Dubliner cheese, southern charm, and sun-shiny thoughts

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea,Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun;And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where life is a song.And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long,Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune;And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where legend remains.The stories of old, fill the heart and may yet come again,Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won;And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done. ♥
 

Ah, but it's fun pretendin' to be Irish on St. Paddy's day. Being Italian is pretty amazing, (ignoring the 25% Polish, naturally,) but I just can't help adoring everything Celtic. So here I am, home alone, wearing my Irish Girl at Heart shirt, reminiscing about my dear Boys (aka The High Kings,) and listening to just a tad bit of Celtic Thunder. Shhh. . .don't tell anyone. Because today is absolutely perfect--and Irish on top of it? Sun-shiny, summery. . .not even spring--summer. Folk music in my ears, bare feet, a happy puppy sleeping in the shade, and lovely thoughts in every corner of my brain. Because Lucy Maud Montgomery would have been a bosom friend--she speaks what my soul wants to say. I swoon and die and act fluffy over her stories. Oh, and on top of it all, my mom and I went to our weekly bluegrass jam last night. . .that is, we went to watch a bunch of incredible musicians--it's been our favorite "redneck" hangout for a couple of years now. There is something so special about this place, set in a big old church, friendly and Southern. . .you know, I have a place in my heart just for elderly people? Not many people understand. . .but I have an overwhelming amount of love, thinking of the bent, wrinkled lady once beautiful, newly married perhaps, with a family of her own. . .or the grey haired gentleman playing the guitar--was he once a handsome cowboy? Yeah, sentimental moment. I think this is why my puppy Nick MUST be used in therapy. Which winds back to the bluegrass jam. These are good, old-school country folk, granddad's and grandma's, a sprinkling of younger people; congregated in one place, away from the hustle-bustle of suburbia, with one mission; making music. The music passed for generations through the roots of American culture. I love it.   
As I said in my facebook status the other day: I'm a small-town-city girl longing for the country. . .it's somewhere deep in my soul. One day I'll step outside to an open world--where next door neighbors and cut-through roads don't exist--replaced by barnyard smells, fresh air, cowboys, and banjo music.
It's been a good week. A piece of St. Paddy's day pie--hey, who said Italian's couldn't celebrate St. Paddy's day? and it'll get just that much better. Oh! And the Dubliner cheese I ate earlier. Mmm. This is living. 

Since this is a mixed-up random sort of post, enjoy the video {The Fields of Athenry, Brian Dunphy} my sister took back in March, 2011. This was our 2nd High Kings concert. Can't gush about these guys enough.

eyes; the window to the soul

Saucer-like orbs that rivet you to the owners face. . .slits that barely show a steel-grey center. Round, almond-shaped, drooping, laughing, sparkling--eyes are fascinating. Look into anyone's eyes, communicate, soul to soul, feel the emotion. . .step back, peer deep within. Like the starry-specked, breathless eyes of a lover, the desperate, locked gaze of parting friends, or the wise expression of eyes sunk deeply in a bed of wrinkles. In eyes the writer can tell all--use the strangest, most outlandish adjectives, let the whelm of a characters heart break in a single glance. They are allowing me to sound corny and gushing now. Because eyes truly are the doorway, the window, the opened latch to the soul--the heart of a human being.

     

Imagine a life of darkness. Unable to see--it's more than I can comprehend. That is why people like Andrea Bocelli, the ultimately most incredible tenor in the world, speak to so many; he needs nothing more then his voice. With it every feeling of his soul is drenched. I think the entire arena sobbed when Andrea sang "I once was blind but now I see," in December {when I saw him in concert. Ironic, no?} So beautiful, on so many levels. Like CS Lewis said: "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

Sight. Eyes. They are our little view into the core picture: this is my ode to them. The story they tell. Of the storm brewing under the squinted lids of a lovelorn maiden, standing at a cliffs edge, watching a ship rove into the horizon. Of the boy leaning on his horses neck, the wind at his cheeks, whipping curls into eyes dancing with adventure. Of lashes so heavy they mask the features of an otherwise shallow, ugly face. I love writers that focus on eyes. It's nice to have gorgeous heroes and heroines, but what of the strange, plain persons made attractive by eyes that speak? And when those eyes can't do the obvious, the beauty of people like Andrea Bocelli shine even deeper. Personally I have no idea what I'm trying to say; ignore me.

