My Weekend Crush

I have very few stead-fast winter traditions. I don’t put the decorations up on a certain day. I don’t roast chestnuts on an open fire. I don’t rush out to sled at the first fallen snow. But, come on, I live in California so that last one isn’t really my fault. What I do always do is open presents on Christmas morning (not Christmas Eve, that’s just impatient crazytalk). I always watch “The Snowman” with my family (well, when I’m with my family). And I always start playing Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson’s “Winter Song” on an endless loop. Here after a day of much turkey and lying flat, I finally feel ready to admit that winter is well on its way. So now, now I’m ready to press play. Something about this song with its delicate melancholy makes my heart just melt. It’s a harvester of light through cold, dark nights. I fell in love from the first second I heard it. And, once the season changes back, I fall in love all over again. Welcome, winter. Happy weekend, all.

Sing me a song

Today, I feel like a little song. Words just fail me sometimes. And that's where music comes in. Nothing invigorates or inspires me more than live music, particularly when sung by amazing women. So today, how about a selection of live, unfiltered sounds? All these songs are lovely and thoughtful and have a sweet melancholy about them that is almost impossible to resist. Sure, some of these videos are shaky. And, granted, the quality isn't always the greatest. But it's that raw experience that makes it feel more personal. After all, life isn't perfect, but we just keep trying anyway.

Ingrid Michaelson, “Corner of Your Hear”


The Watson Twins, “Just Like Heaven”


Maria Taylor, “Clean Getaway”


Ani DiFranco, “Independence Day”


Vienna Teng, “City Hall”


ADD: Natasha Richardson, “Maybe This Time”

Beautiful, heartbreaking, a true talent that the world is now so much worse for having lost.

So, feel like sharing a song? Sing it sweet and low to me below.

I'll be your harvester of light

Sometimes, in the wee small hours of the morning, I stumble across something that I had no idea existed only seconds before but now cannot imagine living the rest of my life without. It could be a photo. It could be an essay. It could be anything. And last night it was “Winter Song.” I just fell instantly, insanely in love. Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson's voices have a lilting beauty together that transcends space and time. The song is steeped in the sweet sadness that sometimes sets in this season. But it's that gorgeous kind of melancholy you almost wish you could wrap around yourself like a blanket. And then there's the video. Oh kittens, the video.

If your heart doesn't grow three sizes at the sight of little animated Sara and Ingrid together, well, then there's no roast beast (or roast tofurkey, for all my vegetarian friends) for you tomorrow. Plus, if you ignore the separate beds, you can totally read a lesbianish subtext into that video.

The song is part of the wonderful holiday collection “The Hotel Cafe presents...Winter Songs.” The CD includes seasonal originals and classics by female singer-songwriters including Brandi Carlile, KT Tunstall, Fiona Apple, Colbie Caillat and many more. Naturally, I downloaded the whole thing from iTunes immediately. Best yet, a portion of the proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to support breast cancer research. (If you download individual songs, be sure to include the “Auld Lang Syne” medley to still donate.) My only complain: Katy Perry, seriously? I guess there really is no escaping her. Blessedly, there is a “delete” button. And not even Katy can ruin the beauty of all these women's voice making a joyful noise. May the wonder of winter fill your heart with love, peace and light.