The Art Show

This year, the Andrews Art Guild included art from all the elementary school children. There was a section for each of the grades up 5th grade. The middle school and high school had submissions from the art students, and of course there were paintings from local artists for sale. I don't know if this new tactic drew more traffic, which I figure was part of their plan, but we showed up to see Allie's submission.  It was quite fun to peruse the works of art with my young artist.

Allie's is the painting of Two Boats at the very top.

These were vases by the 4th graders. Allie liked the pink and black patterned one.

Costuming in April

When asked if I sew, my answer is usually that I only sew Christmas pajamas and Halloween costumes.  Since I have purchased store costumes and pajamas the last couple of years, I can't say what I have been sewing. Nothing much, I guess. I do like to sew. I like to make something out of nothing. I like finding the perfect print and altering a pattern that I sort of like to create something that I love.  But, I don't always have time for it.

This week I sewed. It was simple and quick, but I still like it. It was a costume.  Aimee is attending the youth conference pioneer trek and needed "period clothing", so we all made skirts and bonnets and I expect that they will come home absolutely filthy.

The bonnet now has ribbon. I took this picture while Aimee was complaining about the outfit and there was no way I was getting her to put it back on for just for ribbon. That's her pretend smile. :)

Last week I sewed.  It was not straight forward and simple, but it was still a costume.  Allie is researching Helen Keller for her GT project and during the presentation, she is supposed to dress as Helen Keller would have. I couldn't think of anything that we had on hand that would work for clothing for late 1800's to early 1900's.  Alllie wanted to dress as Helen Keller as a child about her same age, so we went from there.  After copious amounts of research, which was probably less necessary, but required for my own peace of mind, we decided on a look. Then the look was changed when Allie saw the pattern I was using and told me not to do the alterations that I had planned. She also insisted on the eyelet lace at the bottom. (not my first choice, but cheaper, so ...you know)

This isn't going to be her hairdo, but she does want hairs to fall out of whatever we do.  She thinks this hair looks "old-timey".

Boots with buttons up the side. They are glued on, but the idea is there. :)

Heavy Sigh

So, with Allie's approval, I made minimal alterations and her Helen Keller look is complete. I feel like the dress is a couple decades off, but she likes it, and it doesn't really matter. It's for a 5 minute second grade research project.

Since Helen Keller didn't wear dark glasses or carry a cane, we went with a doll for her prop.  Allie knows how to spell  WATER and DOLL in sign language, which were important words to a young Helen Keller.  Her presentation is sometime in May, so I'll try to post a video.

Now, I really want to make something that isn't a costume. I'm thinking some dresses or skirts for Aimee, since our shopping trip was pretty unsuccessful.  I've decided that the clothing stores need new buyers, namely me.  I will tell them what to stock so that our young teens don't have to buy ugly clothes.  (Why, yes, Dillars, I'd like my 13 year old to wear a strapless mini dress to church on Sunday. It's always fun to have to pull up your top the whole day long. Or, here's an idea...stock clothing that people can put on that will stay in place and look good.)

Water is Pure

Sometimes, a news article or even just a random blog post can sent me into a tizzy.  It's not easy being a sort of obsessive perfectionist chasing down the answers to a question and knowing that you never will find ALL the info you want in the amount of time you have. It's frustrating. Especially because I know I'm not going to change everyone's opinion. It's worse when I spend too long on researching and reading when really, I should be making dinner for my friend who just had surgery, and is expecting me to bring their family a meal at 5:30. Or, when I should be getting my daughter's camp stuff ready for her 3 day pioneer trek, which she is leaving for directly after school today.  Instead, I read one silly little article and my mind couldn't rest. After reading this article this morning, I was not in a calm sense of mind at all. I just don't agree and I was having a hard time even trying to let it be okay to not agree. 
http://www.jrganymede.com/2011/04/18/brooding-upon-the-waters/
I don't tend to think of water as evil. Ever.

Christ washed His disciples feet with water. Our Savior was baptized by immersion, in a river, representing rebirth, cleansing. We are directed to be baptized by immersion. Not because it is evil, but because it is good.

Water is pure and refreshing. Water in the Sacrament represents the Savior's life blood spilled, but also a rememberance of the cleansing waters or our Baptism and the renewal of those covenants, the remission of sins.

