Winter. It’s that time of year again, and for those of us in regions where it gets cold, our thoughts turn to snow, mittens, and hot toddies. Some of my favorite things as winter rolls around? The comfort of sitting in front of a fireplace toasting marshmallows, the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg coming from whatever I’m baking in the kitchen, the glitter of icicles hanging from trees, and the sounds of the music so deeply linked to the season. I seriously doubt that there is anyone unfamiliar with the Rodgers and Hammerstein tune “My Favorite Things,” from the 1959 musical The Sound of Music. I love that song, so for this Black Music Sunday, I’m going to keep it simple: We’ll be exploring my favorites among the many—many!— covers out there.  Read more