The Big Boo Cast

Melanie and I are so happy that our friend Travis Cottrell (aka FryDaddy) is joining us on this week's episode. Travis is a gifted worship leader, singer, musician, and songwriter who just so happens to love the Christmas season a lot. Like, A LOT A LOT. So when Mel and I talked about recording an episode that functions almost like a Christmas special (an extravaganza, if you will), asking Travis to join us was a no-brainer. His Neil Diamond impression alone is worth the (super free) price of admission. So. We're going to talk about the latest with Travis' family, we're going to talk about Christmas memories, we're going to talk about Christmas food, and we're going to talk about Christmas music. Plus, it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. See? AN EXTRAVAGANZA. Hope y'all enjoy!  - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop - Big Boo 2022 Holiday Gift Guide Show Notes: - Travis Cottrell - "Hear My Dear" - Tedeschi Trucks Band - "Summer, Highland Falls - Billy Joel - "How Sweet It Is" (Live) - James Taylor - "No Love Dying" - Gregory Porter - "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" - Harry Styles - "Feathered Indians" - Tyler Childers - "Something in the Orange" - Zach Bryan - "All Your'n" - Tyler Childers - "All I See is You" - Shane Smith & the Saints - "Gratitude" - Hillside Recording - "Clouds" - Luke Faulkner - "The Age of Worry" - Yebba - Yebba - "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison - "Ventura Highway" - America - "The Carnival of the Animals" - At Christmas by James Taylor - A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas by Michael Bublé - Christmas Portrait by the Carpenters - Simply Christmas by Leslie Odom, Jr. - A Ben Rector Christmas by Ben Rector - Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin - Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan - My "River" playlist (also on Spotify) - The Thill of Hope by Christy Nockels - Christmas Music: The Complete Collection by Cody Fry - The Song in Our Hearts by Gary Fry - Christmas Songs by Mel Tormé - Pioneer Woman's Chex Mix - Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls - Granite Steps blueberry coffee cake - Rose's cheesecake recipe (put a pin in this one...I'm out of town as I'm publishing this episode, but as soon as I get home I'll post the recipe on IG) - The Holiday - Elf - Die Hard - A Christmas Story - Little Women - "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - The Family Stone - flannel shirt jacket with hood - UGG cozy knit slippers - oversized Eddie Bauer down throw - Kelly Minter's Cultivate podcast - Hanes Comfort Evolution wirefree bra Sponsors: - Stamps (use code BIGBOO for a four-week trial, a free digital scale, and free postage) - Prose (use this link for your free hair consultation and 15% off) - Hello Fresh (use code BIGBOO18 for 18 free meals plus free shipping) - KiwiCo (use this link to get your first month free)

We honestly weren't sure how we were going to make this episode happen because Melanie has a pretty significant case of laryngitis this week. As in she had zero voice on Sunday and Monday - which is problematic in terms of recording a podcast episode. However, on Tuesday morning she said she could power through, and that is exactly what she did. As a result, you're about to hear the raspiest account of the Texas A&M / LSU game you could possibly imagine - and the raspiest reactions to my thoughts about the State / Ole Miss game. WON'T HE DO IT. We also discuss season 5 of The Crown, we break down our respective Thanksgivings, and it's my turn for Five Favorites.  Enjoy, y'all!  - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop - Big Boo 2022 Holiday Gift Guide Show Notes: - Starbucks medicine ball - Melanie's new organic cough syrup - Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss - Texas A&M vs. LSU - Moose Muhammad's one-handed catch - The Crown on Netflix - Aerie wide leg sweatpants - Travel compression bags - Thymes laundry detergent in Frasier Fir - Tillamook cream cheese - Very Veggie  - the laundry hamper champion Sponsors: - Babbel (use this link for up to 55% off) - Pair (use this link for 20% off) - Munk Pack (use code BIGBOO for 20% off) - iwi life (use code BIGBOO22 for 30% off your first purchase)

This week Melanie catches us up on why she went to College Station but opted to excuse herself from the actual football game, and she shares some A&M / Reveille history. We talk through a few other football-related items before we move into Thanksgiving prep and plans, so be sure to look in the show notes for the recipes we mention. 'Tis the season, after all. We also discuss Christmas movies as well as the latest on Melanie's dream of a more neutral Christmas tree - and it's her turn for Five Favorites. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!  - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop - Big Boo 2022 Holiday Gift Guide Show Notes: - Texas A&M / UMass - Mississippi State / ETSU - Tom Hart & crew call game from the field - Jeff Traylor - Reveille - Skillet Sundried Tomato dip - Crispy Baked Boursin with spicy honey - Melanie's cornbread dressing - Melanie's broccoli and rice casserole - Melanie's homemade cranberry sauce - Melanie's chocolate ice box pudding - Cheese Gal on Instagram - Ninfa's green sauce (served warm) - Pioneer Woman's hot corn dip - Four Christmases - Falling for Christmas on Netflix - Selling Beverly Hills on Netflix - flocked Christmas tree - Anastasia Brow Freeze - Lumberjack candle - 25% off with code MELANIE25 - Free People Venice Beach flare jeans - Free People Whistle Thermal henley - on sale for $88 - Saint Jane Pore Smoothing sunscreen - 25% off sitewide with code SJHOLIDAY Sponsors: -  OSEA (use code BIGBOO for 10% off) - Munk Pack (use code BIGBOO for 20% off) - Rothy's (use this link for 20% off your first purchase) - Thrive Causemetics (use this link for up to 45% off their holiday sets)

