Friday, November 15, 2024

Busy, busy!

The previous two weeks were very busy. One thing is always "what to cook?" I love cooking but lately it was often the "old standby". Costco finally had ground lamb again, so I dug up my "improved Moussaka" recipe. Oh, gosh, why had I waited so long to do it again?


Last blog I showed photos from the younger "early winter" camellia. Today it's our first ones turn. They usually don't start at the same time. So much pleasure to look at it.



On November 2 we went to a "house concert". A quilting friend of mine lives way out in the country. A few times a year they invite a musician to their house. This time it was a group called "Albefeire".  I highlighted the name because if you click on it shows you their FaceBook page. Peg's and Malcolm's house concerts are usually Irish and Scottish music and end with some dancing. It is so much fun.






This photo shows that our weather was so lovely that even in November I could go walking in the dark with short pants and sandals.


Because of our upcoming trip to Europe we are not home for one of our scheduled Opera season tickets. We had to change the date. Friday November 8 was the new date but in the evening and in Norfolk. That is a 2 hour drive each way. We made a whole day out of it.

We arrived after 1 pm and went first to the Chrysler Museum of Arts. It is free and so very much worth a visit. But before we started admiring we had to have lunch. We had decided that since the museum is free we support it that way. We could sit outside and had a beautiful view of an awesome tree. Young art students were painting in front of us on the lower patio.



No way can I explain. 


There was also an area with glass pieces. This one especially (life-size) was amazing. There is a studio and classes/workshops are offered.


This painting by David Teniers the Younger (Flemish 1610-1690) called "The Surgeon" is just one of many which I looked at a little longer. The discription of each art piece was also very interesting. 



And paintings with lace were always interesting to me. "The Archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia ca. 1616" is from Peter Paul Rubens.



And yes, even a crazy quilt.



It's a shame but when "Information overload" set in we relocated. We decided to find the opera house and check out the parking situation. Since we were so early that was no problem. We left the car there and walked to find a cup of coffee. "The High Cup" was not far and the coffee delishes.


Each performance of "Virginia Opera" has a lecture about that piece. We always try to go to it. And then at 7:30pm it started. This time we not only enjoyed the music but the stage decorations and costumes also were awesome.


Ugh, we were back home and in bed by 2 in the morning. But at 9 am we both had a church commitment. James went to the Men's breakfast at a restaurant and I went to the monthly ECW meeting. I could not miss it since I was kind of leading it this time. It was fun though. At the end I suggested to try the Left-center-right game and the Hide-the-thimble, both are perfect for the holiday gatherings for groups of all ages. 


And another very early church day because the bishop was coming for conformation and of course there was a reception which the ECW was responsible for. I made the centerpiece in a fall theme of course. All natural. I "stole" the cattails in our neighborhood. 


Two of our three local boys played three baseball games that Sunday. A knock-out tournament. Winning the first and second got them to the finals but they didn't win the third game that day. They were so tired. The team was disappointed for a moment but everybody should be very proud of themselves.


So, only a few days left to take care of things, pay bills, write a church annual report, sort the medicine out which we need to take and not lasting until we are back etc etc. Happy to say that the flights for Helen and William for their Christmas visit are booked too. Special thanks to Ben because they will be there for Omi's birthday too. Yeah. Life is good. We can't thank the Lord enough.


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