Claudia-ism

Jasmin chases Claudia, who doesn't like this. The persecuted damsel runs crying to Sarah, who picks her up and tries reasoning with Jasmin. The repentant older sister switches from torturing to consoling.

Jasmin: "Claudia, think of a happy place."
Claudia: "Toys R Us!"

The cure-all: Start bawling, run to Miss Sarah (she'll take care of whatever ails thee), and think of Toys R Us!

The Feast Week of Ashley

"Once again the days of the feast of Ashley are again upon us! I must say that this years feasts came up with rather frightening speed, it seems only weeks ago since we ate last year’s feasts! Ah, but all must bow to time’s relentless march, and so it is today that again we celebrate Ashley’s birthday.

     As an invented “ancient tradition”, I have devised a week of feasts to mark this momentous time. In all seriousness, the feasts were thought up and named at a time when we were very poor, so I basically gave over-dramatic and impressive names to what ever we were eating that night and then, on Ashley’s actual birthday, let her pick out a restaurant she wanted to eat at, or meal she wanted prepared for her.
     In subsequent years I came up with a back story for this whole craziness. This text was written in a “Book of Mormon” pseudo-religious style, describing how the ancient people of Martineau came to celebrate this great week of feasts to the “Goddess of the ash tree meadow”.
      Yes, I went overboard, yes it is ludicrous, but when you are in love, you go there.
      I wanted (and still want) my wife to know that no matter how bad things get, we can afford to have fun. I want all my friends to know that I consider ANYTHING as a good reason to celebrate; life is too short to be serious about everything.
      The original feast week had two feasts devoted to the eating of meat, namely “The Feast of The Fowl of The Air” and “The Feast of The Fowl of The Land”. Now remember that these “ancient traditions” were invented a few years back, when we still ate meat. Well, as of last year’s feast we’d both given up the eating of meat, thus rendering us unable to keep the feasts.
      Well, not wanting to break tradition and at the same time wanting to conform to modern sensibilities, I did what any made-up religious leader would do in a situation like that: I invented a new revelation!
     I don’t know if there still exists a copy of the original Feast week text, but I do have a copy of the “new revelation”.
     Another tradition I made up to commemorate this festival is to read from the text on the first day of the feasts and then announce the day’s feast on each of the following days until the feast of Ashley (on the 16th).
     So here follows the text of the most recent “revelation” regarding the Feast Week of Ashley." 

             - Brian Lawrence Martineau

Martineau Muppet Movie: The Feast Week of Ashley from Ashley Martineau on Vimeo.

Phone Call

I was talking to Anaja on the phone this morning, and Elizabeth wanted to talk to me.

Anaja: "Say "hi", Lizzie."
Lizzie: "Hi, Lizzie."
Anaja: "No, say, "Hi, SARAH."
Lizzie: "Hi, Sarah."
Sarah: "Hi, Lizzie. Did you eat your breakfast?"
Anaja: "Say, "no."
Lizzie: "No."
Sarah: "Are you at Gramma's house?"
Lizzie: "Yeah, I at Gramma's house."
Sarah: "Are you going to go play?"
*PAUSE*
Anaja: "Say "bye", Lizzie."
Lizzie: "Bye."

Baby Carlton

Congratulations to the Carlton family on the birth of their fifth son!
I'll post the name when I hear what they've decided. So exciting! 

"How Many Did You Eat?"

Today, mei sister and I are making elven waybread called "lembas". For the rest of y'all who are interested, here's the recipe. Pippin would be proud!


6 TBSP butter or margarine, slightly softened 
2 cups self-rising flour
1 TBSP granulated sugar
½ cup raisins (optional)
1 egg, well beaten
½ cup milk
4 TBSP heavy cream
Mallorn leaves

With a pastry blender of fork, cut margarine into the flour in a mixing bowl until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Do this rapidly so the butter does not melt. Add the sugar and if desired, ½ cup of raisins. In a small bowl, beat the egg and milk together until mixed. Reserve 1 TBSP of this mixture to brush the tops of the Lembas. Add the cream and egg mixture to the flour and mix just until combined into a stiff, soft dough. Knead three or four times on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to a ¾" thickness and cut with an oval or leaf shaped cookie cutter. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving 1" of space between Lembas. Brush the tops of the Lembas with the reserved egg-milk mixture. Bake for 12 -13 minutes in a preheated 400 degree oven. For safe keeping, wrap each Lembas individually in a fresh, clean Mallorn leaf. If these leaves are unavailable in your area, store the Lembas in a tightly closed container. Makes about 1 ½ dozen Lembas. - Elven Maiden

January Recital

In order to tell how long my students' songs are, before the recital I record them playing each one. Then I know how long it is. This is Holly Lotter playing "Scarf Dance"...

