Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Sound of Music
Lately, our house has been filled with the sound of...well, you figure it out. CAST, the local student theater company, presented this play this past weekend. Miss Mary had 3 small roles; she was in the nuns' chorus
and she appeared as a winner at the Festival held at the end of the story.
But the highlight of her experience--or at least her parents'--was the Ball held mid-play. She and her dad learned to waltz, and to dance the Laendler, a "folk dance" utilized in The Sound of Music. (No such dance really exists; sorry if I burst your bubble about that one, but it was invented for the play.)
I got some very grainy, blurry video of the dancing that I'm going to share here. I really do need a different camera! The first video is of the waltz. Mary and John are in about the center of the stage; she is the second girl from the left wearing a light dress. They are blocked at times throughout the video by another couple.
The second is of the Laendler. Mary and John are to the far right of the screen.
They really enjoyed this production. John's even considering working with the next one; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This show will be an opportunity for adults, 15-???, to appear on stage. He hasn't specified if he'll be on a technical crew...or auditioning for a part.
But Mary will be auditioning for next January's student production; The Wizard of Oz!
and she appeared as a winner at the Festival held at the end of the story.
But the highlight of her experience--or at least her parents'--was the Ball held mid-play. She and her dad learned to waltz, and to dance the Laendler, a "folk dance" utilized in The Sound of Music. (No such dance really exists; sorry if I burst your bubble about that one, but it was invented for the play.)
I got some very grainy, blurry video of the dancing that I'm going to share here. I really do need a different camera! The first video is of the waltz. Mary and John are in about the center of the stage; she is the second girl from the left wearing a light dress. They are blocked at times throughout the video by another couple.
The second is of the Laendler. Mary and John are to the far right of the screen.
They really enjoyed this production. John's even considering working with the next one; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This show will be an opportunity for adults, 15-???, to appear on stage. He hasn't specified if he'll be on a technical crew...or auditioning for a part.
But Mary will be auditioning for next January's student production; The Wizard of Oz!
Friday, January 14, 2011
I Came, I Saw, I Did a Little Shopping...
Headed out today to run some errands and refill the produce bins.
Spring mix was on sale. Got some cilantro because I plan to make salsa in about ten minutes. Why, yes, those are fresh pickles, and fresh dill. I'll heat up some brine while I make salsa, and I'll put some pickles in the crock tomorrow.
I was not planning on stuffed peppers this week, but those puppies just looked too good to leave in the store. And, at 99 cents a pound, well, why would I?
Clementines. Bananas. Pineapple.
Seriously? I need to tell you what that is?
And just because I can, and wanted to, and to make things better for my family...
(I think my camera may be on its last legs.)
Spring mix was on sale. Got some cilantro because I plan to make salsa in about ten minutes. Why, yes, those are fresh pickles, and fresh dill. I'll heat up some brine while I make salsa, and I'll put some pickles in the crock tomorrow.
I was not planning on stuffed peppers this week, but those puppies just looked too good to leave in the store. And, at 99 cents a pound, well, why would I?
Clementines. Bananas. Pineapple.
Seriously? I need to tell you what that is?
And just because I can, and wanted to, and to make things better for my family...
(I think my camera may be on its last legs.)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Planning and Planting
Sound similar, but are two different things. Planning is what I did today. I sat down at the table with my binder, paper, pencil, and a good book or three.
In the binder were my plans and notes from last year. On the paper went plans for this year's garden. What to grow, how many of each plant, when to start seeds inside or outside, when to plant the starts outside, when to look for ripe food, when and how to cover or uncover rows, when and how to water, and, finally, when to bring it all in for the winter.
Yes, it sounds anal. But I really like to have a plan. I find that, if I have a plan, I tend to stay close to it. Not I-can't-sleep-because-I-started-the-broccoli-Tuesday-instead-of-Sunday-close, but close. It's easier for me, too, to figure out where to put all those doggone plants when I'm looking at a sheet of paper and I have a pencil, than when I'm outside, in the garden, digging holes. It takes about 3 hours of work to write, draw, count, think and finish. But then the implementation takes half the time, even less, than it would have without a plan.
I have actually started planting. Last week, I filled a flowerbox with soil and planted some mixed lettuces and spinach in it.
I put it under lights, and am hoping to get some salad greens by mid-February. I may even have some by the end of this month, if the seed lives up to the promises on the package. I'm getting tired of Iceberg lettuce salads.
