The Contrast Podcast Festive Fifty is here!

Listeners of The Contrast Podcast voted on their top songs of 2011. The results were compiled and the top 50 songs were chosen.

Out this week is the first installment which counts down from song 50 to 35. You can listen here.

If you have spent any time at all in my kitchen, you probably have a very good idea who my favorite songs of 2011 are by.

Okkervil River?

DEFINITELY.

I’ve only written about them a few times like here and here and here and here and here.

Just a little bit of Okkervil River adoration around these parts.

Both me and my son introduce Okkervil River songs in this episode of the Festive Fifty. I have no idea HOW ON EARTH these amazing songs ended up so high in the countdown bleachers, but I love them to death.

So, make yourself these easy snacks, put on your headphones and see what songs people thought were hot in 2011.

Salted Pecans

Ingredients:

1 Tbs butter
1 tsp Tabasco
1/3 Cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
2 cups pecan halves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300℉.

2. Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat. Remove from heat and add the Tabasco, Worcestershire and salt.

3. Stir in the pecans and mix well. Each piece should be well coated.

4. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for about 15 minutes. Stir once or twice during cooking.

5. Drain on paper towels.

Makes 2 cups

Recipe from Being Dead is No Excuse

Hot Feta Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

1 (14 ounce) can artichokes, drained, chopped
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 Tbs lemon juice
1 tsp pepper
1 garlic clove , minced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.

2. Mix all ingredients together.

3. Place mixture in a small baking pan.

4. Bake 20- 25 minutes or until slightly browned.

Serve with pita bread, baguette slices or crackers.

Makes 2 cups

Recipe from Being Dead is No Excuse

You might have noticed that both of these recipes came from the book Being Dead Is No Excuse (The Southern Ladies Guide To Hosting The Perfect Funeral) by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays. I highly recommend it for the recipes and the humor. And you can learn tidbits such as these:

“Nobody eats better than a bereaved Southerner.

When someone you love dies you need two things, friends and alcohol.

Fat, sugar, and salt are the three major food groups.”

Sounds about right to me.

Okay, back to Okkervil River. Here are videos for the songs in the Festive Fifty countdown. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

I had different favorite songs from the album over the course of the last few months, but Your Past Life As A Blast ended up my number 1 song of 2011.

Man, I love this song, too. So does my boy.

If you do not have ‘I Am Very Far’ you really should pick up a copy. All of Okkervil River’s older music is excellent, too. Buy your copies on the band’s Website.

Cheers!