Fun in the Snow

At the moment there is barely any snow due to unseasonably warm weather the past couple of days, but not a week ago we were up to our noses in snow (not literally). This winter Dad bought snow shoes for all of us. Mom, Tara and I tried them twice before Dad had time to do it with us. This past Thursday we headed out to the golf course to try them out.

The first time we went on the golf course with Mom we tramped out to the bridge at the end (or rather, beginning) of the fairway (directly behind our house) and nearly died in the attempt. But either the snow's consistency was different or that one tramp strengthened our muscles because with Dad we not only went to the bridge, but beyond and around a couple of holes on the course. Here are some photos from our brief rest at the bridge.



Mom interviewing Dad with her ever-handy Flip video.

Tara amusing herself by throwing ice chunks into the creek.

Messiah 2008

It's over... the day we look forward to all year. The Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Civic Opera House downtown. If only that night could last longer than one night! Warning: We took NO pictures. We didn't even bring a camera! *gasp.* Mom just brought her Flip video. I haven't checked out the videos she took yet but if they are any good I'll post them. So you will just have to deal with a lot of text to make up for the pictures. :-)

Despite below zero temperatures, quite a crowd turned out, including some out-of-towners from Providence Church who braved the weather to come up and join us.

The Chidlows came with this year and brought their friends, the Burns - Mrs. Burns and 6 year old Bradley (who was a hoot - a grown up in a 6 year old body). I may quote a few little quips heard during the course of the evening...

The Opera House was magnificent as usual. This time we had to make the climb to the top balcony twice, because, despite being frightened on his first visit, Bradley wanted to go up again at the intermission. :-) Let me tell you, though, this child has good taste - his favorite song is the Hallelujah Chorus. How many six year olds do you know whose favorite song is the Hallelujah Chorus?!

We had all new soloists this year and as usual they were thoroughly critiqued on the train ride home. :-) A brief summary:

Though I wasn't particularly keen on the alto's voice, it was a WOMAN! Yes! No Contra tenors (spelling?). That deserves a singing of the Hallelujah Chorus in itself. And she was pretty into what she was singing. (Interestingly, both the woman altos we have had - all two of them since I've been going - have been dressed pretty appropriately!).

Emily termed the soprano "diva-ish." She had a lovely voice but was a bit stuck up from what I could see. And could have used some improvement in the clothing department - as they all do!

The tenor was pretty good - not the best we've had, but still good. I appreciated that he sang on all the choruses, not just his solos.

The bass had a good voice but was very "absent" - not at all into what he was doing. And he had a terrible haircut that reminded me of Jeff Daniels in Gods and Generals. AND he didn't sing on the Hallelujah Chorus - neither the first time nor the encore. That is an unpardonable sin (ok, not really but highly offensive! :-).

I was happy to have sat in front of someone who had been going for six years and hence knew what she was doing and was not tone deaf. That makes the evening SO much more enjoyable.

On the way home, Luke had his phone out and was giving bi-minutely updates about the Bears/Packers game (the Bears won - though the only people who will not already know that by now are the ones who don't care :-). Luke mentioned that he had debated whether to go to the game or the Messiah.
Me (to the girls): What person in his right mind would forgo the Messiah to watch a football game in the freezing cold?!
Raeanne (promptly): A guy.
:-)

Ok, on to a couple of humorous sayings by the younger members of our party:

On the train, Tara was handing out our tickets.
Tom (sitting up on the top level): Hey, you got colored ones?!
Me: Yeah.
Tom: No fair. I have classic black and white.
(Somehow - I forget how - the conversation turns...)
Tom (joking): I'd be happy to sign it for you.
Bradley (to Emily, thinking Tom is serious): Well... he's not a movie player so I don't think I'd want his autograph.
(I think he meant movie star)

Bradley (walking across the bridge over the river): Is that the Mississippi?

Emily: No.

Bradley (entering the opera house): Is this the City Hall?

Emily: No, it's the Lyric Opera House.

Bradley: Is it LIKE a City Hall?

Emily: Uh, no, Bradley, it isn't.

Bradley (before sitting down, to his mom): Is this the Sydney Opera House?

Mrs. Burns: No, Bradley, that's in Australia. We're in America.

Bradley (leaving the opera house): New York City sure is a busy town!

(Emily and Mrs. Burns give up)

In the middle of the performance, Maggie S. told the lady in front of her, "I really am not enjoying myself."

The soprano does her first VERY high improvisation.

Bradley (to Emily): Isn't she good?

Emily: Yes, she's very good.

Bradley: You're not so bad yourself.

Tara meets Solomon H. coming down the train stairs as she's going up, on the way home.

Tara: Hi, Solomon! Did you sing?

Solomon (slight roll of the eyes): Of course, you KNOW I did.

Well... I have rambled long enough. If you even bothered to read to the end of this post, and want to see pictures, check the following blogs: Raeanne, Lauren, Wendy, and Dawn.
*Edit: If you want some more text and Bradley-isms, check Emily's blog.

*I previewed the videos and the only ones worth posting were He Shall Feed His Flock (alto/soprano) and I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (soprano) but they are both over 5 minutes. If any of you want to watch them, click on the links.*

A Belated Birthday Tea for...

