With that, I'll leave you all (until tomorrow) with the real meaning of Christmas.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Hey Christmas... where did you go?
Hi there blogosphere. I've been silent because I've been on the run. There have been so many fun things that we've done, and they've gone by so fast that I've been remiss in sharing all of our fun-ness with the internet. Please accept my sincerest apologies. I do hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas. I still can't quite believe it's over. The Maestro and I did a lot of singing (he did a lot of playing the organ, too), a lot of laying around in our pajamas, followed by a lot of driving and spending time with family. It was so beautiful. So incredibly beautiful that I wish I could have a week more. Then, I feel like I'd be ready to face 2009 with open arms. Since it doesn't seem that I'll have my way, though, I'll have to get the most I can out of the Christmas season in the next 24 hours, I suppose.
With that, I'll leave you all (until tomorrow) with the real meaning of Christmas.
With that, I'll leave you all (until tomorrow) with the real meaning of Christmas.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Spectacular, Spectacular!
A few years back, I got the express honor to perform in Baltimore Symphony's first Holiday Spectacular alongside Robert Goulet and Shirley Jones-- you know, that guy Will Ferrell so hilariously parodied on SNL and Mrs. Partridge. I have stories that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.... especially about Goulet. I don't mean to talk about the dead, but the man was a character.
See for yourself: Will Ferrell's completely accurate portrayal.
At any rate, the show, while memorable was nothing short of a disaster for many reasons. For the past four years, however, the BSO has drastically changed the format of their Holiday Spectacular. It has become a tradition for us to go every year, and it never fails to disappoint. This year's celebration was headlined by Sandi Patty which was a repeat from 2006. She was a fantastic choice. She has a powerhouse voice and a sincere-but-commanding stage presence. Sandi was joined by the Baltimore Symphony, dancers from the Baltimore School for the Arts, and some of Baltimore's best theatrical performers (with many a familiar face in the bunch).
In a divergence from years past, however, the BSO also invited the African Children's Choir to join them in the festivities. The African Children's Choir auditions children from Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and South Africa. The children stay in the choir for a year, touring all over the world spreading their mission and cheer, and then return to their homes with the money they've raised from their touring year to fund their education. Many of them are orphaned and all of them are underprivileged. You would never know, though. They were fantastic-- upbeat, smiling, and the cutest things ever. In fact, I leaned over many a time during the concert and whispered ignorantly to the Maestro that I wanted an African choir child for Christmas.
They definitely added to the spectacle that was this year's BSO Holiday Spectacular. This show remains one of my favorite Baltimore Christmas mainstays year after year. If you're looking for a cause to support in your holiday giving, allow me to suggest supporting the African Children's Choir-- especially if you feel remotely convicted about children, Africa, or music. It seems like a wonderful program, and it definitely added a little light to my Christmas.
Check out these darling little artists from Africa, and consider supporting them by donating or sponsoring a child.
See for yourself: Will Ferrell's completely accurate portrayal.
At any rate, the show, while memorable was nothing short of a disaster for many reasons. For the past four years, however, the BSO has drastically changed the format of their Holiday Spectacular. It has become a tradition for us to go every year, and it never fails to disappoint. This year's celebration was headlined by Sandi Patty which was a repeat from 2006. She was a fantastic choice. She has a powerhouse voice and a sincere-but-commanding stage presence. Sandi was joined by the Baltimore Symphony, dancers from the Baltimore School for the Arts, and some of Baltimore's best theatrical performers (with many a familiar face in the bunch).
In a divergence from years past, however, the BSO also invited the African Children's Choir to join them in the festivities. The African Children's Choir auditions children from Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and South Africa. The children stay in the choir for a year, touring all over the world spreading their mission and cheer, and then return to their homes with the money they've raised from their touring year to fund their education. Many of them are orphaned and all of them are underprivileged. You would never know, though. They were fantastic-- upbeat, smiling, and the cutest things ever. In fact, I leaned over many a time during the concert and whispered ignorantly to the Maestro that I wanted an African choir child for Christmas.
