Phоtоgrapher Dane Shitagi brings thе bеаuty оf ballet оutdооrs in thе New York City Ballerina Project. Throughout thе eight years thаt Shitagi hаs bееn bringing this collection tо life, thе New York City strееts served аs his bаckdrop.
Showing posts with label ballet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ballet. Show all posts
quick thoughts for the day
A short and sweet post.
Today is the big - we've been preparing for it since January - ballet recital for my daughters -- Hannah, Chloe and Grace. It's a glorious day of celebration and artistry and joyfulness. I'd love your prayers for them -- that their day is a reflection of their hard work and dedication. And that it is fun -- lots of fun. :)
I'd also love your prayers for myself as I'm the photographer for the event. I took photos last week for the dress rehearsal {and they turned out beautiful} -- and now today, I'll be taking them throughout the day -- backstage, on stage rehearsal and more. Pray for great functioning equipment, a good eye, great lighting, and that I, too, have fun. Lots of fun. :)
And on a completely different note.
As you might remember I got to take part in this Blogher and Gatorade event {the one with the $100 giftcard giveaway}. I've been looking {I know, I know, I know -- kind of silly} to see my promo in the Blogher sidebar ad. It probably says, "see how Rachel, from finding joy, helps her athletes Become." Anyways, I know it's out there -- I've gotten hits from various blogs that have the running sidebar. I just haven't seen it myself.
Here's my silly question. If you come across the ad on another blog, would you screencap it and save it for me? hee hee hee....I feel like I'm about ten again wanting to see my artwork. :)
That's it for this Saturday morning! I'm off to put Gracie's hair into the perfect ballet bun, check that the camera batteries are fully charged, pull out those energy bars, and get ready for a whirlwind day of activity!
~rachel
Today is the big - we've been preparing for it since January - ballet recital for my daughters -- Hannah, Chloe and Grace. It's a glorious day of celebration and artistry and joyfulness. I'd love your prayers for them -- that their day is a reflection of their hard work and dedication. And that it is fun -- lots of fun. :)
{Gracie prepping her hair -- love her concentration}
I'd also love your prayers for myself as I'm the photographer for the event. I took photos last week for the dress rehearsal {and they turned out beautiful} -- and now today, I'll be taking them throughout the day -- backstage, on stage rehearsal and more. Pray for great functioning equipment, a good eye, great lighting, and that I, too, have fun. Lots of fun. :)
*********
And on a completely different note.
As you might remember I got to take part in this Blogher and Gatorade event {the one with the $100 giftcard giveaway}. I've been looking {I know, I know, I know -- kind of silly} to see my promo in the Blogher sidebar ad. It probably says, "see how Rachel, from finding joy, helps her athletes Become." Anyways, I know it's out there -- I've gotten hits from various blogs that have the running sidebar. I just haven't seen it myself.
Here's my silly question. If you come across the ad on another blog, would you screencap it and save it for me? hee hee hee....I feel like I'm about ten again wanting to see my artwork. :)
*********
That's it for this Saturday morning! I'm off to put Gracie's hair into the perfect ballet bun, check that the camera batteries are fully charged, pull out those energy bars, and get ready for a whirlwind day of activity!
~rachel
its another day of (friday) favorite things
On Monday I wrote Another Day, Another Day, Another Day
-- and here we are already on to Friday -- Another day.
It feels as if I just wrote those words about time and movement.
I want to remember.
To be aware.
To be grateful.
I'm doing my Friday Favorites list again. For me, it's this wonderful way of remembering the week and finding the beautiful and joyful moments that occurred. Next week I'm going to add a link-up for the friday favorites -- I've gotten some sweet emails asking if it could be made a link up or regular thread. I'll remind you throughout the week, and I'm hoping you'll join in.
I love it.
We're all looking.
Finding joy.
