'Tis the Season

It's officially December and time is driving full speed ahead towards Christmas. For those of you who don't know my family, a disclaimer: Christmas is a huge deal in our house. So huge, we're talking 7 trees. I'm not kidding. Anyway, I've spent a good deal of the Christmas season away from home in past years, but this year will be the first that I spend Christmas day away from from home.

So, to avoid a sudden bout of near-clinical depression, I'm creating my own Christmas traditions on the road.

1. Music- This one is easy thanks to iTunes. My Christmas favorites of the past are still on my computer, ready to be played on shuffle over and over. Also, thanks to Pandora, Christmas music is even more accessible. But recordings aside, a friend and I have been doing our own little Christmas jam sessions. It's sexy. Violin and viola improv duets. Some of them fall flat, and I'm serious, some of them just suck, but they give us a great laugh. But then you get some moments that are beautiful and leave you speechless. I think Silent Night is our favorite so far.

2. Decorations- With music complete, decorations are the next part to make December feel like Christmas.  Thanks to Target, the following pics have been made possible:
The first is the tree in my room. It's tacky and wonderful, and delightfully reminds me of the season each day. The second is our pit tree! (yes, Jill, I stole this off your blog) What's the season without a little fun at work?

We also decorated the pit with little ornaments and a slightly wilted poinsettia. I hope the people in the upper balcony can look down and see it.

3. Concerts- Ok, so this maybe isn't the thing that puts me in the Christmas mood every year, but you know as a musician, Christmas gigs are a big deal. So, here's an upcoming Christmas event. I hesitate to use the word gig, it's a benefit concert in Minneapolis in about a week. If you're in the area, you really should come. It's for a great cause and the music will be tremendous.

That is all. Forgive me for this rambling post, I'm not yet caffeinated for the day.