The Daily 7 for a Highly Successful Household

Because I'm in the posting sort of mood, I might as well share the "Daily 7" that I plan to start referring to as a checklist of sorts. (I don't think my sisters will be too thrilled that I'm in another "cleaning fit"... since after all, they're the ones helping!) I found it online.


Number 1: Make Beds Right Away
Number 2: Do One Complete Load of Laundry
Number 3: Empty All Garbage Cans
Number 4: Keep Your Kitchen Sink Empty
Number 5: Clean Up After Yourself and Help Children (sisters) Do the Same
Number 6: Bathroom Wipe-Down
Number 7: Before Bed 10-Minute Clean Up

I think the hardest will be the "keep your kitchen sink empty". I'm not all too motivated when it comes to dishwashing. Also the laundry will be a challenge, but it sounds like it will pay off in the end.

Cool Kid

  

I think this is what I would look like if I were a punk. : ) 

"He'd just as soon eat bread and cheese..."

I couldn't find any pictures of the scene, but remember in  Wives and Daughters when Mr. Gibson and Molly are toasting bread and cheese in front of the fire? Last Sunday night, we watched the movie with the Martineaus. When they came over tonight (Featherplucking night) they brought artisan bread with sharp cheddar cheese. Ser gut! I wanted something more authentic than the microwaved version, so I toasted my bread (and my face) in front of the pellet stove. I also tried my first taste of eggnog! (It's better if you drink it mixed with milk... less... chokingly sweet!) Anyway.... the toasted bread and cheese was EXCELLENT and I think I'll die of a heart attack.

Baby Tosti

Congratulations to the Tosti family on the birth of Joshua Haven!
(He was born last Thursday; this post is a little late!)

Exams

Tis the time for semester exams! I took my Spanish one today - we had a choice of either taking it today or next week. I wanted to get it over with, so I went for it this week. Instead of a written exam, she tests us by having an "interview" with us one-on-one. (Fortunately, not in front of the class!) I think I did okay, although I messed up on the silliest little thing: "Me llamo es Sarah." Oh, well. We have two weeks left before our composition "exams" are due. Just like in Spanish, we don't have actual written tests. The exam grade is whatever we score on our research papers.

I'm off to take a Spanish test. I have to drill into mei head the difference between "por" and "para" in the next five minutes. (It's due by 12:00 tonight.) So... chau!

Baby Ross

Congratulations to the Ross family on the birth of Oliver David!

Busy.

Tonight's Agenda:

1. Read new novel 
2. Call a friend (who hangs up on you because you're in a weird mood)
3. Drink vanilla tea
4. Smile over receiving two letters in one day
5. Decide what to knit next 
6. Watch Andy Griffith episodes
7. Collapse exhausted into bed 

Nobody understands the hardships of my life.  *smirk*

Pomegranate

This is how to make pomegranate juice when you don't have a sieve! I crushed the seeds first in a sifter, then with my hands. It was soooo good... almost like cranberry juice.

And the spots on mei face are neither measles nor pimples, they are splatters of pomegranate juice!

Accomplished Troublemaker!

 Ode to Myself

In the past week I have...

Set off the fire alarm while making pita chips,
(O, lovely hummus!)
(O, smokey kitchen!)

Locked mei daed's keys in his car after church and
Borne the humiliation of my misconduct
At the tender loving mercies of the brethren
(In other words, lots of teasing!)

And stole a spiced chai tea bag
From the Baptist fellowship hall.

 

Although, I did get permission from a Baptist, so it doesn't count.

"Flavorful blend of spices."

You'd steal it too!

Thanksgiving with the Featherpluckers

This Tuesday, the Featherpluckers celebrated their very own mock thanksgiving... with all the trimmings! Some dishes were traditional (cranberry sauce!) and some were not-so-traditional (kale chips!). The lead vocalist does not like green bean casserole, which was a tragedy, but they managed to sneak them in their organic form anyway. They also enjoyed creamed corn, stuffing, monkey bread, fried onions, cornbread... and for dessert, vanilla ice cream with apple pie! (Lots of food + lots of iced seltzer peach tea = a roomful of people who don't feel like washing a kitchenful of dirty dishes!)