********
playing piano with Samuel on my lap
{playing from The Lord of the Rings book}
more good days than bad days for Samuel
did you read that? more good -- Praise God our healer!
croup that is subsiding
sharing my heart with wonderful women on Monday
praying with those women
these colorful wool dryer balls
(which is my give-away - which will be posted tomorrow)
{curious? want to try them? I'm giving some away tomorrow}
clean laundry
heat that works
Brennan's lego creation
{his creation for an upcoming lego contest}
Brennan's heart
listening to Brennan read to his brothers
melting snow
(even though I wish it would melt faster)
brown grass peeking out of the white snow
my wood highchair
{do you love the pepper remnants and the hulk glove underneath?}
horizon math books
that God's mercies are new every morning
gluten free cookies
new pointe shoes
the road to ballet -- in all seasons
red votive candles
{thanks, Amy for these votives}
the wii
health and healing
praying with my children
hearing my childrens' prayers
my blue scarf made by my mother
{love love love the blue}
of course, my wonderful mom
quiet moments in the early morning
quiet moments in early morning with coffee
quiet moments in early morning with coffee and my Bible
my Scentsy holder
Gracie
{who can't love that face?}
the book - Streams in the Desert
tv remotes
magnets scattered on my fridge
{see the -never never never give up- magnet? I got that during Todd's cancer treatments}
Bible verses on my fridge
Truth
and
that it is finally March
and March means Spring.
{maybe}
these are a few of my (friday) favorite things
friday mornings
48 degree days in the middle of February
love this pic by hannah? she's got more
warm cup of coffee in hand
little ones reading on the old plaid couch
Udi's Gluten free bread
daughters in ballet
hannah (left) & chloe (right)
recycling and garbage day
seed catalogs arriving in the mail in the middle of winter
Lowe's $5 "oops" paints
diced potatoes with dill for dinner
(reminds me of summer)
GI Doctors who call "just to check" up on Samuel
Trader Joes
Pathway Readers and Workbooks
markers with caps on
(can you believe it? the caps are ALMOST all on.)
laundry that is completed
good friends
first grilled chicken of the spring
a family that loves each other
one month since Samuel's first hospitalization
sweet Samuel one month ago -- love those cell phone pics
facebook
old couches for memories
dish soap
unique pronunciations by a three year old named Elijah
remember that he calls pbj sandwiches pGjs :)
those days of lower gas prices
fuzzy slippers
taking down Christmas lights on a warm winter day
birthday memories
big windows for staring outside
love my window by my old couch
blogging about normal
picked up legos
new hope
an amazing church and church family
thinking about vacations when it's cold outside
annual trip to woodland last year (when it was warm)
a good broom
time to play games
the website celiac.com
sippy cups that don't leak at all
and
laughter
yes, absolutely, laughter
laugh, Chloe, laugh
the rat king will be no more
After 3months of driving to ballet almost 6times a week the day has arrived.
Finally.
I've joked how I'm exhausted -- but it's my daughters -- Hannah, Chloe, and Grace, that are the real exhausted ones. Well, exhausted and running on adrenaline. Sheer adrenaline.
Pictures will be coming. Until then -- think of us -- and especially my ballet beauties. Would you pray that they are healthy and have stamina? And that they enjoy the fruits of their labor? They worked hard. Very, very hard. I am extremely proud of them.
Here's a teaser pic -- from last year. :) Now I'm off to put buns in, pull out rag-rollers, and apply some make up. Here we go!
Curious where my girls dance? We love our classical ballet studio -- North Ballet. Here's a little teaser video. If you look really closely you might find my daughters. :) In fact there's a scene with just pointe shoes, and a back being adjusted, and a dancer turning -- that's my Hannah. Enjoy!
Finally.
The Nutcracker performance is today.
I've joked how I'm exhausted -- but it's my daughters -- Hannah, Chloe, and Grace, that are the real exhausted ones. Well, exhausted and running on adrenaline. Sheer adrenaline.
