Time Flies....

I started off this year with, of course, the best of intentions.  I promised myself that I would blog every Sunday, rain or shine, even had I nothing to say.  Today I am really keeping that promise.

It never cease to amaze me where my time goes - work, lessons, rehearsals, etc.  I don't seem to have time to sit and even create a two-minute blog.  I was really floored yesterday when my boss told me that there are only six weeks until we open the waterpark for the summer!

So, here's to "busy-ness" which is business as usual.  And when time flies, be sure to say a word of thanks for those times when it does land in your land and stay a while.

PASS THE BUCKET!!!!

From my mother's memoirs, during her chemotherapy:

Nichole and Jen wanted to teach me to play "Texas Hold 'Em" poker. We improvised a table using a dining room chair. Jen and Coly sat on chairs beside it and I sat in my comfy living room chair.

We were just about to get started playing when I saw my bucket out of the corner of my eye. Jen was to my left and I asked her to get the bucket and the wash cloth and put them next to me in case I would suddenly need them. Then I said we should have a fire drill and practice with the bucket so we would be ready.

I explained the drill: "Jen, when I say 'PASS THE BUCKET', you hand the bucket to me, Coly, you get the washcloth from the bucket and go immediately to the kitchen and run cold water on it and bring it back to me." Jen asked me what she was to do after she passed the bucket and I asked her what she wanted to do. She said, "I want to just get out of the room." "Fine", I said, "You just get out of the room, now let's have a practice drill. Are you ready?" "Yes" and "Yes" were the replies.

I said very slowly and very softly, "pass....the....bucket" In slow motion, Jen handed me the bucket, Coly slowly reached over and took the washcloth as they each lifted up off of their chairs and went to their appointed stations. Coly brought the cool cloth back, Jen returned to the room and they both sat down smugly confident in their performance. It was picture perfect. In fact it went so well that we then started our game of cards.

Coly dealt me a five and an Ace and two cards to Jen and to herself. We each bet a nickel. Then Coly started a 'flip' or a 'flop' pile that we all used to add to our cards. I bet another nickel based on my hand so far and a flop card which was a four. It made sense to me. They kept calling and raising and double daring each other so I just played along like I knew what was happening.

All of a sudden there were about fifty nickels on the chair and Jen was scooping them toward her. I yelled "PASS THE BUCKET!!!!" and all hell broke loose. Jen threw the bucket in my lap, Coly grabbed the cloth in mid-air and all I saw was the flash of their two behinds streaking out of the room and nickels flying everywhere. The girls gingerly returned while I laughed hysterically but they passed the surprise drill.

Quilters Never Win

I started this quilt last spring in an effort to use up some scrap piles that I have accumulated. I finished the center pieced section sometime last year - I don't really remember now if it was in the spring or the summer.  This past weekend I added the gold, dark brown and patchwork borders.  It's still not quite large enough to call an actual quilt and will have several more borders added before it can be batted.  As things will get very busy again before long, I thought I'd at least post my progress! 

Lucky me...

I have two very sweet and special students, a brother and sister, that I give lessons to every Sunday.  He is learning the guitar and she is learning the violin.  Both have a great sense of humor, fun personalities and plenty of musical talent.

When they came for lessons this past weekend, they brought me this belated Christmas present, made by their own hands.  It is a beautiful and luxuriously soft fleece blanket with musical symbols.

All of my students continually overwhelm me and this was no exception.  I count myself as one of the luckiest people in the world to know each and every one of my students!

Do the Wav!

The Snarling Fiddler

A fun trip to the local music store this week resulted in a score!  Here's a pic of me trying out the new NS Wav electric violin.  This particular model was the 5-stringer in the amber burst finish.

The fiddle is oddly shaped but played like "butta."  After about a half hour of playing around, I ordered the 4-string version in red burst.  It will be delivered in about a week or so.

"The Time Has Come...,"

The Walrus said, "to talk of many things.  Of shoes and ships and sausages and sealing wax and kings."

Okay, so that's not how it really goes.  But sausage and cabbage does go so well together!  This pic is from a great family tradition of sausage making for the holidays.  My cousin, Brian, and I were the official apprentices this time around during my visit to Ohio in November.  Rumor has it that they're at it again this week for the Christmas feast.  I can still smell the garlic!

I've been busy this past month.  The fall concert for my string groups has come and gone.  As I said above, I took a trip to Ohio -  for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I'm up to my eyeballs in rehearsals and concerts.  (Tonight I will play in the orchestra for a church performance of portions of the Messiah, Shortwaaave will be performing at Faithbridge Church on Christmas Eve and Mark and I will be performing with a band that calls itself Buddy's Notes at the Inn at Grand Glaize for New Year's Eve.)

Next week, the Surf office is closed and I'm looking forward to having some crafting time at home.  As I'm not nearly ready for Christmas this year, I think I'm going to turn back to my old tradition of making all of my gifts for 2011 and next week will be the perfect time to start!

Something in the air...

When you look out your back door and are greeted with the handiwork of God, it's a great time to stop, give thanks, and take a picture so that others can experience the joy.