March 2013 – Casa Camisas

Easter Blossoms

March 31, 2013 brookeshelf3 Comments

It’s been four years since we’ve done Easter on our own. I’m usually more laid-back about this holiday, unlike Christmas. Perhaps because I want the observance to be more about personal spiritual reflection?

But we did go to the neighborhood egg hunt yesterday (sponsored by the Presbyterian church down the street).

Eleanor found one of the “golden eggs” that she exchanged for a special prize. They gave her a whole bag of Easter-y swag, including a chocolate crucifix. Now that’s sacrilicious!

After church today we cooked up some Gouda potatoes and headed off to Bellevue for Easter dinner with friends. On the way we decided to stop at the Seattle temple and walk around the grounds, since Eleanor has been asking to do this.

The gardens include this little woodsy area with little pathways circling in and around the trees. Benches, birdbaths and garden art are tucked here and there in corners. It’s really quite lovely, and the most perfect place for children to play.

One side of the temple grounds had a frothy row of blooming cherry trees. Cue the impromptu portrait session in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

Down in the Boggy Boggy Bog

March 23, 2013 brookeshelf1 Comment

The signs of spring are different here in the Pacific Northwest — the temperatures don’t rise, mainly because they were never low to begin with (somewhere between 45-55 degrees every day). So springtime is measured out in sunshine, which is gradually creeping back into our lives.

Also, instead of springtime robins, people look for grey whales in the Puget Sound. Details, details.

We decided to splurge on our rare slice of sunshine today and take a hike in the Mercer Slough. This is a boggy natural preserve in Bellevue which was created when Lake Washington’s water levels dropped ten feet after the construction of the Chittenden Locks.

Just . . . just look it up.

Anyway, this left a network of meadows, wetlands, streams, and ponds behind, all of which make for excellent hiking and wildlife watching. Or it would have been so if Katie hadn’t been Going Napless for the afternoon. I’m pretty sure that forest critters tend to, ah, resist the allure of a toddler screaming.

In lieu of critters, we did spot these interesting yellow lily flowers. They looked so early-springish, all perky banana blooms sticking up out of the moss and branches.

I love how they are awkward and tough-skinned, yet still full of energy and life. Just like early spring.

Adjudicated

March 12, 2013March 10, 2013 brookeshelf1 Comment

Eleanor had her spring piano recital last week (not this past Sunday, but the Sunday before). She performed for the residents of a retirement home, which was nice, but it was really just a warm-up for adjudications.

Adjudications is a process common in the musical-performance world. In this case, piano students play for an adjudicator (we had a piano prof. from Idaho State University, she was really great) who gives an assessment of achievement and gives a little bit of one-on-one coaching. Kids are also scored, and the best ones get to play in an Honors concert, but I didn’t focus on that. I didn’t even tell her that she got a score (I’m . . . not even sure what her score was).

Anyway, she had to play two pieces from contrasting musical periods. So, we have “Tarantella,” (Romantic style?) along with “Snake Charmer,” which is “contemporary.” She did great in the recital, except that the pedals on the baby grand were too far away and threw “Snake Charmer” off a bit. Still a fabulous performance!

Just a Push, and We’re On Our Way . . .

March 11, 2013March 10, 2013 brookeshelf2 Comments

Last weekend Eleanor found my old journal that I kept when I was her age. In it, I wrote about the time I was given my favorite childhood bike (purple Huffy, banana seat, called the “Desert Rose,” still love it).

She grew silent; she hadn’t ever really learned to ride a bike, even though she was close to figuring it out.

Imagine my surprise when she hopped on Jeff’s bike and persisted until she was doing loops around the cul-de-sac! I had to get some video evidence on Sunday afternoon for the grandparents. We are all so proud of her!

By Popular Demand: Jeff Beatboxes

March 10, 2013 brookeshelf5 Comments

I asked if he would, and this was the spontaneous result. The “echo” effect just about killed me.

What do you think? Not bad for someone who’s never had any formal instruction, eh? Wow, you can practically feel the spittle coming at you through the screen.

Jeffrey Quote: Song

March 1, 2013March 1, 2013 brookeshelf1 Comment

As we were about to sit down for piano practice this morning . . .

JEFF: Mom! I need to tell you something.

ME: Now is not the best time.

JEFF: But I want to tell you something — IN SONG!

ME: [considering potential hilarity]: Okay, what did you need to tell me?

JEFF: [leaning in and staring intensely]: Mom, I think I have discovered a song that will conquer Gangnam Style and make us famous and wealthy!

ME: Well, okay, what’s the song?

JEFF: [beatboxes furiously]

JEFF: What do you think? Is it catchy?

ME: [heroically not cracking up]: I think I need to hear it again.

JEFF: [beatboxes with as much energy as he can muster]

ME: Yeah, that’s pretty memorable.

JEFF: Now all we need is to make a video with William and Katie acting all crazy! And put it on the Internet!

Geez, get-rich-quick schemes have changed quite a bit since I was a kid.