E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker, narrated by Derek Jacobi; with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's ballet, arranged for brass septet and performed by Septura (= seven members of the brass sections of Britain's leading orchestras):

One of my Christmas gifts for my mom this year: it got here just in time and since she opened the package not realizing it was addressed to me, we already listened to it this morning.  Christmas couldn't have gotten off to a more charming start!

Excerpts from all parts of the recording (both narration and music) here: https://naxos.lnk.to/8574157ID

In this touching video created by The Chicago Lighthouse, photographer and author Larry Broutman shares his inspiration for creating the children’s book, Chicago Treasure, and what the process taught him about what inclusion truly means. Diverse children take the lead roles in classic fairytales and nursery rhymes when photographs of the kids are digitally imposed with colorful fairytale illustration backgrounds by Rich Green. Local children and their parents explain why seeing their faces in the pages of this book is so meaningful. Interspersed throughout are scenes from the Chicago Treasure Book Launch where 250 Chicagoans came to The Chicago Lighthouse to celebrate the release of this enchanting book.

This post can also be found on my blog MissKatiEllen.

I didn’t get a chance to talk more about Vampire Academy as I had so much to cram in. Although I struggled with Rose to begin with I love how she developed and matured, I especially loved that Mead separated Lissa and Rose. It completely changed the game. Rose had to deal with the choices she made, deciding to leave her life behind to track down the man she loved without so much as a explanation could have broken the girls friendship. And choosing to leave meant she could not longer be there to protect Lissa, but being bonded through spirit Rose had to share every moment she couldn’t be there for her. And for Lissa it meant putting her trust in someone who didn’t share a bond, trusting that Rose would come back. Not to mention dealing with the responsibilities and pressures that come with living at Court.