I don't know why I disagree so strongly with this post. Maybe it's the fact that the author is trying to say that that's the only logical conclusion one could come to.  I think that using the exact same scriptures and the same stories, they could show that water is exactly the opposite of that post.

Sigh.

Five on Friday 4 Iron Maiden

“Put them in the Iron Maiden”

"Iron Maiden?" “Excellent”

“Execute them”

“Bogus”

Since my brother’s birthday was last week, I was going to dedicate Five on Friday to him. I know he likes Iron Maiden, so I took a deep breath and pushed play on all the lovely Maiden songs with the intent of finding some I could listen to.  I gave up last week after listening to a couple because I was getting irritated and I really was swamped with “stuff” to do. I decided that maybe Bruce Dickinson's voice would bother me less when I didn’t feel so pressed for time. So, my Iron Maiden dedication is a week late, but it’s heartfelt.  I thought of my brother the whole time I listened to them.  He is currently serving in Iraq for National Guard duties and I don’t keep in touch with him as much as I should.  I love you, bro!

 What I learned is that I like to listen to Adrian Smith and Dave Murray best of all the band member. They are on guitar, and the guitar solos are always a good part of the songs. I also likes Smith's voice better than the regular lead singer, Dickinson, but I guess I'm in the minority, because he only sings lead vocals on one song.

1) Reach Out: The lone song with Smith on lead vocals. A good way to open Maiden.

2) Number of the Beast: I'm cheating again because this song is acoustic, rather than amped metal. But it sounds better this way. )

3) Wasted Years: "Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years, Face up...make your stand, And realise you're living in the golden years"

4) Two Minutes To Midnight: "It's about the romance of war, and how we're all repelled and fascinated by it at the same time." Bruce Dickinson

5) Aces High: Honestly, I like the instrumentals in this one, but every time Dickinson sings, I feel extremely agitated and wish he would stop screaming. Is that what everyone feels??  lol

Wondering what other people are listening to this fine Friday? Visit Trav's Thoughts to check in with other Five on Friday posts.

American Idol April 13 Movie Night

I always think there are such great possibilities for this theme, and they usually choose the same old boring stuff. We'll see....

Paul McDonald - Old Time Rock and Roll : Of all the movie songs, he had to pick this one?? He definitely should have chosen something different. Seger was much better. I don't think this song or this performance did him any justice. Neither did the ugly suit.

Lauren Alainia - The Climb: I think she sounded fine, but to say she was better than Miley was a little over-the-top. I like Cyrus's version, so this performance wasn't super dynamic to me. I think it was a good song choice for her, though.

Stefano Langone - End of the Road (Boomerang): This seems like a bit of an ominous song to sing. End of the road for Stefano? Perhaps. I don't think he did enough with the song to transform it from a boy band song into a solo-artist idol song. Okay...Randy threw praise all over the place for it, but his "best vocal" doesn't necessarily mean best of the night.

Scotty McCreery - I Cross My Heart (Pure Country): I always wonder why he isn't on Nashville Star. And then I wonder if Nashville Star is even still on. And then I know why he isn't on that show whether it's on or not. Scotty is a good addition to AI. I hadn't heard George Strait on this song, but I did get to hear my husband sing every word along with him, and that was worth every moment of Idol tonight. (I love you baby.) He did say that George Strait was better, and that's coming from a George Strait fan, and also a Scotty fan. After listening to Strait, I have to concur. There is something engaging about that voice. But I still would like Scotty to stick around awhile.

Casey Abrams - Nature Boy: I'm a Casey fan, but this wasn't my favorite from him.

Haley Reinhart - Call Me (American Gigolo) : Kind of boring. Kind of didn't hit the right notes.  Kind of think Stefano is safe.

Jacob Lusk - Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Pursuit of Happyness): Ugh, really?! After Clay Aiken rocked this song, I wasn't sure I wanted to hear Jacob even try. I was right.  Ew! And now, Paul, Stefano, and Haley are all safe.  Send Jacob home already!!

James Durbin - Heavy Metal: I'm done with James too. Not idol material. James didn't even do the guitar solo. Bye-bye.  He really should have listened to the vocal coaches. Standing ovation....so not worthy. So, what are you pretending to tell us, judges? That somehow American Idol will be happy to produce a heavy metal album? Yeah, I didn't think so.  Heavy metal needs good instrumentalists, not just some middle-of-the-road singer.

