Peach Coglo

Sorry for Party Rockin'

Doran loves to write and read.  It's like a light has switched on lately.  The boy just loves language.  We can add this love to his other loves-art and music. 

Doran has been at it on his walls again.  He loves himself a big "canvas".   Greg and I are going to try to get a section of his wall painted with chalkboard paint this summer.  I am sure he will go "out of bounds", but who knows.  It's worth trying.  I think we'll have him help paint his walls too.  Perhaps we'll try a whiteboard-again.  Last time he destroyed it and wouldn't keep it on his wall.  Hmm, this should be very innerestin'.

Some kids have posters of groups on their walls, Doran writes.  Greg and I fell over with laughter when we started reading what he wrote.  Doran is a hoot.  Check out his walls and see if you can spot any songs or groups you like.  Sorry for party rockin'.

 

Christmas Jams

At our house, when there is Christmas crafting and cooking to be done, there must be Christmas music playing in the background.  We turn on our Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and pretty much go full tilt until January 6th, Epiphany.  This year we have been listening to our CDs, plus streaming some tunes on Pandora.   I lurve it.  The kids are into it too.  Helena pointed out to me the other day that we were listening to the Bryan Adams version of Run, Rudolph, Run not the one by Dave Edmunds.  Pandora is great that way; you learn all kinds of things while you listen.  

I was thinking since so many of us secretly crafting gifts that we can't share right now, maybe we can share our favorite Christmas music.  Christmas is so much about ritual and memories, the music and ancient carols just bring it all back.  So here's my list; it's by no means exhaustive, but maybe you'll find something new you might like.

The Vienna Choir Boys:  I am sure we are all familiar with these children.  They could sing anything and I would love it.  Something about this group is so medieval and magical.  I loved them as a child when my mom played their music.  I thought they were little angels.  My favorite piece by them is "Good Christian Men Rejoice".  Then there is Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming), and Tochter Zion, freue dich (Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion).  I absolutely love German carols.  You can find these songs on this album.

Carol of the Bells:  I love almost any version of this song.  It's so dramatic.  I have found another jazzy version by Buselli Wallarab on this album.

Ella Fitzgerald Wishes You a Swinging Christmas: This is a fun album.  I especially enjoy her version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Walking in the Air sung by the Crouch End Festival Chorus on Christmas Choral Classics.

Handel's Messiah: the classic version and the one produced by Quincy Jones, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

I just discovered In the Christmas Mood by Glenn Miller.  Their version of Silver Bells sounds so cheery and well swinging.

Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong is another one that we love.  His other Christmas songs like Christmas in New Orleans, are fun to listen to also.

I enjoy Enya on anyday, but this Christmas/Winter album called And Winter Came is perfect for the season.  Her version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is especially beautiful and haunting.  The chorale of Oiche Chiuin is beautiful too.

Christmas Waltz performed by Oscar Peterson.  The version by She & Him is pretty good and of course there is Sinatra's version.

Vince Guaraldi Trio:  There is absolutely no Christmas music in our house with this composer's songs.  It's usually one of the first discs we play.   What's your favorite Charlie Brown song from the Christmas album?

 Go Tell it on the Mountain performed byMahalia Jackson.  Boy does this one ever take me back to 1976 in Georgia.  This song so reminds me of my grandma.  I remember her coming to visit us during Christmas and this song playing while she was settling into her room.   I love listening to this and many of her other Christmas songs.

Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC.  I think this had to be the first Christmas rap song ever.  It just screams 1980's Christmas.  I love it.  Also Gabriel's Message sung by Sting and Silent Night performed by Stevie Nicks are found on the same album.  Plus, who can beat a cover featuring the art of Keith Haring.

Arthur Fiedler: Christmas at the Pops.  This is one of my most favorite Christmas albums and one of my favorite conductors.

I could go on and on.  There's Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Dave Brubeck's album Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Joe Cool's Blues by Wynton and Ellis Marsalis (not exactly Christmas, but it's Charlie Brown), Alvin and the Chipmunks (yeah I know), Good Lovlies' Under the Mistletoe for a retro harmony sound, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, The Temptations. . . .

