For your viewing pleasure

Kjirsti October 31st, 2009

I have really waited too long to shoot the gorgeous fall colors here. However this morning I saw this out my front room window and thought it was worth the shot. I didn’t get what I was going for, but I’m not going to take the time to go back and get it. I wanted the Riedham/Lomond sign to be in focus, but alas. The second shot is shot from in front of our house looking down the street.


Yeah, you’re right. You should move to Cleveland.


This is a picture of my Paperwhites! Aldi is selling Amaryllis and Paperwhites right now that are already forced- and are ready to plant. I have been wanting to buy some for weeks, but kept putting them back thinking I didn’t need them. However, Mom placed an Amaryllis in my cart (and gave it to me as a congrats gift!) And so I thought- what the heck, why not some Paperwhites too! I’ll keep you updated on their progress. I just planted two of the bulbs- so I should have two more for later in the year. And I’m saving the Amaryllis for closer to Christmas! How I love watching growth.

It’s coming

Kjirsti October 29th, 2009

I know a few of you are eager to hear about my recital. I guess I keep putting it off for several reasons. First, I just haven’t had much time, and second, I have had such mixed emotions about it. I want to post a few clips of the recital, but I want to wait until I get the official recording, as my recording is fine, but not great. I’ll post about the action recital later. Here’s about the wonderful events surrounding the recital.

I love giving recitals partially because I love singing, but mostly because I love an excuse to invite family up. We were delighted to have received so many visitors. My mom flew out, which was a very big deal as it was the first time she’s seen my house! It was wonderful to have her, and I was very sad to see her go. I wish we lived closer. She was so helpful, making food for the post recital reception, and for the weekend. We talked and talked and talked- like old times. We did our traditional trip to Goodwill and both found some terrific finds- see the fabulous jacket I’m wearing in the following pictures. We went to Penzey’s spices and got some Vietnamese cinnamon and high fat cocoa powder! We visited Anthropology and I saw a side of my Mom that I’ve only seen in pictures of her when she was my age. We awed over the fall colors, and I proudly showed her around my neighborhood and school.

Trevor and Lauren were the next to come on Friday night. Bryce immediately began requesting a continuation of the fort building we started last time they visited, and Tom was a dear and made sure to have a great fort building event before they left. Bryce and Dallin were as cute as ever. Dallin was actually very cuddly with me, and would often come to me with his hands up requesting to be held, or fed, or just entertained. I love that little boy.

Bryce was full of questions and smiles. He was SO funny at the little open house/reception thing we had. Trev and Lauren let him stay up late and play games with all the adults. My dear friend Claire enthusiastically included him on her team. I think he thought he was 20 at the time. He confidently chipped in with his opinions, and cracked jokes from time to time. Everyone loved him and he was the focus of the party.

Cassie and Doug with their sweet little boy Archer came up next. It was wonderful to have them, and it meant a lot for me to have them at my recital. Archer has grown so much and is more responsive and smiley now. I enjoyed having two sides of my family together- I think they got along gingerly!

My recital ended up being a bit of a reunion for “The three con artists!”- that is my two college roommates and I. Plus we had our mentor and dear friend Sis. Stay there. Oh how I miss those girls. Erin- thank you SOOO much for coming out, your smile brought such peace to me on stage.

I had many friend from church that came as well. Several had to arrange for babysitting for their kids, and others made it their date night.

I came away from the weekend feeling so loved. I was reminded that I will always have an audience as long as I have family and friends. So no matter where my future takes me I can always share my joy of music and poetry with those I love.

Fall- Cleveland’s most spectacular season

Kjirsti October 17th, 2009


I have been crossing my fingers hoping that the spectacular fall colors would hold for my Mom. She’s arriving on Wednesday and the forecast looks to be in my favor. This is the tree in our front yard. I arrived home to find it lit up with the falling sun. I can’t get enough of all the foliage around here. It is truly breathtaking. Maybe I’ll take a little excursion tomorrow and shoot a few more gems!

Apparently someone is starting to take advantage of our neighborlyness

Kjirsti October 17th, 2009

I was taught to share from a young age and I have always tried to make sharing a part of my life. But is it too much to ask that those that partake of my goods at least ask first? We have had a real epidemic of stealing around our place.

It started with our zucchini plants, then our flowers and finally our pumpkin! Come on buddy, who ever you are, fess up!

Fall Break-

Kjirsti October 16th, 2009

All I can say is: Thank goodness! We’re in great need of a few days off of school around here. I always know things have gotten a bit too crazy when I realize that our loads in the dishwasher are 95% Tupperware- no sit down dinners for us, it’s pack and go. Fall break couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. With my recital next weekend, I am thrilled to have several days open to really dedicate myself to my music and to have time to rehearse with my pianist. Not to mention I have a midterm and large paper due on Wednesday after fall break, so it won’t be much of a “break” in terms of the amount of work I have to do, but at least I can do it on my own terms, in the comfort of my own home.

Tom is going to Chicago to present his research at the annual neuroscience convention for the next five days, so it will just be me. As always, it will be sad to have him away.

Which leads me into something I have felt a real need to express this last while. Mainly, that I have a most incredible husband. I just never cease to be amazed at how wonderful he is. Whether it’s the fact that he almost always drops me off, so I won’t be late to class. Or that he’ll make me popcorn or dinner so I will have a welcome surprise when I get home after a long day. Perhaps it is that he doesn’t judge me when I come home cross and upset, and that he laughs and smiles even when my jokes aren’t that funny. That he simply asks “Are you hungry?” when I am more irritable than usual, and that he continues to let me tickle him, even though he hates it. I could go on and on. I guess my response to this should be, what am I doing so that he could say the same about me. I work on that everyday.  While I can’t claim to be as excellent a spouse as he is; I am grateful for his example of how to make a marriage wonderful every day.

Tom have fun in Chicago- I’ll miss you.

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