My choice to go home tonight....Jacob, James, Haley, maybe Paul has reached his end.  Tonight, I only felt like Scotty, Casey, and Lauren deserved to stay. I wasn't left with any strong love for any of them.

Falafel Waffles

Okay, not really.  But Aidan asked for these again.

"What do you want for lunch Aidan?"
"Waffles. But not real waffles. Those brown ones with cucumbers that we ate last time at dinner."
"Falafel?"
"Yeah, fala waffle."
"Just Fa La Fall."
"Oh. Fa La Fall. fa waffle. fa lafel. falafel. I said it. Can I have that?"

Just Rubbing It In

I thought that maybe my ears were broken when everyone loved Pia last night and I had posted that she was in the bottom. So, I just feel a little vindicated that obviously, someone agreed with me.  But...I will say this...
She was AWESOME on the results show.  Her performance was spot on and her voice never strayed.  If she had showcased that A-game for the performance show, she wouldn't have been in my person bottom 2.  Although her clothes still would have been.

That's all. :)

More Southern Culture?

Is this something I just had my eyes closed to my whole life or what?  My mother grew up in Texas, so I really don't consider myself totally clueless on some of this stuff, but it seems everywhere I turn I'm given the "it's a southern tradition" line.  Remember the pickle obsession?  Yep, that's one of these southern things that I'm not really sure is a southern thing.  It's like more of a regional thing.

This week, when I asked Aimee's swim coach what they needed for the Andrews Invitational this weekend, he gave me a list of items needed for the hospitality room. This is the food for the timers and judges, those that work the event. I don't know what kind of food is available in other hospitality rooms, maybe this is standard.  They will have Brisket Burritos and have asked parents to donate snack items like chips, salsa, dip, donuts, water, powerade, cookies, and brownies.  In my opinion, the less ordinary requests are Queso and Sausage Balls, not to be served together.  Queso might be more widely served than I originally thought.  I do believe it is much more so here, where it's not a southern thing, but a Mexican thing.

I don't think I've ever had Sausage Balls, nor do I remember seeing them at parties and just avoided the tray.  This past Christmas, I heard that two people brought them to the party that I didn't go to.  But I was there the year before, and you know, what? No sausage balls.

When I asked Aimee if she had a preference of what to bring, she wanted to make sausage balls.  WHAT???  Okay. Fine. I did ask.  So, I googled the recipe and there are jillions of them, all the same, and all suggesting that it is a southern tradition. Whatever. I'll take google's and Paula Deen's word for it, because I don't really have time to research southern culinary tradition, but I'm pretty sure that if I did, Sausage Balls wouldn't come up in the top. 

I decided to just grab a recipe and go with it, because you know I'm not really going to stick to one anyway.  Besides, all the recipes say the same thing. Sausage, Cheese, and Bisquick. Um, really?  Some say 1 pound of sausage, others say 1/2 to 1 pound. Doesn't that sound like a bit of a spread? Some recipes call for 2 cups of cheese, others 4, and not because the sausage was doubled. In all of them, they suggest a sagey flavor in the sausage, or adding sage, and they all call for sharp cheddar.  I have a yummy version in mind using Gouda, rather than the cheddar, maybe some rosemary, spinach, and Parmesan. But for the meet, I'll stick with what they're expecting.

UPDATE: Made the sausage balls.  I have to say, I was disappointed in Paula Deen's recipe, because there is NO way anyone can mix in that much bisquick into her given amount of sausage and cheese.  I ended up dumping out half the bisquick onto the counter and still taking great effort to mix in the powder (actually, Aimee was working her fingers dry trying to get it all mixed in.)  The sausage balls came out of the oven at midnight and they were off to the swim meet at 8am.

My suggestion: don't make these. They aren't really that wonderful. If you do make them, add other ingredients. And don't use Paula Deen's recipe.  I think the proportions would be much better using the standard 1lb sausage, 1lb cheese, 2 cups bisquick.  Also, some of the recipes say to bake for 10 minutes. I'm pretty sure you need them to cook longer than that.  Ours were 1" and we cooked them about 18 minutes.

And I still don't buy the southern tradition bit.

American Idol April 6 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

(LOL!!!  I guess I missed the beginning where we were told that Gwen Stefani helped dress the contestants.  All of my critisism of their clothing stands. I wrote those before I knew it was her, and looking back, I can see Gwen dressing someone in poofy-front mini shorts whether they flatter or not. I can see Stefani thinking people should wear pantsuits.  They shouldn't.)