What are your favorite holiday tunes?

A Trip to the City

The ceiling at Grand Central.  There's my sign-Aries.  I can't believe they were trying to tear this place down for a parking lot.  I am so glad that didn't work.  Thank you Mrs. Onassis.

Signs in the station's bathroom.

Last Sunday, I went to New York City with my mom.  We met up with my younger brother, Walker, who is lucky enough to live in there.   We took one of the most harrowing cab rides I have ever taken.  I have never had a harrowing cab ride in NY, but I did that Sunday.  It was so intense Mom wanted to get out early and walk the rest of the way to the restaurant.  I think we had about three near accidents-at least that was my perspective.  I saw and felt the cab pass within an inch or a half-inch of buses and trucks.  I think my mother's eyes were closed for the entire ride. She doesn't even know how much she paid him.  Maybe that was the cabbie's strategy.

To recover from our wild ride, we walked around the city.  We then ate a delicious organic brunch at  Isabella's.   The food was spectacular.   Walker had lemon-scented french fries.   I'll have to get some next time, as they were one of the best things I ever tasted.  Before brunch while Walker waited in line, my mom and I went to the Sunday flea market across the street from the restaurant.  It was so fun.  I could have spent hours looking around at all of the cool stuff.  After brunch, we walked our way to Broadway, past Lincoln Center and all kinds of interesting architecture.

 

Then we saw Memphis!  That was the best musical I have ever seen.  My mother got tremendous seats.  The Shubert is a small theater and we were about eight to ten feet from the stage in the orchestra section.  Thanks for a fabulous birthday present Mom!  I saw sweat flying.  I saw beads (from the beautiful beaded dresses) flying and bouncing across the stage.   The actors were working.  It was great to be able to look right into their faces.   The stage design, music and story were phenomenal.  I am very privileged and lucky to have been able to see this show.   It was a gift.  This is just a reminder of how necessary art and creation are.  After the show, we talked about how one of the first things a repressive government does is shut down or defund the arts, calling them frivolous and unnecessary.  We talked about how when people (same or different) dance or just listen to music together, how their differences melt away and community is built.  To those who would have it otherwise, art is a dangerous thing.

After the show, we scooted to a little Greek restaurant.  The meal was delicious and the company was so fun.   I hated to leave New York, but I needed to get back to my loves.  So I have vowed to go to the City more often and to take the children, well at least some of them.  Eden may have to wait.

 

Back to Grand Central

What places energize you and nourish your soul?

 

Weekending 4311

Today I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for Weekending.

This first weekend of April felt a little slower than last weekend

There was a trip to Boston and the treat of Legal's for dinner

Doran discovering calamari and scallops, but shirking the baked scrod while begging for lobster (we didn't buy any)

Children playing outside in 50 degree weather

Then playing with the dollhouse and trying to clean up their play area

Some experimenting with Eden's accordion

Eden taking a tumble after Elijah bumped into her in the driveway

Several hours of us monitoring her while she played happily and cupped her little hands over her the corner of her mouth in her attempt to whisper secrets

There is nothing like parental worry

Attending CCD with Helena and Elijah and visiting the Haitian Stations of the Cross created by the confirmation students

Thinking about the earthquakes in Japan and Haiti and how lucky our sister parish was to escape the horrors suffered elsewhere in their country and the world

Glad to see my children realize how privileged they are and how powerful they are to help people who are suffering

Eden enjoying this book and trying her hardest to count

Planning for Doran's "rainbow" birthday this weekend

Sharing sushi and laughs with friends while celebrating a birthday-Happy Birthday Heather

Enjoying the smell and energy from the chlorophyll in my newly-discovered green smoothie

Savoring a Spring White Bean and Spinach soup from here and especially loving the sprigs of parsley

Grateful to Greg for folding the clothes, so happy I didn't have to tackle that chore

Hearing and loving the new Radiohead and wishing I could create music (or anything) as well as they do

Realizing that it's time to get off my kiester and plant some seeds

How was your weekend?

