Click for free iTunes Holiday Sampler album

Happy Holidays to you from me! I wanted to pass along a little gem of a freebie today, because it’s really a super deal! I discovered this when I checked out the iTunes music store this morning. Free music!

iTunes has been giving away a free single per week for quite a while, usually of a new artist (someone you’ve probably never heard of). But this Holiday Sampler album is full of songs you actually want to listen to, sung by artists whose names you recognize!

From Christmas classics (Amy Grant’s “O Come All Ye Faithful” and David Archuleta’s “The First Noel”) to holiday pop (“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Weezer?!) and even some humor (“Another Christmas Song” by Stephen Colbert), this is a perfect addition to your holiday library. And it’s free!

Thanks, iTunes. What a sweet Christmas surprise.

Get the album here: iTunes FREE Holiday Album

Here’s the full song list:

1. O Come All Ye Faithful (Amy Grant)
2. The First Noel (David Archuleta)
3. Silent Night (Sarah McLachlan)
4. Carol of the Bells / Jingle Bells (Barry Manilow )
5. It Snowed (Meaghan Smith)
6. Above the Northern Lights (Mannheim Steamroller)
7. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Lady Antebellum)
8. We Three Kings (Toby Keith)
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Rascal Flatts)
10. Silent Night (Wynonna)
11. Twelve Days of Christmas (Mexicani Marimba Band)
12. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Weezer)
13. A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss) (Glasvegas)
14. Another Christmas Song (Stephen Colbert)
15. Greensleeves (Vince Guaraldi Trio)
16. Dream a Dream (Charlotte Church)
17. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: Character Dances (Divertissement) – Dance of the Reed Pipes (Kirov Orchestra & Valery Gergiev)
18. Angels We Have Heard On High (Aretha Franklin)
19. O Holy Night (Musiq Soulchild)
20. Auld Lange Syne (The Lonesome Travelers)

Oh, and once you download the album, you’ll also have access to some iTunes LP features, including song lyrics, artist information and photos, as well as a pretty falling-snow background while you listen to the music. Sweet as sugarplums!

Facebook Halloween Costumes

If you’re familiar with Facebook (and the amount of time it can suck from your life) you might enjoy this costume idea!

I resisted joining Facebook for a while, mostly because I figured it was probably like MySpace, which wasn’t that impressive to me. But once I opened my FB account, I was amazed by the number of old friends I found there. It’s like a mega-reunion of everybody I’ve ever known, from kindergarten classmates to sorority sisters to distant relatives you never see in person. It’s fun!

Facebook Poke Costumes

If you’re a FB addict (if I can admit it, that means I don’t really have a problem, right?), what better way to show off your attachment than by dressing up as your profile page? Or you could dress up as someone else’s profile page, if you wanted to get crazy.

Another Facebook Costume

These photos are examples from reface.me. I like the interactive costumes the best. Use a dry erase board for your Wall, and carry some markers, so people can write messages on it. Post your Status at the top, and cut out a place for your profile photo. Stick your head through there, and maybe leave room for your real-life friends to pose with you.

Don’t forget to put some sidebar boxes next to your Wall, so people can draw in Gifts and stuff. Happy Halloween!

via Mashable

This is my kind of holiday, because it combines Star Wars and a pun. The whole point of celebrating Star Wars Day is that you get to repeat this greeting as many times as possible: May the Fourth be with you! Get it? Today is May 4, 2009. May the Fourth! The only thing that would make this a better holiday would be the exchange of chocolate, and Feats of Strength.

Click this image for a larger view.

No, I didn’t make this awesome Star Wars poster. I found it here: My[confined]Space

Well, I love these JibJab videos that you can customize with your own photos. They’re hilarious and electronic, so all the time I might otherwise spend reading and rejecting paper cards at the drugstore can be spent (double) working on this nonsense. Anyhow, here’s one for St. Patrick’s Day, or as my son called it this morning, “Leprechaun Day.” Cheers!

We visited a Japanese grocery store recently, and my daughter loved the maneki neko figurines and posters. She does an excellent imitation of the famous Japanese lucky cat, and I just had to share. We wish everyone a lucky and prosperous 2009!

Well, I’m here! I’m still alive, and we’ve moved from Indiana to Colorado. I’m buried in boxes and work, but we did manage to put up our Christmas tree last night. My 9 year old offered to add some of his own, handmade ornaments. See if you can figure out which ones he added. Click the photo for a larger view. Cheers!

Hina Matsuri is one of the prettiest Japanese holidays, in my opinion. I love the pink colors, and the beautifully elaborate doll displays. Also, it’s a nice reminder that spring is on its way! Here is a little bit of information about Hina Matsuri, if you’re wondering what it’s all about. This is from PingMag.jp:

The overall idea of Hina-matsuri is to wish girls a healthy growth. In a family where a baby girl is born, parents give a set of dolls called “Hina-Ningyo” to the baby at her first Hina-matsuri hoping that she will grow happy, healthy and beautiful. Every year they keep decorating the dolls on the day of Hina-matsuri and hold a party to celebrate the child’s growth with some cake or tiny rice cakes.

I remember those special sweets and treats from a trip my family took to Japan when I was in elementary school. It was such an amazing experience to see, touch, taste, smell, and hear all of the elements of the celebration, especially when we visited the home of some long-lost relatives. I was about ten years old, and it made an indelible impression on my young mind.

Happy Hina Matsuri, everyone!

This MPK Adventures strip is new to me, but I thought this was really funny! If it’s too small for you to read here, click on it and visit the site.

Hubby got me a mini box of chocolates. I ate them all! I did not share.

You’ve probably seen the OfficeMax commercials for Elf Yourself. It’s a web application that lets you upload your own photo, crop it to fit an elf hat, and then watch yourself do an elf dance with up to three of your friends. Silly, but so fun! I did one with my own face first, and then I made one with my kids (above). Aren’t they cute?!

I’ve heard that people without high speed connections aren’t able to enjoy the show, so keep that in mind. You can see my elf dance here, or make your own. [Edit: Sorry, but the ElfYourself service must have been just for the holidays. It doesn't work anymore, but it was fun while it lasted!]