Oh my gosh . . .

Tomorrow's February!!!

And I've been a regular singin' fool the last two weeks, whew!

Here's a screen shot from last night's live webcast ("Thanks" Aunt S!) of Carmina Burana.

What I've come to learn about screenshots is that singers make really funny faces in effort to produce the required sounds.  Oh my goodness, the ones of my fellow singers that floated around Facebook last night, hahaha!

Last week SP and I were also in a semi-staged version of Mozart's, Cosi Fan Tutte.  We had small roles in the chorus, but it was fun to be on stage for the concert and to see it be put together.

Also, I managed to score 10 free voice lessons at the local U due to graduate vocal performance majors that have to take a "How to teach voice" class.  Heaven forbid they practice teaching on a fellow, brilliant musician student, Ha!  My teacher is absolutely amazing, she's also probably 23 and I've learned a lot in only three lessons so far.  When I was a music student, I studied music ed, piano was my principal instrument and voice was my secondary instrument.  That meant I was really far down the list to get a great voice teacher.  So, now you know the rest of the story...or...some of the story...

(-:

Here's to February!
(which it is exactly right this minute, 12:00a.m.!)

The Garden in January . . .

Why yes, as a matter of fact . . .

We did have another birthday amidst the polar vortex!

(My fingers were just so cold I couldn't enter the post!!!)

Did you know she could have been taking driver's education already for three months???

Did you know she graduates high school in three and a half years???

Do you know how quickly three and a half years goes????

Oh.My.Goodness!

Happy Birthday, Lara!

(-:

This year Lara asked for a peanut butter cake.  The Pioneer Woman was top of my google list and it turned out she just turned my standard Texas Sheet Cake (William's usual cake) peanut buttery.  I didn't have a lot of time to consider decorations and knew I wanted to top a cake with fresh flowers, just wished I had put different candles on it at least, ha! She requested lasagna for her birthday dinner so I made a traditional one with a red sauce, sausage and spinach (nice to sneak that in there because you can't even taste it) and a chicken, spinach, artichoke lasagna with a white sauce.  Of course I tried new recipes and would have liked them a little saucier, but I sure liked the flavors.

I was going to crop this photo and then I spotted that silly, little hand waving in the bottom corner, haha.  No way I'm taking that out.  I remember trying to swish away that funny boy, out of his big sis's picture (she's been into the Beatles…and skinny pop…lately), but he won didn't he! (-:

Aww, our percussion playing, piano playing, cross country running, French speaking, all A's student with her fresh new haircut, what a gal! Here's to another great year of adventure, learning and growing!

POLAR VORTEX TOMORROW!

NO SCHOOL AGAIN!

HA!

And then we continued to have no school on Monday or Tuesday either, wowza!

Ahhh . . .

You do know don't you that we're going to blink and these days of polar vortex's and slippery roads are going to be a distant memory, right?  Right??? (-: So, embrace the snow and the frigid temps, put on your cuddl duds so your legs don't freeze off when you walk 20 seconds from the car to the grocery store, and let's get through this together…I mean…let's enjoy this together, eh?

(-:

The picture above is one of the few I've posted over on Facebook.  I'm not a big picture poster over there, but I found this in some album I created after a U.P. trip in 2010.  This is an absolute must stop location on the eastern side of the Keweenaw when we go up every year.  It was cold and gray last year so this picture is extra delightful to me right now.  Even though I'm thoroughly embracing and enjoying our frigid, snowy winter…

(-:

Picture from the diaper aisle . . .

Take note of the quote on the package about sweet, little Isabella…

Harrison:  "I can see the resemblance to her grandpa."

Me: "What? How, you don't even know him."

Harrison: "Well, with the hair . . . "

Oh, that boy, still cracking me up.  And I'll tell you, he still is quite the talker, so much to say about so many topics.  I love it (when I'm able to follow it all).  This past weekend SP, Ben and William went to Chicago for a hockey tournament (Ben, a defenseman, scored his first goal!!!), Lara had to study for finals and Livia doesn't mind hanging out with Lara at home (and control of the DVD/VCR with no big kids around)…SO, Harrison and I had time to tool around together this weekend.

We saw the diaper package at Whole Foods after having stopped at Game Stop and that was after having gone to see The Hobbit, part 2 (which, they STILL haven't completed the story, I had NO IDEA it was a three parter, ugh!). Here's another brief conversation:

Harrison: "We got new seats in class but I really need to be moved."

