I’ve been taking a few days off here around Thanksgiving, taking it a bit easier in the days that kick off the first days of the Christmas season here. I can’t say I’m as big a fan of the holidays as when I was child but I still feel that same warm fuzziness when certain songs of the season come on the radio. Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song or Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, for example. One of my all-time favorites are the wondeful compositions from Vince Guaraldi for A Charlie Brown Christmas. Hearing the relaxing tones of Christmas Time Is Here with the children’s chorus is like zen candy to me–it just pushes away all the bad things we,ve come to accept as part of the season and fills the void with a peaceful calm.
I thought I’d share Diana Krall‘s take on this great piece. It lacks the children’s voices but it is lovely nonetheless and a good way to head back into my work.
Redtree Times 
What a wonderful version. It makes me long for cold, snow and fires. Well, and my dad’s hot rum punch. We’d make a batch and keep it in the refrigerator in Mason jars. After shoveling or skating, anyone could heat up a cupful and enjoy – even the kids. 😉
I love Vince Garaldi’s music for the Peanut’s specials. Also, now I’m in love with the voice of Diana Krall. I make a punch with half apple juice, half cranberry juice, with sticks of cinnamon and whole cloves floating in it. I make it in a crock pot and cook it down for at least 8 hours, adding more juice as necessary as it cooks down. You can put white wine in it, or amoretto, or Harvey’s Bristol Cream, or drink it plain. When I make it for parties, I serve it in a crock pot so it can be ladled up hot.