Iβve been poorly all week. π€ But at least Iβve had excellent company. π₯°
Iβve been poorly all week. π€ But at least Iβve had excellent company. π₯°
Got into the studio this morning to find our lovely studio mates have put up some artwork while we were away. π
Bit grim, thereβs a young deer that met its end in the frozen canal overnight. Itβs right next to our boat. I do hope it floats off somewhere else when the ice melts.
(Donβt worry, I didnβt take a photo.)
One of my fave schottisches πΆ
Glorious light in here this morning! Having a coffee while reviewing some new colours dyed yesterday.
Classic. There are indeed 10 kinds of people in the world: those who know ternary, those who donβt, and those who mistake ternary for binary. π
The groan that emanated from my husband when I explained this to him, by counting on my fingers..!
Went to my eldestβs parents evening with his dad (my ex) and his step-dad (my husband). We all get along and were equally engaged in the conversations with the teachers. You could see this unanswered question hanging in the air, the teachers clearly trying to work out what kind of family we are. π
I am now squeezing them in as many places as they will fit.
I learned of the existence of half-diminished chords thanks to discovering that Willcocks arrangement of Adeste Fideles just too late to learn it for Christmasβ¦ which led me down a jazzy rabbit hole these past weeks. And Iβve just found another one in the wild! My nerdy musical heart is overjoyed.
A very snuggly cat curled up on my lap
A very snuggly cat curled up on my lap gazing upwards
Just got back from Waltham Abbey Wool Show. I have been missed. π₯°
#catsofbluesky
A tale, sorry, a yarn as old as time!
The Grand Union canal passes through my village, not following the contours of the land, but up on a man-made bank and across a couple of aqueducts. Which means sometimes Iβll be walking along and suddenly spy a narrowboat gliding through the sky. It always amuses me.
Tickets are on sale now for our 2025 Summer Tour. A veritable treat for dancers and listeners alike, don't miss this chance to catch the outstanding Anglo-French acoustic quintet, Topette!!
www.topette.co.uk/gigs.html
Merci beaucoup, tout le monde!
View through an arched church doorway onto a frozen but sunny churchyard.
Admittedly it was pretty silly to go play the organ in an unheated church when itβs literally freezing, but then I wouldnβt have been treated to this view would I? βοΈπ
Spare a thought for boaters during this weather as they are dealing with an unprecedented volume of questions about whether or not it is cold on the boat.
My very strange kitty has opted to go climb trees outside instead. No, I donβt understand either.
Just need to let you know that I casually caught a lighter thrown across our studio, from the mezzanine, with my left hand. My studio mates didnβt have the good sense to film this amazing feat, so Iβm having to tell you myself.
Itβs the shortest day of the year, so itβs time for the one and only Winter Solstice anthem, The Halsway Carol by Nigel Eaton.
I arranged and learned the piece. Then my husband decided to join me on the only instrument he has that can stand up to the might of the great organ! Happy Solstice.
Christmas trees in church. Itβs dark outside and the lights are twinkling.
3 trees in a corner decorated with stars
A tree with rainbow paper decorations
A tree with crocheted stars and yarn balls on
My view from the organ bench is normally pretty good, but right now itβs stunning. There are roughly 30 trees on display in the church. π
We all look forward to the longer days, but does anyone else enjoy the shortest days too? For me itβs a time to stop rushing around, to get cosy and rest more. Others could word it more eloquently, but I guess Iβm describing a sort of semi-hibernation. I feel much more balanced when I embrace it.
Anne and Andy in concert
A herd of accordions in waiting for the concert
Back in the real world after a whirlwind week at Halsway Manor with Anne Niepold and Andy Cutting and many, many more talented box players. πΆ
Just 2! Some crocheted stars for a Christmas tree and a jumper.
Iβm going away to play accordion all week so of course Iβm frantically winding yarn for all the knitting I wonβt have time for. π§Ά πΆ
It comes with having even tension, which you will gain with practise. Itβs already looking very good, keep going!
Working on some Christmas repertoire with my husband (me on organ, him on sax). He just referred to βHark! the herald angelsβ as βHarold the angelβ¦ wait, whatβs it called?β and well, he will never live this down. π€£π€£
Poster reads: Weedon Balfolk FΓͺtes des Rois Duo Martin Godefroi Sunday 5th January, 2 - 5 pm Bring and share food Book online at www.weedonbalfolk.co.uk Weedon Village Hall, West Street, Weedon Bec, NN7 4QU
Weβve got CΓ©dric Martin (accordion) and Samuel Godefroi (fiddle) coming all the way from France to Weedon Balfolk on the 5th January. π₯³ We will also have our regular musicianβs session and a shared meal. Dancing is surely the best way to welcome the New Year!
www.weedonbalfolk.co.uk
Grannyβs Attic! Such brilliance.
Becci sits playing melodeon in the bar at Halsway Manor
My melodeon (diatonic accordion) is arriving back from the tuner today, just in time to take it to Halsway Manor next week. Canβt wait, I keep going to play it before remembering I donβt have it!
A sad day for those partial to the tasty treat.