Simple Girl

This week we are leaping out of the Baroque period and back into the twentieth century.  Rhapsody in Blue , by George Gershwin, is a musical composition for solo piano and jazz band.  Written in 1924, it combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. George Gershwin 1898- 1937 Rhapsody in Blue was commissioned by jazz band leader Paul Whiteman who would premiere the piece in a concert entitled An Experiment in Modern Music .  Although hestitant, Gershwin was eventually persuaded to write the piece, and with only five weeks left until the concert, he began composing the piece on his train journey to Boston.  He told his biographer Isaac Goldberg in 1931: “It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang, that is often so stimulating to a composer – I frequently hear music in the very heart of the noise…And there I suddenly heard, and even saw on paper – the complete construction of the Rhapsody, from beginning to end....

Being a southern transplant from the north, I am always smitten with the early signs of spring.  The vast array of blooming shrubs and trees paint a water color path on our way to school, to church, to piano and ballet.  The early spring air invites us to open the windows and play outside.  We seize these days because they last but a brief moment.  Soon the petals will fall and the scorching sun will remind us that the long, hot days of summer have arrived. Here's a look at some of the beautiful blooms in our neighborhood this week: Pink Magnolia Trees Cherry Trees An unusually shaped Bradford Pear Tree Fiery Forsythia

One of the things I like about being an SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) is the ability to go on all the school field trips.  (No, really, I’m serious about this!)  It’s like being given permission to be a spy in your child’s life.  You see how she relates to her friends, how she respects her teacher, if she’s able to pay attention to the tour guide, what she does or doesn’t eat in her lunch and if she generally seems to be enjoying her life.  It also gets me to places that I would be unlikely to venture on my own. Bulloch Hall Today we visited Bulloch Hall, an antebellum Greek Revival mansion built in Roswell, Georgia in1839.  Bulloch Hall was built by Major James Stephens Bulloch, a prominent planter from the coast who was invited to the new settlement by his friend, Roswell King.  Major Bulloch had six children, one of whose name was Martha “Mittie” Bulloch.  On December 22, 1853, Mittie Bulloch married a man named Theodore Roosevelt in the dining room a...

Having four kids, I sometimes find it challenging to squeeze in good quality alone time with each of them.   Except for Ella, the youngest, who covets her one-on-one afternoons before the post-carpool pandemonium begins, all the shuffling and activities seem to be done in mass groups.  Three girls strapped in the back seat, elbow to elbow (with a button pushing brother in the front seat) does not always bring out one's best behavior.  So when do I find the sweet, precious children that I love?  I find them most often when it’s just the two of us.  Arielle and I found a treasured moment last week when we played hooky.  The best part about playing hooky is knowing that you are doing something that nobody else gets to do.  While everyone else was trapped in school, we were experiencing ultimate freedom!   Here's a look at our day in pictures.   A legitimate appointment with Dr. Levitt. (Congratulations to him on completing his first 1/2 ...

 Johann Sebastian Bach 1685 - 1750 “To His Royal Highness Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg, etc., etc., etc.  Sire:  Since I had the happiness of playing at the command of Your Royal Highness a few years ago, and I saw that you took some pleasure in the small talents for music that heaven has give me, and that, in taking leave of Your Royal Highness, you did me the honor of asking that I send you several of my compositions:  therefore, following your gracious command, I take the liberty of offering my most humble respects to Your Royal Highness with the present concertos, which I have arranged for several instruments…” Beginning with these words, Bach offered some of the most sublime music ever written to the Margrave of Brandenburg.  The dedication date was March 24, 1721 and the volume was originally entitled “Six concertos with several instruments.”    The popular title “Brandenburg Concertos” was not given until more than 150 years...

On Thursday we celebrated both a birthday and the Fine Arts Festival at school with one of our "traditional" trips to Bruster’s Ice Cream.  Because these events landed on a Thursday, the treat got even better.  Bruster's Thursday special is a half-price banana split when you bring your own banana!  When it’s half-price banana split night, even my ever frugal husband doesn’t complain that he could have bought three gallons of ice cream for the price of a few cones.  With impeccable timing, we arrived at Bruster's to find a rare, short line.  By the time we (the six of us) were done ordering, the line of people stretched to the curb.  The treats were enjoyed by all. We love to celebrate the little things – another birthday, a first grade blue ribbon.  Blue ribbon or not, these are the masterpieces that I will proudly frame and hang on my walls.  This is the art that makes me smile.  To see the world through your chil...

Isn't he cute?

