I'm So Blessed

Another Christmas has come and gone. The Little Turquoise House was busting at the seams as it welcomed and sheltered seven people and six dogs in it's 750 square feet of living space. As I look back over the last few days spent with family, I realize how truly blessed I am. I couldn't help but think of my mother and how she would love being with and enjoying her grandchildren this Christmas and how very proud she would be of each of them. We had our fun, preparing food, eating, playing games and watching movies and we had our frustrations as well but all in all it was a wonderful weekend and I am now left to ponder it all in what is how a very quiet house. 

I told you in my last post about my grandparents on my mother's side and how it was their 100th wedding anniversary on Christmas day. My cousin had the idea to toast them on that anniversary and I wanted to join her though she is in CO springs and we are here. I made it a very special occasion and had my family join me in the toast right before our dinner. Besides, it was a good excuse to get pictures from family members who often shy away from the camera. The only down side was that Hubby was holding the photo of gran and granddad and didn't get in the picture. One of my many projects this winter is finishing my heritage scrapbook and family story. 

Daughter number one and her Hubby left early because she came down with a flu bug and felt it was a waste of her Hubby's sacrifice of time for her to be laying around and not enjoying her time with family. Son and his wife left first thing this morning. 

One disappointment this weekend was finding out that one of my daughters borrowed a ring of mine...out of my jewelry box without asking. A ring that, right or wrong, I made an emotional attachment with. I usually let her borrow things because she always asks and is usually careful...except this time. I'm disappointed that she didn't ask in the first place, I'm disappointed that she was careless enough to lose it, but most of all I'm disappointed in myself for placing so much importance on a "thing". I am reminded of a story I once read of a young girl who accidentally broke her mother's treasured china and feared her wrath but was shown only love and compassion. Her mother told her that the china was just things and although she treasured them, she believed that those objects were taken from her instead of the life of a family member whom she treasured much more. Yes, I will miss my ring and what it meant to me, but more importantly I still have my daughter and all my beautiful family and I would never trade any one of them for that ring. My daughter is checking her apartment again and I will be careful to look for it as I clean this week but if it doesn't turn up I need to be at peace with that. What I know in my head my heart is still working on accepting but accept it I will. 

Tomorrow there is much to do; I want to get as much of the Turquoise House back in order as possible. I'll be taking another week off from teaching and hopefully laying out a detailed plan for the remainder of the winter. 

To a new beginning...

Almost Christmas

I'm stopping in briefly and probably for the last time until after Christmas. 

I'm enjoying the view from my studio window, many of those fat, fluffy "Christmas snow" flakes are falling and it's beautiful as long as I'm in here. I just got back from the grocery store and I'm telling you...it sure is good to be home! What a madhouse! I think...I hope I have everything I need for the rest of the week because I really don't want to have to go back. 

I have a few things to do before the family arrives tomorrow, like clean the bathroom and make chili, but I think I'm about as ready as I'm going to be. 

This particular Christmas is special for an unusual reason this year. My cousin and I have decided to toast our grandparents (on my mother's side) because it will be their 100th wedding anniversary. I bought some champagne while I was out and just realized I don't have any champagne glasses. I wonder if my daughter in law has any leftover from the wedding? Anyway, I thought it would be a fun thing to do with the family. 

I have a lot of plans for the new year and as soon as the family is out the door, I'm getting started. I think it's going to be a long winter and I want to make the most of it. I'll keep you updated on my many projects...it will give me something to write about. I'm actually excited to get started. 

Well I think I'll put on some Christmas music and get the studio ready to become a guest room. Times like this make me wish for a larger house. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!

Immensely Proud!!

It's been an exciting, emotional, long and tiring day! I have bragged shamelessly on Facebook and have come here to do the same. 

Today our daughter graduated with the honors of Magna Cum Laude from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Scientific and Technical Communication and a certificate in media. I am amazed that I have a daughter that is that intelligent and hard working, but then again, she only looks like me, the brains and hard work she gets from her dad. 

I'm not the only one bragging; her sister posted this on Facebook: "Words cannot express how proud I am of my baby sister. Today she graduated Magna Cum Laude from my alma mater, Michigan Technological University. This girl is crazy smart, effortlessly beautiful and immensely talented and I am so excited to see all the amazing things she will accomplish in this next chapter of her life.
I love you, Rinny. You're amazing!" 

I couldn't help but agree with her and I would have said the same had I been able to form the words. My mind is a blurr of memories combined with admiration and pride, so much so that I struggle to form coherent sentences. I'm so tired and I know it's all emotional exhaustion.

