Deep breath...*gulp*

The 5 performances of the Nutcracker Ballet are coming up this weekend and the next!!! (You may or may not have heard that I auditioned for a part in the professional orchestra that is accompanying them this year, and got the part!) We had a three hour dress rehearsal last night, and it's going so well! I'm so, so excited to be part of this.

Of course it also means hours of practicing music that looks like this... Sheesh.

At one point the concert master turns to us all last night, (after the dancers asked to go faster for the 3rd time) and in all seriousness, says; " I don't think it's humanly possible to play that fast. So just make sure you come in on the first beat, and just kinda fill in or skip the rest."

Whoa. So...I guess it's not just me!!! Even our phenomenal concert master can't do it! wheew. That makes me feel better! =)

Of course, after that loooooong rehearsal last night, I had sore muscles in my shoulders and back I didn't know I had! But hey, I'm glad I'm not a Ballerina... yikes.

Don't get me wrong, they're all beautiful, and so very talented, but sometimes they bend and twist in ways that I just don't think we're meant to bend! Ouch.

Can't wait for this weekend!

Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal Tonight!

Gulp. I'm so nervous....sheesh. I shouldn't be. It's not like I haven't practiced enough!

A Sweet Poem

The Lamb.

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Does thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed?
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing woolly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice.
Making all the vales rejoice:
Little Lamb who made thee?
Does thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by His name,
Little Lamb God bless thee,
Little Lamb God bless thee.

~William Blake

Merry Christmas! (kinda early?)

The day after Thanksgiving. Known as Black Friday to most of the U.S.

But at our house we call it...Christmas Decorations Day! (Yeah I know, that title was really a stroke of genius.) But we look forward to this day almost as much as Christmas itself! While many people dread the day due to the crowds, traffic, irate customers, too little sleep and over all chaos, for the most part, we stay huddled in our cozy, comfy little house. We dig out the first Christmas music of the year, (Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra please!) and the decorations come out! (He's SO CUTE!!) lol, I was so born in the wrong era...

Our decorations and ornaments are like old friends...

When they come out each year, so do all the memories! This is the ornament replicating our cruise ship from a last year!

Lots of Christmas music.




Don't forget the wreath on the door!

"Hmm.... How can I take this picture so they can't see the dishes in the sink??"

So what are your day after Thanksgiving traditions? Are you a shopper? A holiday decorator? An eat-the Thanksgiving-leftovers-er? Or just a hang-out-with-the bottle-of-PeptoBismal- thanks-to-yesterday-person? I'd love to hear your traditions, so drop me a comment and let us all know!

Happy Thanksgiving

But Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Cor. 15:57

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power, and riches, and honor and glory and strength, and honor and glory and blessing! ~Revelation 5:12

Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert

Had so much fun at a dance.....

On Camano Island last Saturday with our friends the Moores.. (Square dancing and the old fashioned contra dancing, just to clarify) And then I found this adorable picture, I just couldn't resist posting it...(I know, I know, it's about time I found something I can't resist posting right??) And.... OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just realized it's SNOWING!!! Our first snow of the year!! How exciting! I love, love, love snow. Someday I hope I can live in one of the states that has long cold snowy winters, I love them! Well, happy Wednesday to you all... and happy snow-day! =)

Good Grief!!!

Has it really been over a month since I last posted???

Shame on me. But what can I say? Life happens. BUT, I'm going to try and conjure up a blog post after I teach 2 students and make dinner, and maybe, just maybe I'll get done posted this week.

(In between 14 other students, Practicing for the Nutcracker Ballet, and 2 choir rehearsals of course! =) So thank you my dear readers for faithfully checking for my unfaithful posting, and I'll try and get it done asap!

I promise! And just to show you I really mean it, here are a few pictures we took over the summer.

Love in Christ,

Emily