As much as I love winter, I'm excited that spring will be here in its time...
Update; It seems this planning thing has another benefit. It may very well have broken me out of this mid-winter-mid-recovery slump. I'm actually feeling better and am back to my optimistic self! I'm envisioning rows of lettuces, young broccoli, and I can almost taste the radishes!
In the binder were my plans and notes from last year. On the paper went plans for this year's garden. What to grow, how many of each plant, when to start seeds inside or outside, when to plant the starts outside, when to look for ripe food, when and how to cover or uncover rows, when and how to water, and, finally, when to bring it all in for the winter.
Yes, it sounds anal. But I really like to have a plan. I find that, if I have a plan, I tend to stay close to it. Not I-can't-sleep-because-I-started-the-broccoli-Tuesday-instead-of-Sunday-close, but close. It's easier for me, too, to figure out where to put all those doggone plants when I'm looking at a sheet of paper and I have a pencil, than when I'm outside, in the garden, digging holes. It takes about 3 hours of work to write, draw, count, think and finish. But then the implementation takes half the time, even less, than it would have without a plan.
I have actually started planting. Last week, I filled a flowerbox with soil and planted some mixed lettuces and spinach in it.
I put it under lights, and am hoping to get some salad greens by mid-February. I may even have some by the end of this month, if the seed lives up to the promises on the package. I'm getting tired of Iceberg lettuce salads.
As much as I love winter, I'm excited that spring will be here in its time...
Update; It seems this planning thing has another benefit. It may very well have broken me out of this mid-winter-mid-recovery slump. I'm actually feeling better and am back to my optimistic self! I'm envisioning rows of lettuces, young broccoli, and I can almost taste the radishes!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Bored.
It's been snowing all day. It's absolutely beautiful outside. I have always loved snow. The crisp air, the cold, the warm flush when you come back inside...it's great. Of course, not so much in April or May, but, in January, it's wonderful.
But I'm stuck here on the sofa with the Stormtrooper boots. I can't get outside for nothing. I mean, once in a blue moon someone stops by to take me to an appointment or something, but, most of the time, I'm here on the sofa.
I've seen a lot of movies. I feel schizophrenic about that; good movies, bad movies, energizing movies, sad movies. I've seen some new ones; this one. And some I've seen before, like this one.
I've been to dozens of websites, visited countless blogs (well, I coulda counted them, in fact, I started, but it was getting depressing) organized my portable office basket several times, made enough phone calls that people are starting to let my calls go to voicemail, and eaten more than I should.
I'm bored.
I sure hope these feet heal on time.
But I'm stuck here on the sofa with the Stormtrooper boots. I can't get outside for nothing. I mean, once in a blue moon someone stops by to take me to an appointment or something, but, most of the time, I'm here on the sofa.
I've seen a lot of movies. I feel schizophrenic about that; good movies, bad movies, energizing movies, sad movies. I've seen some new ones; this one. And some I've seen before, like this one.
I've been to dozens of websites, visited countless blogs (well, I coulda counted them, in fact, I started, but it was getting depressing) organized my portable office basket several times, made enough phone calls that people are starting to let my calls go to voicemail, and eaten more than I should.
I'm bored.
I sure hope these feet heal on time.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Why Was Jesus Baptized?
I just discovered this guy recently. I know, I know, I'm late to the table. But he has a really good explanation of the above question, not to mention a fun style for expressing it. My grandfather's church...my daughter's style...My Lord's words. Awesome!
Update; Don't click up there. It doesn't seem to want to show you the video. Click here, instead. Thanks!
Update; Don't click up there. It doesn't seem to want to show you the video. Click here, instead. Thanks!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Saturday Farm Report
Well, it's been a few Saturdays, four or five, anyway, since I had my foot surgery. And this farm shows it!
Starting out front, there are branches lying around, small logs that the dogs have dragged up, and bits and pieces of various trash that the little darlings have been playing with. The flowerbeds were never cleaned out at the end of the season, something I sometimes do after the first freeze, sometimes in late Feb/early March, depending on my mood. (And, yes, I do know there's a proper time for such things. And sometimes I do it then!) The area around our barn is a train wreck. Tubs, buckets, flowerpots, lawn tools, all are lying around, waiting to be covered with the slimy muck that will visit us in spring. I can see into the barn, and I know it doesn't look like it would if I were able to get our there daily. I still haven't been able to convince people, even after 12 years, that, if they pick up a little every day, it's a 10-minute job, instead of a three hour one.
