Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Dollhouses and Perspectives on Beautiful Music

Dollhouses and tiny trinkets let the imagination of little girls and sometimes big girls soar.
Here is the first stage of the dollhouse which I think will become a mercantile filled with treasures just waiting to be taken home!
The color palette of this little gingerbread cottage will emerge. I am thinking a chabby chic...






So there you have it,,,Stay one in the contruction and the development of "The Merchantile".

This is not a dollhouse but our little Doll! He is stretching and wagging his tail as I ask him if he is ready for a walk! Now I know he's chubby but he loves going outside and walks are the best in his book!

This next item is fasinating and needs to be shared.
(This is True! According to Snopes.)
This is a great story/lesson!!
You just never know . . .
THE SITUATION
In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist and again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . ..
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Enjoy life NOW .. it has an expiration date

















Monday, February 21, 2011

Suffering from Spring Fever

(Very funky fountain from a summer weekend with my sister.)
It has been weeks since I have posted and I can tell you I have not been sitting still! I am at that time of the year when all I want to do is see the sun shine, the temperatures rise, and be able to retire all the winter wear for sundresses and flip flops. Needless to say I have spring fever. The mid-west weather is really going out like a lion which means spring should come in like a lamb.
Current events:
Teaching full time
Masters work
Construction and writing for online education based business
Junking- I just finished repainting and refurbishing a shelf and table (to double as a second desk) for the office
Organizing-always a process in motion!
Housekeeping
Meals-planning and cooking
Spiritual quest
and a new commitment - I am joining a gym and starting a 1500 calorie food plan. I have been working with a renewed spirit to get healthier and this is a big step. I will be journaling on this site on my progress, challenges, and the people who are supporting my life style changes as things unfold.
I'm sure I've left a few things out but for today I am satisfied I am actively living life.
Fully human, Fully alive!
(This is where we relaxed with coffee for a little conversation. So pretty!) 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Great Snow of 2011

We received over 15 inches of snow and then there was the drifting to boot! I have had two days off of school and expect to have school  tomorrow. Here are a few pictures from the balcony. At 20 below wind chills I just wasn't willing to hang out in the cold taking pictures.


These pictures were taken through the window and screen but it gives you an idea of the snow fall before the plows arrived.


So there you have it The Great Snow Fall of 2011. I am going to finish dinner but not before I finish the chapter I've been reading and the chamomile tea is still hot so I hate to change gears just yet. And the sweetest part of this scenario is I don't have to!
Hope your enjoying your day as much as I am. Until next time be happy...
Diane

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Just for Today...

Just for Today...


FOR TODAY, Wednesday, February 2, 2011



Outside my window... the snow is still falling covering everything in a white blanket.



I am thinking... today is an opportunity to relax and enjoy the day. And thank God for all my blessings,



I am thankful for... God's love, the laughter of my kids (Daughters, Son-in-laws, and my students), the warmth of family and friends, as well as, my relationship with my hubby, warm bread, and chocolate!





From the kitchen... All of my dishes are done. I have chicken soup in the pot and cinnamon bread in the oven.





I am wearing... Brown slacks, warm brown socks, and a brown and pink pullover sweater and slippers;

just going for relaxed and comfortable.





I am reading... Three different books, Cathy( adolescent lit.), The Weigh Down Diet, and Woman, Food, and God.



I am hearing... Mozart in the background, our beagle rooting in his food dish, Hubby commenting on a newscast.





Around the house....John and Buddy (the beagle) are enjoying the warm and cozy atmosphere in our living room. I am in the office getting ready to attempt a little organization.





Pondering these words... "Not all who wander are lost" ~C.S. Lewis" (My students are studying The Odyssey.)



A few plans for the rest of the week... I will work for a couple of hours tonight but then it's off to bed at a reasonable hour. I will work on my "List", school if the snow removal allows, a meeting on Friday evening, church, and the super bowl-Go Pack Go!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Winter Treasures

Tuesday afternoon, coffee is brewing, I am home in my favorite chair, afghan on my lap, and settling in to share a little time with you.  We were sent home at about 12:30 after all our students were boarded on the buses and on their way home. Like so many others across the mid-west we are preparing for a blizzard. We are expected to get 12 to 24 inches of snow and I expect to be home from school tomorrow as well.

I made homemade chicken soup on Monday and plan to make tiny drop dumplings from my grandma's recipe.  She always made us soup on cold winter days and it not only was satisfying to the tummy but it warmed our hearts as well knowing she put so much love into everything she did for us.

I have a list of possibilities for tomorrow. It will be hard to decide what to do first! I have to grade some student work so that is a have to but the rest of the list is full of opportunities.

1. Grade student work
2. Clean and organize the paper work all over my office space.
3. Work on my reading program (Work for my Master's degree)
4. Bake cinnamon bread
5. Sewing projects
6. Paint shelf for above the desk
7. Dollhouse work ( finishing touches on Victorian and start on the two shops)

With all that in mind I have to share some great finds from my auction experience on Sunday afternoon.


This beautiful Punch bowl wash 15.00. Our Emily and her Brian are getting married in September. She wants to create a candy table with small gift bags for their guests to take a treat home. I think this will work beautifully. I can't wait to see what she thinks.


The next piece I purchased for a $7.00 bid. I collect pottery and I especially like pieces that are utilitarian. I can't wait to use it!

I also purchased a large box of pottery pieces for $11.00 that will make great display pieces or planters. I'll share those with you in my next post. I'm thinking succulents would be wonderful in those pots. I got some auqa colored porcelien covered untencils and an assotment of other untensils for $2.00. I plan to display the aqua pieces on the wall in our kitchen. The others went straight into the dishwasher. All in all it was a fun day and I didn't buy a ton of stuff I don't need or won't use.
Hubby's home from the courthouse so I'll wish you a warm,cozy afternoon and a safe tomorrow. Time to bake the bread!