Chocolate brown. . .robins egg blue. . .mossy green. . .colored like the sea, the sky, picking up hues around them. You get my point--as a writer, as an observer, as a lover of people and different cultures--i ♥ eyes.

"The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where beauty resides." 

- Audrey Hepburn

i'm dreamin' of ireland in fine summer weather. . .

one word. TONIGHT.
my third time seeing them - my dear friends and favorite celtic band, LIVE in concert. i think i'm just a little excited. just a little.

I'm baaackkkk!!! {updates on life}

It seems like hundreds of years since I've blogged. ;) But no - I have not expired, I am STILL quite alive and breathing...and feeling so blessed these days by the Lord and His beautiful way of caring for His children. Really, I don't feel as though I deserve the joy, loyal family, lovely friends...Christ's mercy and presence in my day-to-day life! I've can't say it enough: God is ALWAYS good.

I very much dislike bragger-blog posts. This is *not* one. Yet there have been so many special things happening - a constant, crazy, whirlwind of LIFE. And so, I'll try to update y'all really quickly . . .

Sorbet and smoothies are my newest obsession . . . I know what I'll be ordering all summer when the rest of the family goes out for ice cream! Oh, yeah - I'd much rather have the ice cream . . . fat, sugar, all that good stuff. ;) But considering I'm lactose intolerant (which mean's no dairy outside of organic,) something fruity-cold will have to do! Soooo excited to have discovered Graeters recently. o.O

{L-R: friend Hannah Michelle, me, and Anna, before seeing The High Kings}

Last month I had the opportunity of seeing my  friends and favorite Celtic music group, The High Kings, live fore the second time in concert.  

Anna and I have gotten to know Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and Martin Furey after seeing them back in August and later keeping in contact via facebook. It was very special seeing them again knowing that our "fanship" has turned into friendship. :) 

"Now the music's gone, but they carry on . . ."

{The Town I Loved So Well - Darren's version is stunning}

 

 

It was so memorable being able to share in Finbarr's birthday! We bought him a t-shirt that said "Made in Ireland," which I had the honor of giving him during the concert. He loved it! 

{note that this is a supremely unflattering picture of me. :P } 

Just have to mention that Darren is my favoritest King. ♥ He is such a talented singer and musician (like the rest of THK,) and has the squishiest bear hugs. :sigh: See my friend Hannah's video of us greeting the Kings from a different angle. . . and Anna's post HERE and our youtube channel for more HK fun!

Currently I'm reading about 4-5 different novels. *ahem* In the middle of The Count of Monte Cristo right now. . .which (thanks to Anna for spoiling the ending. Ok, I ASKED about it. :P ) - is overall very disappointing.  I mean, Edmond is so dashing in the beginning. :sob:  Ah well . . .it's not keeping me from going to Oregon in May to attend a CoMC themed ECD ball! o.O T-this will be my first time in an airplane. 

No blog entry is complete without mention of the always epic, forever inspiring, breathtaking, (give me more adjectives! ;) ) Les Miserables. The 10th Anniversary concert still leaves my heart pounding and the tears welling in my eyes - no matter how many times I watch it . . . but I'm about hyperventilating, because on SUNDAY I'll be seeing the West End/Broadway musical LIVE. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! 

Lately I've been learning (or at least trying to learn :P ) patience. Anna and I are now part-time nannies for 4 of the most adorable children ranging in age from almost 7 to 3 months old. It's a challenge for sure, but I am so grateful for the experience! Spending time with the kiddos is a delight. . .even through the tantrums. ;) And little newborn Anthony is at the perfect huggable stage. ♥

Here's a sneak-peak of the costume I wore recently to a Literary Ball . . . I'll be doing a post on it soonishly.  Can anyone guess who I went as? (no telling, Flop. ;) ) 

And there ya have just a tiny glimpse of whats been happen'. BUSY stuff - and again, please, please don't think I'm bragging . . . o.O From the bottom of my heart, I only want to update everyone. :) 

What have YOU been up to as of late??? 

Someday...

i am going to live here.

or at least someplace like it, providing the sea is close by. yep. a tiny village in europe where the market is always bustling, the little old toothless men gather at street corners to play folk music, and the average lunch consists of  the sharpest cheese atop crusty artisan bread.  

ah...daydreams.

"put on your dancing shoes. . .

