Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Tuesday at the Movies - "How To Be Well Groomed"

Now I too can look swell for that special date with Bill. Enjoy.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Autumn Project - Fancy Pants Leaf Candle

I have had the pages, torn from a now forgotten magazine, in one of my projects binders for years and years. Finally got around to making this last week. Once again, made with supplies from our crafts area.

Leaf Candle supplies gathered....
Leaf Candle Supplies

Step One - sponge paint dollar store candle, let dry - fuzzy but accurate photo...
Sponge Paint Candle
Painted Candle

Step Two - trim freshly fallen leaves from yard.....
Trim Leaves

Step Three - apply Mod Podge to back of leaves.....
Mod Podge Leaf
Mod Podge Leaf #2

Step Four - adhere leaves to candle, remove bubbles, and let dry....this is the part where you are ready to ditch the whole project.....
Applying Leaf
Leaves Applied

Step Five - apply thick, messy, gloppy coat of Mod Podge to entire candle, let dry overnight....
Final Mod Podge Coat

Step Six - admire candle, vow never again to work with Mod Podge.....on to the next project....
Done!
All Done!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Tuesday at the Movies - "Good Table Manners"

Tess, Mollie and I love watching old Coronet, Handy Jam, and Encyclopedia Britannica films which were shown in schools the 1950's and 1960's. We decided that we will post one here every Tuesday to share. We can't keep these wonders to ourselves!

Hundreds of these great old films can be found here: Prelinger Archives.

Our first film subject? Well....we all need good table manners, don't we?? Enjoy...

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Theme....Musical Photographs......

As always, music continue to flourish throughout our lives.....
Harp

Tess playing flute and piccolo with homeschool orchestra.....
CHAMPS Orchestra

Flute for Tess with Mimi....Flute Teacher

Clarinet with Mimi for Bill...
Bill and Mimi

Tess's morning piano students, sisters Katie and Carolyn....
Piano Girls

Piano with Robin for Tess....
Tess and Robin2

Robin giving Mollie voice lessons....
Mollie & Robin Voice Lessons

Mollie giving Robin harp lessons....
Robin's Harp Lesson

Tess's youngest piano student, Megan....
Tess with Piano Student

Finally, Tess and Robin at Festival of Pianos at Randhurst Mall....
Tess & Robin at Randhurst
Tess at Randhurst
Robin at Randhurst

Friday, October 19, 2007

My friend Will sent me this photo....

Freedom

I love this photograph, though it elicits a sense of longing, a sense of something missed. I grew up in New York apartments, where learning to ride a bike was not part of my life, nor the lives of those I knew.

In my late teens I attempted bike riding in Central Park, always feeling nervous, scared, unsure. I knew that I had missed the time in which to take on this new task without trepidation. I missed the chance for this to become a natural, simple and secure part of the things I do.

As Sir Ken Robinson says...I became afraid of being wrong.

I envy those who master this skill while young, while believing all is possible.

I think that riding a bicycle must feel a bit like flying....

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

I Love It When a Plan Comes Together.....

Bill has been learning, on his own, the clarinet since June...using a clarinet we bought on eBay years ago. He also loves the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band where Tess plays flute.

The girls and I came up with a plan. We spoke to the band membership coordinator telling of Bill's love of the band, and of his desire to some day play with them. She was happy to help us make being a band member a reality for Bill.

We researched clarinets, and chose this beautiful clarinet from Suzuki Instruments. We also asked Tess's flute teacher, if she could take Bill on as a student. She agreed. The plan was taking form....

Clarinet....ordered.
Lessons....set.
Band........future goal set.
Now the waiting began....

This morning, the clarinet arrived....
Finally Here

Together, Mollie, Tess and I presented Bill with this brand new, gorgeous instrument....this is Bill looking stunned....
New Clarinet

Heading out for new adventures....
New Adventures

First clarinet lesson....
First Lesson

Benny Goodman....watch out.....

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Halloween Project #2 - Our Spider Family!!!

With help from Max (thank you Max!) who performed a little Photoshop magic for me, once again our magical, never empty crafts area provided us with the simple supplies needed for a quick project to add to this years Halloween decorations which went up today.

Supplies at the ready.....
Spider Supplies
More Supplies

Let the games begin....
Spider Bodies
Tess Makes Spiders
Mollie Makes Spiders

One unwitting victim subject complete.....
Spider Bill

Our little Spider Family is ready to find a new home....
Spider Family

Where oh where will they all live?

Why nestled under last years Halloween project, The Haunted Ghost Tree... of course!

All Done!

Don't they look happy?
Spiders Home

Monday, October 15, 2007

Christmas....Too Soon and Too Big.....

October 14th and Christmas has arrived at Costco. It's not even Halloween yet!

And what's with the gigantic Nutcracker? Words fail.....

Tess with Giant Nutcracker

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Flute & Piano Concert with David Garcia

Bill, Mollie, Tess, Robin and I attended a beautiful concert tonight featuring David and Jesus Garcia at Forest View Educational Center. David plays flute with the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band, the same group that Tess is lucky enough to play with. It astonishes me that he takes the time to play with this local group each week. He is a truly lovely man and we are happy to know him.

David Garcia

Davids flute playing rivals that of James Galway (with whom he has taken master classes) in its clear, pure tone. I think that David is immensely talented. We were so lucky to be among the audience members for this evening of amazing music.

Tess and Mollie with David after the concert.....

The Girls with David

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Thursday, October 11, 2007

New Halloween Project....first of a few......

What do you get when you take a few simple supplies from a greatly overflowing crafts stash? You spend an hour making this of course!

Bat Supplies

Bats

New Halloween Decoration

PLUS....Mollie made me this pillow from her old Target Halloween t-shirt and a little fringe...such a nice surprise!

Gift from Mollie

More to follow......