The Featherpluckers

Introducing the brand-new band "The Featherpluckers"! Unfortunately I cannot post any completed music at this time, but here are some pictures from our behind-the-scenes production. A finished recording of our single "Dusty Doily" is available for downloading on noisetrade.com. Coming soon: "Oh, Possum", "Broken Glowstick", "Snow", "Fuzzy Sweaters", "Garbanzo Beans", "Circus Peanuts, "Polo Shirts" and more!

Sisters Three

I had a good laugh over this picture. It was completely unplanned and unposed... but I thought it was amusing.

October "Blizzard"

Happiness is being with Brethren to share in the excitement of the first snowfall of the season! Tonight was the first night of our gospel meeting (see Tabitha Smelser on the far left), and  it was so exciting when we came outside to discover that it was snowing. I'll post more pictures in the photo album. What a fortunate thing it was that I had my camera in the van!

Miss Sarah on Tattoos.

I'm taking a much-needed break until my next piano student arrives... breathe in, breathe out... ah it feels good to sit. 

Anyway. 

Yesterday in Composition class - yes this is your weekly update - we were suggesting different themes for our argumentative essays. One person suggested the subject of tattoos (she was complaining about her boss, who made her cover them up when she worked. She's a waitress.) We - or should I say, they - discussed whether it was reasonable or not. Our professor turned to me and said, grinning to let me know he was kidding, "Yeah, I bet Sarah's gonna get a big snake tattooed on her arm." I assured him that I had no intention of doing any such thing! But... I found it interesting that he knew someone like me wouldn't get a tattoo. He didn't associate Christians and tattoos. (He made another similar comment later about how I was going to muscle him into giving me some Halloween candy. Halloween and Christian didn't mesh.)

I know there are people who will argue that Leviticus 19:28 no longer applies since it was written under the old Law. But even the world can see that Christians have no business displaying "body graffiti". I could write a book on this sort of thing, but I suppose I need to get ready for my student. Just... think about it.

2006 - 2011

 I found a picture from a 2006 bike ride on the Bristol path and put it up next to this year's Bristol bike ride. (I've only been twice.) I think the only thing that hasn't changed in 5 years is that I'm still riding the same bicycle!

Feminine Barnabus

A boy named Barnabus told me to be a "daughter of encouragement".

It's so amazing to have brethren in other parts of the world.

Poor Dear...

...She gets all choked up just thinking about how far away I am!

Apple a Day

We had two apples left. One was green and hard, the other was brown in places and full of squishy spots. But we were finished our supper and those apples seemed to be calling my name... so I baked them up into 3 tiny apple pies! I made the recipe completely up from what I remembered to be in apple pie... crust and all, because I was too lazy to go dig out my cookbook. They were like little tarts, and we enjoyed them. It was a yummy way to use up those rejected apples!

"These Are the Days of Elijah".

I found this awhile ago... it was linked to the website where I buy my head coverings (Angel's website). I like the song, and I enjoyed this interpretation. I've never seen anybody sign that enthusiastically!

And... stay and watch the "special message" at the end. It has some good sentiments that I agree with. And *smile* it will answer the question I guess will pop into your head first off: "Is she a nun?" "Is she Amish?" I did not look up the "good test"... if you do end up following the link she gives then let me know what it was.

And fear ye not - the music is a Capella. Enjoy!

Do Not Put a Pastry in Your Mouth.

"Do not put a pastry in your mouth, for you shall choke when you hear what I must say!" I know I almost did. Tonight's composition class was the strangest moment I think I've ever had. Our professor has been telling us since the first class that we're the best class he has... that we're the strongest group he's taught, etc. etc. So when he came in today, I was sort of surprised to hear what he had to say. "I went through, looked at your grades, looked at your papers, and I ranked the top five of this class. And trust me, top of this class is accomplishment." 

I'd been wondering all week how he would respond to the essay I wrote on our last assignment on "chance". We had to write a few paragraphs explaining how we defined chance and whatnot. I didn't think he'd think very much of mine... I mean, I said right in there about how I believed in providence rather than chance. I used the story of Joseph to back up my argument. In fact, every single real essay I've written for the class mentions something spiritual if not God directly. He scorns religion, I know, and I was a little shaky handing in a paper like that to this atheist who was likely to give me a failing grade. 

