Taking a Bow

Well, it's done!  

The recital piece we've been working on all year went smoothly (sigh of relief), I think we may have even had fun (gasp of surprise), and....I only have one decent shot of the stage (frown of frustration).

But, I really must document the occasion, so here's a quick sum-up of the event:

Okay, this picture was actually taken a few weeks before the recital, on Photo Day.  But this little Irish dancer is so adorable, I just had to paste this in!

Anyway, here's us gearing up for the performance!

"Boingy" curls were mandatory, hence the head of rollers and bobby pins. Maura helped out with the hair and make-up.

This is photo-shy Emori saying, "Don't take a picture of my pin curls!" 

We used lotsa these thingies.

Behind the scenes, the dancers got prepped by Shanley and Mrs. Shannon.  The ever helpful Emily P. volunteered as one of the make-up artists (Thanks, Em :-).

Wow, going through the "assembly line" of painting and glittering made us feel a little like celebrities.

Kourtney, looking so pretty.

Meredith the Sparkly.

Just look at those gorgeous dresses, courtesy of Emily P's amazing

seamstress skills! 

Mrs. Carmen and Susanna B., picking out her suit.

Whoa, that's some serious eye glitter.  I like it!

Spray glitter for the hair.  Imperative.

In the absence of any pictures of the actual recital (and videos were prohibited) I've opted to post a few more older photos of a couple of our dance troop practicing some steps.  

Just pretend you're sitting in the dark auditorium, watching with rapt attention as these girls perform on a stage (yes, it was a real stage!) lit with a dramatic green backdrop....

....la, la, la...okay the dance is over and it's time for one last bow.  Get ready for it: here's some actual footage!

 Us.  On the stage.


For a more diverse selection of photographic documentation, I would recommend you visit...Em's Random [and may I add much more prompt than my own :-) ] Updates, located here.

Another Photo Day pic of us sisters with some of the group - Susanna, Abby, Naomi, and Lydia.  Y'all did spectacular!

It's been a really wonderful year dancing with all the girls...growing closer to the friends we've known for so long, and making some new ones also!

Thanks for viewing!!!

Yours,

Callie

Farm Miscellany

Hello everybody!  

So, I have nothing monumental to blog about...only the everyday monumental things.  But daily life is just full of things to be thankful for; and I'm afraid I often forget to keep track of them.  For this post, I'll just breeze over a few things that have been going on around the place.

I'll start in the jardin!

We really wanted to grow a lot of sunflowers this year (a lot for us means maybe a couple dozen).  The unique beauty of these plants wows us every morning.  This one especially...looks like it's just waking up after a late nighter :-)

"If one could manage to squint past those most appalling spears of nutgrass, one might observe a fledgling stand of dill."  

"Taters is good.  'Nuf said."

*   *   *   *

Milk and los Huevos

We had a glut of eggs for a while...

So I pickled'em.  No, it's not gross.  At least, Daddy, Emori, and I don't think so.

We always feel so decadent when the goats are in the peak of milking season.  We try to drink as much milk and make as much cheese as we can before dry season - the hard, milkless winter (moan)...I mean, it's all or nothing for us.

Anyway, lots of milk means...

Paneer Cheese!

                                            

Fresh Paneer for supper.  It is amazingly good.

                                           

We were blessed to be able to babysit the dear E. family's milk cow while they went out of town.  The cow milk produced the best mozzarella I've ever made.  While I still love the milk from our goats, I must say, cow milk is really cool.  I can't wait until our own heifer freshens for the first time!

*   *   *   *   

And here are a couple of extra "farmicular" things (I invented that word, just in case you couldn't tell).

A lion painting in it's half-finished stage... 

 those are the noblest looking creatures.

Emori, practicing her cello.  

Ahh...sounds like "Master and Commander" soundtrack in here :-)  

Or, at least it will soon!  

Okay, so that's what's been going on here.  Thanks so much for popping in, and may you have a joyful day!

Your's truly,

Callie

Ninety Years Young

I'm unpardonably late getting this post off the ground!  However, I guess I'll go for late rather than never.

In a few words then...our grandpapa just turned ninety!  The celebration was held in our grandparent's stomping grounds, so Katie, Mama, and I made the sojourn.  Emori, Maura, and Daddy held down the fort while we galavanted on the road.

Bolthouse Farms Mocha Cappuccino....a delicious treat from Walmart (and, it's organic!)

We arrived in one piece, and Katie and Grandmama fell to sorting through old photos.  Some really great memories in there.

Grandpapa, catching up on his card reading.  

Dinner time was so fun.  This place has a knockout "Fresh Catch Ponchartrain."

We had a splendid time catching up with our relatives.  We all live so far away from each other, and it's a treat to be able to gather together again.

Katie and our cousin Hollyn (I apologize for the darkness, girls; I don't usually take our pictures...yeah, while we're on that subject, I may as well admit that Katie is my chief photographer.)

Cousin Alice (taller fair maiden) and her sista Elizabeth Anne (less tall fair maiden).

                                                

Patricia and her bonny little girl (Thanks, Madison, for letting me hold you...sorry I made you cry!)

Mama and our sweet Aunt Sandra

"Finally...the CAKE!"

                             

"...happy birthday, dear Grandpapa, Daddy, Walter, Judge...happy birthday to you!"

 The lovely couple, married 63 years.

The next day it was time for goodbyes.  We took some parting photo shoots.

Here's another beautiful cuz.  We enjoyed visiting with you, Kim!

Mama and her girlfriend.  We love you, Aunt Nancy!  See you soon, we hope!

A Double Birthday!

Katie and I had a great May 4th!  Thought I'd just share a quick sum-up of the day.

Oh, and quick disclaimer:  Katie's birthday (4th) is a day ahead of mine (5th).  So, technically, this is a chronicle of Katie's birthday...but since part of the family was going out of town the next day, we agreed to let me be born a day early.

Okay, anyway...

*   *   *   *

We began the day with a little outdoor recreation (loading up some livestock for a final destination which...ahem, we shall leave unnamed).

"Hey, farm girl."

Katie, receiving a birthday email from Therisa, her sweet Indian friend.  

Snapping pole beans: contrary to what you may glean from the picture, this was actually a happy occasion...

...we have documentation of Emori smiling.

And I believe this girl even ventured a laugh now and then.

That afternoon, Maura set about reading to us from "Little Dorrit." We bought the BBC movie, but we've resolved not to watch it until we've read the book.  Well, only 681 pages to go...(sigh).

Birthday cards 

It was a beautiful day...rainy during the afternoon, then the sun streamed back onto the newly wet earth.

And check out this gorgeous double rainbow!  Thank you, Lord, for making such a beautiful creation.


*   *   *   *

Gifts and giggles

Okay, I just had to mention this gift box Maura made...it's crafted entirely out of cardstock paper.  Isn't it adorable?  I'm saving it to hold another birthday gift...(I call that being sentimental, not stingy :-).

We named this my "Margaret Hale Bonnet" (North and South, great movie) .  Thanks for the garden hat, Mama!

Katie, displaying her newest wardrobe additions.

                                     

Cake time!!!

                                       

Oh my goodness - cheesecake, fruit, and a glass of goat milk.  Perfect combination.

The whole family sitting together around the table...somebody take a picture!

Mama and Daddy sensibly repaired to bed after ten, but we girls decided to cap off the soiree with a late night flick. This is such a fun movie (and it's even better when watched with commentary).

Well, that about completes the report.  Thanks for viewing, and have a happy day of your own!

Yours truly,

Callie