Pictures will be coming. Until then -- think of us -- and especially my ballet beauties. Would you pray that they are healthy and have stamina? And that they enjoy the fruits of their labor? They worked hard. Very, very hard. I am extremely proud of them.
Here's a teaser pic -- from last year. :) Now I'm off to put buns in, pull out rag-rollers, and apply some make up. Here we go!
Hannah
Curious where my girls dance? We love our classical ballet studio -- North Ballet. Here's a little teaser video. If you look really closely you might find my daughters. :) In fact there's a scene with just pointe shoes, and a back being adjusted, and a dancer turning -- that's my Hannah. Enjoy!
got any nuts??
as my free time (what there is) has been spent making this -
Hannah, Chloe and Grace are in a production of the Nutcracker Ballet next week. Their company needed a nutcracker mask, and I volunteered (I'm still wondering what on earth compelled me to sign up for that part!). Let me tell you -- making a mask of this size is no easy task. I had three trial run masks before this one and ended up wanting to make one more after this one. My family emphatically told me no. I listened. :)
Here are the details -- read with caution. :) Paper Mache mask - three layers. Base is made from molded plastic (from a cut up milk carton). Nose is plastic. Face is built up with foam and covered in plastic before the paper mache was applied. I painted it with acrylic paints. Beard and hair is faux fur from Joann's. That part is very messy -- I vacuumed numerous times and in fact, vacuumed the head to pick up the free hair. (It still looks like we have a dog with black hair here.) Crown is layers of gold poster board painted with acrylics. And the red part was a hat that was existing that I attached. That part still needs a teeny bit of work.... The mask attaches via an elastic band and then the crown/hair attaches over latching with screws and then being tied under the chin. Ignore the imperfections in the mask -- you need to remember that this will be on stage and no one will see it up close.
Chloe modeling the mask.
Want to know how many hours this took?
12 hours.
Want to know how much it cost?
$32
Want to know the song I belted out when I was finished?
That would be the Hallelujah Chorus. :)
Now I need to start making cookies....without nuts...
(feel free to leave any "way to go" and "you did great" or "you're nuts" comments....hee hee hee...sometimes I crack myself up...)
ahhh...the mask...
Hannah, Chloe and Grace are in a production of the Nutcracker Ballet next week. Their company needed a nutcracker mask, and I volunteered (I'm still wondering what on earth compelled me to sign up for that part!). Let me tell you -- making a mask of this size is no easy task. I had three trial run masks before this one and ended up wanting to make one more after this one. My family emphatically told me no. I listened. :)
Chloe outside before modeling the mask
(photo courtesy of my Hannah)
(photo courtesy of my Hannah)
Here are the details -- read with caution. :) Paper Mache mask - three layers. Base is made from molded plastic (from a cut up milk carton). Nose is plastic. Face is built up with foam and covered in plastic before the paper mache was applied. I painted it with acrylic paints. Beard and hair is faux fur from Joann's. That part is very messy -- I vacuumed numerous times and in fact, vacuumed the head to pick up the free hair. (It still looks like we have a dog with black hair here.) Crown is layers of gold poster board painted with acrylics. And the red part was a hat that was existing that I attached. That part still needs a teeny bit of work.... The mask attaches via an elastic band and then the crown/hair attaches over latching with screws and then being tied under the chin. Ignore the imperfections in the mask -- you need to remember that this will be on stage and no one will see it up close.
Chloe modeling the mask.
She is the Nutcracker next week. :)
************
Have you discovered that I might be a wee bit of a perfectionist? And now you know why I write on not being too much that way....Want to know how many hours this took?
12 hours.
Want to know how much it cost?
$32
Want to know the song I belted out when I was finished?
That would be the Hallelujah Chorus. :)
Now I need to start making cookies....without nuts...
