I just couldn’t help but make this the featured image for this month’s Friday Finds, as I’m feeling pretty excited about it!
First published in 2021, then completely revamped and expanded in 2025, Christmas By Ear has only been available as a studio-licensed download (psst… if you’re a previous purchaser, contact me for a special discount code to upgrade).
It is now available in spiral-bound print (at 78 pages – it’s the only way I would have it!)
You can purchase both digital and hard copy versions here on the website, but the hard copies are distributed through a print-on-demand service, meaning they print only when ordered and ship directly from the printer.
The lead time from order to arrival is 2-3 weeks, so if you want copies for this season, I recommend ordering soon!
To celebrate the print release, take 20% off all hard-copy and digital orders through October 1.
Hard Copy: $19.95 $15.95
Digital Studio License: $79 $63
Get more details and purchase here.
Thanks for allowing me a moment to celebrate!
(P.S. Sorry – I would love to make it available on Amazon but printing with them or even just selling spiral bound on amazon is currently not viable.)
1
I love Bradley’s thoughts in his post on making music socially
Quick snippet: “Since many musicians are closet introverts who’d rather practice than go to a party, the last point can be off-putting. Here are two suggestions about how to integrate in-person social time into a musical life…”
2
Create a Custom Note-Identification Worksheet in Minutes (Natalie Weber | Music Matters Blog)
3
iPhone friends – did you know you can customize the “Action” button on the side of your phone? It’s the tiny one on the left side just above the volume controls.
4
Difficult Piano Parent Situations: What piano teachers can learn from flight attendants (Rebekah Maxner)
5
We’ve been buying Lavazza coffee for probably the better part of 10 years (with random other finds making it into the mix once in a while). It’s our staple, though. So, when I saw this post on Lavazza’s new single-serve espresso machine, I was immediately intrigued.
If you’re an espresso person and like the idea of eliminating waste, this machine is for you! The pods are made without plastic – the coffee is compressed. How cool is that?! Add it to your Amazon cart (affiliate link) and then WAIT until Prime Day or Black Friday to purchase!
6
Classical Music is in Crisis. Gustavo Dudamel Is Here to Save It (The Daily Podcast)
I loved listening to this episode about Gustavo Dudamel – the new conductor of the New York Philharmonic. He has led the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2009 – a role he received at only 28 years old.
7
America’s Test Kitchen has always been one of my go-to websites for reviews and recipes ever since its first formal broadcast in 2001 on PBS (it was our go-to on Saturday mornings back in the day!) They are now moving into the podcast world, and while they have three different ones out that I know of (all viewable on Netflix), my favorite is In the Test Kitchen.
The 4 co-hosts, Lan Lam, Bryan Roof, Lidey Heuck, and Nik Sharma, just have wonderful chemistry together and have delightful conversations about food. You can find it on your podcast player of choice (here’s mine), but I would recommend watching the videos on Netflix. They eat and compare food, so you’ll want to see what they’re eating!
8
Have you ever tried Swedish Dish Cloths? I feel like I’ve been on the hunt for a dishcloth I absolutely love for years and just never land on a total favorite. The Norwex Counter Cloths are my current favorite go-to. Last year, though, my mom bought me a Swedish Dish Cloth at a flea market. I like the idea of something that’s eco-friendly, so I decided to buy a few more to give them a fair shake and came across this review from America’s Test Kitchen. The jury is still out. Right now, I like the idea of them but don’t really love them. Norwex still has it, as of now.
Tell me – do you have a favorite dishcloth I should try?! Do you like Swedish Dish Cloths?
9
I got my pre-order in for Adam Grant’s new book: Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connetions in a Lonely World (affiliate link). There are very few books that I purchase in hard copy but I have almost all of his – love his materials!
10
Who else is a sucker for good office supplies? Thanks to Elizabeth Davis-Everhart from Creative Piano Pedagogy for recommending these amazing triangular pencils pencils! They’re fat and in a triangle shape so they’re easy to grip plus the lead is nice and heavy so it doesn’t break easily.
11
Two movies I watched in recent months that I adored. Both so cute. My husband even liked them.
Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix
The Life List on Netflix
12
Piano Pantry now has 21 recipe posts including the latest: Grandma’s Meatloaf (for people who think they hate meatloaf!)
- Grandma’s Meatloaf (Even for Meatloaf Haters!)
- Chocolate Cinnamon Sheet Cake (a.k.a. Texas Sheet Cake)
- Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich Recipe
- Simple Open-Face Tomato Sandwich (Mayo Free)
- Grandma’s Monster Cookies
- Mom’s Perfectly Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Creamy Cauliflower Salad: A Coleslaw Alternative
- Festive Taco Dip: An Easy Layered Party Appetizer
- Olive-Topped Deviled Eggs
- Dutch Fresh Mint Hot Tea
- Pickle Wrap Pinwheels with Beef or Pastrami
- Slow Cooker Sausage, Green Beans & Potatoes – An Easy 3-Ingredient Dinner
- Buttery Ranch Snack Mix: The Perfect Savory Snack or Christmas Gift
- Creamy Olive & Pecan Spread: An “Americanized” Tapenade
- Three Sisters Pumpkin Soup: A Cozy Fall Favorite
- Nutter Butter Ghosts: The Easiest Halloween Treat You’ll Ever Make
- My 2024 Student Christmas Gifts
- European Food Inspirations: 9 Easy Recipes to Make At Home
