For your musical enjoyment, may I suggest...

Ah: the end of another week. So hard to believe that September is nearly gone and October is right around the corner! 

I decided to devote this blog to suggestions of music, for your enjoyment. Anyone who knows me is aware that I literally live and breath music. Well, it's true! I love it. :) 

So- if you enjoy music, and are tired of listening to the same thing over and over, here are some of my favorites that I frequently recommend to people. (especially light classical and easy listening.)

Spotify:  Free internet download (you have to have Facebook to get it), and allows you to listen to unlimited (with commercials) music. You can find virtually any artist or album by just typing it in the 'search' box. It's great!

Pandora Radio: Make an easy free account by simply using your email address, and create free online radio stations based on your favorite songs, albums, or artists. I listen all the time! 

Now, for a few musical recommendations: 

Andre' Rieu- Violinist from the Netherlands. His live DVD's are not only filled with beautiful music, but are also quite funny and very entertaining. My students (and I) love him! He plays music varying from light classical to Movie classics (Moon River, etc.). It's great relaxing music, and there are several of his albums on Spotify as well as Pandora. A few of my favorite albums: Romantic Moments, Dreaming, Homecoming, At the Movies, and Greatest Hits.

Canadian Tenors- Terrific guys vocal group; they sing light pop/classical. Really love their sound! On Spotify as well as Pandora. 

Straight No Chaser- 10-men from Indiana who sing amazing! I especially love their holiday/Christmas stuff. Check it out- it's phenomenal! 

Julie Andrews- No introduction needed. She's my favorite female vocalist of the light classical/Broadway genre, and is truly a legend. Her Christmas albums are especially beautiful, if you're not a fan of Broadway music. Pandora and Spotify.

101 Strings Orchestra- Really enjoyable, beautifully played light classical/easy listening orchestral favorites. Love them! Pandora and Spotify- and most libraries. Amazon has free downloads, sometimes.

Phil Coulter- Irish pianist who often collaborates with famous flutist Sir James Galway. His albums Celtic Horizons, The Celtic Minstrel, Winter Crossing, and Highland Cathedral combine piano light-classical feel with celtic-easy listening. Sounds strange, but it's beautiful. Check it out!

Jim Brickman- Pianist. I don't like all of his songs because they tend to be repetitive, but his Disney album is quite nice, as well as Picture This and his Christmas album, Joy is a favorite. His pandora station is my favorite! Really nice studying music, or anytime music. 

Mantivani Orchestra- Great easy-listening orchestral music. Everything they do is extraordinary and beautiful. See what you think! 

Secret Garden- European violinist/pianist husband/wife team. Their music has a beautiful instrumental (and some vocal) feel, and is extremely relaxing. He actually wrote the famous song "You Raise Me Up," as well as most of the songs on all their albums. Earthsongs is one of my favorite albums. Check it out on Pandora or Spotify! 

Kenny G- Goes without saying, he is one of my favorites! His Christmas music permeates our house year-round! Miracles, Faith, Greatest Christmas, and everything else is a favorite. My favorite non-Christmasy album is Classics in the Key of G. It's a balance between light jazz and easy listening.

Yiruma- An Oriental pianist with a unique playing style. I really enjoy the Yiruma station on Pandora; it's very relaxing and beautiful!

James Todd- A cellist who truly plays from the heart. I really enjoy his cd's! They are beautiful. Pandora station is nice, too. Check out the album "Forrest Cello." 

I hope you check out a few of my recommendations and let me know what you think!

To close this blog post, here is a video of a legend and fantastic singer- Andy Williams. The world of music is richer because of him, and he will be missed! Moon River is one of my favorite songs. Enjoy! 

Another favorite- Autumn Leaves, also by Andy Williams. 

Recipe for Apple Spice Bars coming soon to the blog...a Fall tradition in my house! 

Have a lovely September Weekend...

Entertain Me: Now.

Don't faint! (you may be shocked as this is my second post in two days...). I've been mulling over a few things lately, and thought I would share. :)

How often do we use the word 'entertainment,' or 'entertain?' It would take several hands (and feet) to count the number of times each day I hear students discuss various forms of entertainment at school.  
What comes to your mind at the mention of 'entertainment?' 

A good book?

Romantic movie?

Comedy?

Shopping?