Guess what, everyone? IT'S BASKETBALL SEASON NOW. As you can imagine, that is a source of comfort and hope for Melanie and me after our teams had a not-great football weekend. We talk about all the not-great stuff, along with Side Eyes and I See Yous. And much to our delight, this week has given us the Yellowstone season 5 premier, so we break down the non-spoiler-y latest with the Duttons - as well as digging into some other things we've been watching and reading. We also talk through Melanie's (general) reactions to our Patreon book club book (spoiler alert: we both ADORE IT), and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody!  - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop - Big Boo 2022 Holiday Gift Guide Show Notes: - Texas A&M / Auburn - Mississippi State / Georgia - Aggies' Veterans' Day hoodies - Aggies' Veterans' Day hats - Cadillac Williams - At Home in Birmingham - Fresh Balsam candles from Bath & Body Works - our Costco birch tree - Yellowstone on Paramount - Shane Smith & the Saints - The Crown on Netflix - Severance on AppleTV+ - Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant - Into the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner - TOMS Marlo booties - necklace extenders - Ashland 7-foot cashmere pencil tree - Anthropologie tuxedo shirt - rechargeable candle lighter Sponsors: - Lomi (use code BIGBOO for $50 off) - Storyworth (use this link for $10 on your first purchase) - Noom (use this link to sign up for your trial) - Helix (use this link for up to $200 your mattress order and two free pillows)

This episode is longer than usual because of our Gift Guide, but you can rest assured that Melanie and I break down all the important football developments before we get into anything else. After all, we want the podcast to be a safe place for Mel as she processes her football grief and disillusionment. Personally I think she's holding up beautifully. Just like last week, the Gift Guide links are in a Google doc (link below), and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope y'all enjoy!  - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - Texas A&M / Florida - Mississippi State / Auburn - Mike Leach folding up the sideline chairs - LSU goes for 2 - 2022 Holiday Gift Guide (you need a Google account to access the doc) - Spanx flare jeans - tennis necklace - Free People thermal henley - Beekeeper's immune and sore throat spray - Dolce Vita Hawk H20 Sponsors: - Pair (use this link for 15% off your first pair) - iwi Life (use code BIGBOO22 for 30% off your first order) - Hello Fresh (use code BIGBOO65 for 65% off and free shipping) - Prose (use this link for your free, in-depth hair consultation and 15% off) - Stamps (use code BIGBOO for a four-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale)

Well, the Aggies didn't win, but just as she predicted, Melanie enjoyed the snacks and the company at this past weekend's Texas A&M / Ole Miss game. We talk about both of those things, as well as Caroline's game day overalls and the pre-game festivities. Then, in news unrelated to football, we discuss the quality time D and I have had with Alex's roommate and why I may open a bed and breakfast for sick college students.  Also, this week marks the kick-off of our annual Holiday Gift Guide - we're talking about gift ideas for teenage boys and teenage girls - and it's my turn for Five Favorites. - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - Conner Weigman - A&M Corps - Dr. Bowen Loftin - a possum at Kyle Field - 20th Century Fox theme song fail - Oklahoma St. / Kansas St.  - TCU - Caroline's overalls - Big Boo Gift Guide 2022 Google Doc - Pilcro oversized corduroy jacket - Flipz Stuff'd chocolate / peanut butter - Aerie waffle long sleeve t-shirt - Athleta Savannah joggers - The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile Sponsors: - Hiya (use this link for 50% off your first order) - iwi (use code BIGBOO22 for 30% off your first purchase) - KiwiCo (use this code to get your first month free) - Babbel (use this link for up to 55% off your subscription)

