Sunday Suppositions

It will seem strange not to wake up at 4:45 in the morning (truth be told, I will still probably wake up - I just won't get up)! Seminary is over for the year - although I am already thinking, preparing and planning for next year - just not quite so early in the morning. As we were dismantling the room on Friday we had to dispose of some of our favorite visual aids. I love our Armor Guy from Ephesians 6 (he lost an arm and his CTR shield at some point). One student decided to wear him home :)

I was truly blessed with a wonderful class and look forward to next year!

more posts to follow...

Dinner/Movie Night

Saturday Night... The final frontier.... It was the voyage of the '93 Tracer. Its continuing mission: To explore strange new worlds (Pasha Lounge)... To seek out new life (pleasant dinner conversation); new civilizations (at the theater) ... To boldly go where no one has gone before (or at least not for awhile)!"

All alone on a Saturday night - Craig I had dinner and saw the new Star Trek movie. When advised of our plans our daughters (in three different places) replied:

Nerd Alert

Losers

I guess now would not be the time to admit that we really enjoyed the movie?

Cookie of the Month

May Cookie of the Month

a little ribbon never hurt anything

Went the easy route with classic

Toll-House Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookies

Concert

Is it really our last year of middle-school - ever?!

Projects...

E's completed Civil War project.

I love having children old enough to complete projects

on their own. I get so tired of seeing all of the parent-completed

projects (Elementary-High School)!

Road Map - showing major events

Journal Entries and Letters

Memorabilia

Packaging (it is never finished until the packaging is just right)!

The molasses-antiqued pages look great!

PS - Parents, when you do the project we can tell :(

And you thought Grandma's Molasses was only used for Gingerbread! It can also be used in a pinch - when you are trying to antique paper for a Civil War era scrapbook project! E cooked up some interesting things all in an effort to make paper turn brown (unfortunately we were all out of tea and coffee - that would have made things much easier).

Our kitchen smells like cinnamon!

Memorial Day
Much to reflect upon.

Much to be grateful for.

Gratitude

Sunday

10 things I'm grateful for about today - in no real order...

10.

Opportunity to attend church

9.

Fun telephone visit with Alicia

8.

Great discussion(s) regarding modesty

after a controversial talk.

7.

Sunday lunch as a family.

6.

Choir practice

5.

A nap

4.

Knowing tomorrow is a holiday

3.

Baptismal service

2.

Relaxing evening

1.

No need to set the alarm for 4:45 a.m.

I love family photos!

If you are in need of a laugh take a look at these....

Awkward Family Photos

Towel Bombs

These are towel-bombs (knotted towels) that are thrown from the kitchen into the family room at unsuspecting loved-ones who are watching television, knitting or doing crossword puzzles.

Guess who is back after being in San Francisco?

CCW

Children's Chorus of Washington

YouTube.com

Clips of the Concert for Life on Friday, May 15:

The World is Full of Stories (from The Nightingale)

Jubilate Deo

Ave Maria
Schlaf Mein Kind
On suuri sun rantas autius

E is on the back row 4th from the left and then 3rd because someone moves

- not sure what that was about...

Places to Go - People to See

www.weavecast.com

www.theinspiredroom.net

www.hulu.com (catching up on The Office and 24)

www.zillow.com (always interesting)

www.ldsradioonline.com

www.woot.com

www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

Book Group

pic from Amazon.com

Very interesting book!

Once again I am....

a month late on the book group schedule.

Effort counts for something, right?!

Podcasts

pic from store.apple.com

This is a belated Post regarding a great gift I received for Mother's Day!

I realize that it is possible that I am among the last people to have an iPod or iPod-like device. For goodness sake - even my dad has a facebook account (and no I do not).

Although it has yet to:

"Completely change the way I work out..."

quote from The Office

I am truly enjoying it - particularly the Podcast function. Who knew there were so many knitting/weaving/fiber arts podcasts!

Silence children of mine - I heard you whispering nerd...

The 17th

For the past 2 1/2 weeks I have been telling myself...

"If we can just make it through the 17th..."