If I were to ask 10 people about their respective opinions on entertainment, I would most likely receive 10 different answers. What would yours be? Should entertainment literally 'entertain' in the sense of keeping your attention, or sitting on the edge of your seat for the next scene, help you un-wind after a stressful day at work, keep the kids occupied while you have some time with your friends/spouse/or get things done? 

The dictionary definition for 'entertainment' is: "the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment." That would have been my answer, too...that is, until several years ago. A more accurate (Biblical) definition for 'entertainment' is something like this: "that which refreshes, rejuvenates, and provides relaxation and inspiration." (You will most likely not find that in Webster's.) 

If we were to use the word 'entertainment' to describe only the activities that, after doing them, leave you completely refreshed (emotionally, physically, spiritually), reinvigorated, rejuvenated, relaxed, and inspired, would it leave out most of the things you consider entertaining? I realize, of course, riding a four-wheeler is not spiritually invigorating :) (along with other activities of the like), but do you see my point? I enjoy fun activities just as much as you do. Truly. And, I'm no Biblical scholar. However, I've been taking 'inventory' of my entertainment recently, and I've re-discovered a few things. 

1. I enjoy good movies. The Sound of Music. Mary Poppins. Horton Hears a Who. Ratatouille. Finding Nemo. Pride and Prejudice. Fireproof. Courageous. etc. I'm not immune to enjoying a good story. 

I love action, drama, comedy, romance, film music, and helping the good guys win! I find it very enjoyable.

But, how refreshed do you feel after watching a film with innumerable misuses of God's name, inappropriate scenes, innuendo, BUT "the story line is great!?" I used to 'not' notice a lot of those things, but I realized I would rather err on the side of caution and be considered an old 'fogie' than to

risk my relationship with Jesus for the sake of an hour and half film. 

Another thought: what you take in through your eyes and ears often will translate into words, actions, or attitudes. Wondering where your kids are picking up on 'that' kind of attitude, language, etc.? Check what kind of stuff pops up on your internet you-tube history, iTunes, or Netflix subscription. (Take it from this teacher: you'd be surprised how fast kids pick up on negative attitudes, language, ideas, etc. portrayed in music and movies!) 

When choosing a movie for your family, sometime try something enjoyable, clean, and funny, that won't require you to fast-forward most of it. :) You'll find yourself enjoying it more!

Helpful hint: use www.pluggedin.com to look up movies, music, etc. It's a terrific site by Focus on the Family, and gives great Christian reviews. I use it quite often! 

2. I LOVE music. Fast, slow, mellow, dramatic, old, new, relaxing, etc. There's nothing more relaxing for me than to listen to an Opera while cleaning or reading a good book. Ahh. I know, it's odd. But to me, it IS entertaining! I have over 5,000 songs in my iTunes library. That's a lot of music! However, because I love so many different music genres, I have to remember: "All things in moderation." (I'm not condoning listening to EVERY genre of music in moderation, no worries. :)) 

My point is this: I love the Carpenter's. Tony Bennett. Nat King Cole. Celtic Woman. Classical. Frank Sinatra. Opera. Big Band. Easy Listening. However, when I listen solely to these genres constantly, for ME, it becomes a problem. Not because anything is wrong with 'Mona Lisa' (Goodness, I hope not!), just that when my musical diet is composed of all things secular, it's not healthy for me. I've had to find a balance. Even simple things like listening to secular (non-Christian/Classical) music before church services or devotions is an issue for me. It may not be for you. When I listen to Christian music before church/school/devotions, I find myself much more tuned-in to God speaking to me, and it's much easier for me to concentrate on His voice. 

These are only two aspects of entertainment...I'm sure there are many more. There's nothing wrong with having fun, trust me- I have more that most people. :) I have a blast playing tennis on the Wii, laughing at Mr. Bean falling asleep in church, ice-skating, etc. But here's what it boils down to:

*is your 'entertainment' of choice leaving you exhausted or frustrated?

*do you come away feeling as if you're farther from Christ?

*does it make you question your relationship with Christ?

*do you notice negative changes in language, attitude, by you, or your family?

*do you find yourself saying, 'watching/listening to it doesn't mean I'll do it?' 

God loves you. And me. I believe God loves it when His people are happy, and feel

refreshed! I want my entertainment to please Him...not because of the fact 'if God were in this room,'

but because 'God IS in the room.' 

Pleasing Him: it's what life is all about.