Me: "Why, what's the problem?"

Harrison: "Well, I'm next to someone that talks and talks and asks me questions all the time and interrupts and is always talking.  I've tried plugging my ears and even shoving my earlobes into my ears, but nothing's working."

Me: "Hmmmmmm…" While I contemplate the earlobe shoving, hahaha!

Pictures from the freezer aisle . . .

Yes, as a matter of fact that was me with my iPhone taking pictures of packages in the freezer aisle at the grocery store the other day.  What of it??? (-:  When I saw that egg sandwich I was like, "Why can't I just make those and freeze them myself?" So I then took a picture of the directions on how to cook them once I make them…and freeze them.  Because, I am going to make them…and freeze them…right?  RIGHT???

Ugh!!

I am.

Soon!

(-:

This Boy . . .

Makes us laugh!

Ah, Sweet William.

This boy has a tricky position in our family, youngest boy, fourth in line to the throne (haha), one child older than a young, cutsey girl.  But, he weathers this position pretty well, and one of the ways he does that is to bust out with something unexpected every now and then (quite often it's different and startling sounds, haha, but oh my, if you heard his British accent!!), but last night, it was…putting on one of my go to winter hats.  And, after receiving great attention and glee from us all, he kept it on for much of the night.

He isn't always a source of laughter and glee for that gal.

(If I had my act together I'd go link to a page I must have posted two years ago with her hugging him when he got off the school bus.  She used to run up to him ev.er.y. day with a big ol' bear hug when he got home. Not as much of that anymore, haha)

But, they usually end up working it out.

"Many legends purport to explain how sweet william acquired its English common name, but none is verified. "Sweet william" is often said to honour the 18th century Prince William, Duke of Cumberland. As a result of the Duke's victory at the Battle of Culloden and his generally brutal treatment of the king's enemies, it is also claimed that the Scots sometimes call the flower "Stinking Billy".^[6][7][8]Though this makes a nice story, it is entirely untrue. The Scots sometimes refer to the noxious ragwort, not Dianthus barbatus, as "Stinking Billy" in memory of the infamous Duke. Also, the English botanist John Gerard referred to Dianthus barbatus as "Sweete Williams" in his garden catalogue of 1596, 150 years before Culloden.^[9] Phillips speculated that the flower was named after Gerard's contemporary, William Shakespeare.^[10] It is also said to be named after Saint William of York or after William the Conqueror. Anotheretymological derivation is that william is a corruption of the French oillet, meaning "little eye". Sweet william is a favourite name for lovelorn young men in English folkloric ballads, e.g., "Fair Margaret and Sweet William."

Need yer hair styled? . . .

Well, come on over then.  We have a four year old stylist in training right at our house!!  One of her favorite games on any i-Gadget is this hair salon "game." And, if it happens to be my phone she'd just been on, I am gifted with about 100 photos of her "work" after she's finished.  I have no idea how she does it, but she has figured out how to click pictures of all her creations, yee-haw…

Fun little thing to remember about our gal too.  Last week, the night before our third snow/cold day, she and her big sis got a last minute overnight at her grandparent's house.  This is what she packed: 1 blown-up pink balloon, 2 large, pink, fuzzy blankets, three shirts (no pants), 1 barbie horse, 1 barbie (with no pants…), her blankie and bearsy, her new Texas bear, socks and underwear, two dvd's, pajamas (pants only) (I packed her a toothbrush bag).  And then, in a separate suitcase…hahaha…books, more barbies a mcdonald's toy, I don't remember what else.  She's fun that girl.  I most liked finding the blown up pink balloon!

Hey, Y'all . . .

While we were in Texas we had some pretty cool treks.

Now, wouldn't it be great if I hauled around a "real" camera instead of my iPhone?

 I mean LOOK at this???

I felt like I was on a Hobbit set or something.

Ahhh, look at that emerald green water peeking through.

Our destination?

This AMAZING "pool" if you'd like to call it that. I'd call it a hidden oasis of amazingness if I were naming the place!!!  Yes, my friends, when the weather is a wee bit warmer (I WAS TEMPTED THOUGH, had it not been for the bacteria warning due to drought), some lucky people actually get to swim here.  I am just beside myself!!!  This is just a state park a short drive from my brother's house. Oh My Goodness!!

