A Patriotic Evening...

 

 

Dear Diary...

 

Last night was truly an evening to remember. Handsome and I traveled to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI to hear the United States Marine Band (The President's Own) play a stirring selection of music. 

 

First, let me say that this concert was free to attend, and there were busloads of band kids that came with their music directors to see and hear these talented musicians. As a musician friend of Handsome's said, "They're fun, fast and accurate." That was an understatement! When they performed Festive Overture, Opus 96 by Shostakovich, they took it at breakneck speed. It was breathtaking to witness.

 

 

Here's the program with all the pieces they played, and there were a few encores that weren't listed. The soloist (who was also the MC) performed the Marriage of Figaro, and for an encore, he sang "If I Loved You" from Carousel. As the concert closer, the final encore was "God Bless America" also sung by the soloist, and the entire audience rose to sing it again with him. I was in tears when it was all over.

 

It was just the sort of patriotic evening we needed. In fact, I wish their performance could have been broadcast nationwide. It brought that entire audience together in music and song, and was wonderful to witness and be a part of. I think we could all use a little of that right now. 

The Key To A Perfect Weekend...

I chose "Lilac Hill" fabrics (Brannock and Patek for Moda) for my latest wallet. I made this one yesterday as a gift for a friend who loves the color purple.    You know how I love lilacs. They remind me of Wisconsin and my childhood.  I've been saving this line for a quilt, but decided it was just right for this gift. (And I have plenty left over to make more just like it if I want to. Bonus!)

I used a coordinating Lilac Hill purple for the interior. Then, I used the lilac print  to line the zipper pocket and inside the outer pockets (behind the credit card slots).

One of the things I enjoyed was the challenge of learning how to align the fabrics prior  to cutting so that the flap print matches up with the print on the outside of the wallet.  I made special templates to help me line up the prints, and it seems to be working.
I'm ready to make more, but first I have jammies and a table runner on my list. So, there are no more wallets until those projects are finished!

Last night was the Christmas concert for the Jazz Ambassadors. I don't sit in front, but I'm pretty close. As long as I can see my husband while he plays, I'm a happy girl. The concert was fun.   A day of sewing and an evening watching Handsome make music. All in all, a perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Jazz At JD's...

 Handsome joined Mike Moran, his wife Kit and Dominic Mancini to perform

at JD's in Port Charlotte, FL on Saturday night. I took a few photos to share

with you, but I sure wish that all of you could have joined us.

It was chilly outside, but inside we all enjoyed an evening of jazz at a fabulous venue. 

Mike Moran on keyboard, his wife Kit is the vocalist, Dominic Mancini on bass and

Handsome sitting in at his drum kit. Dominic is actually related to Henry Mancini,

and he, Mike and Kit moved here from the northeast about eight years ago.

Mike also performs with Handsome for the Port Charlotte Swing Band.

 They finished the evening with their rendition of Michel Legrand's

"What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?". I was in tears.

When Handsome and I were married 28 years ago (this week!),

that was one of the songs performed during our wedding ceremony.

They just don't make music like that anymore.

Web image from Nordic Thoughts blog

 Merry Christmas Eve, my friends. 

Making Beautiful Music...

Sunday afternoon was like a fairytale romance. Every time I hear Handsome playing with the local orchestra or concert band, I fall in love with him all over again. Sunday, I was completely head over heels.
You see, today was a little special. He and the orchestra's string bass player, Jerome Butler, accompanied a gifted and talented pianist by the name of Mike Markaverich to form an incredible trio performing out in front of the orchestra.
With the orchestra, they performed Love Walked In, The Man I Love and Love Is Sweeping The Country in one set. Then they performed Hooray For Hollywood, Singin' In The Rain, Over The Rainbow, As Time Goes By and A Day In The Life Of A Fool in a medley of cinema favorites.
After intermission, the trio performed alone onstage. They played much-loved jazz standards, Beautiful Love, When I Fall In Love and Doxie. Call me biased, but they were really good. They were a trio for this performance only - and only had time for a few rehearsals together prior to the performance - but they were really in sync.

Oh, yes...Mike is an incredible pianist and completely blind. God has given him music in all forms. He has perfect pitch and his range and repertoire seem endless. He and Handsome really connected. Three talented musicians came together for this ensemble performance, and they got a standing ovation. I guess it wasn't just me!
The orchestra also played American Symphony by M. Kamen. You do remember, Mr. Holland's Opus, right? That's this. Handsome was back on the kit behind the other musicians for this number.
Their final piece Sunday afternoon was Stars and Stripes Forever. Mike came back onstage for this number. The program was so perfect, and the music "filled me up". I recorded the whole concert on my new Canon Vixia HG21 Digital Camcorder, and just as soon as I can figure out how to download the performances to my laptop, I'll be sharing some of this beautiful music with you.
Until then, please enjoy these images, and imagine all of these talented musicians performing for you on a sunny, November, Florida afternoon, making beautiful music together.

If you're interested in listening to and/or purchasing some of Mike's cds, here's a link where you can preview his music. Really, it's a great listen!

Sunday morning, I created the Scissors Bunny I & II tutorials for you. This second pattern will give you the option of making a bunny with a front pocket, instead of little bunny feet. If you have trouble downloading the pdf of either of the pattern sheets, just send me an email through my blog link, and I'll be sure to email a pattern sheet back to you. Thanks for your patience.