No More Dots and Swirlies!

A few years ago I began decorating cakes with a friend. We would do it for special occasions (if we were brave enough!) but because we hadn't taken a class we were learning things the hard way and didn't know many of the technics.  Many late nights were spent bent over a cake applying royal icing flowers or fretting over crumbs in the frosting. We were unfamiliar with how to use the tips so we were pretty limited with what designs we could do.....dots and swirlies pretty much completed our style.

I am so excited to say I've completed Course 1 in Wilton Cake Decorating! I have learned so much in this class, easier ways to do things! No more dots and swirlies for me.  Ok......yes I'll still use them, but I don't feel as limited.  I hope to take the more advanced classes at some point. I would LOVE to learn how to make all of the beautiful flowers with gum paste, fondant, and royal icing. At some point I hope to post tips and things I've learned in the class. Stay tuned!

Here was my final project....

Spring is Springing!

Yesterday morning as I walked to my class in boots and a sweater the thought never occurred to me that by the time I was finished with my class the sun would be shining brilliantly and that flipflops would have been more appropriate.  It was a perfect gift from God to finish out a busy week.  I was even more grateful because a friend and myself had planned to see the tulips and the sunshine was perfect!  I never cease to be amazed at how God reveals himself through His creation, these beautiful detailed flowers. Their splendid color and beauty never fails to make me smile.

Today, another beautiful day! started off with outreach. It's always encouraging when you get a good amount of people that not only answer their doors but seem interested in what you have to say! I'll be looking for a few of them at services tomorrow. :-)

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of spring is to plant pots for the porch.  They always seem so bare and basic but after a few weeks the flowers are spilling over the rims! Right now as I sit watching the neighbor's horses prance around in the field by our house, as I smell the fresh cut grass and hear the birds singing, I am reminded why I LOVE Whidbey Island. Yes, we get a lot of rain and clouds. So many people don't like to live here because of that. But if it weren't for the rain and clouds we would not have this lush green grass! The Lord works in our lives the same way.  God uses the rain and storms in our lives to produce such beautiful results that we could never accomplish had we not experienced the hardships. Bring on the rain! :-)

Pictures from Concert

My friend, Hannah, and myself performing our duet at the Emerging Artist Concert in La Conner.

With our teacher, Marilyn Brossard.

All the performers! (Haha....the angle makes me look SO short!)

Usta!

Story time....

Late this morning I returned from school in time for lunch while everyone else was down at the church doing annual testing. Little Chester was in his kennel since everyone was gone so I brought him out to snuggle while I studied. As I looked down I saw a poor, sad swollen face. And I do mean SWOLLEN! It kind of scared me and the poor guy looked miserable. He was constantly scratching his face on the carpet or with his paw. So, I immediately took him to the vet! I thought it might be allergies but you never know how it will affect breathing etc. Immediately the vet verified that it was an allergic reaction to.......get this.....a bee sting from inside the mouth.  That means that Chester got a hankering for a bee snack and it came back to bite him!  One eye was bigger than the other and almost swollen shut, but after a few shots he was all set to go! I thought of this "silly song" and how Larry's friend Oscar was "stung by a bee right on the lips!" So now...Chester's nickname is Usta. :-)

First Concert

Since I've started school at SVC I've had the opportunity to play at recitals and such but today I had the chance to play at the Emerging Artist Concert in La Conner! It was such an honor and a great experience! I praise God for giving me the strength and ability to do this and whatever else He throws my way in the future because without Him I could NOT do it.  I have thoroughly enjoyed studying with my teacher and I know that experiences like this will grow me in my music ministry in the years to come.


Flowers from my teacher. So sweet of her!

My friend, Hannah, and I performing Hungary Rapsodie Mignonne Op. 410 by Carl Koelling

Performing Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp Minor No. 20 Op. Posth.

A Plate Full of Veggies

No, I didn't eat a plate full of veggies for dinner, although that might have been good for me. :-)

I do have a very full plate. In fact, my plate hasn't been this full in....well....a long time. I could go down the long list, but I won't do that. We all have our lists. We all have the things that cloud our minds and keep us awake at night. We all have things that make us wonder if we'll get through the week. I can truly say, God's grace is sufficient! It's often tempting to fill our plates with things that are useless. You know what I'm talking about.  The chocolate, the cake, the pie. Whatever that may be for you. Things that don't REALLY matter when you sit back and take all things into account.

I'm determined to fill my plate with veggies. Things that may not always be desirable at the start, but things that will increase my faith, grow my learning, and cause me to be stronger in the Lord.  What are you filling your plate with?

2 Corinthians 12:9- And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Upcoming events....

It is April 2nd. The beginning of a very busy month. Spring break has been wonderful! I've enjoyed a good amount of rest balanced with much busyness. My main accomplishment was working in the print shop, which I loved! I really miss working in there with the hum of the machines, the music to sing along with, and the books to pray over concerning who might read them in the future. 

Now that April is here I'm looking ahead to what comes next. First, school starts tomorrow. I have a LOT on my plate and will only be able to handle it with the Lord's strength. My classes are: Intro to Sociology, English Comp.III, Music Theory III, Ear Training III, Choir, Small Vocal Ensemble, Piano lessons, and Voice lessons.  My little elephant eraser buddy in the picture is to remind me that the only way you can eat an elephant is one bite at a time.  The same with this quarter...one day at a time.

 Next up on the agenda is a Wilton Cake Decorating class!! I've been wanting to take this class ever since I started decorating cakes several years ago.  Being self-taught I have had to learn a lot of things the hard way and I'm sure there are many of the basics I still don't know. I don't have a lot of time to get into decorating at the moment because of school but I know that if I don't take this class I might never do it. It's such a good skill to have! I can't wait to learn how to use all those tips I've had forever. :-)  Plus it will be a fun time to spend with my mom as we do it together.

Lastly, on April 14 I have been asked to play at a concert in La Conner! It's the Young Emerging Artist Concert. "La Conner Institute of Performing Arts is proud to showcase the talents of this year's outstanding young artists from Skagit and surrounding counties.  This concert promotes interest in music by offering free admission to everyone under age 18.  Concert participants receive honorariums and certificates recognizing their achievements" A friend and I will be playing a duet and I will also be playing a solo. It's going to be an interesting experience as it will be my first time actually "performing" so to speak other than recitals. But I think it will be fun and I'm looking forward to it!

Well, that's April-to-come in a nutshell! We'll see how this goes....