I love Christmas music. From the trite to the spiritual hymns, it all makes me happy. Below are suggestions to add some new tunes to your own musical library…and even what to skip…

Saddest Song – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Judy Garland. Her voice just aches, so good.

Coolest Song – I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Dean Martin. Hip and unbelievably cool. I want to be fireside with Dean…

Most Fun – Donde esta Santa Claus? Guster. Mamasita, where is Santa Claus? Love it.

Most Feel Good – Winter Wonderland, Rosemary Clooney. Happy, happy music.

Best Drummer Boy – Do you Hear What I Hear? Martin Sexton. Sweet and strong. His voice and arrangement will you singing all day…

Best Jingle Bells – Sammy Davis Jr. Obviously.

Best Swing – I Believe, Frank Sinatra. Me and Frank – we believe in wishing wells and Santa Claus…

Naughty in the Best Sense of the Word – Maybe Next Year, Meiko. Breathy and delicious.

Best Surprise – Just Like Christmas, Low. Bittersweet, just like Christmas…

Best New Song – Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson. Haunting and gorgeous. December never felt so long…

Most Disappointing CD – Harry for the Holidays, Harry Connick, Jr. For all practical purposes this should work, but it doesn’t. He sounds phony and over-produced. Skip it.

Worst Song – White Christmas, Katy Perry. Screeching and off-key. Can’t believe it made its way onto a CD…

Best Instrumental CD – Celtic Christmas ’06. Penny whistles and hymns = lovely background music.

Best Get in the Spirit Song – It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas, Bing Crosby. Enough said.

Happy Listening!

Looking for daily inspiration?  Join my Facebook page, The Indie Spirit, to connect to others and feel good.  Each week I co-host a radio show about all things Spirit with Jeff “Classic” Popka on http:www.blogtalkradio.com/indieonair.  It’s Thursday evening 6pm MST – we meditate, discuss, answer call-in questions – everything from matters of the heart to career guidance to connecting to peace.  Hope you can join us.

Want to learn about Animal Spirits/Guides? Join me tonight on the Indie Spirit BlogTalk Radio Show 8 pm EST/7 pm CST/6 pm MST/5 pm PST…Ask questions. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/indieonair

The Pilot show of The Indie Spirit featuring ME debuts this Thu @ 7pm CST. Kelly is a spiritual intuitive and will be giving phone readings for callers. Classic co-hosts and plays a little music as well. Learn to look inward for peace & inspiration during this laid back, fun program. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/indieonair

Join us on Facebook.

Here are just a few tips to make this summer fantastic…

 1.         Picnic and concert/play.  I began going to outside plays and concerts when I was a kid with my Mom.  I try to go at least once a summer now.  Big blanket, yummy food, setting sun and art – could there be anything better?

 2.         Beach.  Whether you go to the ocean, a lake or even a stream – get to a beach.  I don’t care how old you are – take your shoes off and dig your toes in the sand and suddenly you are a kid again.  If you really want to feel good, build a sand castle and feel the years slip away as you play…

 3.         Book.  Reading is a way to travel and explore without leaving the comfort of your hammock.  If you are looking for an excellent to read this summer – check out my book reviews where you can find anything from hysterically funny (Me talk Pretty One Day) to self-help (The Power of Intention) to lyrical (The God of Small Things.)

4.         A garden.  Ok, it could just be a small pot with some pansies or a massive vegetable garden, but grow something.  Digging in the dirt is calming your nerves and your soul.  And best of all – it’s addictive…I check on all my flowers every morning just to see who has bloomed today and for the past few years, we’ve grown lettuce on our deck – our own economic recession garden…

5.         Camping.  Try going camping for one night and don’t forget the smores fixings!  A camp fire is good for anyone’s soul and if you are a newbie at camping or haven’t been for a very long time – you are guaranteed to create memories that last…Just setting up the tent can afford opportunities to laugh for hours…

6.         Forgive.  Learn to forgive someone this summer – make up with a friend or family member that you feel estranged.  Guess what?  They feel just as crappy about having you missing from their life as you feel having them out of yours.  So send a funny card, make a phone call or even send an email – almost everyone longs to be forgiven and brought whole again.  Make it happen for you and maybe you will now have someone to go camping with…

7.         Summer Music.  I listen to IZ during the summer or any time I want to feel like I am on vacation.  If you haven’t started already, begin listening to “happy” music – anything that makes you feel light inside.  Reggae is always a happy choice.  And my latest favorite, Phoenix – let the dancing begin!

8.         Go skinny-dipping.  Nothing says summertime more then skinny-dipping.  Find a secluded spot and jump in – your body will thank you by feeling completely and joyfully alive.

9.         Pot Lucks.  I love getting together with friends, but can’t afford to throw as many parties as I would like – answer: pot lucks!  Everyone bring something and the party has begun with little financial investment from you.  Best of all – your guests will love it.  Instead of bringing a hostess gift, they can skip the flowers and bring something they like.  Everyone’s happy.

10.     Fall in love.  Falling in love is not just reserved for singles, I have been married more than ten years and joyfully I fall in love with my husband over and over…Maybe as we have a picnic or lay in the hammock entwined and reading, or as we dig our toes in the sand or even, when we forgive each other our imperfections and enjoy the beautiful life we have created together…

May these tips spark your own heart and help you to create a wonderful summer ahead.  Enjoy!

Has it been one of those days?  Could you use a change in attitude?  Would you like to be grinning like the village idiot?  You need a dance break!

