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Friday, November 13, 2009

'80s Rock, Thankfulness, and a Giveaway

It's a strange title, I know, but I promise it's all going to come together by the end of this post. Keep reading!

Earlier this week I was so excited because my favorite band in the whole wide world released a new album. I've been waiting for the November 10th release date for months and months and it was finally here! That evening my dear husband picked up the new CD on his way home and delivered it into my eager hands.

I'm a child of the '80s. I was born in 1977, so most of my school years were spent in that glorious decade of big hair and rock-and-roll. Honestly, I've been a fan of Bon Jovi for almost as long as I can remember. I was about 9 years old when my sister and I bought our first Bon Jovi tape. We listened to it all the time, but it was with their next album, New Jersey (1988), that I became a true fan for life. I played that tape in my sister's Walkman until I knew every single word to every single song. It was four more years until they released another album, so I had plenty of time to memorize every line. One of the things I love most about this band is that they didn't die with the '80s. They released two more albums (not counting the greatest hits one) during my high school years in the early '90s, and the brand new CD is their sixth one in our current decade. I absolutely love these guys and the way that their sound has grown and evolved with the times. The music is different enough from their early days of synthesizer-heavy anthem rock to be current, yet it's still true to their original style.

Can you tell that I'm a fan? I am, people! If you haven't listened to Bon Jovi in a few years or twenty, give them another try. Their lyrics are positive and hopeful and the music still rocks. The new CD is called The Circle. I personally enjoy all of the songs on this particular album that deal with overcoming obstacles, like We Weren't Born to Follow, Thorn in my Side, and Happy Now. Check it out HERE or HERE.


We're changing topics now, but I'll come back to this later, I promise.

Sometime around the third or fourth week of October of every year, my house begins to look like an amazon-dot-com warehouse. It means that my Christmas shopping has begun! My husband and I save money here and there all year long so we can do our end-of-the-year gift giving. I got my first couple of brown boxes in the mail today and they were full of all kinds of surprises for our family and friends.

There was one little thing that I had ordered for myself because I just couldn't wait for Christmas. I don't know how many of you are familiar with The Pioneer Woman, but she has a fabulous blog that is chock full of the most delicious recipes you've ever tasted. I have tried three of the recipes from her blog in the past few months and I haven't been disappointed. In fact, I've been amazed! Here is a photo of my sister cooking the Pioneer Woman's pot roast at my house earlier this year:


The Pioneer Woman just published a beautiful new cookbook, which is the gift I gave to myself. I didn't just order one copy, though. I also bought one for my sis, on the grounds that she may even get it early if she's really, really good. Oh, and I bought a third copy to give as a Christmas gift to some lucky family member or friend.


Oh yes, and I bought a fourth copy... for YOU!

Because it's November and because I am so thankful for each and every one of my special bloggy pals (I really mean that), I'm doing my first-ever giveaway! And let me tell you that you don't want to miss this prize. The cookbook is amazing. I know you will love the beautiful photographs and the step-by-step instructions that this cookbook offers.

Now, I know you may be wondering what this has to do with '80s rock? Well, in order to enter for the random drawing, I want you to leave a comment telling me YOUR favorite song from the 1980s. I won't pick a winner based on your answers -- that's just for fun. The winner's name will be chosen completely at random. Leave one comment from today, November 13th, until midnight on November 17th. I'll announce the winner here on the blog AND in your email if you display an address on your blog profile. If you don't have an address displayed, I will also try to let you know via a comment on your blog. Don't forget to check back to see if you've won the cookbook! You'll be asked to email your name and address to me (staceysthoughts@gmail.com) so I can send it as soon as possible. I want you to have this lovely book in your hands before Thanksgiving arrives!

Just to clarify: I'm not giving away a Bon Jovi CD! I'm giving away a cookbook! :)

Okay, so let's hear your favorite '80s song. I think I might have to go with Bon Jovi's own Livin' on a Prayer. And it cracks me up that now, thanks to Rock Band on the Wii, my sweet little nephews love that song, too. They can sing every word! They know all about Tommy and Gina. :)

Now it's your turn. Ready, set, go!