After sitting for two long hours on bleachers (I'm too old to be climbing around on bleachers), we fought the crowds to have a few pictures taken with her and then we celebrated at a favorite restaurant. Hubby had to leave early to ref a game. His buttons are bursting open with pride! He's having a difficult time watching this one leave the nest, but proud he is! 

The photo at the top of this entry was posted to the universities Facebook page. Imagine my surprise as I was scrolling through the photos to see MY DAUGHTER receiving her diploma - of all the photos of all the graduates they could have chosen, they chose her. I guess they know the look of talent and hard work when they see it. 

She will continue to work part time this semester for the university marketing and communications department while she looks for more permanent employment. We pray she will find a good job soon as those school bill payments will be kicking in.  

Well, I guess that's enough boasting for tonight. I'm so ready to curl up and call it a night. Thanks for putting up with me! 

Winter Wonderland

We've had some strange weather this week...warm for this time of year and instead of snow we've had fog with a light mist at times which has resulted in this white coat covering all the trees. If it wasn't so gray it could be quite beautiful.

If the sun ever comes out, what a display that will be! I took the afternoon off today. Maybe it's this dismal weather that has me so lacking in energy but I've practiced almost every day this week and I just couldn't bring myself to go over there again today. I did my grocery shopping this morning and decided I'd stay home and work on a few cards this afternoon as I have no students scheduled, but here it is 3:30 and I haven't even had the energy to begin.

I have however managed to read my daughter's newly printed portfolio from cover to cover. I just got the news, she is graduating on the 20th...MAGNA CUM LAUDE...and yes, I'm just a tad proud!! 

Tomorrow is my piano studio recital. I was asked by one of the parents (a professional singer) to accompany her on the organ while she sang Gesu Bambino. I was honored and worked very hard to adapt the piano music to work on the organ and then learn to play it. After putting in hours of practice I get an email yesterday from her saying that she, like many people in our area has come down with one of the nasty bugs that has been going around and since hers is the sore throat/fever variety, she will not be able to sing on Saturday. UGH! Oh well, I hear my mentor's voice as he's told me before that practice is never for naught. It's ok too, because I really didn't feel comfortable with the piece and if I was going to do it I wanted to do a good job for her. So many of our families have been ill and I've had so many cancellations this week that I really don't know what to expect for tomorrow, but whatever will be will be. 

Sunday morning is our church's Christmas program. I will be playing the prelude and postlude as usual as well as a solo on Still, Still, Still, plus all the congregational hymns...there are quite a few. I think I'm ready...I feel pretty good about those pieces, it's just up to whatever happens in the moment...God help me.

So here I am with an entire evening ahead of me...all to myself. Hot tea, frosty trees, twinkling lights, crackling fire and Christmas music...I think I'm ok with that.  

Christmas Music

It was a good weekend. Friday night Hubby and I went out to supper to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary, then he took me to hear my mentor play the organ in their church's annual Lessons and Carols on Saturday. How I love singing the carols while he plays!! Saturday was also my ATC trade, it was nice to see the ladies from the Scrapbook Store again. How I miss the convenience of the store. Sunday of course was church - it went very well despite the fact I haven't been feeling well. The Lord truly stepped in and worked through me as I played - I did not do anything in my own strength that morning. Sunday after church Hubby and Daughter went out to get our tree. It's still sitting naked in the living room! 

It is shaping up to be a very busy week this week. Today I have a practice time I must get in, then I'm meeting with one of my piano parents to practice with her. I will be accompanying her while she sings Gesu Bambino on Saturday when she sings in our annual Family Recital. She is a professional vocalist who has sung opera in years past. I am very honored she asked me to accompany her but I'm also very nervous as I've had to rework a piano accompaniment to work on the organ and I'm not sure I can manage it very well. Following my practice with her I have 5 lessons to teach this afternoon/evening. 

The rest of the week holds a full teaching and practice schedule, Friday I'll practice with Mary again and Saturday is our recital. Sunday is the Christmas program at church and I haven't even begun to practice the hymns and carols the congregation will be singing that day. I also have two solo pieces to put together for that as well as possibly a duet with Hubby. 

It looks like no one is going to play my little game, so here are the answers: 

 Left to right: a) Heiki Lunta (local myth) b) Jack Frost c) Zeus

 

Left to right: a) Pegasus b) Sirens c) Icarus

Fairies

                                         Left to right: a) mermaid b) Apollo c) Aphrodite

Next month's theme is "your ethnic heritage".  As usual, I have no idea what I will do!
Until next time...

Let's Play A Little Game

I just finished my Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) for December, tomorrow's trade is at 1:30. This month's theme is "Myths". I never studied Greek mythology so I had to do some research and some are not Greek. I will give you a hint, for the very first one you need to know a little about the area where I live as it's a local myth. 

