burning question

Q. What was Johann Sebastian Bach's favorite food?

A. Chicken.

Why? He loved hearing them call his name over and over... "Bach, Bach, Bach"

:)


Well, Elizabeth and I had our 1st violin concert this afternoon (and my last :). My role as a concert violinist is officially over (at least as far as Mr. Suzuki is concerned). It actually was quite a wonderful experience to learn the 'basics' of playing the violin with my daughter. Elizabeth will continue and I will officially pass the violin torch! We were excited that my Mom and our sweet friends came to hear our squeaks!

...and the beat goes on!

the reason I'm up at 4:01 a.m.

is because my friend Angie posted about this. I've spent the last 2 hours reading.

very special deliveries!

There are a few families currently in China adopting some amazing young ladies! If you enjoy following adoption journey's you don't want to miss these stories! Most of these children are older and some have significant special needs. All are precious in His sight...

click your ruby slippers and go:
HERE
and
HERE
and
HERE
and last but most certainly NOT least!
go HERE!

Life just got easier!

I discovered some apples placed in the produce section of our frig. by accident became frozen solid somehow. I was making some totally YUM split pea soup for dinner this evening (recipe to follow) and add apples to the mix for a wonderful flavor and touch of sweetness. I thought my ingredients were going to be compromised but instead, it lead to an interesting discovery.

I decided to wash off the apple in an attempt to "salvage" it and inadvertently had the hot water on when starting to rinse it. To my surprise, the warm water melted the apple slightly around the skin just enough for it to SLIDE right off! TRY IT!!! Freeze an apple, turn on your warm/ hot water to wash it, and VIOLA! It's amazing! Gently rub the skin and it's GONE!

I chopped it up as usual, added it to the pot of simmering split peas and it was the best split pea soup I've ever made!

Split Pea Soup

1 bag Split peas (rinsed and sorted)
1/2 - 1 onion
1 clove garlic
2 - 3 apples or pears (or both) chopped
3/4 cup carrots
fresh herbs (sage, basil, oreg. parsley, etc.. I use whatever I have in my small herb garden)
1 teaspoon curry
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup long grain brown rice (optional)
~~~~

Place all ingred. (except the rice) in a large pot and add amount of water called for on the bag of split peas. Simmer 2-3 hours and add rice about an hour before you are ready to serve it. Just before serving blend it all with a mixer or hand held blender.

ENJOY!!!

Mercury in the Swine Flu vaccine

Cure more deadly than disease?

Here is part of another report about the potential dangers of the experimental Swine Flu vaccine..

What I thought was also interesting is the data showing that the vaccine only provides a temporary immunity for a small percentage of a very specific type of flu. Studies are showing that immunizing throughout ones life never gives the individual the opportunity to obtain "natural immunity" that your body develops which is far more effective especially in older adults. Here's a portion of the article..
~
Although White House science advisers have warned that up to 90,000 Americans might die from H1N1 during the coming flu season, BUT- the head of the CDC responded by telling the public to ignore such a high mortality estimate, saying the current H1N1 couldn't kill that many people without mutating.

Use of a similar swine flu vaccine in the United States in 1976 resulted in 25 people suffering from severe paralysis and dying from respiratory failure after being injected with the vaccine – more than the number of lives claimed from the virus itself.

Additionally, the vaccine is said to contain thimerosal, a preservative ingredient composed of mercury that has been linked to autism in young children.

The FDA states, "Thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine."

Thimerosal has also been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS – a serious disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system and may result in death.

In 1976, health officials found nearly 500 cases of GBS, and the vaccine was withdrawn 10 weeks after the link with GBS was suspected. Following the 1976 vaccination against swine flu in the U.S., a retrospective study found a likely eight-fold increase in the incidence of GBS.

Now that the nation is preparing for another round of H1N1 flu shots, the Oregonian reported that the federal government is urging neurologists to keep a close watch for new cases of GBS.

In a study conducted at the University of Hong Kong, the British Medical Journal reported that less than half of 8,500 doctors and nurses in public hospitals will accept vaccination against the swine flu – even following increases in the World Health Organization's pandemic alert level.

The study revealed, "The major barriers identified were fear of side effects and doubts about efficacy."

According to the following report by Russia Today, investigative journalist Wayne Madsen revealed that even scientists who helped develop a vaccine for small pox are saying they will not take the vaccine and urging friends and family to refrain from taking the injection as well:

rosin up the bow

I had NO idea how involved holding a violin and bow was... so this is Suzuki. The theory is the parent (that would be me) learns the proper technique of bow holding, violin holding, posture, etc.. and then is better able to make sure the child (that would be Elizabeth) is practicing correctly.

My first lesson was quite a fiasco. Actually, I missed the very first lesson, so technically it was lesson #2. A nasty upper resp. bug had me homebound for almost 9 days and it was my first day "out" in a while. It was a hot hot day and I guess I was still sporting a bit of a fever because about 20 minutes into the lesson and holding the weapon errr I mean violin correctly on my shoulder twisting my neck and head I felt it was either ask to sit down, or I was going to totally embarrass myself and end up passing out.

After a few moments all was well and when we got home Elizabeth had to remind me how to correctly do it all! :)

The "new parents" and students have a concert coming up in several weeks and my husband is delighting in teasing me about my first "concert" in ..xx years!

ahhhh what you will do for your kids!
xoxoxo
~
UPDATE:
Violin is actually going quite well and I now see the benefits of this method. Elizabeth is taking her violin playing VeRy seriously and I think this will be a wonderful addition to her talents. She is very responsible with the care of her tiny little Klaus Muller Etude (1/16 size) violin and loves to practice - so far.