Professor Yattaw turns to the whiteboard. "In fifth place, we have..." he wrote the name of one of the men in the class. Jah, that makes sense. The self-acclaimed evolutionist... but he is a really impressive writer. "In fourth place..." The woman who sits behind me... another really, really good writer, in my opinion. (We've gotten to be pretty friendly... but that's another story.) He went on through third and second, and with a little sigh I resigned myself to the fact that I was not in the top five. Ah, well, maybe I made the top ten. "And in first place is someone you wouldn't guess at first." Huh, I do fit that bill. "Any guesses, though?" A few fingers pointed around the room. I was curious to know who it was.. he kept us guessing for a few minutes at least. Finally Karen (the-woman-who-sits-behind-me) spoke up. "Is it Sarah?" 

I don't remember what exactly he said after that. It was something to the effect of "yes". All I remember is feeling a sense of shock, then... 

"What?!" 

Okay, so it wasn't my most brilliant speech, especially not after being awarded such an honor. I've never blushed that hard... I could feel my ears burning. The class was amused, and when they'd finished being amused, our professor made his little congratulatory speech. (Of which I don't remember a word.) But I almost wonder... maybe God put this experience in my life to sort of shake me out of the "ooh... maybe I shouldn't put in a reference to "divine providence" mindset. Ach, it all seems so surreal. Now I only have to keep my title. It'll be quite the challenge, judging from the previews of other folks' papers tonight.

Planning Ahead

  We went to Chili's with the Nelsons, after the Singing. I had some very amusing conversations with Hannah Mae. 

 Hannah: "When I grow up, I'm going to do things the right way and get married." 

Me: "Ah." 

Hannah: "I'll probably be a Christian before I get married." 

Me: "That's a good idea."

Hannah: "I'll have two kids. I'm gonna name one Christian." Suddenly, seized with a sense of all things virtuous, she begins fiercely scribbling over the girl on the front page (who was wearing a shirt that didn't quite meet her pants), declaring, "This is inappropriate. I'm gonna color all over all the inappropriate ones."

Me: "I like the way you think, Hannah!" 

Solo!!!

This is a video Hannah sneakily took of me. I don't think you can hear the music... all the better... but I've been wanting to post a picture of mei violin so I'll put it up anyhow! (I'm playing Danny Boy... still my favorite song to squeak out on it.) It's so much bigger than mei old one. I'm still getting used to having a bow as tall as me.

The Collegian Speaketh

I just got home from mei CCRI classes and.... I can breathe again! Hooray for notes... they saved me. My composition teacher graded our quizzes, then scanned our notes and decided on a grade. 10 pages or more of copious notes get you an automatic +1 to your grade!!! So I have a 101% average. (!!!) Since everyone did so well on the quizzes and notetaking, he decided to just stop giving tests altogether. Notes get you extra credit, though.... they take a while but they're worth it!!! Imagine passing a class with over 100% average. I know I probably won't, but the idea tickles me nonetheless.

Every class, he writes a quote up on the board and we have 5 - 10 minutes to freewrite about what it means to us. Sometimes it's a question we have to answer, other times it's just thoughts to expound upon and whatnot. Tonight this was the quote he put up: "What is the difference between a duck?" 

He wouldn't let us ask any questions, and we had to sit there and try to come up with something. Only two people wrote anything down. One person gave some deep, psychological answer that went something to the effect of "the question isn't asking for a specific answer... it's whatever you think it should be". (*blink* He used a bunch of long words, but that's what it amounted to in layman's terms.) But the other fella gave an answer that I thought was pretty clever: "It's braver than a run." (Explanation: "ducking" is braver than running away. Somehow. *blinking again*)

Spanish class is going well. I wrote a report on a Guatemalan musician and there's my picture from a Spanish painter that I'll be writing about soon. Our teacher is really nice and has a great sense of humor. It's the neatest thing to be able to understand every single thing she's saying in Spanish - she has a knack of keeping things challenging, but not beyond what we can follow. She talks a mile-a-minute and has a really strong RI accent... sometimes it's harder to understand her English than it is her Spanish!

So... I'm getting the hang of it... sorta. At least now I know how to start a roster or whatever they call 'em. When you pass the paper around for everyone to sign that they are present... you know. That thing. The first week I had no idea what to do... I had to ask the girl behind me!