I will post pictures of my completed cards and you can guess what myth each one represents and put your answer in the comment section. I'll post the answers when I feel enough of you have had the chance to post. You might need to click on the photo for the large size to see the detail. READY? Here goes:

Set #1 left to right a) b) c)

Set #2 left to right a) b) c)

Set #3 left to right a) b) c)

Set #4 left to right a) b) c)

In other news, you may have seen on FB that Hubby and I celebrated 33 years together as husband and wife yesterday (the 4th).

He bought me these beautiful red roses and an expensive organ book I've been wanting for years and I bought him season 11 of NCIS. We went out to supper tonight because I had to teach last night. We enjoyed a nice supper at our favorite restaurant and then he had to rush off to ref a game. 

Tomorrow after the trade I will practice the organ for a few hours, then pick up pasties for some hungry boys that are coming over to help Hubby move fire wood to the basement. Tomorrow evening we are going to Lessons and Carols at the Catholic church where I practice to hear my mentor play the organ. It is such a beautiful program every year and this year is probably his last to play as he's retiring this summer.

I don't want to miss being there! Please keep him in your prayers as he has some health issues he's dealing with and also for my friend and former teacher who is still struggling with cancer. He was doing so much better but now is in so much pain from his back (the cancer is also there). I just pray it is not spreading. I know he's getting discouraged.

Ok, that's all for now. I'll be watching for your guesses!

Until next time...

WHOOOSH!!

Another holiday come and gone and this year was a bit weird due to the fact we celebrated with our traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday instead of Thursday because the newly weds couldn't get here until Friday night due to their work schedules. They arrived around supper time on Friday and we enjoyed a meal together and spent the evening catching up and watching movies on Netflix. 

Saturday we lingered over breakfast but not too long because Hubby had games to ref in the afternoon so we needed to start eating by 12:30 or 1. I can't remember the actual time we got everything on the table, but we got him out the door on time. 

I made our traditional turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy with garden carrots, beets and rutabaga and oatmeal pie for dessert. DIL is a vegetarian, so they brought their own "meat" and gravy and she made a very good stuffing. 

Son did a couple of chores around the house for me on Saturday afternoon and they joined us for church on Sunday and left after lunch. I was so busy I didn't get a single picture and DIL was complaining as they were packing that she didn't get any pictures either. 

It's been so cold today...we had a high of 7 with a windchill that brought the temps down into negative digits. I went to the church to practice and froze! The temperature in the sanctuary is kept at 50 degrees during the week and normally I can use my little heater to make things comfortable enough for me at the organ, but today it just couldn't keep up. I kept my practice time to just the most urgent. I'm hoping things will warm up later in the week. I haven't been able to get warm since I got home, I must have gotten quite a chill today so I'm sitting downstairs by the fire just relaxing a bit this evening. 

Tomorrow I hope to finish the cleaning that I didn't quite finish today and get my Christmas decorations up...all except for the tree that Hubby and Daughter #2 will go shopping for later in the week. I will be happy to not have to go out again.

Son asked for his box of ornaments before they left. He sorted through them and left a few here but took the majority of them with him to hang on their tree. I must admit, it was bitter sweet watching him sort and ask questions about where some of them came from. He left the one I made for his first Christmas and one his Gran made for him. He said those real special ones should stay here for a while longer. He did take the stuffed reindeer that I had peeking out of his stocking on his first Christmas...kinda tough to watch that cutie leave. It's so weird...I want our kids to grow up and make homes and traditions of their own because it's the right thing for them, but at the same time it's so hard. 

I do believe my Christmas shopping is done - I just have to get things wrapped. Since we started drawing names it makes short work of the shopping and I'm not complaining. 

Finally Friday

I'm struggling again to get moving...I guess this is just the way it's going to be for now. This week has seemed to drag, must be because of the weather. 

I enjoyed your comments on yesterday's post...snouts and tails??? LOL!! I had no idea those were a traditional part of Scrapple!! YUCK!! I'll be wary if I have the opportunity to eat it made by someone else!

I will continue chipping away at my project list today as well as spend the afternoon at the organ, so much music to practice for holiday events coming up! No students scheduled today and I don't have to cook, we have enough left overs, so that gives me a more relaxed day.

I'll have more to chat about later....

From The Kitchen

I really must stop dawdling over my coffee every morning - I'm just not getting the things done I need to do. How can I discipline myself to save my computing until evening?? This is my wake up time, my time to connect with friends and the rest of the world...and coffee...let's not forget the coffee. 

