All posts by hannahviolin

I am a violinist. I also enjoy running, working out, reading, and hanging with my friends and cat.
Running, Teaching

Proud Teacher

4 Comments

Today I slept in then had a rehearsal (for a gig that Chris is playing too, which is fun!) and then hurried off to my students’ recital at the St Louis School of Music.

I’m enjoying playing with the Bach Society.  I forget how much fun sitting in the back with a hilarious stand partner can be.  (A stand partner is someone you share a stand with—string players almost always sit two to a stand and so you share music, and if you are lucky, inside jokes.)  Of course we are working hard and not just goofing off, but it’s been a fun couple of rehearsals.  It doesn’t hurt that I’m also hilarious.

image

The older I get the more proud I become of my students.  They get so nervous and yet get up there in front of everyone and show off their hard work.  I was particularly proud of some of my students but of course I love them all the same, right?  😉

photo

I love the backdrop of the stage.  By the end of the recital it was dark and the trees had twinkly Christmas lights.

Speaking of, how weird is this heat wave?  I think it got up to 70 today—it’s so bizarre to be driving around seeing Christmas lights and decorations while wearing a tank top.  It’s really hard to get into the “Christmas spirit” while sweating on a run.  (Figuratively speaking.  I didn’t exactly run today.  Or yesterday.  I’m going to tomorrow, I swear.  And I imagine I’ll be sweating.  Though technically I sweat when it’s cold too, so that was a pretty lousy analogy, right?)

image_1

(It is Caturday…aerial view of her Royal Fatness.)

Okay, a couple more random thoughts before I leave you to your Saturday night.  Does anybody have a Direct TV DVR?  Ours has been randomly recording stuff and I don’t understand why.  I looked on the “To do list” and none of the shows it’s recording are on there, but yet…then they show up.  It’s very annoying.  We don’t wish to record “Adventure Time” or “The Rachel Maddow Show” and we’re not really sure why the DVR is doing it.  Unless the cat has developed an ability to use the remote?  Weirdest of all is a half watched recorded episode of “Real Sex” …and both of us assumed the other had watched half of it.  I know I did not, and I believe Chris when he said he didn’t…but that doesn’t really leave anybody.  (Are we haunted? Is somebody breaking in to watch and record stuff on our DVR?  Is this is truly a first world problem?)

Oh, and I registered for the Castlewood Cup today.  Figured I wouldn’t have enough to do with marathon training and perhaps an audition in addition to, you know, work…plus I haven’t done enough trail running lately.  (I ran it last year too!) Plan:  do some trail running while training rather than just showing up and trying not to die.  Who else is running?

I’m off to hang out with friends!  Lots going on tonight—wine at my friend’s house and then meeting Chris and another couple at Franco for drinks and appetizers.  Yeah, yeah, rough life 😉

Running

Marathon Training Begins

7 Comments

I’m both excited and terrified about my plans to run a marathon in April.  Excited, because I think it’ll be a really great thing to do and Leslie (one of my sisters) will be running it too.  Terrified because, well, gosh, that’s an awfully long way to run and there’s a long training plan with really long runs on it TOO.  When the mid week run starts to be 8 to 10 miles, I start to get a wee bit terrified.  But…you build to that, right?  I can do this?!

image

Training starts next week.  I have chosen to follow Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 Program because this is my first marathon and my goal is simply to finish.  (And not die).  From talking with people and reading stuff, it seems like this plan will accomplish those things. 

Chris and I were talking about running last night…sidebar: now that he has started running he wants to TALK about running all the time, which is just fantastically delightful, because, as everybody knows, talking about running is either fascinating (if you are a runner), or the most boring thing ever (if you are not.) I’m glad we have this now. 

image_1

(Oh, and we were having this talk over dinner at The Shaved Duck.  We hadn’t been in awhile, since it had been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and were delighted by how busy it was late on a Wednesday night.  Way to go!  We love their food.)

Anyway, he was saying that I should prioritize—sometimes things I do in the gym (deadlifts, usually) make it challenging to run for a few days, and that he feels that is a bad thing.  I have decided that my weight lifting is important to me, because I think it helps me in so many different ways, from lifting the cat, to having a stronger back for violin playing, to simply FEELING stronger, and I don’t want to stop OR back off. 

image_2

So that means this:  I am no longer allowed to complain about the negative effects.  If I do dead lifts and that messes up my training for a few days, then so be it.  That is the choice I am making.  Do you hear that, readers?  I am not allowing myself to complain about sore muscles.  That being said, I must also completely commit myself to foam rolling and stretching each and every day.  I expect you all to hold me to this.

photo

(It’s easy to stretch when you have a furry companion nearby!)

