay.

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.  It's a keeper!

MUSIC mondays: BOY BANDS

Like millions of other Americans, my husband and I took our daughter Isabelle to see Frozen.  She didn't like it at first, but that slowly changed.  Before I could blink, our world had turned ice-cold and the only music I was listening to was the Frozen soundtrack.

After months and months of this, I decided it was time to introduce my daughter to her first boy band.  Yes, she's five years old.  That is how completely desperate I was to listen to something new.

Even though I grew up loving New Kids of the Block and pretending to hate Backstreet Boys and 'Nsync, I decided Isabelle needed her first boy band love to be current.  So, I bought two One Direction songs.  Namely, Story of My life and Best Day Ever.

It was a rough at first, but eventually Isabelle learned to love the greatness of boy band music.  And, now that I've had a break, I don't mind hearing her belt Let it Go every once in awhile.

MUSIC mondays: IMOGEN HEAP

I'll admit I'm not that well versed in the world of Imogen Heap, but I've heard enough of her songs to know that she's worth listening to.

My favorite song of hers {for now} is HIDE AND SEEK. 

I kid you not, I could {and have} listen to this song probably ten times in a row and still get goosebumps.  I love it when music has that sort of effect on me.

It also doesn't hurt that this song is on the soundtrack to The Last Kiss, starring Zach Braff.  Holla, he is hot.

Anyway, give Imogen Heap a chance, if you haven't already!

MUSIC mondays: SOUNDS OF SILENCE cover

I love it when I find a really awesome cover.  I love Simon and Garfunkel's song "Sounds of Silence."  Isn't it a great song?  Of course, nothing can replace the original, but this cover by Emma Louise and Husky Gawenda is absolutely stunning.

I may or may not have been listening to it over and over again for the past few days.




This is the best video I could find of the song.  You can also check it out here on iTunes.

Enjoy and happy MUSIC mondays!

WRAPPING it UP

Today is the last day of the A to Z Challenge.  I got through most of the posts, so I'm happy about what I accomplished.  Even though I didn't get around to writing about it, I do actually have bucket list goals for the letters V, W and Y.  So, here there are.

{v}:  VEGETARIAN

I'm not a big meat eater.  In fact, most of what meat I do eat is chicken.  If I do eat red meat, it's usually in meals like spaghetti or tacos.

Back during my college days, I did cut out red meat completely and liked it.  My husband also was a vegetarian for awhile, but had to change his ways during his time as an LDS missionary.  Both of us have expressed interest in going completely meat free, but haven't quite committed to it yet.  We have, however, lowered our meat intake and usually try to have at least one vegetarian meal for dinner each week.

Because of all this, I'd really like to live a vegetarian lifestyle for at least one year.  I'm curious to know if I'd love it or hate it.  I'm not sure when I'll do this because I do know if I want my children to live a meat-free life as well.  It wouldn't be hard to accommodate both lifestyles, but it would be ideal if we were all on the same page.

Are any of you vegetarians?  What are your motives?

...

{w}:  a healthy WEIGHT

My weight has fluctuated a lot over the last few years.  All in all, I am over weight and am usually uncomfortable in my own skin.

One day, I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't like what I saw.  And then it hit me like a ton of bricks that I didn't have to look this way.  While that may sound completely absurd, I realized that day how my weight is both a physical and mental health problem.  I had no idea I believed I couldn't change.

A goal I have in life is not to be super skinny, but to be at a healthy weight based on my height and maintain it throughout my life.  I've always struggled with being active.  I'm not one of those people that adores sports and playing them all day long.  So, maintaining a healthy weight for me will include adding activities to my every day routine.  While I'd love a gym membership, it's just not in the cards for me right now.  Instead, I need to be different ways to stay active.  I'd like to start running and I've heard there are so many benefits to jump roping, so I think I'll begin there.

I think this is an important goal not only for me, but also for my family.  I want to be an example of health to my girls, but not in an unhealthy way.  I don't want them hearing me complain about my weight.  I don't want them seeing me try every diet in the book only to fail.  