For all our birthdays, it has become tradition to have a tea party with our dear friends, the Chidlow ladies. This year due to busy schedules, the Tara's tea had to be postponed until last Thursday. Wednesday was busy as Tara and I spent a good part of the day in the kitchen making goodies and setting the table. I will let the photos speak for themselves!

The table

Apple cider scones

Poppyseed chicken salad in phyllo cups and mini florentine wontons

Peanut butter crunch bars

Tara showing off the lovely rose drawing from Emily (Em, you are amazing!)

It was a thoroughly enjoyable time - after all, it was a tea party with friends; how couldn't it be?

For your viewing enjoyment

Most of you know that for about 10 years we have been going to a retirement home every Thursday. However we take a break every August and December, so we usually do a "special" performance right before we break. The first Thursday in December is the big dinner party where we decorate, have a big meal and do a performance in the evening rather that the usual 9:30a.m. gathering. Two years ago we decided to do a funny play for them and they absolutely loved it. Then in July this year we put on another play to continue the story. And finally we just did another play to further the story even more. So I thought I would share these videos for you. *Please note that the second and third plays were rehearsed the day of with no other practicing and the first one had two practices, The second play is based on a joke by Tolkien*

Yenlow Productions presents:

Annabelle & Beauford I (part I)- The Twelve Gifts



(Part II of The Twelve Gifts)



Credits:
Annabelle: Kathryn Yen

UPS man: Sokea Chidlow & Tara Yen

"Gifts": Emily Chidlow, Sokea Chidlow & Tara Yen

Violinist: David Yen

Announcer: Tara Yen

Sound: David Yen

Videoing: Annette Yen


Annabelle & Beauford II - The Mix-up (This one starts a little late, but you still get the point)



Credits:
Narrator: Elisabeth Fojtick

Annabelle: Kathryn Yen

Beauford: Aleck Fojtick

Beauford's sister: Emily Chidlow

UPS man: Sokea Chidlow

Lady Clerk: Tara Yen

Videoing: Annette Yen



Annabelle & Beauford III - Slowly I Turn, Southern Style



Credits:
Annabelle: Kathryn Yen

Charles: Emily Chidlow

UPS man: Sokea Chidlow

Laurelei: Tara Yen

Videoing: Annette Yen


*At the end of this one, Kathryn was supposed to throw a pie plate full of whipped cream in my face, but the whipped cream melted before we could do that, so we had to use the parasol instead, which isn't as funny*

Hope this brought a smile to your face!

Photos etc. from Tara's birthday - or, "fake" birthday

The day started off with presents...

"Fiddler on the Roof" gift set with DVD, soundtrack and music book. Actually the story behind this is, on Friday morning Tara told me, "I think I'll ask Mom if we can go to the library and get Fiddler on the Roof to watch tonight." But Mom had already bought it so she went to the store for groceries and Tara asked her to pick it up. Mom was in a bit of a pickle so she told Tara they didn't have it, and then went and grabbed the one she bought and gave it to her, saying she didn't like to lie to her, so happy early birthday. :-) Then for a joke we wrapped it and gave it to her again on Saturday!

An assortment of chatelaine accessories...

Isabella Alden books - lots of them - both from me and mom & dad

A beautiful "Beatrix Potter" style walking suit

And the crowning glory - a lovely antique music stand. There is a story behind this too. A few months ago we went to a tea room with two of our friends, the Chidlows and Mrs. Linhart. After tea we strolled through a charming antique/victorian gift shop (where I could easily have spent hundreds of dollars if I had hundreds of dollars with me). Tara saw this beautiful stand and loved it and was going back & forth over whether to buy it or not. While she was in another part of the store, mom stealthily paid for it and Mrs. Linhart hurried it out into the Chidlow's car. After that, Tara decided to buy it but lo! it was gone. She told me, "Kathryn, some lady came and bought it!" Hehehe... that "some lady" was Mom. :-) So Tara was very very surprised to find this by the piano on Saturday!

I guess she likes it!

Then Tara made 3 chocolate chip cheesecakes for Sunday, when we had company over. Yum!

And we ate her requested birthday lunch, crockpot stroganoff...

And after some other very birthday-ish festivities such as shoveling the driveway and stacking firewood :-), we headed out for the evening. First stop was Emily's winter voice recital where Tara played the role of accompanist once again for a song titled "Batti Batti." Second stop was dinner out with Aunty Lulu.

This video was taken of Emily and Tara's warm up, which explains why Emily is wearing a knit scarf with her lovely sparkling pink gown, and why Emily gives Tara a thumbs-up at the end of the video. :-)

Happy (early) Birthday, Tara!

Ok, so her birthday is really tomorrow. But since we don't usually use the computer on Sundays and we are celebrating today, the birthday post is going up today.

Tara is 15 today - I mean tomorrow. :-)

We

You, T-T!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We love you, MOM!

The Thanksgiving Feast

It was an awful lot of food for just four people... we can have our Thanksgiving meal today, tomorrow and maybe the next day! (Ok, that might be stretching it a little - we Yens have large-capacity stomachs).

