book 1 recital

On Sunday, Emma had her Book 1 Recital. She played through the 14 of 17 pieces that she has been learning since she started. She is already well into Book 2 but we hadn't done her recital yet to make her an official Book 1 graduate.

There was much weeping, wailing, stomping, and throwing herself onto the couch during the practice sessions leading up to the recital. Her performance itself though went very well. Emma gets distracted easily so playing in front of people is not easy for her. Neither is playing duets which she did with her wonderful teacher, Lauri Driggs. All in all, it wasn't note perfect but when she made mistakes she kept going! A big accomplishment for her. She played very well and felt successful at the end.

We appreciated our family coming to show their support. In total we had about 20 people there with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Emma felt loved. Much thanks to Colin for video-taping the performance. Much thanks to Keri and Amy for providing me with all the pictures that I missed.
We had soup, rolls and treats afterwards.

We're so proud of you, Emma!

P.S. I just want to document how badly my food preparations went this week. First I made sugar cookies and something was just not right. They didn't roll well, they were undercooked, and something just didn't taste right (although they did all get eaten by my family when I said they were fair game). Then I made mint brownies. I tried to take a shortcut with box mixes for the bottom. Again, something was off. Too oily or undercooked or something. Then on Sunday, I made Broccoli Cheese Soup and Beef Stew plus rolls. I cooked my stew in the pressure cooker and it completely burned on the bottom, leaving the stew with a decidedly unpleasant, charred taste. And my rolls were semi-burnt on the bottom too! At least the cupcakes were totally delicious!

let's party

I am obsessed with parties. I love to think about them. I love to plan them. I love to drool over party ideas on the internet. I could (and have) spent hours looking at decorations, and tablescapes, and desserts, and favor ideas. Oh yes. I love it. It is interesting that an introverted homebody like me would have such an obsession. For being so inspired by so many ideas, I don't entertain all that often and my parties rarely reach the vision I had in the beginning. Usually because I think and think about the upcoming event but fail to actually do anything about it until it is too late.

Oh well. On to the eye candy. Let me direct you to some of my all-time and recent favorite party finds.

First, I never tire of seeing the work of the queen of dessert tables, Amy Atlas. She made the dessert table famous, I think. This poolside table with all of its green goodness is one of my favorites from her.

Dessert tables and candy buffets are all the rage. This one was even featured by Amy Atlas on her blog because it really is so great.

Here are a few more from my inspiration folder.


I am always astounded at the creativity to be found on the internet. Like using Jell-O for darling centerpieces or scrapbooking paper to make plain Jane paper plates into something with far more cute factor. It seems so simple. Why didn't I think of that?!


I love seeing how creativity and attention to detail take ordinary celebrations and make them something wonderful. Take for example, this first birthday party turned Grinch Party found here, here and here on the Blonde Designs blog.

Perhaps it seems a little ridiculous to some of you to put such effort into parties that will be quickly forgotten. Rather, I agree this mother's sentiment:

"And while Oliver will likely have no memory of all the party-details, the time and thought we put into this celebration made it feel all the more special to us."

So if you're like me and you love such things, check out these other great party resources.
Party Perfect
Hostess with the Mostess
The Celebration Shoppe
and a bajillion more....

Now let's party!

the lake isle of innisfree

Recently Emma and I read this poem by William Butler Yeats titled The Lake Isle of Innisfree.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

In our discussion, we talked about how the author was describing an ideal place, where he would love to go and could find peace and happiness. I asked her if she thought this place sounded ideal to her. She replied with a definite no. When asked to describe her ideal place she said, "The city with lots and lots of people."

12 on 12 | january

[click to enlarge]

--I woke up at 4:45 in the morning. I fed Anne and put her back to bed. Then I went to the Rec Center with three other women to swim. I haven't swam laps in years! YEARS! I panicked a little during the first length but then all those years on swim team came back to me and it felt natural again. Since, I was up so early this morning I was able to see the beautiful morning sky.
--The kids had cereal for breakfast. The rule is that they have to eat a bowl of non-sugar cereal before they can have one of sugar cereal.
--Anne is quickly becoming a Master of Disaster all. over. the. house!
--I probably should have taken a picture of Emma sprawled out on the couch in tears just moments before this. She did not want to play her review pieces. I made her play them all. I'm so mean.
--Slade does not like doing schoolwork and it is a struggle everyday to get him to actually finish.
--Nathan is learning how to read. I'm so glad that I get to be the one to teach him.
--Sawyer crashes on the couch in the afternoon almost every day.
--I'm reading The Makeover of James Orville Wickenbee for book club. I am not enjoying it at all. I guess I've outgrown my love of LDS fiction.
--I saw a blog post about sock curls and Emma wanted to try them. I felt very uncoordinated putting them in. Having a daughter who generally refuses to let me do anything with her hair has not given me much practice with hair.
--Mess on my bathroom floor courtesy of my two darling daughters.
--When the boys listen quietly during SSP at night, Dave gives them piggy-back rides downstairs and tells them a story.
--I can't seem to go to bed without getting on the computer. Tonight, I finished editing a sneak peak blog post for my neighbor, checked email, browsed a few forums, and read lots of blogs. I'm an addict.

today

Outside my window...it's dark.

I am thinking...that I really love technology.

I am thankful for... how well Singing Time went today in Senior Primary. I was teaching I Know That My Savior Loves Me and telling them the story of 3 Nephi 17. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them this quiet and attentive. The Spirit was very strong and I got very emotional. It’s hard to sing when your crying.

From the kitchen... Colin and Amy made pork roast. I made the vegetables in my new pressure cooker (love it!), Keri made fruit salad and dessert and Emma made rolls. I made the dough in the bread machine and then left her instructions to shape and bake them while Dave and I took Slade to his Baptism Preview at church. They turned out perfect.

I am wearing...a grey shirt with black pants. I’m really loving the color grey lately in clothing, in photos, in home décor. I want to paint my master bedroom grey.

I am creating... a picture a day album using the Project Life kit from Becky Higgins. I started out strong last year and made it through the whole month of January. I really, REALLY hope I can do it the whole year this time.

I am going...to start getting up between 5 and 5:30 each morning. I am starting to train for the triathlon I’ll be doing in May. I am excited. I’m scared. I’m going to miss my late nights.

I am reading...The Makeover of James Orville Wickinbee for book club. I just finished reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane to my kids. We all loved it. I’ve been trying for long time to establish reading aloud as a regular habit. This was the first book that they seemed really excited to read. They were asking me to read and then begging for more chapters. When we finished Slade said, “We should do that again.” I am at a loss to explain why this particular book elicited such a response but I am thrilled.

I am hoping...to start losing weight again soon.

I am hearing...Anne crying, the kids playing Super Mario on the Wii with Lane and Josh, and the adults playing Dominion at the kitchen table.

Around the house...Anne is making messes everywhere. Pulling books off the shelves, emptying the cupboards, dumping out boxes.

A few plans for the rest of the week...a trip to IKEA with Keri, swimming on Tuesday, spin class on Friday, my niece’s baby blessing this weekend.

A few pictures to share...

married

Anne and I just returned home last night from a four day trip to Maine to watch my little sister get married on New Year's Eve. I was so lucky to be there. Merrit looked amazing and radiantly happy. I finally got to meet Matt who is awesome. And I got to take pictures! While a full recap will be coming shortly(ish), I must show my mother how much I love her and post at least a few pictures for now.