I realize I shoulder great responsibility with my girls in terms of body image.  I can't prevent them from seeing the misguided pictures of what society deems beautiful.  I probably can't prevent them from, at one point in time, feeling like they are overweight or not pretty.  

I can, however, be an example to them of leading a healthy lifestyle.  If I want them to eat fruits and veggies, I have to eat fruits and veggies.  If I want them to exercise, I have to exercise.  If I want them to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, I have to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

I feel blessed that I have a desire to change my habits.  Only good things can come from it.

...

{y}:  YOUR song

I think one of the most romantic songs ever is Elton John's Your Song.  It's a simple song with beautiful lyrics.  I could listen to it multiple times a day and never get sick of it.  In my mind, it's timeless.

I would LOVE to see Elton John in concert and hear him sing this song live.  

That would be totally awesome.

...

And that is wrapping up my A to Z Challenge for this year.  Thanks to everyone who commented!

{o}: ORCHESTRA

I began taking violin lessons when I was in kindergarten, and I continued taking lessons as a college student.  Throughout all those years, I participated in school orchestras - one in junior high, one in high school and one in college.  Orchestra allowed me to meet wonderful people, learn how to work with groups and to travel to a variety of places including San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and China.

If you've never played with an orchestra, you're missing out.  It is a thrilling experience.  It is also intense and tiring and bloody.  I don't mean bloody figuratively.  I mean it literally.  My poor fingertips. And, how about playing under the direction of this guy?  Can you imagine?  I can...and did!

 Source

Anyway, I haven't been apart of an orchestra for a long time.  I miss playing my violin on a regular basis.  These days, I find myself only ever playing in church or at funerals.  Don't get me wrong, playing in church is fun and I'm always humbled when I'm asked to play at someone's funeral.  Overall, though, they are not enough to keep up my skills.

So, I have a goal to be apart of a community orchestra.  I've researched them in my area and know which one I'll join, but when I am able to do that is still up in the air.  I love my daughters and all, but they sure do make it impossible for me to do whatever I want whenever I want.  :)

The most difficult part about this goal will be arranging the family schedule so I'm able to go to rehearsals.  I figure it's worth shaking things up a bit.  After all, I want my girls to know I have talents that exceed making mac and cheese.

MUSIC mondays: favorite CHRISTMAS songs

I'm being lazy today and doing a repost for MUSIC mondays!  Here are my top 10 favorite Christmas songs.

10.  "Christmas is Calling"

I have my husband to thank for introducing me to this song.  It's just sweet.

9.  "Christmas Song"

I first heard this song by Dave Matthews back in high school.  A different Christmas song, but beautiful nonetheless.

8.  "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

I love The Carpenter's version of this song.  If I had to pick a romantic Christmas song, this one would be it!

7.  "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

Love Mannheim Steamroller's version (as Veni Veni).  Perfection!

6.  "Carol of the Bells"

I grew up listening to Mannheim Steamroller's version of this song.  I also saw them in concert.  Amazing.  I also sang this song in my 9th grade choir.  It's a fun, energetic song!

5.  "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

This is such a fun, holiday song.  Every time I hear it, I think of the scene from Home Alone when he is fooling the robbers into thinking there is a house full of people.

4. "O Holy Night"

"Fall on your knees!  Oh, hear the angel's voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born."  I love the lyrics to this song, and it's powerful melody brings tears to my eyes.  While Josh Groban is a close second, I think Celine Dion takes the cake on the best version of this song, EVER. (I'm expecting a rebuttal, Karen.  Haha!)

3.  "Hallelujah Chorus"

Handle's Messiah is absolutely amazing.  My very smart mother took me to a Messiah Sing-In with the Utah Symphony when I was still quite young.  It had an everlasting impact on me.  I can't not listen to the Hallelujah Chorus without getting chills, and I love this version of the piece.

2.  "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)"

Whether it's the original by John Lennon, or Sarah McLachlan's cover, or this French Canadian dude's version, I absolutely love this song.