They definitely added to the spectacle that was this year's BSO Holiday Spectacular. This show remains one of my favorite Baltimore Christmas mainstays year after year. If you're looking for a cause to support in your holiday giving, allow me to suggest supporting the African Children's Choir-- especially if you feel remotely convicted about children, Africa, or music. It seems like a wonderful program, and it definitely added a little light to my Christmas.
Check out these darling little artists from Africa, and consider supporting them by donating or sponsoring a child.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It's Christmas Chez Downbeats!
Like I said yesterday, Mama Downbeats cracked open a bottle of Black Wing Cabernet Sauvignon and took to painting my modest little abode while she was here over an extended Thanksgiving holiday. The colors on my walls have already started to warm the place up. I took some pictures with Tydasia iPhone, so the quality isn't perfect, but they're enough that you can get the idea.
Here's my lovely living room. We went with a sage green as an accent wall. I'll probably paint the rest of the living room khaki. We also taken down those awful vertical blinds and put up microfiber drapes.
We went for a terra cotta on the walls in the dining room. They don't go with the hideous green carpet the previous owner put in there, but hopefully that will be gone in a few months, too.
She also painted the foyer the same shade of green that's in the family room. I can't wait to put some stuff on the walls to make the entryway more inviting.
On Saturday, I decided to break open the Christmas decorations. I haven't decorated for Christmas for three years, and even though I wasn't planning on having any gatherings Chez Downbeats at the time, I still felt like making the condo reflect the Christmas spirit.
While I live alone, I still put three stockings up. The other ones can be for Mama and Grandmama Downbeats. I got the reindeer stocking holders from Target three years ago. I couldn't find my stockings, so I bought some new ones from Target this past week. I finished the mantle with some silver garland.
On the hearth, I framed the hurricane and large pillar with the Christmas wreath the lived on my front door last year.
A co-worker of mine gave me her old Christmas tree. It's only 4.5 feet, but it was big enough to do the trick. I topped it with my red tin star and my red, blue and silver glass ornaments. It reminds me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree... only not as sad.
Here's my lovely living room. We went with a sage green as an accent wall. I'll probably paint the rest of the living room khaki. We also taken down those awful vertical blinds and put up microfiber drapes.
We went for a terra cotta on the walls in the dining room. They don't go with the hideous green carpet the previous owner put in there, but hopefully that will be gone in a few months, too.
She also painted the foyer the same shade of green that's in the family room. I can't wait to put some stuff on the walls to make the entryway more inviting.
On Saturday, I decided to break open the Christmas decorations. I haven't decorated for Christmas for three years, and even though I wasn't planning on having any gatherings Chez Downbeats at the time, I still felt like making the condo reflect the Christmas spirit.
While I live alone, I still put three stockings up. The other ones can be for Mama and Grandmama Downbeats. I got the reindeer stocking holders from Target three years ago. I couldn't find my stockings, so I bought some new ones from Target this past week. I finished the mantle with some silver garland.
On the hearth, I framed the hurricane and large pillar with the Christmas wreath the lived on my front door last year.
A co-worker of mine gave me her old Christmas tree. It's only 4.5 feet, but it was big enough to do the trick. I topped it with my red tin star and my red, blue and silver glass ornaments. It reminds me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree... only not as sad.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wino Wednesday [the "prodigal daughter returns" edition]
I know it's been a long time and it seems as if I've abandoned my loyal readership. It was nice getting e-mails from lots of you making sure everything was okay. I knew it had been too long however when my MOTHER of all people said,
Wow. Mama Downbeats but Little Downbeats in her bloggy place, didn't she?
The short explanation is that I had a historically awful November. I would start to write things, and everything I would write would permeate with strong undertones of I have no life. I have no friends. I'm a horrible musician. I'm a horrible employee. I'm going to die alone. I didn't want to subject anyone else to my deep dark place of self deprecation, so I'd delete the posts and fade back into obscurity.
But I've missed bloggy life. I've missed the interfacing with all of the wonderful people I've met by opening a small window to my life. I've missed having the time to read about what's going on with all of you. But maybe being a better blogger can be my New Years resolution (even though I don't believe in New Years resolutions). How about I make it a Week-Before-Christmas resolution? Are you all still with me?
