What are you doing New Years?

That song, What Are You Doing New Years Eve? is truly one of my favorite holiday songs.

Last year round 'bouts this time, I wrote a postlet (sort of like a piglet or naplet) about choosing a word for the year.  My 2011 word...well, it's chosen but I want to do a little more thinking before I say it out loud. 

My intent for the new year is harmony and balance, strengthening my strengths and not frantically spinning my wheels.  So, if you know of a word that encompasses those sentiments, shoot me a message.  If that stumps you, too, well...dammit!  I'll just have to keep thinking in the meantime.

If you're interested in choosing a word for the year rather than resolutions that fall through the cracks by the time January is even over, go to Susannah Conway's website and find out a little more about it (she's got a 2011 sheet but I can't seem to find the link and am getting bleary-eyed) and download the (free) worksheet right 'chere or try this one on Christine Kane's website for her (free) downloadable worksheet OR here's another one if you want to spring the $10 to try it out. 

Here's a cool end-of-the-year project you can participate in called Reverb10.  Seems really cool (if you're into that kind of thing)!

Husband always asks this question of his friends and family as the year comes to a close and I, in turn, will ask you: 

What are the top 5 memorable moments that happened in your life this year? 

Of course, there's going to be lots of things that qualify, but what hits the top of your list?

It's been a big year for me with lots of stellar moments to whittle down into 5 little spots but here goes (in no particular order):

#5:  Growing as a writer...

a songwriter 

(recording a demo, knocking out gigs from the top of the state to the coast)

a foodwriter

(the Mississippi Culinary Trail, a regular food & restaurant column) 

and as a storyteller through photography, video and blog.

#4:  Our 1st wedding anniversary. 

#3:  My trip to Horn Island over the summer

#2:  Attending a Barefoot Workshops session that taught me how to film & edit (and I finished the film my own darn self!)

#1: Starting my full-time position this month

with the Mississippi Development Authority, Division of Tourism!

I am a Special Projects Officer in the Bureau of Film, Music & Heritage. YAY!

Be safe, have lots of fun and I'll see you in 2011! 

~A

p.s. bear with me while I change the design of the blog (it's bugging the heck outta me) and get my banner back up at the top. I have been in and out of town so it has not afforded me time to tinker with the thing.  hopefully this weekend, i can sort it all out. 

Merry Christmas, Baby

Hey folks! 

Hope you are off from work, have your shopping done (and most of the cooking wrapped up) and have your rear end in something cushy and your feet propped up on something comfortable...basically, assume position for opening presents!

Both me and a few friends have been wanting to listen to something different this Christmas year and on Taza and Husband's blog, she recommends the Hey, It's Christmas compilation.  It's a different sort of sound for traditional Christmas songs and I absolutely dig it.  We stuck this on during our holiday ornament exchange at work last week (and then rocked out to some Motown Christmas after that).

If your town/city puts out a Christmas CD like Jackson does (Merry Christmas, Jackson - Volume 3), then I recommend that as another option to add to the shuffle.  It's been a lot of fun to listen to our fellow friends and musicians' take on classic Christmas songs.

Paste Magazine has 50+ Free Christmas mp3's which has a good variety of songs from indie bands and artists.  Love it!  They are easy to download and a great addition.

We're about to get on the road to Dallas and I can't wait to pop them in for an extended listen.  But we'll still have some standbys in tow, too!  (Harry Connick, Jr., Charlie Brown Christmas, Ray Charles and more)

No matter what or how you celebrate,

I hope you have the happiest (and safest) of holidays!! 

I heard you like bacon.

It's heartwarming to see bacon getting love from all sides these days.  There are so many ways to surprise your favorite baconphile this Holiday Season!  It's safe to say a gift like these will count for major brownie points and make up for most any transgression you may have committed over this past year.  There's always room for forgiveness when bacon is involved, right?


Try it for yourself:  bacon can be used in most every life scenario.  (Click on the pic for more info)

What better way to say thank you than sending your special note in a bacon-flavored envelope?

Give them the gift of security, knowing their money is in good hands.

Someone needs a hint...and there are so many ways to let them know it's time to do something about that vegetarian breath...

 Or better yet...

And here's the best movie night treat around!

For those of you who want to impress your friends with your mad gaming skills:

Say what?!  You got maimed?  Bacon to the rescue!!

The fun could go on for days, people.  Just search here or here or here and bacon dreams will come true for you and/or the one you love.  Talk about a match made in pork heaven.

This is currently out of stock, but here's some good bathtime fun:

I swear, what are they going to come up with next?!


Oh...this:

The element of surprise for your gift...bacon wrapping paper!

Have fun!

We All Scream For Ice Cream

Especially when it's still about 80 degrees outside in Mississippi (well, not at the moment but it was last week or so!). 

Since it's officially the holidays, and we are up to ears in Christmas lists and "what ifs" for gift ideas, I ran across the coolest necklace ever:

It's the Ice Cream Polaroid Necklace at ViviDot.  I ran across this site because there was a giveaway featuring ViviDot on a fun blog I love to read.  

The necklace brings to mind Southern drive-ins with their retro neon signs and some of the best ice cream around like my hometown favorite The Dip in Hernando, Edd's Drive-In in Pascagoula, Johnny's in Tupelo...fill in your fav here.

Happy Holidays!  I have lots of news, photos and such to share.  I've finished my short film, handed it off for the next phase of editing and I have no excuse whatsoever to be absent here.  It's good to be back. (p.s. I'm also playing with new blogger layouts and I'm being a little persnickety about it, so bear with, won't you please?)