Teaching

Hangman

Today I had some plans for my classes at Child of God, but when I got there I remembered it was a half day for the kids…which means they were hyper and super excited!  I quickly changed gears and decided to play Hangman.  You know the rules of Hangman, right?  What we do is divide into two teams (ended up being just two on each team, or you can do even one versus two and switch around).  One team comes up with a word, phrase, or sentence, and the other team has to guess.  The violin part comes in here–before a guess, each person must do something on the violin that I request, i.e. perform a line of a song or execute ten perfect bow circles, that sort of thing.  If they accomplish their task (which I want them to do so it is a fun, positive, experience, so I usually give them more than one chance) they get to guess a letter.  It worked out really well today as the kids had a great time but they SECRETLY got a lot of practice/work done.  I did this for three classes in a round, ages K through 4 and it was great for everyone.

I wanted to link to a great blog entry from Laurie Niles, who runs the site violinist.com.  Here is a well-written article about cheap violins.  I have a couple of students who play on these “VSO’s” as she refers to them, and they have about 4 times the trouble the other students do.  Any new students of mine definitely need to read this!

 

 

Random thoughts

Tuesday night thankfulness

I realized that I hadn’t posted today’s “What I’m thankful for Today” post yet.  (Department of Redundancy Department?)

*ponders day*

I slept in, worked out with Mike (my trainer if you are new), grocery shopped, talked to a friend on the phone, taught ONE student, went to the gym again to run 4 miles, and now I’m winding down.  What am I thankful for?  Days off work!  I’m thankful for relaxing days like today where I have very few commitments on my time.  This sort of day allows me to catch up on errands and emails, relax, shop, unwind, get lots of good exercise, practice, whatever I want.  I’m very thankful for days off!  (My next one isn’t until next Tuesday, so…I’ll be thankful again then but have to come up with something new…)

Cruise

Carnival Splendor

As a cruise aficionado, I was startled today when I heard the news that the Carnival Splendor had had a fire in the engine room and was stranded off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico.  I hope all the people are doing ok–it seems as if no one was hurt but that the power and PLUMBING was out.  Sounds like a potential nightmare!

I hadn’t been to my favorite cruising site (cruisecritic.com) in awhile, but naturally I went there to check things out.  I’m sure there will be more information after the fact from poor folks who were on the ship.  Will it be a small consolation that they get offered a future free cruise?  I don’t know how bad a ship like that could get without power or flushing toilets…pretty bad, I imagine!!

 

Random thoughts, Running, Teaching

Morning off

Ah, a well-deserved morning off!  I got to sleep in a bit and have a leisurely breakfast.  I had hot oatmeal and decided to try a container of the Chobani Yogurt people have been raving about.  I had peach flavor…um…it was nothing special.  Sorry!

Tuesdays right now I teach one student.  In January I’ll be teaching at the St Louis School of Music on Tuesdays (or when they need me…).  Unfortunately I don’t know where I’ll move my Tuesday home student to…right now I am only able to teach at home on Monday and Thursday (which two months ago seemed like MORE than enough!).  I can’t believe my home studio is actually officially full.  (I will have a waiting list, for anyone interested.  There is always turnover).  I have picked up about five new students in the past couple of weeks and I am really excited about them.  I also have a new student at the Ballet School, starting tomorrow.  So many people to teach!  It’s wonderful how (from my point of view) private music education is alive, well, and thriving!

What else is going on this week?  Well, I am probably doing another race (5k) on Saturday.  I say probably because I registered, but it might rain, and we’ll have to see how am I feeling about that.  Honestly, I’m sure I’ll run it.  I seem to have the race bug right now, and I think I can beat my last time.  Plus this will be my first alone race, and I want to see how well I can pace myself on my own.  (I am looking at this as a positive thing, as my running is something I do alone, and I want to feel confident enough to do a race alone as well!)

I feel a bit stressed lately…I don’t actually have that much to do, but with the impending holidays, time is running out on concert prep and that sort of thing.  I’ve got about four different performances at my two schools to deal with in addition to my own gigs.  I also get stressed about house cleaning–ideally I’d like to live in a clean house, but have trouble picking up after myself, and I hate dusting…so I just stress about it rather than say, spending a morning off cleaning.  Then I take it out on Chris later 😉  I just need to keep up on my to-do list so I don’t forget things.

Off to the gym!

 

Random thoughts

Pumpkin Bread!

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Today I am thankful for my delicious and no-fail pumpkin bread!  I make this bread every year at least once (if not more) once we get into pumpkin season (a.k.a. Autumn).  It is easy to take to potlucks and always turns out really moist, freezes well, and is just basically really good.

I made my famous pumpkin bread yesterday for a baby shower.  I decided to be fancier this year and add chocolate chips.  What a brilliant idea!!  I can’t believe I’ve been making this stuff for years and just now thought of that.

Also healthy! You can see the oats peeking out.
See the chocolate chips? Yum!

Okay, I searched the internet high and low, but could not find a link to the recipe.  It’s your lucky day:  I’m going to type it out.  I’m assuming it came from a Libby’s pumpkin can as Libby’s pumpkin is mentioned in the recipe by name.  My sister Leslie copied it for me (by hand!) several years ago.

 

 

Pumpkin Bread:

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick or old-fashioned oats

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 3/4 cups Libby’s pumpkin (15 or 16 oz can)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 packed brown sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 cup chopped walnuts (note:  I never use these!  Here’s where I would recommend adding chocolate chips instead!)

Directions:

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees F)

1.  Combine flour, oats, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt in large bowl.

2.  Beat eggs, pumpkin, sugars, water, oil and evaporated milk in large mixer bowl on medium speed until combined.

3.  Beat flour mixture into pumpkin mixture on low speed until blended; stir in nuts (remember, CHOCOLATE chips).

4.  Spoon into 2 greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pans.

5.  Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 65 to 70 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

6.  Cool in pans for 10 minutes, remove to wire racks to cool completely.

* for mini loaves, prepare the same, but use 6 greased 5 5/8 by 3 1/4 inch pans.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

I am so thankful for my pumpkin bread recipe!

Random thoughts

Pumpkin Party (recap)

My friend Julia hosted a “Pumpkin Party” a few weeks ago.  She recently posted some pictures from it, and I wanted to share a few here for you (hopefully Julia won’t mind!).  Basically the party was a pumpkin carving party with lots of pumpkin foods, treats, and beer involved.  I’ve never been one for pumpkin carving (I think I’ve tried three times, and it’s just a lot of work 🙁 ) but I’m always really impressed by people who are good at it!

 

My favorite!

 

Scary!!

 

I can’t believe how creative/talented with a knife some people are.

 

If I have a baby, remind me to have it shortly before Halloween so I can dress it in a pumpkin costume! Baby Max 🙂

 

 

I am very serious about Pumpkin Beer. Evidently. This is Julia (and me).

 

Most recommended:  Schlafly Pumpkin Ale (have a six-pack in the fridge, as it was on sale.  However, it will probably end up sitting there for months as I really only drink socially.  I will have to take it somewhere, I guess!)

 

Everybody in the picture is named Chris

 

And last but not least, this is my friend Jon.  He’s missing.  If you see him, please let us know.

 

thoughts about violin, teaching, running, life.