I have been a day ahead all week as if time isn't flying by fast enough! I have to keep checking my calendar for the day, date and what students I have scheduled. Today I have four, beginning at 2:30 and ending at 7:30. 

I have no idea what is for supper tonight...I may have to make another quiche because I forgot to take meat out of the freezer again. 

Have you ever heard of scrapple?? It's something my mother-in-law used to make all the time and Hubby loves it. In 33 years of marriage I have never attempted it until yesterday. I did good. It's missing something...a seasoning...it doesn't have quite the right flavor, but Hubby liked it. I'm going to write my MIL (one more thing to add to the to-do list) and ask her if she remembers her recipe. Here's the one I made:

Scrapple
2 C. ground pork (MIL used the meat from pork hocks she got from the meat counter, I think leftover pork, roast beef, sausage, chicken, turkey would all work - I used ground pork this time and it was fine, though the pieces of meat were a bit large. You want small pieces so the cornmeal stays together).  
3 C. meat broth
1 C. corn meal 
1 1/2 t. sage
Combine meat and broth. Heat to boiling. Add sage and salt and pepper to taste - I just added salt and pepper at serving. Sift in corn-meal slowly, stirring constantly. Cook 30 minutes (I didn't do this step and I don't see it was any worse off...maybe it's just to blend the flavor more?) Pour into mold (I used a bread pan because that's what MIL always used) Chill until firm. Cut in thin slices and fry until browned. 
We've enjoyed this recipe this week for both breakfast and lunch along with a quiche I made. 

Last night we got a craving after supper...for cake. So, though I rarely bake anymore (because I eat it), I baked a cake...my favorite fall cake, a recipe from my mother...I'm not sure where she found it.

Oatmeal Cake
Pour 1 1/2 C. boiling water over 1 C. quick oats and let stand for 25 minutes. 
Cream together and add:
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. white sugar (in my attempts to be healthier, I substituted coconut palm sugar and succanaut)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla 
1/2 C. butter 1 1/3 C. flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes - use toothpick test.
Topping:
1 stick (1/2 C.) butter
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 C. canned milk (I used almond milk. Milk of your choice will work, the result just isn't as thick)
Melt over low flame and pour over cake while warm...cool cake slightly first. 
Makes 2 round pans or 1 9x13 pan

I've decided though I'm not going completely off my eating plan, I'm going to relax a bit until after the holidays. Thank you for all your sweet comments both here and on FB regarding the pictures I posted. I'm enjoying them, but my face is much fuller (and the rest of me LOL) than it should be and come first of the year, I must take care of that...pain or not!

Let me know if you try either of these recipes and what you think of them. ENJOY!

Photo Shoot

It's been a busy week...Sunday was the LSMTA Piano Recital, my students all did well. Hubby saved the day again by printing the programs at the last minute and serving refreshments when he noticed the rest of us got caught talking. 

Monday I went down the hill for organ practice time and had a scary trip back home; I'm trying to decide whether or not I should continue that trek during the winter months. Because of the snow, I've had several cancellations and reschedules lately, the reschedules I don't mind so much, but the cancellations sure cut into my budget at a tough time of year. I have three scheduled for today and two of them are very late...maybe they're not coming? 

I have a grocery trip I need to do for our Thanksgiving week, but customers have not been paying in a timely manner, so we are behind. Please pray I can pay bills and get the food I need to feed my kids when they arrive. 

I have a very long list of small projects that need doing...I won't bore you with it, just know that I am overwhelmed by it and by the amount of music I have to learn between now and Christmas so please pray for me. Daughter #2 is our budding photographer...she really does quite well and we are hoping to be able to purchase a camera for her for graduation. Last weekend she borrowed the camera from work so she could get some good shots of herself for her web page and resume and I mentioned how I'd like to have some good photos of me at the organ,so we took full advantage and had a great time doing a photo shoot. She took all these pictures, even the ones of herself (technically), she got everything all set up and all that had to be done was click the shutter. I hope you enjoy....

Our daughter #2 and soon to be college graduate in search of a job..Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Scientific and Technical Communication, a minor in Journalism and a certificate in Media with a concentration in Marketing. 

What I do: Communication, Collaboration, Photography, Design, Technical Writing, Creative Writing, Editing, Marketing, Publications, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Cumulus, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint.

And if the job has anything to do with bicycles, that will just be icing on the cake !

Hubby and Me on a brisk Sunday morning before church: 

And finally, my long awaited pictures of me at the organ. Mentor chose his favorite and wanted me to add it to my email signature and so I have done. He also told me I needed to share it with Gordon; he said "he'd be so proud":

Stay safe and warm!