Listening: Lately I've been getting my fill of some Rutter Christmas carols! My favorites are Candlelight Carol (recorded by the Cambridge Singers), Shepherd's Pipe Carol and Away in a Manger (recorded by the Choir of King's College), the last technically not a Rutter carol, but who's counting? "Hello, My name is Mrs. Sweet and I'm a Christmas music snob."
I fell in love with Rutter arrangements when I played in the Festival of Carols orchestra several years back and I've been exploring alternate and traditional carols ever since. I've never liked the traditional Away in a Manger, but in my opinion this alternate melody portrays the lyrics better and is even accessible to kids. This is a David Willcocks arrangement and I could listen to this every. single. day. Amen.
Loving: It has been in the 60's and 70's (my ideal temps!) for the past week! What a huge blessing to have a break of cooler temperatures before the bitterness of a South Texas winter. Giggle. Seriously though, this Texas girl has loved walking her sweet boxer puppy in the cool weather without sweating it up.
Thinking: My sweet husband has planned another AMAZING vacation for our 10th anniversary and my birthday. We're going to New York!! As if that weren't fun enough, he bought us tickets to some amazing musicals... Are you ready for this? Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella... Aladdin... The Lion King... and Les Miz on my birthday!!!!!! Wha?!?!?!
I'm seriously so excited it's hard to go to work every day. Must. concentrate. "Look down! Look down!" Must. do. lesson. plans. "Impossible... things are happening every day!"
Wanting: All I want is a little sweet tea and some Jesus.
Needing: More time! How does it all get done? I'm a pretty organized person, but there is just so much to do for every performance. I don't think people understand what all goes into a performance until they are responsible for pulling it off. I know I won't sleep much this week.
Move tambourines and ribbons and state cards and heart cards and music stands and binder with script and computer with music and my script binder with riser charts to the gym and... and... don't forget to set up the risers after morning meeting but before the first specials class of the day... and go pick up the flowers for the veterans... and tie the thank you notes on... and don't forget the letters to spell out AMERICA... and after school Monday decorating the stage with the parents - oh wait, the stage only has one curtain now - can we even use it?! where will I hide the ladders and poles they left behind when painting it BLACK... and maybe I can close the pretty new curtain and just have the speaking parts in front of it and... and make sure all the kids have a ride, especially my speakers and solo singers... and I have to teach 4 other classes a day in addition to the 2 mega rehearsals going on in the gym. my brain hurts already. ouchie.
Reading: "Interrupted, when God wrecks your comfortable Christianity" by Jen Hatmaker, closely followed by my morning reading "Cure for the Common Life" by Max Lucado. I'm sensing a theme here.
What are you currently up to?
Let’s Connect!
That is so exciting that your husband planned a trip to NY for your 10th anniversary. Happy anniversary. I have always wanted to go to NY...someday. It sounds like you will have an amazing time with all you have planned.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can't wait!
DeleteI agree with you, I also need more time to be able to finish everything! :)
ReplyDeleteI've nominated you for the Liebster Award, here's the link on how to do it.
http://teachingmelodies.blogspot.com/2014/11/liebster-award.html
Have a great day ahead!
♥ ♥ rachel ♥ ♥
Teaching Melodies
At the Other Side of Me
Thanks Rachel! How exciting!
DeleteIt sounds as though your anniversary will be amazing! Congrats on 10 years!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer!
DeleteLooks like others have beat me to this award, as I have also nominated you for a Liebster Award! Good work my friend! http://melodysoup.blogspot.com/2014/11/liebster-award-find-some-great-music.html#.VGkrWfnF-So
ReplyDelete