To honor the passing of Malachi. I've decided to knit a blanket each month to donate to SANDS.
My thoughts and love are forever with his family x
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Elderflower Cordial
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Cello Obsession
For the last few months I have been learning the cello - far from a musical virtuoso, I am really enjoying it, but I'm slowly spiraling down into cello obsession - chewing through our bandwidth watching youtube videos, lottering on cello forums, searching for brand reviews... I could go on and on...
But I hear you ask, why is she not actually playing the cello? Well, I was hiring a rather frustrating instrument from the music school where I have been having lessons but had to return it over the holidays and to be quite frank, I may have ended up throwing it out a window or running over it in my car - the pegs kept slipping and I could never get it to stay in tune, the bridge was not sitting well - it had had a hard life!
I had a plan B to be able to continue playing over the break, but to cut a long story short - thanks to my generous husband and the amazing people at Virtuoso Strings I am getting a new, wonderfully set up, mellow toned student cello with a case, new bow and rosin - what more could I ask for! I'm totally blown away Elizabeths (from VS) generosity and flexibility. Now I must make my new instrument sing! I'll be sure to add some picture when it arrives.
But I hear you ask, why is she not actually playing the cello? Well, I was hiring a rather frustrating instrument from the music school where I have been having lessons but had to return it over the holidays and to be quite frank, I may have ended up throwing it out a window or running over it in my car - the pegs kept slipping and I could never get it to stay in tune, the bridge was not sitting well - it had had a hard life!
I had a plan B to be able to continue playing over the break, but to cut a long story short - thanks to my generous husband and the amazing people at Virtuoso Strings I am getting a new, wonderfully set up, mellow toned student cello with a case, new bow and rosin - what more could I ask for! I'm totally blown away Elizabeths (from VS) generosity and flexibility. Now I must make my new instrument sing! I'll be sure to add some picture when it arrives.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What a busy weekend we've had!
DH was away at a men's retreat - luckily here in Cambridge we were spoilt for choice with activities.
Every November, Cambridge hosts an amazing Armistice commemoration weekend. 2 days of re-enactments. Military vehicles, aerial displays and fly-overs and all sorts of military paraphernalia for enthusiasts.
After living in Cambridge for the past 6 years this is the first time that we've actually been along. Although the kids were more pre-occupied with wanting to go on the bouncy castles, we still enjoyed all the displays and activities.
I must admit I was in 2 minds about the battle re-enactments.
Like most New Zealanders I have had various past and current family members serving in the NZ Army. I suppose, as an observer of those battle scenes you should see it for what it is - playing with toy guns (don't get me wrong, it was interesting to see period appropriate vehicles and guns etc) and perhaps the only authenticity should be the hardware. But I felt that calling it a re-enactment of the Vietnam war (for example) and the mock taking of lives, sometimes in an at flippant manner, dishonors the sacrifice of those men.
All in all we enjoyed the day, which has obviously had so much work put into it.
That evening Ally and I went on a date to see the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra preform music from Disney's 1940 Fantasia. It was Allys first time hearing a live Orchestra and shamefully, only my second!
They featured the most mind blowingly talented Fiona Pears as the soloist violinist. Preforming her own compositions - I did giggle, the way that she called them tunes - like this complex, artful arrangement was like some little ditty she had whipped up!
She was animated vibrant and a real joy to watch preform.
The Orchestra itself was fantastic. I had my eyes glued to the cellos - unbeknownst to me, my cello teacher was the principle cellist. Ally was also mesmerised by the violins.
A very late night out for my little lady, but a wonderful evening!
DH was away at a men's retreat - luckily here in Cambridge we were spoilt for choice with activities.
Every November, Cambridge hosts an amazing Armistice commemoration weekend. 2 days of re-enactments. Military vehicles, aerial displays and fly-overs and all sorts of military paraphernalia for enthusiasts.
After living in Cambridge for the past 6 years this is the first time that we've actually been along. Although the kids were more pre-occupied with wanting to go on the bouncy castles, we still enjoyed all the displays and activities.
I must admit I was in 2 minds about the battle re-enactments.
Like most New Zealanders I have had various past and current family members serving in the NZ Army. I suppose, as an observer of those battle scenes you should see it for what it is - playing with toy guns (don't get me wrong, it was interesting to see period appropriate vehicles and guns etc) and perhaps the only authenticity should be the hardware. But I felt that calling it a re-enactment of the Vietnam war (for example) and the mock taking of lives, sometimes in an at flippant manner, dishonors the sacrifice of those men.