I’ve also booked my ticket and signed up for the Rock and Roll Phoenix Half Marathon in January.  This will be part of the marathon training.  Leslie and I thought it would be fun to run a half in her neck of the woods while training for the full in my city.  I had so much fun the last time I ran this race, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again!

image

Just saw this on facebook.  I’ve said before, I’m not a huge mantra person, but I like this:

Now I have to eat lunch!  How’s your Thursday going?  Any advice for me? (I don’t usually take advice, but I welcome hearing it.)

Performing

Holiday Magic Train

3 Comments

holidaymagictrain

This will go down as one of the oddest gigs I’ve ever played.  As you can see, my friend Jen and I are playing music ON A TRAIN on Saturday, December 8.  I’m a little nervous about playing violin while moving, as I have never been a subway busker or anything like that, and I’m nervous about using public transportation in St Louis…(joking…sort of…;) ) but it should be a fun time.  I hope.  We’ll be miked and I presume piped through all the cars. 

It wouldn’t be at all creepy or stalky (which is evidently not a word) if you showed up to listen.  It’s just the cost of a metro ticket.

Deep Thoughts

Three things Tuesday

Leave a comment

1.  If you like discounts and/or FREE books, check out my previous posts:

Win a free book (contest for a free book, ends tonight!)

This and That (scroll down for a makeup/hair care discount and a discount on CAFFEINATED BAKED GOODS.)

2.  Saw this on the Growler’s Pub Facebook Page

Probably I am doing something illegal by posting it here, but we’re IN the photo!  And while my facial expression is a bit suspect, I LOVE my shoes.  Taken by you know who. I’ll put in a little plug for Growler’s too, while I’m here—the food was pretty good, great beer selection.  And the patio was really nice, though I’m thinking it might be too cold now—don’t know if they cover it or something. (Now they won’t care about the photo, right? GO VISIT.)

I really love Chris’s purple shirt.

3.

This makes me want to get four more cats.  And a box, which goes without saying.

4. I’m bad at counting: Any local readers want to attend the Bach Society of St Louis’s concert on Sunday night, 7:30 pm, Powell Hall?  I have two tickets to give away.  I’m playing in the orchestra, the chorus and children’s chorus sound fantastic, and it’ll be a really wonderful holiday concert.  If you want the tickets, email me hannahviolin at gmail dot com.  Or leave a comment here, I’ll get that too. Serious inquiries only 😉

Product Reviews, Random thoughts

This and That

3 Comments

Here’s a bunch of random thoughts and stuff I need/want to share with you all.

1.  I have been running lately.  Marathon training starts officially in just over a week so I’ve just been running for “fun” and fitness.  Chris started running (When he utters the words “I’m going for a run” I get VERY excited) and yesterday we ran together.  He’s training for a 5k we are doing together in mid-December, and yesterday we ran (very fast for me) 2.25 miles together.  Before than I’d been pushing my speed on 1.5 to 2 mile runs.  My legs are finally feeling less dead, and my hip feels better.

foamroll

It still hurts if I’ve been sitting for a long time or if I haven’t been foam rolling enough but generally I think I’m in decent shape to start training for the Marathon in April.  And to run the 5K AND to go to Phoenix in January for the PF Chang’s Half Marathon (very excited about this!)  I figured doing some shorter but faster runs would be a nice way to push myself but not overdo it.  I’ll have enough long, slow runs ahead of me in the next few months, right?

2.  Gil Shaham is awesome.  I saw him play the Beethoven Violin Concerto last night with the symphony.  VERY enjoyable concert.

We look ridiculous because we are 🙂

3.  Recently I was sent some natural shampoo and conditioner from Ava Anderson.

IMG_2907_thumb3

The company’s motto is “Quality personal care without harmful chemicals.”

I tried the shampoo and conditioner.  The only odd thing is that the shampoo doesn’t foam like I’m used to.  Did you know that harmful chemicals make your shampoo foam?  Evidently that is just something companies add to make us feel like we are getting a more effective clean…and in fact is totally unnecessary.  Weird, right?  (Agree or disagree?)  Anyway, the stuff smells nice, and there’s always a bit of self-righteousness involved with knowing you are using something that is more natural and less toxic, isn’t there?

