Friday Night a Cappella

I've posted about the local a cappella concert before - it's an annual event at one of the local high schools. I didn't go last year because the tickets sold out before I could reserve mine. Then a big storm hit the night of the concert and I was happy I didn't have to drive through the rural country roads to attend.

But I did miss seeing the performances, so this year, I made sure I had tickets.

Sorry about the grainy picture - taken with my iPhone

The groups:
The Other Guys, from the U of I:


No Comment, from the U of I:

The only mixed group of the night, so they hold a special place in my heart. I also bought their freshly pressed CD.

Two groups from the Unity High school - U9 and and Surreal Sound - performed after No Comment. It's great that a cappella is making inroads in the High Schools.

Secondary Dominance, from Illinois State:


The Rip Chords, from the U of I:


The Xtension Chords, from the U of I:


The performances were great and, as usual, made me long for those past days of performing - voices only. I only get to sing in church and in the car now (only if I'm alone because the kids complain).

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January 10-19, 2011

It’s already the third week of January, the snow is falling (yet again) and tomorrow the temperatures will drop below zero. Welcome to winter on the prairie. Even the birds have to deal with the snow and ice.


Taken outside the orthodontist office on Monday, January 10th – Brian had a retainer check up (he needs to wear it more, so we’ll have to monitor that a little more).

Later that evening, Sammy got up high above the refrigerator in the kitchen. He and Hannah were playing a bit of “tag”:




Fast forward a couple of days, and we’ve got 6” of fresh snow on the ground, and Scott bought these from the store:

Just what the kids need – caffeine and real sugar!

That night, I made some crepes for Erica:


On Friday, I hosted book club at the house. What a busy day! So busy that I didn’t take pictures, but my friend, Kellie (who is doing her own Project 365 this year) did:


I made rum cake (of course) and we discussed The Happiness Project (my selection).


On Saturday, January 15, I took Erica to the mall – she needed new jeans [the ones she bought in the fall are “too cold” – that’s because they have holes in them – that’s why buying jeans with holes in them is really not the best idea…..].

Apparently, Aeropostale has been surpassed by the America Eagle store:


And later, Sammy decided to snuggle on her lap.


There’s no shortage of cat games tonight:


On Sunday, I decided to take my own advice concerning finding photographic inspiration during the winter months and bought a bouquet of tulips to photograph.


And instead of wasting time playing Angry Birds (seriously, I need a 12 step addiction program), I wasted time photographing stemware:


I promised Erica I would hang her new window blinds today. Out come the power tools – the Makita drill set I bought Scott for Christmas in 2009.


It’s a great drill (not too big) so I quickly completed this project.

Monday morning, Martin Luther King Jr. day, and the kids have the day off. I guess I have the “morning off” too, as I don’t have to drag the kids out of bed and drive them to school. Instead, I leisurely prepared for the day and played around with my iPhone camera and the Hipstamatic app:


Tuesday – kids are back to school. I have violin lessons in the afternoon – starting the 2nd movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto – very pretty. Later that night, Brian and I sweat things out at Cage Fitness Class.

Wednesday morning and I’m still taking photos of the tulips.


The kids persuaded me to get them sandwiches from Panera on Wednesday night. Wow, the Christmas lights are still up in the Olde Farm Shops.


But I have to admit, they are kind of festive….

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363/365 - New Year's Eve Lunch

Note - I'm not sure how today is the last day of the year, but I'm only on day 363 of my Project 365. Maybe I miscounted somewhere along the way, or maybe I started late. Who knows. I guess it doesn't really matter - tomorrow is a New Year and today is New Year's Eve!

Which we celebrated with a nice lunch at KoFusion, a nice sushi restaurant in the Downtown area.


We didn't know that they offered a wonderful buffet at lunch, which included three types of sushi. All the items on the buffet were wonderful - Chicken Curry, Pork and Veggies, Sweet / Spicy chicken, Spicy Tuna Roll, Big Sushi Roll and California Roll, just to name a few.

Brian loves sushi, too:


After lunch, we walked to Pekara bakery, where I ordered a cannoli for desert.


I was kicking myself for not bringing my purse, which holds my camera (you know, when the hubby drives, there's not much reason for me to lug the purse around). I was lucky I had my iPhone, which I used to take the pictures.

There are a lot of unique stores in our small Downtown area. I should go back again with my big camera. I guess it will have to wait until "next year", though!

I hope you have a safe New Year's Eve and a fabulous 2011!

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