All in all we enjoyed the day, which has obviously had so much work put into it.
That evening Ally and I went on a date to see the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra preform music from Disney's 1940 Fantasia. It was Allys first time hearing a live Orchestra and shamefully, only my second!
They featured the most mind blowingly talented Fiona Pears as the soloist violinist. Preforming her own compositions - I did giggle, the way that she called them tunes - like this complex, artful arrangement was like some little ditty she had whipped up!
She was animated vibrant and a real joy to watch preform.
The Orchestra itself was fantastic. I had my eyes glued to the cellos - unbeknownst to me, my cello teacher was the principle cellist. Ally was also mesmerised by the violins.
A very late night out for my little lady, but a wonderful evening!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Neglect and other exciting things....
My poor poor little neglected blog! No sooner had you begun, you were abandoned.
Oh well, I shall try harder... But I wanted to share a few of the things we have been up to in the last few months:
We've also had a new addition to the family - Pepper, our little Saanen goat. She came from a local dairy goat farm and is now about 4.5 months old. I'm hoping to milk her next year (don't laugh!) DH has already sworn that I'm crazy and that he'll be having no part of it! However I expect, just like in The Little Red Hen, he'll be more than happy to nibble on homemade goats cheese!
Shes a lovely little thing, despite a very nearly fatal suicide attempt a few days ago (which had me in a sobbing mess!). Shes proving to be that hardest working member of the family in trying to keep up with all the spring grass. We love her!
And in the same vein, I had my first attempt at cheese making today, using shop bought full cream cows milk.
My sister gave me a fantastic cheese book for my birthday, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Haloumi - maybe not the prettiest but it takes pride of place on a roast pumpkin pizza.
Felting with roving and a zip lock bag:
Home made Limoncello, plus we've also been busy making ginger beer, plum and lemon cordials - mmm
Till next time x
Oh well, I shall try harder... But I wanted to share a few of the things we have been up to in the last few months:
We've also had a new addition to the family - Pepper, our little Saanen goat. She came from a local dairy goat farm and is now about 4.5 months old. I'm hoping to milk her next year (don't laugh!) DH has already sworn that I'm crazy and that he'll be having no part of it! However I expect, just like in The Little Red Hen, he'll be more than happy to nibble on homemade goats cheese!
Shes a lovely little thing, despite a very nearly fatal suicide attempt a few days ago (which had me in a sobbing mess!). Shes proving to be that hardest working member of the family in trying to keep up with all the spring grass. We love her!
And in the same vein, I had my first attempt at cheese making today, using shop bought full cream cows milk.
My sister gave me a fantastic cheese book for my birthday, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Haloumi - maybe not the prettiest but it takes pride of place on a roast pumpkin pizza.
Felting with roving and a zip lock bag:
Home made Limoncello, plus we've also been busy making ginger beer, plum and lemon cordials - mmm
Till next time x
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Blogging!
So I have finally succumbed to blogging!
I want it to be an informal recording of the day to day life of my young family. We home educate, so there are many rich moments that are photo worthy and so I'd love for this to be a place to share those with others.
I've always had a bit of a love/hate relationships with blogs. On the one hand I love to see and read about peoples creativity, ideas and thoughts, and to see a small snap shot of peoples lives.
On the other hand, they have an uncanny ability to make me feel that my life is somehow slightly less creative, intellectual or productive (probably I spend too much time reading blogs when I should be creating!!) So I'm hoping this will not only be a creative, happy place, but also include just a tiny bit of the mundane and boring!
Let it begin.....
I want it to be an informal recording of the day to day life of my young family. We home educate, so there are many rich moments that are photo worthy and so I'd love for this to be a place to share those with others.
I've always had a bit of a love/hate relationships with blogs. On the one hand I love to see and read about peoples creativity, ideas and thoughts, and to see a small snap shot of peoples lives.
On the other hand, they have an uncanny ability to make me feel that my life is somehow slightly less creative, intellectual or productive (probably I spend too much time reading blogs when I should be creating!!) So I'm hoping this will not only be a creative, happy place, but also include just a tiny bit of the mundane and boring!
Let it begin.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)