And yes, even on Thanksgiving and even on the day after Thanksgiving, oblivious to 40 degree weather - the golfers are out.

Pre-Thanksgiving Festivities

This weekend held two Thanksgiving related "events" for us. Saturday we spent the day at our Opa and Oma's house, along with cousins and second cousins. This year, instead of the traditional turkey and accompanying dishes, they (NOT ME) opted to do a brunch and then have pizza for dinner. Can you believe it? PIZZA! (That's a whole separate post in itself - however, I will restrain myself).
We relaxed and chatted, ate lots of bread for brunch (with little eggs and sausage to balance out the starch), watched a couple of old family videos, planned music for Michelle (1st cousin) and Ben's wedding (Tara, Dad and I are doing all the music for it), went with Fleur (2nd cousin) to her horseback lesson (where we froze our toes off), ate PIZZA, and played games (the cup game, "This is a Moose" and 4 on a Couch).
We were too busy to take any pictures (for some reason I have the hardest time taking pictures at events, unless I am on the sidelines watching), but we did get a few videos with our handy little baby camcorder.

Have fun watching us completely embarrass ourselves playing "This is a Moose":



Here's Fleur trotting on Cooper:



Ok, now for the other event. Sunday afternoon we had a small "program" at church. I'll let the videos speak for themselves...

The little kids singing "Can A Little Child Like Me":



Hirst, Geaschel and Webb kids reciting a poem:



Jonathan Erber giving a first-person eye-witness account of the first Thanksgiving:

If you're wondering why the camera suddenly pans to Beth, that's because she took a picture of Mom, and so Mom was getting revenge by videoing her. :-) And it pans to Tom because he walked in front of the camera.

The "big kids" (pardon me, the CHOIR) singing "For the Beauty of the Earth" by John Rutter:



Mr. Carlson giving an HILARIOUS turkey poem:



Well, that's all folks (there were more presentations, but some of the videos didn't turn out).

It's a Beautiful Thing!

Ever wonder what life is like without running water?

Well, you are welcome to come on over to our house and find out.

Yesterday morning, the door jam out to the garage and the ceiling close to the door jam in the garage, started leaking. At first we thought it was from the shower (mom, dad and Tara having all taken one). It was odd because for a while it was leaking in the house, in the door jam from the laundry room to the craft room. But now it had moved. We waited.
It just got worse.
We put buckets under the drips.
We called Daniel Hill.
He informed us that we have a leak. :-)
The rest of the Hill family is coming home today with Olivia (!!!!!!) which is wonderful, but also meant that Daniel would be unable to come check it out.
Mom was worried that the ceiling would cave in.
So she cut the power on the well pump.
The dripping stopped; we have no water.
The plumber is coming today, at any time from noon to 4.

We're hoping for noon. Showers would feel really good right now.

On the bright side, however - you sure conserve a lot of water when you wash dishes in only 2 pans of water.

Middleton Place

Doesn't that just sound elegant, like something out of an English regency movie or something? Anyway, we are back home and it's cold. :-) But there are still pictures to be posted from the last day of our trip!

We flew out of Charleston, so we checked out of our condo early and drove to Charleston.

Always a challenge - "How did we fit this in the first time?"

Dad says this is the best picture from our vacation. Too bad we couldn't bring some home with us...

The reason we checked out early was because we wanted to visit Middleton Place before catching our late afternoon flight. Middleton Place is a plantation in Charleston that was built in the 1700's by - you guessed it - the Middleton family, who were originally from England. Amazingly the plantation stayed in the family through the late 1900's when it was opened to the public.

When we arrived, there were sheep just wandering around at their own sweet will

The first thing we did was take a carriage ride tour through the woods, on which we learned all about the Middletons.

Here we are approaching the house. 

More sheep grazing on the lawn

This is not the original house; originally, there was the main house, and two "flankers." In the Civil War, the whole of Middleton Place was burned by Union troops. Williams Middleton who was then in possession of the house (I think... it's hard to remember which Middletons were there at what time!) decided to rebuild the south flanker as a home. Formerly it was I think a kitchen (?) downstairs, and upstairs were the "gentleman's quarters," where the unmarried men who visited would sleep.

We toured the house but were not allowed to take pictures. Then we were free to wander around the grounds. The scenery was gorgeous and I took a lot of pictures - enjoy!

This is the view from the top of the "back yard" - though it could also be considered the front yard, since in the "olden days" many visitors traveled by boat. The water you see in the far back of the picture is the Ashley River.

Here's what the back yard looks like from the bottom.

Then we went over to the stableyards where they had some folks demonstrating some of the crafts that may have been done back then. There were also some animals...

Water Buffalo (used as work animals in the rice fields - Middleton Place was a rice plantation before the Civil War)

A Jersey cow 

And yes, peacocks!

A gentleman playing what I think is called a hammer dulcimer - correct me if I'm wrong. (If you were at Liberty Day, you will remember that Amy Lautenschlager, of the Fiddlers Three, played one of these).

This lady demonstrated pottery that the slaves would have made.

This gentleman showed us how the young slave women ground corn.

I want one of these for my birthday. :-)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!