There are many memories in our lives that we can remember clear as day and some that we wish we could remember more of. The memories that changed us or touch us the most are the ones we never forget.

Although I didn’t know Jeanne Bice as a connected friend I did meet her and she did open her home up to my sister (Patti Reilly) on Thanksgiving one year. My sister had a QVC show with Jeanne on Thanksgiving and the show was done on location at Jeanne’s home in Florida. In my family we always try to have Thanksgiving together, but over the past few years our family has been so spread apart geographically that it’s almost impossible anymore. During this time I hadn’t seen my sister in quite a while and it meant everything to me to go visit her in Florida and experience this Thanksgiving with someone that meant so much to her (Jeanne).

I remember pulling up to the hotel where my sister had already arrived a few hours before me, and knocking on the hotel room door. My sister was inside ready to give me a huge hug and kisses down my peach fuzz nose (inside joke). She was so excited that she could be with someone in our family on Thanksgiving and I was happy to be somewhere warm during the cold winter months. We had an early morning at Jeanne’s house the next day so my sister and I decided to sit in the room and watch tv. A knock at the door arrived and it was the hotel with a tray of treats and drinks sent by Jeanne as a welcome gift. It was a beautiful display and just a wonderful gesture from someone that I didn’t even know at the time and who was inviting us to her home the following day.

On Thanksgiving we pulled up to this amazing house where people were scurrying around to get set up for the show and for the dinner. As you walked into this house you felt like you were home. It had a beautiful cinnamon apple smell and a yellowish gold glow throughout. A Christmas tree was already set up by the fireplace lit up and decorated to Jeanne’s taste. Every piece of furniture and picture was inspiring. The whole vibe throughout this home made you feel like you should be smiling or asking people if they need help. Not a soul around was in a bad mood. You couldn’t possibly.

After meeting Jeanne and her family and seeing how close they were. Then I saw her relationship with my sister and I felt like she had been a part of our family for years. It made me realize that one person can make their lives so optimistic and inspiring that you no longer need anyone’s approval. When people enter your beautiful, positive, kind world they won’t have any choice but to be beautiful, positive, and kind themselves. Jeanne blessed so many people with a feel good positive attitude that you couldn’t walk away feeling bad for yourself. With all of her inspirational words and thoughts, my sister would always tell me how nice it was to see Jeanne at QVC and be uplifted by such a good friend. Someone who truly believed in her and everything she stood for. Jeanne knew my sister was sad to miss out on Thanksgiving with our family and so she decided to bring a family member to her. It made that connection between me and my sister even stronger. Jeanne knew that by bringing me out to see my sister and allowing us to connect at her house my sister’s mood would skyrocket and our connection after the dinner would be magnetized. Thank you Jeanne for being you and always connecting people together. The lesson that you’ve taught us will travel from family to family and you will always be remembered for the love that you gave.

Alright, so I have to admit that I have an addiction for looking for the next BIG folk/indie artist. I remember several years ago finding Colbie Caillat on myspace long before she was a big deal in the music industry. Her Bubbly song actually had a few different lyrics when she first came out with it and I liked them better. I get sad when I hear amazing artists on the radio before I've had a chance to find them online and review their music. It’s a sick obsession I know. This being said many of the folks that are already extremely popular that I love would be artists such as Jack Johnson, Joe Purdy, Ike Reilly and Joshua James. They put chills down my spine and warm my heart. Ahhhh Amazing stuff.

Well... I must say I think I just found the next big thing. If this guy doesn’t make a few huge hits I’d be shocked. Erick Baker has such a raspy sexy sound with touching words and a charismatic tune that it’s hard not to fall in love with his music. Surprisingly he’s not as young as most of these new artists but his voice would beg to differ. It’s clean and young sounding and could easily make any girl fall in love with the next man they meet after listening to one of his albums.  Check out some of his music and let me know if it gives you butterflies in your stomach or that pep in your step. Or maybe you have someone that sounds even better… share the tunes and send them my way. Gotta get back to my “Stay Awhile” album.