29 comments:

Sharon said...

Hey huge Bon Jovi fan here too! I have a few favorite songs from the '80's!
Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name
Poison - Unskinny Bop
Van Halen - Jump
I could go on and on but will stop there!

Michelle said...

I was a huge fan of Bon Joi. i went to his concerts. It was one of my first. I still listen to them. Ireally like them.

Def Leppard was my fave in the 80's. So any of there songs, Love Bites, Rock of Ages, Photograph, Pour Some Sugar on me. Loved it!

A said...

Your favorite is mine- Livin' on a Prayer!!

Lauren said...

Honestly, when I think of 80s music, 'Livin on a Prayer' is the first song that comes to mind! :) Although I adore 80s music so much.

Some of my other favorites would be 'Don't you forget about me' by OMD and 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.

Chuck said...

According to standard contest rules, I'm ineligible for the giveaway, but I thought I'd post my favorite 80s rock song anyway. (Are you scared Stace?)

The song "Nagasake" by Whitecross.

~ Katie ~ said...

I was born in '81 and I'm not a big 80s music person, but I do have a few favorites from riding around the woods with my daddy-

Just a Swingin'- John Anderson
Footloose- Kenny Loggins
Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen

prayerfuljourney said...

I would love to win that cookbook! Sounds great...

Sorry to say..not a Bon Jovi fan myself...in the 80's...I loved everything Duran Duran! "Rio", "Is There Something I should Know", Save a Prayer, etc...I just adored this band.

Sunny said...

I saw her in my Southern Living cookbook this month and was so impressed. Her humor is cute. I love cookbooks so would love to win!

Embarrassed to say but I like Prince! LOL

Amy C said...

Love that you are having a giveaway! Even though I never win, I still like to play. :)
I don't want to seem like I am copying your answer, but if Livin' on a Prayer comes on the radio, you will see me rock it out like no other. It may just be my favorite. That, or Whitney Houston singing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Totally different types of music, but still awesome. :)

Stacey said...

I love all of these answers so far! Really takes you back, doesn't it? :)

@Amy C - When I think back to the tapes that my sis and I played constantly in our Walkman, I remember Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson's Thriller. Oh, and the Ghostbusters soundtrack. We liked all kinds of music too!

Thanks for the comments!

Unknown said...

I'm not entering (I already pre-ordered it and have made a few dished from it already!), but just wanted to say that I love Bon Jovi and The Pioneer Woman. I actually just posted about her last night! :)

R said...

I actually didn't like this song until way past it's prime- Poison's- Every Rose has it's Thorn.

Growing up in the 80's I didn't realize there was music out there besides 1. kid music 2. 60's music or 3. old hymns. My parents had total control over the radio :) I don't think I began choosing my own music until NKOTB hit the scenes- lol.

Ro-bear said...

Hey Stace, you know what I find funny about this? In high school, I was a bit judgmental of these rock bands. I remember you trying to change my mind by playing a bunch of Bon Jovi on a trip up for a college visit. You didn't convince me then, but now Bon Jovi is one of my favorites! I even like some old school Guns-N-Roses. So with that in mind, these aren't necessarily my absolute favorites, but I'm going to throw out Paradise City and Wanted Dead or Alive (which is now the theme music for one of my favorite shows, Deadliest Catch) as really good 80's songs. (They may be early 90's though, for all I know.)

Connie said...

Yay! I'm so excited about this! FuN! FuN!! I can't wait to see who wins! Those were such great times. I remember sitting with our tape recorder, with our fingers on the pause button, trying to figure out what in the world Bon Jovi was talking about "I heard your suitcase say good-bye". Love you Stace!

PS You're so weird, Chuck. ;) XOXO

Amy said...

1980s, you say? Well, I think of Madonna, back when she was the material girl, and Cyndi Lauper just wanting to have fun and Michael Jackson looking at the man in the mirror, making that change (I didn't realize he'd meant it literally).

But, honestly, I never owned a single album by any of them. I was a good little church girl and spent the 80s listening to Amy Grant and Sandi Patti, back when she still spelled it with an i. My favorite '80s song was probably Sandi's "Love in Any Language" or Amy's "Sing Your Praise to the Lord."