Jacob Lusk-The Man In the Mirror: As much as I've hated every other performance of his, this one was not bad. The beginning sounded okay, the middle almost lost it, but then he held on to it. Amazingly enough, I didn't find myself fast-forwarding him.

Haley Reinhart-Take a Little Piece of My Heart: Not sure the rasp is working for you, girl. Like she's going to wake up with no voice tomorrow. The performance was strong, no musical problems, but she should have used her own voice.

Casey Abrams-Have You Ever Seen The Rain: Aw...he made me smile for the first time in tonight's performances. Love this song. Love him singing it. How cute was that performance?!!! And Randy was totally right saying that the bass was "cool".

Lauren Alaina-Natural Woman: Okay...first...who dressed her??? They should be fired. Those checkered shorts are atrocious. Her vocals were spot on, but the song seemed dull in comparison to the previous performances of the night. Didn't stand out as an "idol", imho.

James Durbin-While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Sweet!  He needed to totally showcase his nice softer voice on this performance. He was right to switch it up and go with a slower number. I thought he started out a little shakey, but got it back when he came in stronger. I don't think this was his best performance because the song seemed to be a bit out of his range.

Scotty McCreery - That's Alright Mama : I liked the difference in this performance from him, but I didn't think he kept up the energy that it seemed like the song should have had.  It felt a little boring, when it should have been fun.

Pia Toscano - River Deep Mountain High : Jumpsuits are ugly. I was going to say that the judges can't really say the singers were pitchy at this point, but they should have told her that. I think she fell a little short.

Stefano Langone - When A Man Loves A Woman: The falsetto wasn't a super impressive way to open the song, but he definitely has idol quality and he can feel the song and sing spot on, strong, throughout. Liked him tonight!

Paul McDonald - Folsom Prison Blues : Fun performance. Always good energy from him. I love me some Johnny Cash, but this quick paced lively "blues" was totally idol. He shouldn't get voted off for this.
 

So... my choice for tomorrow? ...bye-bye Lauren,  bye-bye Pia . One of them should be next.

Edit: Just reading a couple headline reviews of last night's performances and I'm still not sure why people liked Pia's performance last night. If dialidol is right, I'll be sad to see Paul leave before Jacob. 

Five on Friday 3 Just Dance

This week, we're totally missing our wii.  This truly was a lengthy cardio workout because we dance for a long time. Now I have to actually get on the treadmill, which I don't do.  So really, my exercise has suffered.  And really, I could probably submit a receipt for our new receiver with our medical savings account, right?! Because without a new receiver with working inputs for the wii, I can't exactly exercise. And that's definitely medical. (I know sarcasm is hard to properly convey in type, but that was pretty thick.)

There are some songs that we have all danced enough times that we don't need the wii to do them. This weeks songs are some of our favorites, but without the game, they might not normally be my go-to songs. It's really hard to choose just 5, so these are not really in any particular order.

1. Rasputin by Boney M:  This is the song that led to research on our older children's parts and costume envy for the younger ones. It's also the song I cheat on because I don't put my hands on the floor. That Russian dancing is hard enough. I told my kids that they're shorter so they can do that move easier. Maybe eventually I'll get down there.

2. Girlfriend by Avril Lavine: Though I posted the "clean edit" version, the wii version is actually cleaner.  haha.  We can totally dance this one anytime, anywhere.

3. It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls: I just can't listen to this song now without all the moves included.  It's funny that the first time I heard this song it was sung by a man. I think it was The Birdcage. Can anyone confirm that??

4. Jump In The Line by Harry Belafonte: Who could resist dancing to Harry Belafonte??  No one! That's right, that's why it's on this game! I got to teach my kids the simple box step so that they could do the moves right. They'll thank me later.

5. Katti Kalandal - Bollywood: This one might be my favorite. It was the first one where I took the high score from my daughter, despite my perfect moves on the other songs.  Even better, because I couldn't find it on playlist, I went to YouTube.  I could just play along from there!

Come on, you need to get up and dance, don't you?! If you want to see the full list of songs, click here to check it out on Amazon.

And if you want to listen to what other people are hearing today, click over to Trav's Thoughts for Five on Friday links.