Doris Day - "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

There are some days that no matter what you just want to stay inside, cuddle up, and get your jammies on. Monday is just that kind of day for me. I've been a little sick and a day off will hopefully be what I need to get back on my feet.

So today, no matter what the weather is outside, I choose Doris Day's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" as my, with candles and fireplaces, cashmere and cardigans, hope and the hallmark channel, song for a, take care of yourself first, peace be with you, heat up your own hearth, Monday.

Kristin Chenoweth - "Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (w/ John Pizzarelli)"

Last night Texas was covered in Snow, and although I'm in Los Angeles, which is currently being covered in ash from the raging wildfires, I woke up this morning to pictures of my Mother's backyard covered in a white sparkling blanket of snow. It took my breath away, and reminded me that the holiday season, though cold and often dark, is meant for seeking the light and warmth in each other to brighten our days. 

Then, this little ditty popped on. I was immediately smiling and bouncing as I made  my coffee and began clean my apartment. I tell you I felt like Cinderella doing the chores. Kristin's incredible voice is neither taxed nor shown off by this song, but her pure delight and uncanny ability to convey joy in the off moments of the music make this the kind of classic that you just like to hear. 

Throw in the fact that this song is about the joy you get from being close to the one you love, and the multitude of things you'll put up with just to have them around, well how can you not help but giggle a little bit.

So, today with joy and cheer covering me like snow on the mountains, I choose Kristin Chenoweth's  "Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (w/ John Pizzarelli)" as my, go on and laugh, hold tight to those you love, make every memory last, song for an, open up your heart, let out the light and warm up those around you, sparkle like champagne and Christmas trees, Friday.

Whitney Houston - "Who Could Imagine A King"

She was legendary, iconic, and the voice of an entire pop generation. She paved the way for countless female singers to rise in her wake, and she proved to the world that a black woman could hold the highest spot in popular music and reign. 

This song is often overlooked, and it comes from her less than stellar move "The Preacher's Wife", but it tells a beautiful message and in the rerecorded version for her holiday album she really shines. This song is about believing in yourself, and in those you love, and allowing yourself to become more than anyone ever thought possible, and helping those you love to do the same. 

So today, with gentle smile and a fire sparking to life, I choose Whitney Houston's "Who Could Imagine A King" as my, break the molds, sparkle like on your light can, let others be guided by your light, song for a, leave a legacy, let them remember your heart, the beauty remains, Thursday.

I'm giving you both the album and the movie versions!

Bing Crosby - "Count Your Blessings"

As the city I live in is wreathed in smoke and ash falls from the sky like snow, I am grateful for the most simple of things; my home, my safety, my life. Ventura county has lost over 80,000 acres and the Getty Center and Bel Air are burning. I'm worried, but also very very grateful. 

In these dark times, as the song suggests, I count my blessings. The things I have, tangible or not, and show as much gratitude for every little gift I have. 

So today, with hope and gratitude in equal share, I choose Bing Crosby's version of "Count Your Blessings" as my, send your prayers, open your doors, leave out water and food, song for a, together we conquer, our greatest gift is each other, the season for giving, Wednesday.

Johnny Mathis - "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

I woke up this morning and there was a chill in the air. The house was cold and the Christmas decorations were out. I had to turn on the heater! And as I reveled in that first wave of heat blasting from the vents I thought to myself; "Oh, it's actually cold, it's winter! It's almost Christmas!"

Immediately this song popped into my head. From child star turned jazz/pop crooner Johnny Mathis is the one of the top 5 selling solo artists of all time with 73 albums ranking on the Billboard charts. 

So today, with classic nostalgia all around I choose Johnny Mathis' "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" as my, crisp and juicy, warm and wonderful, happy falling around you like snowflakes, song for a, light the fire, turn on the radio, snuggle up and smile Tuesday.

Ralph Von Williams - "Fantasia on 'Greensleeves'"

The holiday season can often be seen as a time of magic and fantasy, and it is with this song that I begin to walk down the frosted pathways back to that magical place of childhood innocence, where love was easier to find, and hope was bursting out of every seam. The idea that people's hearts soften a bit letting a little more love leak out into the world in all types of ways is the kind of dreams that you want to have. 

So, today, with pen to paper and my money where my mouth is, I choose Ralph Von Williams' "Fantasia on 'Greensleeves'" as my, walk down memory lane, with snow like sugar on my tongue, hope on every wintry wind, song for a, haste haste to bring them mirth, find your own little miracles, love is rare and beautiful and the more you give it away the more you'll find in yourself, Monday.

Ella Fitzgerald - "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"

As I bought my Christmas Tree and came home and put up my lights and decorations I couldn't help but think to myself, that the easiest and simplest way to make the world better is to start with yourself, start with your own heart and inspire others to do the same. It's like that classic phrase: "If everyone swept up their own front door, the world would be all clean." 

So, today I choose the First Lady of Song, Ms. Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" as my, start at home, begin with the simple first step, choose to be better, song for a, break open the cider, listen to the old stories, start spreading your own magic for the season, Friday. 

Ella Fitzgerald - "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive"

Some days you just WANT to be happy. You look around and see every good thing and then you turn the page and understand the life is really just about how you look at it. The world doesn't change much, it's our perspective that shifts, and with each shift we have the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to choose to see the brighter side. 

Choose the Light. 

So today, with laughter and love in abundance, I choose the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald's "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" as my, shine up, light out, lift off, song for a, kisses from the clouds, love all around, just around the corner, Thursday!