I am happy to report that we did!*

*Graduation Trip - Graduation - Business Travel - Nightingale Tech Week - Nightingale Performances - 6 Days of Book Fair Sales - Annie Tech Week - Out-of-Town Company (totally enjoyed!) - College Move-out (3rd floor-no elevators) - National Cathedral Tech Week - Annie Performances - National Cathedral Performance - More Business Travel - Good-bye to Company - Volunteer Work - Concert for Life Tech Week - Concert for Life - Concert - Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal - Dance Recital - Misc. - meals, laundry, bills, shopping, teaching Seminary, etc.

It is a costume, right?

Are you starting to get the impression that my

life revolves around a certain someone's constant performances?

You just might be right!

Can you count to three?

Three, trois, tres, III, theen, moonu, moodu, moovathu....

consecutive weekends

different concerts

distinct repertoires

....2008-2009 season successfully completed....

well-done!

Zion Refi

Grateful for someone who can handle the trickier aspects of refinancing (the house - not the park, nor the pure in heart). He actually knew more than the closing agent (both times). It is good to have a financial expert in the family :)

Balancing

We have "lived away" for almost 24 of our almost 26 years of marital bliss :) that includes 3 major moves/metropolitan areas and 1 minor move (a quick year for grad school at UT). The closest we have lived to family was during a brief overlap with my sis - 85 miles with 5, then 6, then 7 children (the additions were hers!) separating us and occasionally making things challenging - but we made the best of it - getting together as often as we could. I truly believe that the bond that our children share was forged in those early days - days and outings that they might not even remember consciously - but somehow the memories have somehow seeped into who they are and who they are together.

Why am I thinking about "living away"? I think it was because my parents were here visiting last week. It was the first time that they have seen E perform - I was thrilled that they were here to see her but it also made me think about all that they have missed. Not only with E but all of the girls - ballet, poms performances, dance recitals, voice recitals, musicals, plays, cheerleading, awards nights, band concerts, chorus, miscellaneous school "stuff", graduations, etc. And that doesn't begin to cover the day-to-day stuff that our lives are made up of either. We have been fortunate to have family here for a few things - but far too few when you make the list. Is that the price we have paid to live away.

I don't remember ever consciously making the decision to live away

- it just happened -

as an outgrowth of employment opportunities.

Our "Living away" experiences have become so much of who we are and permeate so many of our experiences that I don't wish we had never lived away - but I also realize that those experiences must be counterbalanced by the things we have lost. It is interesting to follow blogs and read complaints about having to go to "yet another family activity". I'd like to comment but don't (my post would be too long and possibly to preachy). But it helps me to understand why I occasionally find myself feeling a little jealous when we settle into our seats at an event and are surrounded by large family groups celebrating the events that make up our lives.

Isn't life and making choices an intricate balancing act?

Glorious

pic from the Kennedy Center Mahler performance in the fall...

Glorius Music in a Glorious Setting

That is actually a trademarked phrase belonging to the Cathedral Choral Society and perfectly describes the concert that we attended on Sunday afternoon at The National Cathedral. Comments regarding the Children's Chorus of Washington are near the end.



Following is a review from the Washington Post....



MUSIC
'Te Deum' Highlights National Cathedral Concert

May 12, 2009
The rapid string figures in the first and third movements of Camille Saint-Saëns's "Organ Symphony" were among the aural casualties of the National Cathedral's smearing acoustics at the Cathedral Choral Society's "A French Spectacular" on Sunday. And the composer's delicate writing for piano later in the symphony pretty much disappeared into the ether as well. Music Director J. Reilly Lewis took these intricately scored passages slowly with his orchestra, sapping a bit of their energy but allowing us to hear at least a hint of Saint-Saëns's canny orchestration.
Elsewhere in the music the vaulting, Gallic lyricism in the upper strings carried well, and the cathedral's magnificent organ (registered with apt pungency and played commandingly by Scott Dettra) made a mighty sound. Passages during which the organ and orchestra played together, though -- both in the Saint-Saëns and in Berlioz's "Te Deum" -- betrayed a slight, but wince-inducing, difference in intonation. Did the orchestra properly tune to the organ?
But those moments couldn't distract from the breadth and sensual beauty in Lewis's reading of the Berlioz. His large forces -- including the Choral Society, pure-toned and richly blended as ever; tenor Michael Gallant, lending a sweet timbre to his solo; and the Children's Chorus of Washington, making an ethereal, tightly focused sound under Music Director Joan Gregoryk (who shadow-conducted them a little farther down the nave from Lewis) -- expanded thrillingly for the fervent opening and closing movements, but pulled back to give the more introspective center of the work a tenderness and immediacy that was truly special.
-- Joe Banno

Who Knew?