And in response to any questions that might be raised from my statements two paragraphs ago: I'm fine. I'm happy. The Maestro and I are doing well. Troy is still the best BFF a girl could ask for. In fact, most of my friendships remain intact to this day. I actually happen to be a good musician, and that sentiment was affirmed this past weekend. I have theatrical work lined up for months. The day job is fine. It has slowed down a little bit, but I still love all of the people that I work with. Maybe it's because we didn't see much sunshine in November, but I'm back to my little upbeat Downbeat self.
Good.
So now on to the libation of the week.
Wherein I pretend to know something about wine to justify my affinity for all things alcoholic
A dear friend of mine works at this awesome wine bar and restaurant called Ironbridge in Columbia. A few weeks back, they had a holiday wine tasting and I had a Saturday free. I bought a lovely bottle of ice wine for my madre and the most deeeeeeeeeeeeelicious bottle of Cabernet.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Step Road's Black Wing Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine tastes like the Australian outback from which it comes. It's bold and heavy on the minerals. You can taste hints of plum and dark chocolate (and might I add that it would go well with both). Visit their website and read all about their conservation efforts. It will make the wine taste that much better knowing that you're drinking wine made by people who care about the Earth that's giving them such a yummy gift.
I took a bottle over to O's as a hostess gift a couple of weeks ago when she had my mother and I over for dinner. It was a perfect compliment to honey-encrusted chicken breast and roasted sweet potatos.
Mama Downbeats loved it so much that she went back to Ironbridge and bought them out of the rest of their supply. Apparently, this Cabernet also goes well with painting my dining room and listening to Christmas carols. More on that later. I promise.
"You don't blog anymore. I know I start projects and don't finish them a lot, but I expected you to have more sticktoitiveness."
Wow. Mama Downbeats but Little Downbeats in her bloggy place, didn't she?
The short explanation is that I had a historically awful November. I would start to write things, and everything I would write would permeate with strong undertones of I have no life. I have no friends. I'm a horrible musician. I'm a horrible employee. I'm going to die alone. I didn't want to subject anyone else to my deep dark place of self deprecation, so I'd delete the posts and fade back into obscurity.
But I've missed bloggy life. I've missed the interfacing with all of the wonderful people I've met by opening a small window to my life. I've missed having the time to read about what's going on with all of you. But maybe being a better blogger can be my New Years resolution (even though I don't believe in New Years resolutions). How about I make it a Week-Before-Christmas resolution? Are you all still with me?
And in response to any questions that might be raised from my statements two paragraphs ago: I'm fine. I'm happy. The Maestro and I are doing well. Troy is still the best BFF a girl could ask for. In fact, most of my friendships remain intact to this day. I actually happen to be a good musician, and that sentiment was affirmed this past weekend. I have theatrical work lined up for months. The day job is fine. It has slowed down a little bit, but I still love all of the people that I work with. Maybe it's because we didn't see much sunshine in November, but I'm back to my little upbeat Downbeat self.
Good.
So now on to the libation of the week.
A dear friend of mine works at this awesome wine bar and restaurant called Ironbridge in Columbia. A few weeks back, they had a holiday wine tasting and I had a Saturday free. I bought a lovely bottle of ice wine for my madre and the most deeeeeeeeeeeeelicious bottle of Cabernet.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Step Road's Black Wing Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine tastes like the Australian outback from which it comes. It's bold and heavy on the minerals. You can taste hints of plum and dark chocolate (and might I add that it would go well with both). Visit their website and read all about their conservation efforts. It will make the wine taste that much better knowing that you're drinking wine made by people who care about the Earth that's giving them such a yummy gift.
I took a bottle over to O's as a hostess gift a couple of weeks ago when she had my mother and I over for dinner. It was a perfect compliment to honey-encrusted chicken breast and roasted sweet potatos.
Mama Downbeats loved it so much that she went back to Ironbridge and bought them out of the rest of their supply. Apparently, this Cabernet also goes well with painting my dining room and listening to Christmas carols. More on that later. I promise.
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