 

Carolina Chocolate Drops

I love music just as much as I love art-which is intensely.  At our house we play music everyday, in the car and in the house.  If there is no music, someone is singing somewhere.  We do of course have quiet time in our house, but music is an important part of our lives.  It's as necessary as breathing. 

Both of my parents were trained classically.  I grew up with my father playing DeBussy and my mother  singing an assortment of songs-anything from Handel to Mahalia Jackson to Van Halen.  My grandmother had a secret stash of Dolly Parton tapes.  I do enjoy myself some Dolly too.  True to my background, I enjoy all types of music (not just what I am supposed to like).  I have always had a weakness for acoustic guitars, fiddles and slide guitars though.  Maybe it's my Georgia roots.  

Recently I heard a group called the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  They are an African American string band (one of the few left) and they are nothing short of amazing.  How can you go wrong when their instruments include a jug, fiddle, kazoo and bones?  I believe one of the members, Rhiannon, is a classically trained opera singer.  I find the group to be quite interesting.  The kids and I have been listening to Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind or rather the kids listen to parts of the album, and I listen to the whole thing.  Being that it is heritage music and a bit bluegrassy, there are songs about people dying young and Satan getting hit in the head with a two by four.  Really though the music is beautiful and perfectly sets the stage for a shindig!

So even if I haven't inspired you to get out your clodhoppers and dance, maybe you will like this video.   Enjoy and have a great day!

 Here is Snowden's Jig (link)

and John Henry (here's the link in case the video acts up).

 

I hope you have much music and joy in your day!

Laughing is Easy

Or sometimes laughing is not so easy, especially for some children living with autism.  Of course, every child is an individual, whether he has autism or not.  Some children with autism laugh and constantly tell jokes, others have no clue as to what was so funny, and can even find the raucous sounds of laughter to be overbearing and painful.  Silliness, which seems to come so easily to many children, may have to be taught. I have felt and seen the sadness and worry on parents' faces as they watch other children laugh and squeal at a funny story while their child sits stone-faced or either covering their ears in pain. 

We are pretty darn lucky that Doran has a good sense of humor.  It seemed to have come out of nowhere.  One day he was watching Bugs Bunny and falling over laughing-at the 'appropriate' moments no less.  Boy were we happy!  This is just one less obstacle in a life full of them.  He works so hard that we love to see him relax, laugh and have fun being silly.  Doran loves pretending, dressing up, and being goofy.  I can see it just stretches his spirit, and provides a way to connect that has nothing to do with therapy.   He can just be with us and we can just be with him.

 
Doran's friend Sue is happy to oblige and be silly with him too.  She even let him borrow her 70's wig.  His aide and friend Jennie captured the moment for posterity. Thanks Jennie!

Humor, laughter and being silly or goofy is such a gift.  We are so happy that Doran is learning how to do it.  His journey has encourage us to be sillier and less serious in our own lives.  How do you make time for being silly in your daily life?

Vinyl

I have always loved my music.  At first, I would shuffle through my mother's 8 track tapes, 45s and albums.  I cherished long rides, first in the Gran Torino and then in the Thunderbird, hoping to hear some of my favorite songs.  When I got older, I stashed away birthday and babysitting money.  I bought albums and the newly-invented Maxi-Singles (the 80's were just too much).  Then I would get fancy and buy cassette tapes.  Feeling even fancier still, I would record my precious albums onto blank cassettes so I could keep the albums pristine. 

After sitting in storage while I went on with my life after high school, my records and record player came back to me few years ago.  I wasn't sure whether the player still worked since I did not store it in a box, not to mention the various moves the machine has endured.  Thinking I would hook it up soon, I had Greg bring the record player out of the garage and onto the back porch where it stayed.  I am a little embarrassed to say that it even got rained on a little during a violently windy rainstorm because I forgot to close the windows.  Fearing that my record player would be ruined and inspired by SouleMama (she has a son who loves vinyl), I finally got off my duff and brought the player off the back porch into the house.