I have known my mom for all of my life!

She is an amazing person - creative,

kind, thoughtful and sensitive are only the beginning.

Apparently there are still things that I don't know about her....

She reads the sports pages...

(following the Jazz and their play-off competitors)!

Happy Mother's Day!

Grateful to be a mom to these three!

Grateful for my mom!

Grateful for Craig's mom!

Grateful for the women in my life and the life of my family.

Moms Rock!

Who is that?

It is a good thing that we knew when to expect her on stage,

otherwise we might not have recognized her.

It is Lily St. Regis from the musical Annie

and her grandparents of course!

She says she is just acting - but think I should be worried.....

She's Back!

She is home!

She is amazing!

It is hard to believe that her first year of college is over.

I hope the next three years don't go quite so fast!

Look at all of that stuff :)
thanks g'pa b for all of the help...

False Eyelashes

sephora.com

Did you know that false eyelashes are actually

made from real human hair?? The label says the hair

has been sterilized...

Yikes!

Guess who is wearing false eyelashes this weekend?

Guess who forgot to tell her mother until late the night before?

Guess who lovingly drove her to CVS?

Guess who has no idea how to help her put them on?

:)

Tech Rehearsals ...Part ? (l've lost count)

wikipedia.com photo

Any ideas?

?

?

Hector Berlioz...

If you only think of French music as charming, witty and elegant, hold on to your seats. The Berlioz Te Deum was inspired by the composer’s hero, Napoleon, and it is indeed music of imperial grandeur. Scored for large orchestra, organ, two choirs and a children’s chorus, only in a setting like Washington National Cathedral can this masterwork be played to maximum effect. That is equally true of its companion piece on the program: Saint-Saëns’ Third Symphony, better known as the Organ Symphony, or as one French conductor called it, the “goosebump symphony”. In the hands of our Cathedral organist Scott Dettra, both works provide a glorious realization of the fullest potential of the “king of instruments”.

write-up from (http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org/)

I sat in on a full-rehearsal last night. It is going to be amazing!

I Heart Edline

http://www.edline.net/

This my friends is a wonderful thing!

My own children and my seminary students disagree but

this website gives me access to grades, assignments, etc.

It is like being able to peak into your children's

teacher's grading books.

Technology

is

a

wonderful

thing!

The Nightingale

Preparing for her role as a

Story Teller

in

The Nightingale

This is the advertising write-up about the production:

The Nightingale, by Imant Raminsh, is an opera in which the children's chorus plays a primary role. Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the story recounts the familiar tale of a Chinese emperor who fancies a mechanical nightingale over the real one, and comes to regret his choice. The composer observed that this classic tale “is one of the most appropriate stories for an opera – truly a parable for our time, with its celebration of the natural and real as opposed to the artificial and contrived, and in its recognition of the power, even over death, of song.” First performed in 2005, The Washington Post called that performance “... a thoroughly professional production in every respect.”

My Review:
performance ........wonderful

costumes........amazing

music/singing.......moving

lighting/sets.........beautiful

director..........superb

It took a small army of friends to help E get to all of her tech rehearsals and performances in DC while I was gone - much thanks.

Graduation...continued

The official graduation picture.

Isn't she incredible?!

Pink shoes - you knew she would find a way to add her mark to

an outfit that required her to wear something officially named "drab".

That is the color of the School of Business tassel.

Special thank you to grandparents who traveled to

see Alicia graduate. Craig and I flew in from opposite coasts.

How wonderful to be reunited for such a special occasion.

Special thanks to Regan and Vanessa who

endured a seemingly interminable number

of accounting graduates to see their niece walk across the stage to receive

a BS in Hotel, Resort & Hospitality Management!

Thanks also to Shar for spending the day with us.

Congrats as well to Lindsey and Tyler!