Forget April Fool’s.  My favorite day to prank the kids is March 17th!  I remember working undercover in the lunchroom last year so I could watch the kids open up their specially prepared lunch.  Every item was green!  First their eyes grew big and their mouths dropped open.  Then the neighboring kids leaned way over to view this strange novelty.  “Very funny, MOM!” were the words exclaimed as they secretly enjoyed the attention and actually ate the green, but tasty food. Here’s a look at what is for lunch today: A spinach tortilla wrap (no, I don’t make them eat green meat or cheese) Green Jello with pineapple chunks Key Lime Yogurt A Granny Smith Apple One Green Juice Box And, of course, Green M&M’s Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

When the grass is still brown and the trees stand tall with their bare silhouette against a grey winter sky, the daffodils dare to push themselves through the cold dirt, bringing us a first glimpse of spring, a warm glow of sunshine against the cool earth. My daughter, Arielle, was born on this day - the day the daffodils bloom.  That’s our story.  When we went to the hospital, seven years ago, daffodil greens were barely noticeable beneath the weeping river birch in our front yard.  When we came home a few days later, a sea of yellow greeted us, welcoming our little girl into the world.  Arielle, these flowers bloom for you. Footnote :   This picture would have been posted earlier, but shortly before I got my camera ready, little sister proudly handed me a bouquet of every blooming flower!   Note to Self :  This fall, plant more daffodils!

Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) This week we listened to Copland’s Appalachian Spring.  I told the kids that I chose this song because it reminded me of their dad – Strong, Americana, a Pioneer.  Appalachian Spring was written in 1944 as Copland’s third ballet score.   It was later re-written as an orchestral suite, but we can still follow the storyline throughout its eight sections, which Copland describes as: Very slowly.   Introduction of the characters one by one, in a suffused light. Fast.   Sudden burst of unison strings in A major arpeggios starts the action.  A sentiment both elated and religious give gives the keynote to this scene. Moderate .  Duo for the Bride and her Intended – scene of tenderness and passion. Quite fast.   The Revivalist and his flock.  Folksy feeling – suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers. Still faster.   Solo dance of the Bride – presentiment of motherhood.  Extremes of joy and fe...

I have to admit, I love birthday parties.  While the thought of hosting large groups of children can be daunting, I find myself embracing these moments as a chance to express my inner Martha.  It’s all in the simple details. For her 7 th Birthday, Arielle chose a “Cooking Party” theme.  Since our house was still backlogged from a kitchen remodel, I decided to outsource this one.  While I had never seen a children’s birthday party there, I checked with the newly opened “Apron’s Cooking School” at our local Publix grocery store.  Sure enough, they would host a party for 15 girls!  Chef Michael was great.  He met with the two of us and planned an extensive menu. GOODY BAGS Now, even if I’m hosting a party elsewhere, I like to hand out a theme-filled goody bag.  I think it pays to do a little research and come up with a few quality items rather than lots of throw-aways.  I found a website with high-quality children’s aprons. ( www.kng.com ) ...

When my grandparents were getting ready to sell their house in the country, an old converted schoolhouse situated on a one-acre parcel of land in Wisconsin, they invited the extended family to come and select a few items from their home that would remind us of them.  I chose an old Norwegian Bible, a small spiral notebook in which my Grandma meticulously recorded every garment she had sewn (including fabric yardage and number of button holes) and her recipe box.  The old, wooden recipe box was stored upside down because the bottom had fallen off.  It was filled so tightly that it was difficult to return a recipe once it had been removed.  Some of the recipes were clipped from newspapers and magazines (circa 1940’s) but most of the recipes were written in her old familiar writing – the same writing that signed my birthday cards and sent letters to me at camp. One recipe in particular held a place of honor.  It was the only recipe to earn its own plastic sleeve....

As I write this, fresh air and sunshine are flowing through the open windows in our kitchen.  Last week, however, was a different story. A rare March snow provided the perfect excuse for hot chocolate, marshmallows and freedom!  School closings allowed us to dust off the sled, pull out the boots, and, just for a day, forget about practicing, homework, and the overcommitments of daily life.   We run, we laugh,  we breathe in the cold, wet air.   A warm bath brings feeling  back to our fingers and toes.   The melting snowman reminds us that life must go on. Come, back, Frosty!

I recently read that it takes half a lifetime to develop a true appreciation for classical music.   This got me thinking.  I have yet to notice any one of my four children reaching for the public radio station in the car.  I decided it was up to me to give them the exposure that they deserved.  I decided that while I still have control over the car radio (i.e. I'm the driver, not them), I would try to use some of this time to enlighten them.  We are starting this journey with Vivaldi:  The Four Seasons in honor of my daughter, Arielle, who shares the same birthday (March 4th) as this great composer. KID CRITIQUE: Ella:  Look, I'm playing my (imaginary) violin! Anna:  I know this song! Samuel:  Why does summer sound sad?  Maybe it's the end of summer. Arielle:  Maybe it's a thunderstorm!