(feel free to leave any "way to go" and "you did great" or "you're nuts" comments....hee hee hee...sometimes I crack myself up...)
not by sight
Last night I had one of those WAKE UP moments. You know, those times in life that diverge from the norm? Maybe it's as extreme as a tragedy or as minor as a near accident -- it's those moments where you get snapped from the normalcy of everyday and can see life from a different perspective.
My moment came when I drove my second daughter, Chloe, home from ballet. Normally, this would be a minor deal. We'd drive over a bridge, and over some hills, while we joked about life or talked about ballet or sat in silence. But last night was different. It was snowing. Very, very hard. So hard, in fact, that the back roads -- from the infamous "road to ballet" -- were not plowed. At all. And this is a hilly, back-country road that I take.
I couldn't see.
I could hear the nervousness in Chloe's voice when she told me she couldn't see the road. I calmly told her that I saw it -- even though I didn't at all. I had to stop. In the middle of the road and clean my wipers -- the snow was falling faster than even those little wipers could keep up with. But, then right after I cleaned them, I had to keep going. I had NO choice. Deep down, I knew the road. I knew it was there -- I'd driven it almost every day for 18 months. I couldn't see it. But, I had faith.
Isn't that like life?
We're on these roads and at times we can't see the road. We ask the Lord, "where's the path? Could you just show us the way? Guide us? Give us some direction?" And yet, we are as blind to the path as I was last night. Yet, we keep moving. Last night, it was simply faith that I knew the road. But, in life, it's faith that our loving Father knows the road before us. So we move. By faith.
And sometimes, it's scary. Or hard. Or the path seems clouded. Yet we keep moving, keep trusting, keep believing. We might have to stop to clean our wiper blades -- refresh our view -- but truly, we keep moving knowing that we have a Father who loves us and care for us, and ultimately knows the road underneath all that snow.
On another note, I'm wanted to share with you that I'm now a contributing writer for 5 Minutes For Faith. I was honored to be asked to join their team, and have already been blessed working with them. I'm sharing with you a link to an article I wrote titled -- Missing Pieces -- and no, it's not really about puzzle pieces, but more about pieces that we cling to and try to make sense of -- when we really should let them go. And, really it should only take you about 5 minutes to read it. Get it? 5 minutes? and 5 Minutes For Faith? (okay. Now i'm just silly. It's waaaay to early for me.)
I'd love for you to check it out -- and when you pop over there, would you leave me a comment? (Click on my link the title Missing Pieces -- their link is broken) I'd appreciate it -- as I'm the newbie. :) But, don't leave without commenting here okay, okay, okay you DON'T have to. I just like hearing from you so I thought I'd try the direct approach. Ha ha ha! -- I am, however, SO blessed by your comments and notes of encouragement. Thank you for taking your time and leaving them.
Blessings!
part of the road to ballet on a normal day
My moment came when I drove my second daughter, Chloe, home from ballet. Normally, this would be a minor deal. We'd drive over a bridge, and over some hills, while we joked about life or talked about ballet or sat in silence. But last night was different. It was snowing. Very, very hard. So hard, in fact, that the back roads -- from the infamous "road to ballet" -- were not plowed. At all. And this is a hilly, back-country road that I take.
I couldn't see.
I could hear the nervousness in Chloe's voice when she told me she couldn't see the road. I calmly told her that I saw it -- even though I didn't at all. I had to stop. In the middle of the road and clean my wipers -- the snow was falling faster than even those little wipers could keep up with. But, then right after I cleaned them, I had to keep going. I had NO choice. Deep down, I knew the road. I knew it was there -- I'd driven it almost every day for 18 months. I couldn't see it. But, I had faith.
Isn't that like life?
We're on these roads and at times we can't see the road. We ask the Lord, "where's the path? Could you just show us the way? Guide us? Give us some direction?" And yet, we are as blind to the path as I was last night. Yet, we keep moving. Last night, it was simply faith that I knew the road. But, in life, it's faith that our loving Father knows the road before us. So we move. By faith.
the road uncovered
And sometimes, it's scary. Or hard. Or the path seems clouded. Yet we keep moving, keep trusting, keep believing. We might have to stop to clean our wiper blades -- refresh our view -- but truly, we keep moving knowing that we have a Father who loves us and care for us, and ultimately knows the road underneath all that snow.