Not an end but a fabulous new beginning...

Pres. Monson was the commencement speaker he reminded the graduates to:

Remember the past.

Live in the present

and

Prepare for and enjoy the future.

Alicia,

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

She's an SUU Alum!

Could not be any prouder!

Congratulations, Alicia!

Graduation Preparation

She graduated once before...

Can't wait to see her do it all over again!

Love you, Alicia!

May Madness

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What do steamers and birds have to do with one another??

Clues:

Upcoming Performance

Theater Wardrobe Room

Me


Answer:
The Nightingale

Whistles

Sometimes while working as a social worker for the state of Texas

I used to think that Toll Booth Operator might be my ideal job.

You wouldn't take your work home with you

You probably wouldn't worry about your clients (I still might have...)

No long-term relationships

Everyone going through the booth is fairly compliant

Not as many tears (theirs or mine)

No going into sketchy neighborhoods

All of that folding and counting of $$

I could get a lot of thinking done

How hard could it be - really?!

You are probably catching on...

But now I'm thinking

(after watching the crossing guards every morning)

that I would like a job with a whistle...

E and I brainstormed some possibilities

crossing guard

police person

coach

p.e. teacher

band major

dog trainer

gem miner

government or corporate corruption exposer

*bonus points if you can explain the last two!

Cookies and Purses

Cookies

and

Purses

Can anyone have too many of either??

April Cookie of the Month

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

*finished with ribbon and "thank-you" card...

Sunday Fireside

Guess who is going to be a

handcart pioneer?

One clue:

She looks darling in bloomers :)

Saturday is a Special Day...

Quick trip back from PA. The pictures are on someone else's camera. I will post a few asap!

Greatful for:

GPS

Fast Pass

Sonic

Family

Not necessarily in that order!

Dance

Quick trip to UC for a

UCDC Dance Concert!

Loved it!

Miss it!

Love her!

Miss her!

California Rolls

pic from What's Cooking America

I don't have a picture of my own...

but I learned how to make California Rolls today!

Not only did I learn how but I also made some myself.

It was fun and they were so very tasty.

Next time I will take my camera....

thanks, Y!

Earth Day

Favorite Place on Earth

it truly is zion...

Scholastic Book Fairs

What isn't to love about

Scholastic Book Fairs?

Yes, I am on the committee again and

I've been hit with a small wave of nostalgia because

this is probably my last book fair.

Honestly not sure whether to be

happy

or

sad!

My list of responsibilities includes

posters

publicity

backpack info.

getting lots of random info. from random teachers/staff

opening/closing

etc.

Fortunately it is not for a few more weeks...

Mystery Monday

About to finish this book by one of my

favorite mystery writers...

P.D. James!

She is fantastic...

Nothing better on a

rainy,

cloudy,

foggy,

miserable,

Monday!

Serving on Sunday

I spent this afternoon/evening at the LDS Barlow Center (great Georgetown location) preparing food for mission presidents from the NE region. Someone mentioned that they were there from as far north as Maine, as far south as Virginia and as far west as Indiana. Fortunately I wasn't in charge - just provided helpful willing hands.

Rice and Creole Shrimp

Spinach/Strawberry Salad

Rolls

Desserts (including our yummy Texas Ice-Box Cake)

Honestly, I really don't mind being told what to do!

Saturday from A - Z

Jenny Oaks Baker




Saturday began with

A

for authors, Maureen and Scott Proctor (Women's Conference)

and ended with

Z

for sweet Zola

in between...

J

for Jenny Oaks Baker (Violin performance @ Women's Conf.)

K

for Kim

O

for Opera Camp (Em)

S

for a Stake Dance (Em)

T
for Tabasco's

V
for Vietnamese Banh Mi

The Menagerie Grows...

A couple more animals to add to my

Advent

Calendar

Parade!

Shepherds, Angels and Sheep, Oh, My!

Instead of working on my ever lengthening to-do list, I have been having fun

tracing,

wonder-undering

cutting

sorting

cutting some more

ironing

and

applique-ing

these felt squares for the Christmas Advent calendar I am making.

Purchased - Needles and Pins

Pattern - Plum Creek Collectibles