Our Christmas Favourite #2

Favourite Christmas Tradition:

This weekend was our yearly visit to Dublin city centre
We weren't sure if we would make it as Oisìn hadn't been well but
thankfully he was much better by Saturday.
We went to see Santa we waited two hours in a Que to see Santa but it was worth it!
We finished off our Christmas shopping, went for a walk in Stephen's Green Park,
strolled about the Christmas markets, looked at the Christmas lights and then went for dinner
It was a wonderful day and we really enjoyed it

Favourite Christmas Movie:

This week Oisìn didn't bother with Christmas movies as he was so unwell he just wanted to watch Peppa Pig and Mr Tumble over and over!
Friday night Paul and I watched one of our festive favourites Trading Places it's not one of the kids and it's not very PC in today's standards but that's what makes it very funny!
If you like the dry wit of early Eddie Murphy and the funny quirky directing of John Landis this one might be for you!

Favourite Decoration:

This decoration has a special place in my heart, it was the last present that my brother bought me before he past away. I always but it up some where safe so that little fingers can't get at it!
It sits pride and place on a shelf in my living room beside my brother's candle

Favourite Christmas Song:

I have heard this song over and over again this week, maybe it's because my brother has been on my mind. I know he does come home for Christmas in my mind every year he is with us, and I sense his presence near us at this time.
It's such a beautiful song and makes me think of all those who for some reason or other can't make it home for Christmas.

Favourite Christmas Special:

I think this is one of my favourite Christmas specials....EVER!
It always without a doubt gets me in the Christmas spirit! It's so cosy and the each of the characters bring there own stamp of Christmas and also there own problems!
I would love to see a one off Christmas special with all the gang! 

My Favourite Christmas Carols

I know it's still only November but alot of my friends have there Christmas trees up
and I have been listening to Christmas songs and carols since the weekend!
Last year I done a post about my favourite Christmas songs which you can see here
This post is my favourite carols to listen to over the festive season

Do You Hear What I Hear?~Idina Menzel

This is not technically a carol it was written in 1962 as a plea for peace
but in recent years it has been added to carol concerts.
It has been recorded by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and lots more
My favourite version is by Elsa legend Idina Menzel

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear~Josh Groban

This was originally a poem which over the years was adapted into a carol
It was the Christmas legend Johnny Mathis that made it into a popular Christmas carol
Soon it was included on everyone Christmas albums from The Carpenters to Anne Murray
I love this version from Josh Groban his voice is like velvet and the gospel choir raise this song from good to excellent!

Joy To The World~Celtic Women

One of the most popular carols, this song is Christmas for me!
The origins of the music of the song is unknown but it's words date back to 1719
In the late 20th century it was the most published Christmas song in America!
I like this very festive version from Celtic Woman

Silent Night~Stevie Nicks

Silent Night is not my favourite carol, I think that is because one year in primary song
I was doing a solo during the song for a Christmas concert the song was drummed into my head
I am sure I was singing it in my sleep! Afterwards I said I would be happy if I never heard the song again!
When I heard Stevie Nick's version of the classic carol it gave me a new take on a old classic!
Stevie's recognisable husky voice gives a romantic, rock air to the song
While it isn't my favourite carol or my favourite Stevie Nicks song, it is nice to hear such a traditional carol done slightly different

Mary Did You Know?~Pentatonix

This is another that is not technically a carol it was written in 1991
but it is such a beautiful haunting song that I had to add to my list!
It is now a modern Christmas classic and I love alot of different versions
Michael Crawford, Josh Groban and Hayley Westenra are all my favourites but this version
by Pentatonix is amazing. There tight vocals and beautiful harmonies make this song even more stunning 

Carol Of The Bells~Mormon Tabernacle Choir

I have two favourite versions of this song the beautiful but more traditionally version
by the stunning Mormon Tabernacle Choir. From the bells at the start to the choir soaring towards the end it is a stunning carol.

Carol Of The Bells~Trans Siberian Orchestra

 

I love this Orchestra and there takes on classical music
It's definitely something different from normal Christmas carol
Oisìn just loves to dance around when listening to it!

Oh Holy Night~Sarah Brightman

My favourite carol ever is O Holy Night
It dates back to a French town in 1847 a beautiful song which reflects on the birth of Jesus
and how it will save mankind
It has been recorded by many many musicians from different genres of music
My favourite is from Sarah Brightman when she was at the height of her solo career in 1998
Yes she does make some strange facial expressions but her voice and song itself is stunning

What are your favourite carols?

Five Things 43/52

 Happy Monday everyone can you believe it, it's Christmas week!!! How quick the time has gone! We had a nice week inbetween still waiting on Baby Furey we managed to get a few festive things done! Here are my five things from the weekend:

Going late night shopping and looking at how beautiful Dundrum town centre looked in all the amazing lights, water fountain and Santa Claus!

Getting all festive and cosy, while watching A Christmas Carol on Saturday night!

These lovely soft toys my Mam picked up for little blip how cute!!

Sunday day time I was getting alot of slow labour pains so I took to the sofa to drinking tea, doze and watching crap TV. Found this old show of Bruce's Play Your Cards right, spend a good two hours watching these old shows! Remind me of Saturday night TV as a kid!

One of my best friends came to visit this weekend with presents for me and little blip! Pamper set for me and baby monitors for little blip. I am so blessed and lucky to such wonderful friends and family who have been there for me so such the past couple of weeks,

So that's my five things from the last weekend before Christmas I am really really hoping that next weekend we have a little addition to the Furey Follies! But who knows baby seems to be really happy in there!