If you want to order anything from the website (there’s all kinds of beauty supplies, not just shampoo/conditioner) contact the representative by email and tell them I sent you and she will give you a 30 percent discount through Dec. 15.

4.  Caffeinated Baked Goods.  Who doesn’t like caffeine and baked goods?  Here’s a company that puts them together! Get up and Go offers caffeine without the coffee.  If you “like” their facebook page you can get a discount code to save 30 percent on all orders, AND on Sunday (tomorrow, they are calling it Black Sunday) you can get 70 percent off all orders! (After you “like” the page, click on “store”)  Now THAT’s a deal, and you don’t have to run anybody down in the parking lot to get it. I haven’t tried any of their stuff, but I hear it’s tasty, and the company reps are really helpful and friendly.

Sugar rush plus caffeine rush?  You’re welcome!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above (Ava Anderson) and for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

5.  Yesterday I learned that some jerk had slashed one of my tires.  Sometimes I love living in the city, other times I can’t stand it. We tell ourselves that crime can happen anywhere, but the rates show that the crime is so much higher in the city.  But we really like being near non-chain restaurants and being far from strip malls…

tire

You can see two of the knife marks.  There was another obvious one and a small hole that was likely the fourth slash.  It almost felt personal!  (I’m sure it wasn’t.)

I’m going to take this opportunity to just get all new tires, since that’s something I think I need.  But I’m not happy about it.  At least they “only” slashed one tire so Chris was able to put the spare on for me rather than having to get towed.

Sometimes I disgust myself with my optimism 😉

6.  This is a great time for movies.  We are going to see Skyfall again tonight (I rarely see movies in the theater twice, but Chris and I both really enjoyed it and wanted to go with some friends) and we’ve bought tickets for the midnight showing of the Hobbit.  We haven’t been to a midnight showing in awhile (I’m thinking not since Return of the King!) and we were much younger then, but we are really excited about it!

7.  I’m having that Sunday laziness/not being excited about getting back to work tomorrow.  It’s always tough transitioning, isn’t it?  Once you actually ARE back to work it’s no big deal but it always seems like it’s going to be worse than it is.

Christmas

Holiday entertaining is delightful

2 Comments

The past few years I’ve been hosting a “Cookie Swap Party” but this year I figured, you know, I’ve got enough on my plate with Thanksgiving, I don’t think I’m going to host a party.  Plus I shouldn’t have all those cookies around the house anyway, what with my constant complaining of wanting to lose 10 (now 20) pounds. 

But yet…

tablesetting

This was so much fun.

IMG_1403

And I love making these guys to snack on…

IMG_1401

Tri-color cookies.  I made these last year for Chris…I may make them again because I think I’m starting to love them as much as he does and my mouth is watering just looking at them.

I like making cookies.  And more to the point, Chris and I LOVE eating cookies.  I can also be fairly reasonable with cookies, and just because I’ll have some on hand this year, it doesn’t mean I have to eat a whole bunch of them everyday.  I am an adult and I have self control.

Besides, I’ve finally jumped on the “Pinterest” bandwagon, and I was pinning recipes and holiday party ideas like a madman last night (Come follow me!!!) 

That’s right, I’ve definitely decided to throw the Cookie Swap Party in about two weeks.  After all, it’s not hard to throw together (for someone awesome like me who really does love entertaining even with all the stress) and I know I’m going to make cookies ANYWAY so I might as well do the swap and get a bunch of great cookies from friends. 

After all, Thanksgiving is over, and I’ve finally caught up on my sleep. (I may have been having trouble sleeping for a few days due to the stress.) There’s four more weeks till Christmas (give or take) and that seems like a long time.  Plus this year I finally have a great house for entertaining and I want to show it off.

Here’s one of my favorite Christmas cookies recipes.  In case you didn’t get enough butter on Thanksgiving.  (Oh, and yes, of course, the fridge is still packed full of leftovers.)

Jam Filled Butter Cookies (from allrecipes.com, modified), pictured in the background behind the Hershey Kiss Cookies.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

4 egg yolks

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup fruit preserves, any flavor

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with ½ teaspoon of preserves (I usually use a ziploc bag and cut off the corner to make this easier).

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

(If you make these, you are welcome to send me a batch for Christmas.)

What’s your favorite cookie to make?

Did you enter my giveaway for a free book?  I think you’ll enjoy it—go sign up!