NCC: A New Year

The NCC season has begun.  Yep, before I even had a chance to settle into the novel idea of summer vacation, the girls' choir year began with a three day daycamp and subsequent performance of the National Anthem at Greer Stadium in Nashville.  The choir has performed at the Nashville Sounds games for some 20+ years at the beginning of the choral season.  It is kind of a neat tradition.  Hot and sticky and mildly boring (c'mon, it's minor league baseball...and I find major league baseball pretty boring)...but neat. :)  Here are some pictures of daycamp and the stadium performance, and of course...the video!

I only had my camera phone during daycamp, hence the blur.  But I still thought I'd take a picture of the time that made me the happiest--seeing my girls hanging out with old friends from last year and developing relationships with new choristers.

This made me laugh.  Mr. Kyle, as the kids call him, is a brilliant accompianist.  He was having to do thousands of rounds of arpeggios over the course of almost 2 hours while Dr. Bridges carefully divided the choristers into voice parts.  Understandably, he is looking for a way to not go crazy--by surfing Facebook and playing video games on his phone while simultaneously playing the piano.  Moo is a first soprano this year (though she was told that she was quite versatile and may jump into different parts if needed) and Belle is a second soprano.  I'm glad that they are two different parts again this year--it makes for more fun listening to the harmonies they create.

Entering Greer Stadium.  Ahh...what would this day be like if it were NOT 101 in the shade??  I'm afraid we may never know...

Spraying down the field ahead of the game.

The Sounds warm up.  Mom--there is your family BBQ place on the yellow billboard!

Making their way onto the field.

Waiting for their time to begin.

Ozzie--the mascot for the Nashville Sounds.

Ozzie helped the kids warm-up.  Kinda.

All I kept thinking about was how Ozzie would escape heat stroke?

The Sounds take the field at the end of the National Anthem.

The video:

A bright spot.

This is my third day of coughing, wheezing and fever.  I am miserable.  Whenever I get sick, I have this irrational fear that I will never feel well. again. ever.  Seems like back in the day, I remember a co-worker having the same fear and subsequent depression that sets in when your body just will not get over whatever cootie is hanging on to it.  So, Bill Webster, wherever you are, I get it.  Now what did he recommend? Was it Rescue Remedy?  Funny how little things stick with you. 

Anyway, the post is titled "A bright spot" because my girls composed and videotaped a song for me.  I could hardly do more than croak out a thank you to this little gem, but for their effort I am forcing my aching body to stay up just a bit longer to post this video. Despite how miserable I feel, I know that I am truly blessed.  And that I have a couple wacky kids and a husband who is not too bad of a beat-boxer.  Move over Matisyahu.  :)

And now, the video:

Cheesecake Nachos?

Some friends gave Belle a late birthday present when we visited their home last week, and boy was it a perfect gift choice.  Wilton cookie cutters, sprinkles, fancy cupcake papers, and a CUTE and CLEVER dessert book.

Our first baking project out of the book: Cheesecake "Nachos".  Just perfect to bring over to a friend's house when they invited us over for Mexican food this weekend.  Not bad for Belle (and my) first themed cheesecake dessert!  (Okay, it was also my first try at making cheesecake.  For some reason, I've been too scared to try and make cheesecake. Now I feel like a ninny, because it was sooo easy!)

Once it was ready to be served, then it was time to add the "nacho cheese" (a simple mixture of sour cream, sugar and food coloring)...which turned out a bit too orange in my opinion, but it was tasty:

Delicioso!

Belle takes on Wilton, pt. 1

Belle recently took a Wilton Kids' Cake Decorating 101 class at our local Joann fabric and craft store. She strode well ahead of us into the classroom, eager to learn this craft that remains a mystery to her mother.  Yes, I can depend on excellent curriculum and teaching guides to help the girls as they move beyond basic mathematics into algebra, but cake decorating is definitely beyond my skill set.  Who would have thought that math would become more of a comfort zone for me, while frosting, fondant and cake decorating utensils would make my palms sweat?  Ah, but this serves to remind me that I am indeed a work in progress and that I am constantly changing--even surprising myself!

She is fearless.  I love that about her, and at the same time it scares me to death! :)

The eager cake decorating student.

Belle could hardly wait for instruction to begin.

She learned how to frost a cake, as well as make dots, stars, leaves and ribbons.

Enjoying the benefits of working with rainbow colored chocolate sprinkles.

It's a major award!!

Stay tuned in one month for part 2, when Belle takes Wilton's Double Dip Fondant Fun class!

Jonathan Olson

After our visit up north, we brought Jonathan back home with us for two weeks for an internship with my husband.  We met the Olsons several years ago at a conference in Chicagoland, and both of our families just clicked on a very deep level.  There is lots that I could say here about the connection between our families, but suffice it to say that it is good to love them and be loved by them.  *Sigh*  

We don't see each other nearly as much as we would desire, and when we do our attention is usually split between several other beloved folks...so when an opportunity came up to abscond with one of the Olsons for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, we *JUMPED* at the opportunity.