1.  "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful"

I began taking violin lessons when I was just barely six years old.  One violin teacher I had gave her students the opportunity to make a Christmas album in a recording studio.  It required a ton of work, usually 8+ hours in the studio, often recording/playing the same song many different times.  During one such recording session, I found myself recording Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful. As I played each note and listened to the lyrics of the song in my mind, my heart became very full.  My eyes blurred and swelled with tears.  The message and spirit of this song touched my young soul in a way I can't articulate, but the feelings I had have remained with me all these years later, making this beautiful Christmas hymn by far my favorite song of the season.  Surprisingly, I have yet to find a version of this song I absolutely love, but this piano solo rendition is very lovely.

MUSIC mondays: STUBBORN LOVE

Once again, TV has played a key factor in my spotlight today for MUSIC mondays.  I first heard the song 

STUBBORN LOVE 

by The Lumineers 

on a commercial for Dick's Sporting Goods.  Totally random, huh?  I thought so too.

Anyway, I love this song.  I like the lyrics, the beat and the overall feeling to it.  

Check it out!

MUSIC mondays: WHOLE WIDE WORLD

Today I'm featuring the artist 

MINDY GLEDHILL

and her song

WHOLE WIDE WORLD

I adore this song because it's lyrics are so inspirational and things I hope my daughter thinks about.

"I wanna hold the whole wide world

Right here in my open hands

Maybe I'm just a little girl

A little girl with great big plans."

I hope you find this song as fun and upbeat as I do.

Happy Monday, Everyone!  I hope you have a great week.

MUSIC mondays: of MONSTERS and MEN

Today for MUSIC mondays, I'm featuring my most recent iTunes purchase

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 

by 

OF MONSTERS AND MEN

I'm new to enjoying Of Monsters and Men.  I really like their style, especially this song because it's very relaxing and emotional.  If you go back through all the songs I've featured on MUSIC mondays, you'll notice that I'm partial to music like this.

Enjoy!

MUSIC mondays: AMOS LEE

Today I'm featuring the artist 

AMOS LEE because his song COLORS is so, so beautiful.

Source

I first heard the song during the movie Just Like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo.  Is that a fun movie or what?

I really enjoy Lee's voice and how he sings with such emotion in this song.  Be sure to check him out!

MUSIC mondays: FAMILY TREE

One of my very favorite artists is FRANCES ENGLAND.  I have actually featured her before here on MUSIC mondays, but I had to feature her again because of her song FAMILY TREE.

The first time I heard this song, I knew, if I ever had another baby, I'd use it when announcing the pregnancy to my friends and family.

Well, my friends, I was finally able to make that video.  It's one of me talking with Isabelle and asking her if she'd like a baby brother or sister, and then I tell her that a new sibling is one the way!  In the background, the song is playing.  It's just how I imagined it would be!

  I would love to share it on my blog, but don't feel comfortable doing so since it's all Isabelle and I'm not sure I want her out there on the WWW.

Anyway, below is a playlist I managed to find on England's website.  Check out them out!

Oh, and in case there is any confusion, I am pregnant.  Due in Februrary.  More details to come!

MUSIC mondays: ANI DIFRANCO

Don't you just love it when you come across a song  you just love, but sort of forgot about?  That's what happened to me as I was scrolling through my music library, trying to decide what to feature today.

The song is called YOU HAD TIME

by ANI DiFRANCO

Source

I used to listen to Ani a lot more back in the day.  I even saw her in concert once.  Her music has a unique style which I really gravitated to at the time.

Nowadays, my taste in music has somewhat changed, but I still adore this song.  It starts out with a two minute piano solo and then the guitar and vocals are added later.  I personally don't care for the long, drawn out piano part, but that's probably because I love it when the guitar and vocals start so much.

Anyway, here's my favorite song from Ani DiFranco.  I had a pretty hard time finding a decent video of the song, so just open another window and browse the web while you listen to the song.  :)  Oh, and if you get tired of the long piano part, the best part of the song starts at 2:08.

Hope you enjoy it!