Pop in the new Phoenix CD, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, and listen to the first three songs, Lisztomania, 1901 and Fences.  The music has quirky lyrics, throbbing beats with a kind of an 80s electric vibe.  It’s happy, summer music.  Don’t forget Lasso, Girlfriend and Armistice as well.  Enjoy!

Bod Owens lives in a graveyard.  He has lived there since he was just a wee babe and clambered through the fence railings to explore.  What he didn’t realize at the time is that he had narrowly escaped a killer.  The killer who moments before murdered his father, mother, sister and now was looking to finish the deed.

 Bod was lucky, the ghosts intervened and hide him.  In the graveyard, Bod is raised by a different kind of family.   Teachers from Roman days, drowned witches and a host of ghouls to help Bod become a man.  As with any childhood, the adventures abound when you least expect it, especially when you are looking behind headstones!

 Surprisingly this is a kids’ book from one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman.  This book is a delight – one I hope Gaiman will continue through writing more on adventures and lessons of Bod’s journey…

Some of my favorite things that made life in 2008 just a little bit better… 

1.       Aura Cacia – Natural Aromatherapy Bubble Bath.  Without a doubt, the best bubbles I have ever encountered – creamy, luscious and long- lasting (you will still have a tub full of bubbles in 15 minutes).  The product is so good you don’t have to use a lot of liquid for each bath – so it could last awhile, but because the experience is so awesome, well, bubble baths become a nightly affair – thank GOD.  Price: $10 a bottle.

 2.       RJ’s Natural Licorice – Black.  You either love black licorice or hate it – I’m a lover and was wowed to discover this licorice.  It is soft, chewy, with an unbelievable taste and just the right size so one piece satisfies your craving.  Side benefit – good for your tummy.  Price: $6 a medium bag.

 3.       Olay Quench Therapy Body Lotion.  Last February a friend told me about this lotion as I complained of dry, scaly winter skin and miracle of miracles – it works.  Here in Colorado, it is dry, dry, dry and I had been a fighting a losing battle with itchy winter skin for years.  That is until I found this lotion.  Tip: apply every day and within a week your skin will feel soft again all the time – not just after application.  Price: $7 for large 22oz bottle.

 4.       Italian Ice Sodas.  This is a light refreshing drink I would always order when out…then I realized I could make them at home too!  Fill your glass to the top with ice, pour in the mineral water to the brim (Pelogrino is what I use) and add a dash or two of any flavored Torani Syrup (can buy at World Market).  Yummy, refreshing and low-cal.  Total cost: Less then $5 for 3-4 glasses.

 5.       Morning Joe.  During this year in elections 2008, I became an avid watcher of all things politics.  Being an early riser, I discovered Morning Joe and soon it became part of my regular routine.  I am a democrat through and through, but what I like about Morning Joe is he (Joe Scarbourough) is not, nor are many of his guests.  They argue, debate, joke – sometimes heatedly, about the issues of the day.  Yes, there are some mighty egos on the set, but I like hearing all points of view in a variety of issues.   

6.       iTunes.  I was a late to come to the iTunes party, but now, to have all that music and movies available in moments?  Heaven.  Price $.99 and up.

 7.       Angels by Victoria’s Secret Lace Trim Bikinis.  Want to feel better and a little sassy?  These undies are a delight – so pretty, comfortable and no rising up.  Price: $16, however there is a big sale going on right now…

 8.       Cuisinart Ice Cream.  My husband received an ice cream maker this year and much to my pleasure, it makes fantastic ice cream and so easy to use.  If you are an ice cream lover – this is a must-have.  Price: $49.99 and up.

 9.       Hotel Collection at Macy’s – towels.  There is nothing more decadent then wrapping up in a soft towel upon exiting a shower or bath…As my friend exclaimed when she touched the towels, “Oh my God, that is like velvet!”  Need I say more?  And the best news is, they have a “Slightly Imperfect Selection” that costs less than half the regular price.  (The imperfects have not measured to be exactly the right size for the bath towel, hence they are imperfect and an amazing deal…)  Price: $25 per bath towel, imperfects – $10.

 10.     Hats.  Bad hair day?  Please put on a Newsboy Cap.  Suddenly, instead of being appearing slightly disheveled, you are instantly hip and look about 5 to 10 years younger.  The caps are everywhere and are so much fun to wear.  Hint: Try on a lot of hats and when you find a goody – buy it no matter the price.  Finding the right hat is worth the $38 – $50 because not all hats look good on your head, but once you find a gem, you will be surprised how often a hat becomes a simple solution to those inevitable bad hair days.  Price: $10 and up.

 11.     Anthropologie Stores.  A new Anthropologie Store opened near me this year and basically, it’s like walking into my closet – the nicest version.  Absolutely everything in the store is my style – feminine, sexy and keen on detail.  Only problem – ridiculously over-priced, but again – sales abound.  This is the place to find unique pieces to spice up your wardrobe or reward yourself for any job well done…Price: variable.

 12.     The Passionate Marriage by David Schnarch.  This book will change your perspective forever on marriage and relationships.  How many of us read marriage, self-help books with a mindset of “if my partner would just get it…he/she is holding me back from my best life…if I could just figure out a way to make her/him see how they need to change…”  One of the most startling and truthful revelations in this book is that your partner is not the only one not getting it.  You are stumbling just as much – it just may not appear so on the outside.  Be fairly warned though, this is an emotionally exhausting book because you are faced with the truths of your own behaviors and how they impact your life – for better and worse.  The good news: your life and all your relationships will improve after reading this book.  Price:  $13.

 These are just a few of my favorite things of 2008.  Please feel free to share some of your favorite things of 2008 in the comments below…