Jonathan, the eldest, is working toward his bachelor's degree, and being a CollegePlus student, he is almost a sophomore in college even though he just graduated from high school a couple weeks ago.  Part of CollegePlus' program encourages kids to find internships and/or apprenticeships in their college years in order to figure out what career paths to explore, and what ones to cross off the list entirely.  This last two weeks, Jonathan has shadowed my husband at work.  He has been exposed to all aspects of construction/project management/site management--e-scheduling & service, inspection preparation, customer service & relations, and purchase orders.  He learned various construction processes from excavation, pouring footings, reinforcing concrete, framing walls/stem walls, in-slab plumbing (including sanitary water), underground electrical conduit, pouring slabs, framing, house wrapping/roofing, mechanicals (rough plumbing, electric and HVAC), insulation, installing windows/doors/trim, inspection preparation, siding, pre-drywall orientation with customers, drywall installation, painting, sanding, floor installation, interior trim, final grading of landscaping for proper rainwater management, garage door installation, cleaning, final customer walk-through, punch lists, repair & closing.  Yes, lots of stuff that I haven't picked up on in 17 years of being married to Steve, Jonathan picked up and now understands after just 2 weeks!  (I am thinking that I should get an internship now too!)

Every internship starts off with a *bang*!

Helping with building permits.

At the 22,000 sq. ft. club house.

Excavating already?

He's a natural.

This is a side job that Steve took on a little bit ago.  It is a shed on the property behind a friend's house.  Jonathan helped during some of the building process.

Pumping concrete.

 Also, in some of his down time, when he is not diligently studying up in his room, we've taken him out for a little "local flavor". 

We toured The Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville, the home of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

There is a lovely courtyard area that the public is free to come in and enjoy a little shade and maybe a cup of coffee.

Our docent knew every little detail about the history of the symphony, the architecture and the inner-workings of the Schermerhorn.

We caught a glimpse of the Nashville Symphony during rehearsal.  My friend Clare plays viola for the NSO, and though I tried my hardest to get her attention, the stage lights made it impossible for her to see my frantic waving.  But now I can say that I saw her hard at work! :)

I lifted this and the next few pictures from the internet.  My little camera just couldn't do it justice. :)

All the vents and some of the metal work in the railings are decorated with the Tennessee state flower: the Iris.

I am almost positive that both of the kids were wondering the same thing: "Do any of these statues have any clothes on??  Geesh!"

A view of the courtyard from the "members only" lounge area.

And now, for local flavor that is not as high-falutin':

The local "Meat & 3" in Mount Juliet--Courtney's.   (Translation: Meat & 3 means you get to choose a meat and three sides.  Good luck finding one without bacon...but hey, it's the south, where I'm pretty sure that pork is a food group all unto itself.   LOL)  Live music Thursday thru Saturday.  Today's performers: Uncut Grass.

The kids were all asked if they sing (uh, a little) and what instruments they play.  Too bad they didn't have a keyboard, because a certain young man could have rocked Rachmaninoff for the crowd.  Hey, we don't all just like Bluegrass down here! :)

I wish I got a better picture of this guy.  He was this strange mix of George W. Bush and James Brolin.  Weird.

On the weekends, we brought Jonathan to our fellowship, where he met some people and left a really good impression on those with whom he came in contact.  David and Debbie, you should be proud that your boy represented himself, your family and his Heavenly Father well while out of the nest.  It was noted by several of our adult friends within our congregation.

I think that our dear friend probably discovered that for as much wild and crazy fun that is had when our families get together, the Grant family is a pretty subdued crowd when left to its own devices.  After the months of craziness that led up to our trip north, we all have suddenly found ourselves basking in the glory of the quiet and simple things...like sitting on the couch reading Calvin & Hobbes, drawing, planning for next school year (that would be my past-time, NOT the girls') and just enjoying being still.  Translation: I think that Jon will love getting back to his big, bustling, rambunctious family!  :) 

The end of his time here has been a touched by extreme temps, so some of the outdoor things that I had planned have fallen by the wayside.  No one wants to go to a botanical garden, walk around a zoo or meander up and down Broadway in Nashville when it is 110 degrees.  No way.  We have too much of the North still in us to survive that right now.  :)

They lied: add 5+ degrees to each day's forecasted temperature for the truth.  Or, just look at my and Steve's car thermometers:

 Finally, on the second to the last day, letters from the Olson clan arrived, bringing much excitement to all three of the kids.  It was sweet.

Jonathan, it has been a joy to have you with us this past two weeks.  You have fit right in with our household as a dear friend, a temporary son, and brother to our girls.  We pray the Father's countenance always shines upon you and gives you peace, dear one.  We love you.