"For we live by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7
************
I'd love for you to check it out -- and when you pop over there, would you leave me a comment? (Click on my link the title Missing Pieces -- their link is broken) I'd appreciate it -- as I'm the newbie. :) But, don't leave without commenting here okay, okay, okay you DON'T have to. I just like hearing from you so I thought I'd try the direct approach. Ha ha ha! -- I am, however, SO blessed by your comments and notes of encouragement. Thank you for taking your time and leaving them.
Blessings!
ballet + toys + schedule = random
Last week, I didn't link up with Miscellany Monday. That was only the second time since it began. So this week, I've been determined to write my Miscellany post! You all know how much I love this meme. It's way to fun to be random!
1) I have one blank day a week on my schedule. Only one. And it's Friday. And, now, it's being threatened with an item to do.
2) That item? Ballet practice for this year's Nutcracker Ballet. I'm praying that my girls get roles that require a Saturday rehearsal --since I'm already there.
3) Why? I drive to North Ballet Academy everyday of the week except Friday and Sunday. I think our vehicles know the way to ballet.
4) There's a beautiful back road on the way to ballet. I've been snapping pictures there for the last year. In fact, I'm getting ready to write a post titled - the road to ballet - stay tuned. :)
5) Hannah goes through pointe shoes every six weeks. That's painful for the pocketbook.
6) For those of you who know me on facebook, you know that several days ago I confiscated about half of my older sons' toys. They had been told to be stewards of their rooms, and after severaldays weeks of walking into a messy room every night I decided to follow through -- I came in and removed the toys that were strewn about.
7) It took them two days to notice the toys were gone.
8) They are much happier without all the toys. Now they actually play with the toys they have left.
9) I could offset those new pointe shoes by selling the bins of toys in the garage. Hmmmmm.....
10) And finally, to be completely random, I just wanted you to know that I am sipping my Keurig brewed coffee. Today's blend? Donut Shop. And it is good.
Thanks guys! Have a great Monday.....excellent Monday...amazing Monday....okay, get through Monday!
And remember to link up to my dear friend Carissa's Miscellany Monday thread. :)
1) I have one blank day a week on my schedule. Only one. And it's Friday. And, now, it's being threatened with an item to do.
reposting my schedule picture
Sunday isn't filled in yet -- notice after that only
three blank Fridays remain.
2) That item? Ballet practice for this year's Nutcracker Ballet. I'm praying that my girls get roles that require a Saturday rehearsal --since I'm already there.
that's Hannah with the kids from the
Creative Movement Class that she student teaches
4) There's a beautiful back road on the way to ballet. I've been snapping pictures there for the last year. In fact, I'm getting ready to write a post titled - the road to ballet - stay tuned. :)
here's one of my pictures
this was taken last spring when the river flooded the road
the road closed 12 hours after this picture was taken
and was closed for 10 days
5) Hannah goes through pointe shoes every six weeks. That's painful for the pocketbook.
Hannah's screenshot on her laptop
That's her feet -- in pointe
6) For those of you who know me on facebook, you know that several days ago I confiscated about half of my older sons' toys. They had been told to be stewards of their rooms, and after several
7) It took them two days to notice the toys were gone.
8) They are much happier without all the toys. Now they actually play with the toys they have left.
9) I could offset those new pointe shoes by selling the bins of toys in the garage. Hmmmmm.....
10) And finally, to be completely random, I just wanted you to know that I am sipping my Keurig brewed coffee. Today's blend? Donut Shop. And it is good.
Thanks guys! Have a great Monday.....excellent Monday...amazing Monday....okay, get through Monday!