We still have not found a proper or even semi-permanent home for it.  For now it sits on the floor near our dining room table, but we are enjoying it greatly.  Forget 2010, we are living in 1985.  Recently, I have added to our record collection with some thrift shop albums, and have pulled out a few from my teenage collection.  We turn on the player during dinner or anytime we can use some music, which is often.  The kids have taken to the record player with great enthusiasm.  At first they didn't even know what the albums were.  "You mean it plays music like a CD?", Helena and Elijah asked incredulously.  When I said yes, they looked at each other as if I were bonkers.  They couldn't believe it.  Doran loves the record player.  I cringe (a lot) when he tries to operate the player independently, but I am glad he gets so much enjoyment out of it.  He reminds me of the times when I would use my mother's stereo when I was expressly told not to do so (sorry Mom!).

Yeah that's right.  Back in the day, I shamelessly rocked the Micheal Jackson/Mick Jagger duet and Pretty Poison!  What?!  ;-)

Helena checking out one of my many "maxi-singles". . . .   Why listen to a five minute version of a song when you can listen to ten?!  Helena is very into them.  Her first question to me whenever I put on a record is "Oh is that a maxi-single?". 

 

Yes! We have the soul for getting down!

 

 

It is a lot of fun to watch the kids dance their hearts out to my old favorite tunes, no matter how eighties the music is  (Sly Fox anyone?).  They come up with some smooth moves, poses, and are completely uninhibited, truly embracing the moment.  I had to work to get over my own sheepishness to join them.  With some practice, I think I'll be able to let go without listening to that inner critic.  With that thought in mind, let's all take some time this weekend to have some fun and embrace the moments fully without holding back.  I'll be back here on Monday with peeks at some crafted gifts.  Yes, I am attempting some embroidery and sewing again.  ;-)  Happy Weekend everyone!

Thrift Shopping-Yay!

The other day, I went to a local thrift shop in search of some vintage linens.  I was inspired by SouleMama who always seems to find really cute and interesting vintage fabric.  It's a great way to save money and recycle fabric at the same time.  Well, I came up empty on the fabric, but found some other fun and useful treasures that won't be headed to the landfill. 

It's always wonderful to find some vintage Pyrex.  

I found some great tunes too.  I got the Sousa record for Helena and Elijah's birthday.  I was inspired by my mother who told me that when she was a girl, there was a morning radio program that played the Sousa marches for the school children.  Sousa can be so jaunty and energizing.  I love it!  Luckily the children did too.  The Copland is for me.  Well everyone in the house listens to everything, but Copland is one of my all-time favorites because his music feels so hopeful and inspirational.

This is just a sentimental favorite for me.  I received this album when I was about five.  I used to look at this cover for hours.  We didn't really have snow in Georgia so I was fascinated by its representation on this album.  I also used to think the Christmas lights were some sort of lit-up candy corn.  Don't ask why.

Now that I am looking at this cover.  It occurs to me that my love of painting with bright, intense colors may have started during my childhood.  I was so psyched when I found this album I almost fell over in the store.  The only slight wrinkle is that the Christmas album that is supposed to be in the sleeve has been replaced by a Winnie-the-Pooh album.  It's no great loss though, because I used to only listen to about three songs off this album.  Like I said, I spent most of my time with this album staring at the cover. ;-)

This is for the kiddos.  As always, LIFE has some very captivating pictures that really grab and keep their attention.

I might put a plant in this sterling silver bowl or maybe not.  I am still thinking of a good use for it after I polish it. 

These silver baby cups are for Eden.  We have the worst time with the traditional sippy cups. She isn't ready for glass or ceramic, so I was on the hunt for enamel or some material that wouldn't shatter when she launched it across the room; you know it's bound to happen.  I stumbled upon these cups, and they are perfect.  They don't break; there are no leaching chemicals; they fit her teensy fingers and keep her milk and water cold.  Miss Eden does enjoy herself a cold beverage.

I like the fact that all of these things are old (excluding the books of course) and have a history behind them.  I think the baby cup on the left was made in 1948.  Thanks for coming on my little thrifting adventure with me.  This makes me think, what is the best thing you've found in a thrift store?