The area around the chicken coop and garden isn't much better. A hut is propped open; that's where we raised our last batch of meat birds, which went to the butcher the day before the surgery. I've asked various people several times to close it for me, but it's still open. A trailer is just outside the chicken coop, filling with snow that will melt and rust the thing in the spring. My garden was mostly "put to bed" this fall; only the last lettuce bed is still sporting some hoops and row covers. Again, I've asked for those to be put away, but they have not been. The coop and that hut still have a layer of chicken bedding, although those chickens have long since gone into the freezer or soup pot, and I've asked several times for them to be cleaned.
I guess "they're" right. Mom just can't ever get sick!
Update; I just realized something. Yesterday I headed out with John for what I called a "middle-aged date;" each of us had a doctor to see, and we also had lunch. And breakfast. Because our doctors are spread out over the Chicagoland area. We also stopped in at a Barnes and Noble, for which my mother-in-law had given me a gift card this Christmas. I bought this
because it is time for planning the garden, which I love to do. Execution, well, yeah, it might not be my strong suit. But planning...I love it! And this book has everything. Plans, checklists (because I like lists, see, and I'm better at remembering "harvest green beans" if I have a guideline for when that might need to be done) tips for growing them, and (be still my beating heart) not only recipes but lists of flowers and ways to arrange them for the table. This book just calls to my inner Martha!
What did I realize? That I may be trying to get some control over this shabby place in the only way I can while laid up in the Stormtrooper boots; planning out my summer yard.
I also bought this
because I just love America's Test Kitchen and the way they "teach" cooking. And those Fairy Gingerbread cookies on the front looked really yummy...
Thanks, Carol, for the gift card. I shopped wisely enough that, between your gift and my Educator Discount, both of these cost me a nickel out-of-pocket. Sometimes I'm proud of my shopping ability.
Starting out front, there are branches lying around, small logs that the dogs have dragged up, and bits and pieces of various trash that the little darlings have been playing with. The flowerbeds were never cleaned out at the end of the season, something I sometimes do after the first freeze, sometimes in late Feb/early March, depending on my mood. (And, yes, I do know there's a proper time for such things. And sometimes I do it then!) The area around our barn is a train wreck. Tubs, buckets, flowerpots, lawn tools, all are lying around, waiting to be covered with the slimy muck that will visit us in spring. I can see into the barn, and I know it doesn't look like it would if I were able to get our there daily. I still haven't been able to convince people, even after 12 years, that, if they pick up a little every day, it's a 10-minute job, instead of a three hour one.
The area around the chicken coop and garden isn't much better. A hut is propped open; that's where we raised our last batch of meat birds, which went to the butcher the day before the surgery. I've asked various people several times to close it for me, but it's still open. A trailer is just outside the chicken coop, filling with snow that will melt and rust the thing in the spring. My garden was mostly "put to bed" this fall; only the last lettuce bed is still sporting some hoops and row covers. Again, I've asked for those to be put away, but they have not been. The coop and that hut still have a layer of chicken bedding, although those chickens have long since gone into the freezer or soup pot, and I've asked several times for them to be cleaned.
I guess "they're" right. Mom just can't ever get sick!
Update; I just realized something. Yesterday I headed out with John for what I called a "middle-aged date;" each of us had a doctor to see, and we also had lunch. And breakfast. Because our doctors are spread out over the Chicagoland area. We also stopped in at a Barnes and Noble, for which my mother-in-law had given me a gift card this Christmas. I bought this
because it is time for planning the garden, which I love to do. Execution, well, yeah, it might not be my strong suit. But planning...I love it! And this book has everything. Plans, checklists (because I like lists, see, and I'm better at remembering "harvest green beans" if I have a guideline for when that might need to be done) tips for growing them, and (be still my beating heart) not only recipes but lists of flowers and ways to arrange them for the table. This book just calls to my inner Martha!
What did I realize? That I may be trying to get some control over this shabby place in the only way I can while laid up in the Stormtrooper boots; planning out my summer yard.
I also bought this
because I just love America's Test Kitchen and the way they "teach" cooking. And those Fairy Gingerbread cookies on the front looked really yummy...
Thanks, Carol, for the gift card. I shopped wisely enough that, between your gift and my Educator Discount, both of these cost me a nickel out-of-pocket. Sometimes I'm proud of my shopping ability.
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