John and Erin said...

I was born in 83 so my 80's music was a lot of Fraggle Rock and Sesame Street, but I will say that I've burned my way through more than a couple of copies of the "Dirty Dancing" and "Top Gun" soundtracks!

Unknown said...

Oh no you didn't, Stacey! LOL. You took my song. I was actually listening to it on you tube before I came here. 'Livin on a prayer' is the best 80s song ever. I also like 'You Give Love A Bad Name'. I love little red corvette too, was that in the 80s? Loved the song "dress youi up" by madonna. I could go on all day. This was fun! Well I love cooking and would love this cookbook.

shopgurl101@gmail.com

Indy said...

I love Jon Bon Jovi's music also but I was actually born in 1980 so didn't start enjoying the 80s music until I was in my teens about 3 - 5 years later but needless to say here are my top three: "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns & Roses, "Need You Tonight" by INXS, and "Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna.

twondra said...

Oh, how fun!! I like Bon Jovi, too!!

I love Poison's "Every Rose has Its Thorn" and also Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time".

Awww, the 80s. :)

Would LOVE the cookbook. How nice of you!!

Emily said...

Fun giveaway! I, too, am a Bon Jovi fan, although I'm not as familiar with his music from the current decade.

As for my favorite '80s song, since Bon Jovi's on my mind, it's a tie between "I'll Be There for You" and "Blaze of Glory" - both fantastic to sing along with at the top of my lungs in the car. :)

Emily said...

Sorry to leave another comment (I'm not trying to enter the contest twice!). I wanted to share a blog post I wrote a few months ago that was all about my favorite songs from "back in the day":

http://eclairefare.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/unzipping-my-case-logic-cassette-carrying-case-part-one/

Joel & Lila said...

You know, I like some songs that came from the 80's although the bands may or may not have established during the 80's. For instance, I love all of the Micheal Jackson songs from the 80's...up till about 1988 or so really. Aerosmith came out with some great songs in the 80's as did Poison. Does that count? LOL

Lisa said...

I've been a Bon Jovi Fan for 26 years. I've got to say "Livin' On A Prayer" has got to be the very best 80's song ever but what comes in very close is Journey's "Don't Stop
Believin'".

Jenn said...

Stace, what a fun post! I would LOVE to win...yaaaay!!!! The 80's music was the greatest, I must say. I remember your obsession with Mr. Bon Jovi! My absolute favorite music & group was New Kids on The Block and their many wonderful songs! I know this was atleast in the late 80's, maybe early 90's, but I LOVED THEM!!! Don't you remember mine & Janis' room-covered in posters!!

Andi said...

I love that you are doing this contest because, as you know, I'm a huge PW fan! (The enchiladas turned out great, by the way). I'm not entering 'cause I'm ordering several of the cookbooks myself. Incidentally, you need not include Ro-bear in your entries. ;-)

@Katie - my cousins and I created a "routine" to "Just A Swingin'"

Am I the only person that remembers "Waiting For a Star To Fall" by one-hit wonder Boy Meets Girl???

Beth said...

Okay- So I am not a music buff nor do I know many songs from the 80's so....I am asking Kevin his fave song he said Michael Jackson Thriller...does this count for me as well???
Love you!

Alicia said...

You are so fun!!! It's fun to see every ones favorites. I love Bon Jovi too. But my fav song of the 1980's has to be Sweet Child O Mine by GNR! I can't help my self.

Pioneer woman is great I get a kick out of her blog.

Journeymark Cards & Gifts said...

Ok, I have to admit that I saw Bon Jovi in concert when I was 11... and Cinderella opened up for them. Does that give away my age or what? 'Livin on a Prayer' is by far one of the best songs. In fact, how sad that I still know all the words? (Singing them in my head right now...) I love, love, The Pioneer Woman. So much fun Stacey. Thanks for the opportunity!!!

Connie said...

Oh boy! Oh boy! I was going to try to stay up until midnight, but I don't think I'm going to make it...yawn...Can't wait to see who wins! XOXO