"Hamilton Pool" "Shmamilton Pool", that sign should totally read:

Welcome, Hidden Oasis of Amazingness up ahead!

Walking around the interior, cove portion of the pool are all these amazing little spots.  Look at the moisture drops in the top left that my little ol' iPhone managed to capture. (-:

Inside looking out.  

Now, let's imagine this place in the Spring.  Oh my goodness, can this even get more beautiful???

Wow!

 Hey, look.  It's me!

Just look at how this thing is all carved out.

Have I said "WOW" yet???

Next time we're near this water I hope we're in suits!

What a cool discovery this was for all of us, loved it!!

Um…Yeah...

Go ahead and scratch everything written yesterday after, "That's funny to me."

THE BOYS' SCHOOL CANCELLED CLASSES AT 5:30A.M. TODAY BECAUSE THE ROADS DIDN'T GET BETTER OVER NIGHT AS THEY HYPOTHESISED THEY WOULD.

THAT'S funny to me, but not in a "Hahaha" kinda way!

(-:

Feeling a little giddy and light-hearted tonight . . .

(I'll tell ya why in a sec)

So how about a silly little post?

At the library the other day, looking for yet another cool documentary (LOVE the documentaries you can find at the library.  Figure, we're paying a good chunk of change for them to be stocking their shelves so full of video after video, might as well make use of them.  Not paying for Netflix or tv service anymore after all) Then, I stumble into the TV Series' section (Yes, they keep buying series after series, after series, because, hey, that's the responsibility of libraries, right? OY!!), and I notice that not only have they actually bought the Alf series, but someone has actually checked out seasons ONE AND THREE!!! I mean, SAY WHAT?????

That's funny to me.

But no, that's not why I'm giddy and light-hearted tonight.

No, somehow, about 7:00p.m. tonight all the stars went into alignment so that after 7:55a.m. tomorrow, I WILL BE ALL ALONE IN MY HOUSE FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST HALF OF THE DAY!!!!!

Yep, the boy's school is open tomorrow (along with the College of Beauty in Troy and the Leaders and the Best, 600-some other wimpy (sane?) schools are closed…no offense…(-:) and I had previously arranged for the two girls to spend the night at their grandparents (Lara's school had already cancelled earlier today).

So, yes, I may have had an extra little bounce in my step this evening, and I did my best to curl the corners of my mouth downward when making the announcement to the boys, but, tomorrow I will experience silence for the first time in a long, long, time!  I do love this parenting gig, but to catch a break like this is awfully nice too.

Keep warm out there!

Happy New Year!! . . .

O.K., so I'm five days late…in that case…

Happy Birthday, SP!!

(How'd you enjoy all that snow blowing and sledding with the kids to ring in another year?)

Check, got the New Year's and Birthday posts covered (lame, I know, I'm a gal who just "produced" Christmas for a family of seven followed by an eight day, just-about mystery trip, so, that's gonna be that! (-:)

Well then…Today,

We got lots of snow, yippee!!

(Of course we didn't get LOTS and LOTS of snow as my good friend Sharyn has gotten in her neck of the woods…and has eloquently pointed out to me a couple times…heehee)

But, just five days ago this gal, and five other of us (big sis bowed out of this "We've just got to say we've done it," moment), donned our bathing suits and swam HERE!!! Be sure to scroll all the way down to get a great, full view of the pool. That thing was soooooo cool! I mean, it's like this natural pool thing, seaweed growing through out, blueish-greenish water, always 68 degree water (air temp when we swam was low 60's and cloudy, but we just left 5 degrees at home so we were like, "Bring it!" (-:). 

Yep, we visited my brother and his family in the giant state of

TEXAS!

Whew, whatta trip.  Two day drive down and back, just about equal at 14 hours the first day and 9-ish hours the second day, with completely clean, clear roads, what a blessing! We arrived at 6pm-ish last Sunday and stayed four full days after that, had a great time exploring caves, rivers, parks and visiting family.  I'll hope to post some cool things we discovered.  And, E.S…I was thinking of you many times and the amazing pictures you would have taken here and there…you need to travel to TX! (-:

Just crossed the border, haha!

Yep, I donned my team swim cap, swam 2/3 of the length of the pool (they were cleaning the far end) and took some dives off the board.  Totally cool experience!!

We can not wait to go again. Especially since we came home to a somewhat massive snow storm and temps in the -20's!!