And remember to link up to my dear friend Carissa's Miscellany Monday thread. :)
beans, beans, beans
Last week, while my older two girls were at their ballet intensive, I decided to deal with my abundance of green beans. (I always plant way more than we can eat) My solution? Canning and pickling them. My family loves pickled green beans -- dilly beans -- but I really dislike the price if I were to buy a pint. They're typically $6-7 a pint. Which we can eat in minutes.
Since I've never canned dilly beans before I decided to simply can 4 pints -- wait two weeks -- and see if we like them. If they're a go, I'll can more. If not, I'll be searching for a new recipe.
(Just so you don't think I'm too crazy, let me reassure you that my two little boys were napping, and the older boys and Grace were outside. So I knew I had about an hour to use. All in all it probably took me about 45 minutes. Then my sweet neighbor girl comes inside and declares, "your house smells so so good -- like pickles!")
Do you can or preserve food? If so -- what? I'm finding that canning could become quite addictive. In all my spare time, that is! (and could you tell me where to find some??) And have you tried dilly beans?
Since I've never canned dilly beans before I decided to simply can 4 pints -- wait two weeks -- and see if we like them. If they're a go, I'll can more. If not, I'll be searching for a new recipe.
Here are some pics from my canning experience.
Washing the beans
see the 7th Generation soap?
I won that from Amanda at Popping Out One Letter at a Time
trimming the beans
packing the jars
all done -- now just waiting
(Just so you don't think I'm too crazy, let me reassure you that my two little boys were napping, and the older boys and Grace were outside. So I knew I had about an hour to use. All in all it probably took me about 45 minutes. Then my sweet neighbor girl comes inside and declares, "your house smells so so good -- like pickles!")
Do you can or preserve food? If so -- what? I'm finding that canning could become quite addictive. In all my spare time, that is! (and could you tell me where to find some??) And have you tried dilly beans?
Curious about my recipe?
It's from the Balls Canning Book.
It's from the Balls Canning Book.
Dilly Beans
2 lbs trimmed green beans
4 heads dill
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp cayenne pepper flakes
2 ½ cups vinegar
2 ½ cups water
¼ cup canning salt
Pack beans lengthwise in jars, leaving ¼ inch head space.To each pint, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 clove garlic, and 1 head dill.Combine remaining ingredients in sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Carefully pour hot liquid over the beans, leaving ¼ inch head space.Remove air bubbles.Adjust caps.Process pints for 10 minutes in boiling water bath.
Yield – 4pints
the random miscellany monday
Yippee! It's Miscellany Monday once again -- and as you all know -- I am totally random and love this day. I think I must be too random because I have way too much to write about. It's hard to narrow it down!
So here goes. Enjoy!
1) Classical Ballet is a huge part of our family's life. Hannah, Chloe, and Grace all take classes. Hannah will be dancing 10 hours per week this fall, Chloe seven, and Gracie three. I always joke that the truck know exactly how to get to North Ballet Academy -- I don't even need to drive. Wonder how many hours a year I'm driving to ballet?
2) Hannah has gone through 3 pairs of pointe shoes in the last ten months. Her feet have also shrunk by one whole size -- unbelievable to me. You can tell she's an artist in her dance. Emotion in every step.
3) Chloe just got her first pair of pointe shoes yesterday. As you can tell -- she was thrilled. This is a huge point (get it point? pointe? hee hee hee) in her dancing career. I don't know what she was more thrilled about -- the pointe shoes or the Caribou Hazelnut Chocolate Frapuccino. You judge.
4) Gracie, oh my Gracie girl, my sweet girl. She is such a beauty while dancing. She was built to be a ballerina, and the beauty of the Lord can be seen in her exquisite smile.
