Back to the Old Look

Ah, well. I decided to return to my original blog look. I guess I’ll just change the header picture when I want a new look.

Cute Comment

So, the boys are cleaning up lunch (bless them!) while I’m over here writing a recipe down for supper. Luke’s job at lunch is to wash any dishes that might need it, so, he’s been busy doing that – tip-toeing on his stool. So, just a minute ago as he was finishing up, he said, “I think my job at lunch is an exceptionally good one. Fine job.”

Adorable.

Meet Charlie

Seeing that this blog is named “fiddlingclaire”, it seems right that I should post some pictures of my new(ish) fiddle. I got it last year, but, I hardly posted anything about it… him…

My teacher and I affectionately named it Charlie.

Here he is with our bowed psaltery…

And for an interesting angle on him…

And another, this time showing our bass in the background…

What Do You Think?

I thought it might be about time for my blog to have a new look, so, I chose this one. What do you think?

Birthdays

Earlier this month, my Grandmother and I celebrated our birthdays. Life is good.

We decided just to use the number candles. 97 candles on one cake might not have been such a great idea…

We had a very good time this year. Our birthdays are exactly one week apart, so, as usual, we celebrated them on the same weekend. The cake is a DELICIOUS white chocolate cranberry layer cake with white chocolate icing. I found the recipe in Better Homes and Gardens, I think. It was very good, but, very rich!

 

The Snow has Begun… And it Just Keeps Coming…

Here are some pictures I took, probably less than 3 hours after the snow started.

Since then we’ve gotten at least another inch, if not more. It’s incredible!

I like this one…

 

 

This is my personal favorite. If you look closely, you can see the single line of footprints on the sidewalk. It all looks like a post card.  

I may post some more up-to-date pictures this afternoon.

Tagged…

Name six names you go by: Claire, Clairzie (I never thought about spelling this one!), E-Claire… I’m short on nick-names. Does it count if I put down all the names I answer to? Laura, Carol, Suzie, “Hey, You!”, Ma’am, Miss, Lady, “Whatever-your-name-is”, etc.

Three things you’re wearing right now: A 3/4-length-sleeve shirt, an old dress, socks

Three things you want very badly right now: Wow, let’s see. I’d like a trip to CA to see our extended family and friends. I’d like some unheard-of opportunity to sing/play with Dailey&Vincent, or Josh Turner, or Michael Buble, or someone. But, far above these things, I want a buyer to come to our house.

Three things you did last night/yesterday. I worked on putting more of my book on the computer while doing math with Kyle and folding laundry in between.

Two things you ate today:  Some of Laura’s cookies, fudge, and some chocolate chip cookies. Don’t you love Christmas?
Two people you talked to last on the phone: Probably Daddy and Grammy.

Two things you are going to do today/tomorrow:  Lord willing, we will put up our Christmas tree today and decorate it either tonight or tomorrow, and I’ll work some more on my book.

Your three favorite beverages: Favorites? I dunno. May be water, “fizzy/fuzzy” water, and a good cream soda. Or, may be our homemade Ginger Ale. Or…

Hey, look! I think that’s it.

So long.

Pictures!

Family photos really bring the personality out, don’t they?

Here we kids are with our cousin…

Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree

Fun day in Franklin

Wah ha ha hoo!!!

Since when did they stop using real tires for tire swings? This thing was HARD plastic!

Zip-Line!

Here is my little Macushla…

It’s Been a Long, Long Time…

Hello, again! It’s been a while, I know, but my blog simply doesn’t rank as one of my top priorities.

I’ll give an update, a sketch, and a favorite song that I’ve worked on.

Here are some of the highlights of the past few days… weeks… months:

On the 4th of July, I and my family went to Smithville for the fiddler’s jamboree. That was so much fun! I entered two contests, but didn’t place anything. It was my first competition with my fiddle, and I enjoyed every moment of it!

A few weeks later, my fiddle teacher, along with a friend of his, finished my new fiddle!!! Only, it’s far from new, really. It’s over 100 years  old. I LOVE it! But, being left-handed, I realized when I played it for the first time that the pegs were put in the wrong order (right-handed), making it a bit difficult to play in B flat. Oh, well. Back to the shop for a while…

On July 25 (I think) we went to the Daniel Brantley Foundation. We had a blast! We met in the Tullahoma Civic Center and enjoyed a high-action auction (it would be impossible to explain. Come next year and you can see it for yourself! ), lots of bluegrass from various folks, including Dailey & Vincent. Gotta love ‘em! Here are some pictures:

Mr. Brantley and Friends…

When I mentioned the “High Action Auction”…

And Dailey & Vincent!

Adam Haynes, Jeff Parker, Jamie Dailey, Darin Vincent, and Joe Dean…

Now, I’ll skip a few more days and move on to the day before yesterday. I bought myself a pretty little Jersey Heifer from a man in Monterey. Everything’s going splendidly, so far. Macushla (that’s what we decided to name her) is 4 months old, a little shy, and beautiful. Funny, I remember thinking 5 or 6 years ago how weird it was that some people actually thought cows were pretty. Now, after being around a bunch of cows for a few years, I understand. I’ll try to post a picture of her soon, so you can see for yourself. Now… Does anyone know of another cow named Macushla? Think “old movies” and see if you remember. It’s one of our favorites. But, even apart from the movie, I like the name. It means darling, or dear one.

When Daddy and I, along with my little brother, got home with Macushla, Mama had picked up my fiddle. It’s finished! They put very pretty pegs in and gave it a gorgeous case.  Yep. I’m happy.

Now, for the sketch:

Nothing much.

And as for the favorite song, I’m not sure. I like so many of them! I really enjoy playing Fisher’s Hornpipe and Ragtime Annie. Those may be my favorites at present.

Until next time!

7 Things I Did Last Year

I was tagged and must write a list of 7 things that I did last year.

A book I read: Biblical Economics

A moment I will always remember: Um… I forget…

A new skill I acquired: Swing Dancing (a little bit)

A movie I watched: Singing in the Rain; Call Me Madam; the new Sense & Sensibility; the new Pride & Prejudice; Amazing Grace; part of Lorna Doone; Arsenic and Old Lace; OH! Just one movie… sorry…

A lesson I learned: Wow, let’s see. I learn things all the time from lots of people, but I can’t think of a good specific lesson at the moment.

A new place I visited: Mayfield Dairy

An inspiring verse or quote: Romans 8:28