. . .we'll dance in ireland."

tommy makem

this video is beyond adorable. i'm not a huge riverdance fan, but i'm in love with the irish culture - and step dancing is fascinating! recently in the past couple of years i've been privileged to see traditional irish soft and hard shoe dancing live. . . ♥

this particular dance evokes the feeling of an old-fashioned ceili dance. all the vibrant colors, costumes, swirling skirts and tapping feet!...interestingly enough the sets of four couples and swinging steps are similar to those in contra dancing. and i also recognize "reeling," which is in scottish country dancing.       

PRESENTING: Cookin' Thanksgiving dinner with Mich and her favorite Kid.

This is us, as ourselves, fooling around today in the kitchen. Still not sure how or when Anna acquired the nickname "Kid" - I'm the only one who calls her that. :P hehe

Ahhh...what a day. Just about absolutely perfect.

Italian opera...the lingering scent of the sugar cookie candle I burned yesterday...all mingled with the stunningly delicious holiday aroma of Thanksgiving dinner prep.

Love.

{my mom took the videos - I'm in the Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt and fruity apron. It's a little old, but I love it 'cause it was sent from Zia Lucia in Italy. Oh, and the talk of  "don't  put these up", and "I'm un-tagging myself" is in reference to facebook. ;) }

Take one:

Take two:

At last, the infamous "church potatoes!" 

PS: for those of you who know I have a slight aversion toward  most female singers  - *ahem* I actually really love the voice of the Soprano singing with Pavarotti (in the first vid.) She isn't screechy. Unfortunately I don't know her name. :-/   

Random acts of culture*~ Miscellaneous Monday

A little while ago my dear friend Ally forwarded this video to me. Ok neat. I love 'Handel's Messiah,' and 'The Hallelujah Chorus' is one of my favorite pieces....but this particular performance simply blew me away! Oooh...now one of my biggest dreams is to either travel to Philadelphia and actually *see* the Opera Company, or to experience something like THIS: 

(WARNING - carry a tissue as you watch this. Prepare to be utterly stunned.)

(wasn't that beyond gorgeously breathtaking?!?!)

Brindisi. Such a lovely example of Italian opera! Yum. Its one of my all-time-favorites. (also see my playlist to hear 'The Three Tenor' version...or better yet look up Andrea Bocelli. :swoon: )

Anyhow - if you enjoyed the above video (which you did, of course. ;) ) then you'll love this one. So whimsical, charming, cute, - and the singing! Heavenly. Why aren't these people world famous solo artists? o.O

(ok. If you didn't like Opera beforehand, you HAVE to be sold over now. Or no?)

Could you imagine BEING there? In any or both places? Whoa. o.O - I would have been one of the obnoxious people jumping up and down, a mile-wide smile covering my face. After the enthralled shock of it all was past, of course. ;) 

Hope you enjoyed, and were as blessed as I was! :) 

The worlds most incredible tenor...

How does one describe the voice of the worlds most incredible tenor?

{Here are some adjectives I would use}

* Angelic*

* Gorgeous*

* Breathtaking*

*Spine tingling*

* Passionate*

* Moving*

* Dramatic* *Pure* *Dreamy* *Gifted**God given* *Inspiring* *Romantic* *Soothing* *Poetic*

Andrea Bocelli.

<--click --->

My mom was born in Italy, so I have a HUGE appreciation for Italian music. Please don't convince yourself that you can't enjoy Andrea simply because he speaks Italian! ;)

Just listen to this man's voice - he has a range no other singer can attain...

~*~ Here is just a tiny taste of Andrea - enjoy! ~*~

{Con te Partiro}

You may have heard 'Time to Say Goodbye' with Sarah Brightman.

(Andrea is an operatic and classical cross-over artist.)

Con te is essentially the Italian version of 'Time to Say Goodbye',

and is simply stunning, might I add.

Its truly one of my all time favorite songs!

:sigh:

Whoever composed this piece is a master!

(and of course Andrea is the only artist

who can sing it *correctly*, hehe)

{Dell' Amore Non Si Sa}

I'm not sure if anyone else will appreciate this song, but I really enjoy it - and I love the way this particular video was filmed!

{Andrea's story}

Just beautiful. And doesn't he seem like a sweetheart? Really, I think his blindness has kept him humble, unlike most celebrities - he just seems like the nicest, most genuine fellow. :)

~*~ Don't forget to check out my play list for more Andrea selections! ~*~