5) Enough of that amazing beauty -- how about this beauty? See that view? That's the view that I see when we drive to and from the lake. I try to think that our load is beautiful -- but alas, we are those vacationers whose vehicles are loaded down. A canoe on top, the suburban packed, and a trailer bursting with stuff. That's us. Just smile and wave if you pass us by. :)
6) This year, as we were driving a swimming noodle began to escape from the back trailer. Thankfully, the protocol is to always have another family member following our vehicle. My dear brother, who is an amazing brother, jumped out of his car at a stop light and grabbed the $1.99 blue noodle before it flew into the wild Minnesota prairie. I'm still laughing as I remember him loping up to the trailer and grabbing the noodle. The look on the other drivers was priceless.
7) As I write this, I'm watching Extreme Home Makeover. That show always makes me cry. And it makes me realize just how short and precious life is. And those thoughts make me appreciate moments like my brother grabbing the noodle, or my daughters dancing -- those are the real moments of life.
8) Life is short. It's so easy to lose focus. Perspective. I hope to be a fighter, to live life to the fullest. Blogging reminds me of that will to fight.
9) Last night we had an intense storm come through. The straight line winds uprooted trees, my neighbor's mailbox and produced tornadoes. Afterwards, there was an amazing double rainbow. Ever think when you see a rainbow about the truth behind it? It's a promise. God's promise. Visible in our sky. Amazing.
10) Back to ballet. The older two girls are doing an Intensive Camp this week -- gone all day. I'll take some prayers -- my lovely helpers will be gone. I'm so glad and thankful for this opportunity for them. And, truthfully, when they are away it reminds me once again just how much I value both of them.
Have a blessed Monday.
And remember to link up to the Miscellany Monday on my dear friend Carissa's blog. I've also linked up with the meme -- mingle monday. All these Monday Memes with Mmmmms -- makes it memorable!
So here goes. Enjoy!
1) Classical Ballet is a huge part of our family's life. Hannah, Chloe, and Grace all take classes. Hannah will be dancing 10 hours per week this fall, Chloe seven, and Gracie three. I always joke that the truck know exactly how to get to North Ballet Academy -- I don't even need to drive. Wonder how many hours a year I'm driving to ballet?
2) Hannah has gone through 3 pairs of pointe shoes in the last ten months. Her feet have also shrunk by one whole size -- unbelievable to me. You can tell she's an artist in her dance. Emotion in every step.
3) Chloe just got her first pair of pointe shoes yesterday. As you can tell -- she was thrilled. This is a huge point (get it point? pointe? hee hee hee) in her dancing career. I don't know what she was more thrilled about -- the pointe shoes or the Caribou Hazelnut Chocolate Frapuccino. You judge.
shoes
vs.
frapuccino
vs.
frapuccino
wondering about the black lines? they help make their eyes POP on stage
my view on the ride home
6) This year, as we were driving a swimming noodle began to escape from the back trailer. Thankfully, the protocol is to always have another family member following our vehicle. My dear brother, who is an amazing brother, jumped out of his car at a stop light and grabbed the $1.99 blue noodle before it flew into the wild Minnesota prairie. I'm still laughing as I remember him loping up to the trailer and grabbing the noodle. The look on the other drivers was priceless.
7) As I write this, I'm watching Extreme Home Makeover. That show always makes me cry. And it makes me realize just how short and precious life is. And those thoughts make me appreciate moments like my brother grabbing the noodle, or my daughters dancing -- those are the real moments of life.
8) Life is short. It's so easy to lose focus. Perspective. I hope to be a fighter, to live life to the fullest. Blogging reminds me of that will to fight.
9) Last night we had an intense storm come through. The straight line winds uprooted trees, my neighbor's mailbox and produced tornadoes. Afterwards, there was an amazing double rainbow. Ever think when you see a rainbow about the truth behind it? It's a promise. God's promise. Visible in our sky. Amazing.
taken from my front porch
10) Back to ballet. The older two girls are doing an Intensive Camp this week -- gone all day. I'll take some prayers -- my lovely helpers will be gone. I'm so glad and thankful for this opportunity for them. And, truthfully, when they are away it reminds me once again just how much I value both of them.
