Music, music all the time

  Yesterday I played the piano for our ward choir's performance in ward conference. They did a great job. We have practice at our house every Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm. It's actually really nice to have so many people there singing. Our neighbors have even commented about the choir, and they enjoy hearing them. But the music that I have to play is a little beyond my abilities.
      I basically taught myself to play the piano. My Mom taught me formally for about a year, on and off. And then when I became 15, I really wanted to play more, so I struggled through some church songbooks. I started writing music at 15, and even perfomed a few of my songs at church. For my Highschool graduation I wrote a quartet arrangement of the National Anthem for 3 other friends and I to sing,  and I also wrote a duet specifically for our graduation and class theme.  In college I studied music theory, and loved it. I also sang in a jazz choir and a chamber choir...... So anyway, my piano skills are mediocre at best, but I still try to play when I'm asked.
     After the ward choir practice, the Young Women in our ward came over at 3:00pm to practice a song they're singing for church in December. I walked into that one two weeks ago on activity night at the church. I was there for a cubscout pack meeting, and it had already finished, when I heard the young women practicing something in the chapel. I wondered if they had a pianist, so I walked in with the intention to offer to play for their practice. Silly me. So that's how I got to play for the young women.
    After the young women came over, I started to work on recording practice tracks for the choir for a song we're working on. The choir director asked me to do it, and of course I said yes. (She can't sight read very well, otherwise she'd do it herself)
   And in other news; yesterday I was set apart as the Primary President in our new ward ....

Family

Just got back from Pasco for my nephew's baptism. I got to play the piano for the baptism. It was unexpected, but I love to play, so I was happy to do it. After that we all went to my brother's house for dinner with the family. It's a two hour drive to Pasco, but it's worth it. Being with my extended family is a very big deal to me. I've lived on the East Coast worlds away from my family for the past 18 years. So to have a chance to get together for a baptism and a dinner together is huge to me. I love my family. I've missed them.

But we couldn't stay because I have to do music in Primary tomorrow (I'm substituting for the Chorister who just had a baby), and I am also playing the piano for our ward choir tomorrow. And also we have choir pracitce at our house after church. And also I said the young women could come over to our house after choir practice so that I can play for their musical number that they're practicing. And also it is Ward Conference.
And also I'm being called to be the Primary President.....

Next year's Primary Theme

So, I'm taking a look at next year's primary theme, and I made the main theme's poster. Feel free to use it if you like.

I used the picture from the children's primary song book, and coordinated the chevron pattern to match the colors in the picture. It was just a plain green blue chevron pattern, but I took the colors from the picture, and changed the the pattern. I  love doing things like that, even though it takes a really long time. Time that should be spent getting something done, like laundry,for example. Oh well, at least the Primary Room will be pretty. 

So it's November, and it's Thursday. Which means we have scout activities tonight. I'm the assistant Bear leader. Tonight is pack meeting. So no individual den activities tonight. Next week I'm in charge of the Bear activities since the Den leader will be out of town.
So here's what I'm doing:
Bear Elective Adventures: Bear Picnic Basket
2. With the help of an adult, select one food item, and follow a recipe to prepare it for your family in your kitchen. Clean up after the preparation and cooking.

I will be teaching them how to make Apple Pie. Each one will get their own individual pie plate, and we will cook them in the oven at the church.

I did this last year with about 15 little girls ages 8-11, and it turned out pretty well. So, we'll see how 5-7 little 9 year old boys handle it.

Last year I made a giant recipe page. Since we've moved across the country in the past year, I'm pretty sure I don't still have that, so I will make another one.

....Or maybe I could make scripture cookies.... Hmmmm..... I haven't decided for sure yet.  We'll see.