Show and Tell

Hello!


So, there have been a few things in the past few weeks I've been wanting to share, but none really warranted their own post, so I'm sharing them all at once.  Enjoy! ☺


First of all, here are some pictures of the icicles (I don't know if I've ever spelled that word...) after our big snow storm a couple weeks ago:

The left side of this picture is north, as is made obvious by the blown-in icicles.   Gotta love that north wind...

Too bad the coop is white - these were really cool (and intense) ones!

Cute little guys.  It got warm before they grew up.

Here's a link to a video of the solo I played on our HAA faculty recital a couple weeks ago.  (It's part of a concerto I played on my senior recital at NWU, and one of my favorite pieces I've ever played.  It's on E-flat trumpet, by the way.)  Click here to watch!

This is from a 5th grade student.  She is doing a persuasive essay in school about "why kids should play at least one instrument at a young age."  AND she made me this picture/doodle page/?.  Love it.  ☺

The cats at Arts Inc. used to get in the file cabinets all the time when they were kittens.  Haven't had them open much when they were there lately, so they were excited to relive their childhood this week.

A music joke a friend recently shared:

C, E-flat, and G go into a bar. ...The bartender says, "Sorry, but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat. F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, "Excuse me; I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight." E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "You're looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.

Finally, I received two things from students on Friday: some fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies (yum!) and this:

At first, I thought she was just showing it to me, but when I asked what she put in it, she replied, "Well, I wanted to give it to you to put all your little stuffs in - I don't want you to loose all your little stuffs."  I have no idea what "little stuffs" she's referring to, but I graciously accepted the gift. ☺ (This from the same 5-yr.-old girl who made me a paper bouquet of flowers and the princess tiara.)

Hope you all have a wonderful week...and a happy leap day!

Thanks for reading,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

Paint Yourself Silly

Raspberry Squishy from MoJava

Birthday Cake Oreos (yep...limited edition - get them before they're gone!)

this quote from the movie "How Do You Know?" - "Of every thought I had about you, and there were millions, the one that never occurred to me is that my mind wasn't exaggerating."

Something new...and music...and love.

Hi.


I may or may not be writing this blog from a new computer...  If I am, I'm pretty excited about it.  If I'm not, I'm still waiting for the screen to show what I've been typing for the past 10 seconds. ☺


After three different trumpet performances this weekend, I am reminded of how much I love playing and sharing my music with others.  I'm so grateful for the support of coworkers, students (and their families), friends, and family.  I had "fans" at all three performances this weekend...and they came voluntarily!  There were others who couldn't make it, but just knowing they wanted to be there makes me feel special.  Thank you to those of you who have supported me (and will continue to do so) by encouraging/tolerating my practice, "filling my bucket" with compliments, and making an effort to attend countless concerts/recitals/services/events.  Words can't express my appreciation to all of you, but especially my parents.  I hate to be completely cliché, but I can't begin to imagine where I'd be today if it weren't for them.


Additionally, I'm continually humbled by the talent that surrounds me.  How often do you get to experience your coworkers doing something they do exceptionally well...and love doing?!  Whether it's teachers at the studio, peers, friends, or other coworkers, I'm always glad for the opportunity to hear those I interact with, non-musically, on a daily basis doing what they do best, musically.  


Speaking of humbling, please take a moment to watch this 10-year-old girl's performance at Trumpet Fest this afternoon - click this to watch the video.  (She played a piece I considered performing on my senior recital...yes, in college.)


I should probably head to bed...more later.


If I don't write again before Tuesday, Happy Valentine's Day!  May you feel loved and share it with those around you.


♥,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

having a 4-legged guest for the weekend

Cheddar's (a new restaurant here)

this new computer (duh)

next weekend's plans!

Marshmallow World...and other news

At the risk of being cliché with the weather-reporting, you should be aware of this: 

Earlier today I wore only a fleece jacket while running errands after church, washed my car, and opened the sunroof while driving.  Now, the ground is white.  Not just a dusting - it's real snow.  We got a little bit earlier this week, and I took the kids I nanny for out to play in it.  They went nuts!  Needless to say, even though I'd warned them we couldn't stay out long because of the cold, they would've rather gotten frostbite than go inside when I informed them it was time to do so.  Don't worry - we made it safely inside with only cold noses and cheeks.

I used to say I liked winter more than summer, because I like to play in the snow, then be cozy and warm inside when it's cold outside.  I'm really ready for some sunshine and flip-flop weather, though.  That vacation to Florida last summer created an insatiable desire to lie on the beach for hours on end...seriously.  So, if any of you happen to be heading to a coast in the near future and need some company, I'm your girl.

Anyway, hope you all had a great weekend - I sure did!  It included quality time with various friends (games, movies, eating out...and lots of laughing), as well as a rehearsal for the recital I'm performing on this week.  My former trumpet professor/current boss, one of his students (a good friend), and I will be giving a lunchtime recital this Friday (the 27th) at First United Methodist Church.  (Facebook event - click here.)  The recital is titled "Bach's Lunch" and there will be a free box lunches (get it?)!  If you're free or able to take a lunch hour break, we'd love to have you there!  Let me know if you have any questions.

One more thing - my roomie is on Pinterest and shares lots of her findings with me.  This one really spoke to me tonight, for some reason: http://itsrusticliving.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-or-white-towels-that-is.html.  It's a wine rack used as a hanging towel rack!  This "pin" almost put me over the "whether or not to join Pinterest" fence.  I resisted the temptation, though, and decided to avoid addiction a little while longer.  Do any of you have thoughts on whether or not to join?  OR do you have awesome things you've found on there you'd like to share?  : )  By the way, seeing some of these ideas also makes me want to have a house of my own...

Alrighty - that's all for now.  Have a lovely week!

Warmly (ha),

Kensy

P.S. I'm in the market for a new computer (preferably a 17-in. Toshiba).  Let me know if you know of any good deals!

Favorites of the day:

selling jewelry from high school ex boyfriends

phone dates (with friends and relatives, thank you)

corn casserole