Have a blessed Monday.
And remember to link up to the Miscellany Monday on my dear friend Carissa's blog. I've also linked up with the meme -- mingle monday. All these Monday Memes with Mmmmms -- makes it memorable!
Miscellany Monday
Yikes! I can't believe it's Monday again. You would start to think that I would run out of random things to say, but alas, I just keep having more to write about. It's almost if Miscellany Monday is fueling my randomness. And that deserves another YIKES!
1) A garage sale is a tremendous amount of work. And while you are working terribly hard you get to meet many of your neighbors -- which is a fabulous blessing.
2) All of my kids, especially Hannah and Chloe, rejoiced when the garage sale was over. Literally. I think there was some jumping, running around and audible sighs of relief.
3) If you do a garage sale do not use the round stickers that Target sells specifically for sales. While they may be cute, colorful and easy -- they do not remove. You will spend much precious time (while chatting with your neighbors) trying to gracefully rip off the small dime sized tag while not tearing the item that you are desperately trying to sell for 50 cents. The whole time with a delightful smile on your face--while inside feeling quite annoyed.
4) I will be planting again today. I went to a garden center and found 3 azalea bushes on closeout for $3 each. That is within my budget.
5) Last fall (and every fall) I let the kids take turns and smash their carved pumpkin in my garden. It's mega uber fun. In fact, so much so that my neighbor kids now bring their pumpkins over. It's a one-at-a-time cheering fest as the lucky child gets to bash their on the verge of rotting pumpkin with an old wooden bat. This summer in my garden, deep in my beans, I noticed these HUGE leaves. Vine type leaves. It took a couple of moments of pondering before I realized that they are pumpkin plants. 4 of them. Hmmmmm....wonder where they came from???
6) I am keeping the pumpkin plants. As soon as my peas are done, I will pull them out and start wrapping the vine around the trellis. Love this! Want to see where they came from?
7) Hannah (aspire) was in the paper this week showcasing her performance in ballet. She was spring rain -- and oh so graceful.
8) Stay tuned for a give-away this week. I was given an opportunity to review a Teething Bling Necklace. I will tell you that they are awesome. And I have one to give away ---
1) A garage sale is a tremendous amount of work. And while you are working terribly hard you get to meet many of your neighbors -- which is a fabulous blessing.
2) All of my kids, especially Hannah and Chloe, rejoiced when the garage sale was over. Literally. I think there was some jumping, running around and audible sighs of relief.
3) If you do a garage sale do not use the round stickers that Target sells specifically for sales. While they may be cute, colorful and easy -- they do not remove. You will spend much precious time (while chatting with your neighbors) trying to gracefully rip off the small dime sized tag while not tearing the item that you are desperately trying to sell for 50 cents. The whole time with a delightful smile on your face--while inside feeling quite annoyed.
do not use -- they are forever
5) Last fall (and every fall) I let the kids take turns and smash their carved pumpkin in my garden. It's mega uber fun. In fact, so much so that my neighbor kids now bring their pumpkins over. It's a one-at-a-time cheering fest as the lucky child gets to bash their on the verge of rotting pumpkin with an old wooden bat. This summer in my garden, deep in my beans, I noticed these HUGE leaves. Vine type leaves. It took a couple of moments of pondering before I realized that they are pumpkin plants. 4 of them. Hmmmmm....wonder where they came from???
pumpkins in the beans
couldn't help it -- had to show my little pirates
7) Hannah (aspire) was in the paper this week showcasing her performance in ballet. She was spring rain -- and oh so graceful.
picture of the paper taken with my cell phone
9) only 9 randoms today. I'll be back on track next week. :) hee hee hee
Have a great Monday! Be sure to write your own random and link up.
Have a great Monday! Be sure to write your own random and link up.
