It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

guys, you probably already know that at christmastime my true cheesyness shines through.

i can't help it. i actually get really excited about everything, all the little holidayish details.

like the parade...

i was in marching band in high school and it's my favorite part of the parade. this year all three of our local high school bands played and marched together. us bookstore ladies totally got goosebumps.

this donkey managed to look quite cheerful toting a christmas tree and gifts upon his sweet back.

i love working at the bookstore at christmas time.

everything is so dang jolly, and you're just selling books like hotcakes.

what could be more perfect gifts, especially cause they're used books...thus recycled.

we have a table and cart piled with christmas books out front.

after the parade on sunday i took a walk to look at the town's lights.

it had been off-again-on-again rainy so the sky and reflections all seemed extra bright and shiny.

below you can see the big courthouse tree in the distance.

the tree-lighting ceremony was one of the things i missed while stuck at home sick. (heartbreaking)

and our famous old bell tower all decked out.

all the little shops are gay and merry

there's even a spindly little decorated tree in the alley by the parking garage.

backside of buildings in the alley:

one of placerville's best traditions:

downtown businesses and assocations line the freeway that passes through our town with decorated and lit-up christmas trees.

this is something i have called "the lighted ladies" since i moved here at the tender age of 12 years.

in my anne-of-green-gables-obsessed nostalgia, i thought they looked like a line of fancy ladies going to a ball, thus

"the lighted ladies."

they look extra pretty this year!

you can tell someone's feeling a lot better!

i am loving this little lavender sweater and gold calico jacket i thrifted within the last couple weeks, for less than $2 combined! 

rambunctious as ever! and soooo ready for this holiday season...

and so i give you....

my top ten christmas songs.

not necessarily in order, but these are the ones i can literally listen to over and over.

1. Brook Benton - "You're All I Want for Christmas"

my mom introduced this to me last year care of the starbucks compilation.

i am totally in love with everything about it. it makes me feel so good.

if you don't know it already, please listen to it.

2. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - "I'll Be Home with Bells On"

i did a clogging routine to this when i was ten years old, it was like flying

this song makes my feet fly even still and it makes me smile and laugh.

and dolly just plain rules.

and look at that record cover, wow.

3. Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson - "Winter Song"

another one i fell in love with last year, when my cat stormy was dying and we got snowed in and everything just felt so big and full of love and tears.

from this album for a good cause.

4. Elvis Presley - "If Every Day was Like Christmas"

i have adored this song since i was a little kid.

it makes me feel like everything is right in the universe, especially if there are twinkling colored lights nearby.

5. Amy Grant - "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)"

yes, i did it. i included amy grant. i can't help it.

this song reminds me of my family.

and i am actually really drawn to the nativity story and especially mary.

6.  Judy Garland - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

please tell me you've seen Meet Me in St. Louis.

it's one of my favorite movies ever; i wrote about it last year.

the scene where judy garland sings this song just kills my heart every time.

7. Sarah McLachlan - "Wintersong"

i know, i know.

i love the weepy ones, but they really make me feel happy and warm and close to everyone i love.

i guess i'm just a cheeseball.

8. Little Isidor and the Inquisitors - "Christmas of Love"

agh! i love this so, makes me scoot around doing a little jolly dance.

it's from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which darin and i love too - most of all that it takes place in a snowflake.

9.  Josh Groban - "Believe"

groban, groban, groban. if you ever thought you didn't like groban, just watch this.

i love saying his name; i love singing along to this song in my car (which i like to call a sleigh ride)

as loud as i can.

it's from the Polar Express which i am fine with never having seen.

but i love the lyrics and yes, i love groban's voice.

10. Enya - "Oiche Chiun (Silent Night)"

enya.

i believe that's all i need to say.

i know it is only december 8 but i am going to start saying it now, cause it all goes so fast.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! and to all a good night.

tell me your favorite songs, please!

i love discovering new holiday music.