Over the years Melanie and I have had a lot of conversations about college football, but I don't think she has ever been as fired up about her Aggies as she is this week. That is to say: our friend is a smidge angry. We process some of that anger before we move into Side Eyes and I See Yous, and then we do a little catch-up on the non-football things that have happened this past week. You may pick up on the fact that non-football life has been a much more consistent source of joy. We also do a quick summary of what we've been reading / watching / listening to, we marvel at so many things related to Taylor Swift, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Hope y'all enjoy! - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - Jimbo Fisher's sweatshirt from South Carolina game - Will Rogers escorts woman up the stadium ramp - Ole Miss' red jerseys - TCU's offensive coordinator - Mike Gundy dancing - Cade Klubnik - Jayden Daniels - The Battery - In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (our Patreon November book club selection) - November 9 by Colleen Hoover - Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan - The Bodyguard by Katherine Center - Somebody Feed Phil season 6 (A DELIGHT) - From Scratch on Netflix - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris on Amazon Prime - Elvis on HBOMax - Rosaline on Hulu - Taylor Swift's Midnights album - Taylor Swift TikTok - Rembrandt Deeply White toothpaste - Laura Gellar Kohl eyeliner pencil - OSEA Advanced Protection moisturizer (use code BIGBOO for 10% off your first purchase) - Lip Sip silicone straw - GAP flannel big shirt Sponsors: - Munk Pack (use code BIGBOO for 20% off your purchase) - Rothy's (use this link for $20 off your first purchase) - Pair Eyewear (use this link for 15% off your first purchase) - Osea (use code BIGBOO for 10% off your first order)

This past weekend Melanie and I got to experience watching college football together - we were in Texas with our friend Retha - and while we didn't get to see as many games as we normally do, we did behold the wonder of the best college football game in some time: Alabama vs. Tennessee. Naturally we talk about it - along with this week's smaller-than-usual collection of Side Eyes and I See Yous. We also recap our time in Brenham / College Station, along with a couple of books I've recently read and really enjoyed. Plus, it's my turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - the Alabama / Tennessee game - the Mississippi State / Kentucky game - The Junction Boys - Melanie's self-tanning dress - Blue Bell Park - Aggieland Outfitters - Melanie's crawfish etouffee recipe - Torchy's queso - Kelly Minter - Books You Can't Put Down list (it's the first highlight) - Nora Goes Off Script by Anabell Monaghan - The Maid by Nita Prose - our Patreon episode with Retha on change and transition - Retha's Instagram - A New Day short fleece sweatshirt - 26x26 throw pillow covers - Oliver Thomas backpack - Ranger Station candles (I bought Old Fashioned, Lumberjack, and Leather & Pine) - Going Up Thickening Kit from R&Co Sponsors: - Helix (use this link for up to $200 off your mattress and two free pillows) - Reel Paper (use promo code BIGBOO for 30% your first order and free shipping) - Olive and June (use this link for 20% off your first mani system) - Hello Fresh (use promo code BIGBOO65 for 65% off and free shipping)

This week Melanie and I find ourselves on opposite ends of football fortune, so you're going to hear a lot of sympathizing, a lot of commiserating, and a better than average amount of celebrating. Plus, as you might expect, we offer our perhaps misguided but nonetheless enthusiastic analysis of the last play of the A&M / Alabama game. WE HAVE SOME THOUGHTS. There's also a good bit of discussion about my hair, a recap of Alex's time home during fall break, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites. Enjoy, everybody! - Join Us on Patreon  - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - the last play of the A&M / Bama game - Mississippi State / Arkansas - flea flicker - Hendon Hooker - Mike Leach on weddings - Grandma Walton - our live show in Brenham, TX - Lilo's Salad - Ree's apple dumplings - Champion C9 women's workout tank - Glossier Boy Brow - Abercrombie body suits - Free People Jayde cord flare - Lawless Forget the Filler line smoothing plumping gloss Sponsors: - Hiya (use this link for 50% off your first order) - Noom (use this link to sign up for your trial) - Stamps.com (use promo code BIGBOO for a four-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale) - Reel (use code BIGBOO for 30% off your first order at checkout)

Well, the Bulldogs and the Aggies played football this past weekend, and as you can imagine, only one of us is pleased with the outcome. We break down all of our respective feelings about the game (y'all may want to keep Melanie in your prayers) before we move into our weekly Side Eyes and I See Yous.  We also discuss my recent trip to the northeast, I offer some book recommendations, and it's my turn for Five Favorites. Hope y'all enjoy!  - Join Us on Patreon - Our Amazon Shop Show Notes: - The Big Boo Bowl - State blocks A&M field goal - Jimbo's truck getting towed - Oklahoma / TCU - LSU / Auburn - end of Ole Miss / Kentucky game - Robert Griffin III - Emmanuel Forbes - Nakitomi Plaza - Portsmouth, NH - The It Girl by Ruth Ware - Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid - The Mindy Project - Vuori Performance joggers - several colors on sale - our skincare episode with Niva - Maya Chia concentrated serum - Sand Grain studio prints - Jane Iredale Circle Delete concealer - Crocs clogs - Get Your Mammogram Sponsors: - iwi Life (use code BIGBOO22 to get 30% off your first purchase) - KiwiCo (use code BIGBOO for 50% off your first month and free shipping) - Thrive Market (use this link to join and get a $60 gift) - Prose (use this link for 15% off and your free hair consultation)