Piano Recital

Note to future piano teachers: Do not decide to have a recital 5 weeks before the recital and then go out of town the second and third weeks before the performance. If you must do this, select music the children already know well, not pieces they are just starting to learn.

Thomas and JoAn did pretty well with their duet. I really like to see them working together. JoAn and Thomas have been taking piano lessons for two years. JoAn also plays violin which has helped with learning a different instrument.

Thomas was not too excited about this recital. His teacher told him afterward, that usually she likes to hear a student play through a piece all the way before they perform it at a recital. Fortunately, Thomas has a prodigious memory and so he could get it down quickly. I have to admit that the night before, we still weren't convinced that he would be ready to play this. He did well in the end.

~Mom

Dallas Sings a Duet with a Harmonica

Hello, we're still here, but blogging hasn't it made it to the top of our to do list. Mom has several blogs in her head, as do I. I even started a book review, but haven't got around to finishing it.

I was doing some supper prep and found this duo quite entertaining. Michelle started playing the harmonica and then Dallas made himself comftorable and started to join her.

I'll do my best do get the book review out in the next week. :)

~JoAn

Jordyn pt.2

For those who told me how much they enjoyed Jordyn, I have one more short video of her playing a duet with her sister Debbie. Debbie is getting her master's in violin performance at a university in SC. They are both great gals.

Did I mention that Jordyn was homeschooled?

I really appreciate these gals.

~Mom

Tribute to a Humble Young Woman

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Many people are gifted in amazing ways. Almost as many know how great they are , and want you to know it too. Today, I would like to honor a young woman who is an amazing musician and a godly young woman. The thing I appreciate most about her is her humility.

Her name is Jordyn W and she is fifteen. She is a violist and has played viola since she was just a little girl of three or four. Her parents are very consistent and helped her to practice everyday. She has the gift inside her and with excellent instruction and lots of practice she has become a fantastic musician.

She is the principal violist of one of the best youth orchestras in the US. She also has started taking voice lessons in the last year and has a voice that is so rich, mature and pleasant to listen to that you just don't want her to stop singing.

Listen to her perform at her family's recital last Sunday....

This young woman is confident and friendly, but if you met her and chatted with her, you would never know she had these abilities. She is compassionate and fun and not stuck on herself. She has grace and humility. She cares about others and doesn't ever make a big deal about herself and her accomplishments. This is rare in my experience. She loves the Lord and thanks Him for her abilities. How refreshing! I look forward to seeing what God does with her life.

~Mom

Mango's Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving day at the Mango's started with dinner being planned for 2:30 PM. Of course, all participants KNEW that meant that we would sit down and eat at 3 at the earliest. As long as everyone understands. Now, when people start stretching that to 3:10 or later..... that's another story.

Mom and Dad worked hard at carving the turkey. It was a moist delicious bird - free range and all that. Mom baked the turkey and the stuffing and made the gravy.

The turkey was flying!

The Morris men enjoyed reading some funny stories as they awaited dinner. Have you ever read the book 'I Fail to Miss your Point'? It is really hilarious. A lot of classic stories and facts.

I forgot to take pictures before we started eating. This is what it looked like when we are done. Yes, we had more than enough food. Very traditional meal.

Kathy enjoyed the conversation.

Todd always tells good stories.

The Sorta Teens (12-34) had their own table in the living room.

After dinner we enjoyed a hymn sing. Don and Nathan played their guitars.

The people on the couch sang.

JoAn got her violin out.

So did Mr. Boots. He has a wonderful ability to play by ear.

After singing, the games came out. Settlers of Catan is a favorite. After this we had a giant game of Taboo. I think there were 18 people playing.

With the arrival of dessert, the newspaper ads came out so the Black Friday shoppers could plan their route.

I am not sure if Anita was a shopper or merely an ad peruser.

My Mom's ribbon cookies are the best! I restrained myself and only ate about 7 halves. Michelle kept giving me a half of hers. I skipped the rest of the dessert. They looked yummy, but I didn't need them.

The children had a wonderful time playing. Katrina and Michelle found my camera and took a bunch of goofie pictures. Katrina is not shy. She likes a camera.

The day gradually wound down and people started to leave as their children got tired and it was bedtime. Danny gave Mr. Boots some hints on the guitar. It was a wonderful day.

Thank-you Lord!

~Mom

Wedding Musicians

Joan and Mr Boots got asked to play for a friend's wedding. The wedding was this evening down at the Yacht Club. It was beautiful. However, JoAn and Mr. Boots spent last week at camp and not working on the music. In fact, they did not get their music until Tuesday night. It has been a mad rush to learn the music and get it together. Did I mention that JoAn has switched to piano and hasn't practiced the violin for a couple months? The pressure was on! I thoroughly enjoyed their practice. They played hymn after hymn together as well as the traditional wedding music. It brought back so many memories of our wedding day. I was feeling emotionally sappy all week, and then I reallized it was from the music. It is amazing how music affects our emotions.

Last night was the rehearsal. They did well. It was a very rough rehearsal, as the place where the wedding was to take place was occupied. They did the rehearsal in the picnic pavillion. We guessed at timing and spacing.

Tonight was the ceremony. Did I mention that Dear Hubby performed the ceremony? He got out his 'marrying and burying' suit and was all set.

The musicians were in place and the ceremony went off well. There were a few blips, but nothing that affected the ceremony. I felt like we got a little bit of return on all the music lessons we have paid for over the years. It was a beautiful summer evening and a cool breeze came off the lake. What a lovely evening.

~Mom