Even More Ella

I will actually do some writing on here shortly. As it is, I can't get enough of this little girl!

A Whole Lotta Ella

Ella Grace Dale

I'm an aunt again!!!!!! My sister, Rachel, has given birth to a beautiful, miraculous, precious, perfect baby girl! Can you tell I love being an aunt? :) Ella Grace was born at 11:58pm on August 6, 2008. She was 7 lb 13 oz and 21 inches long. She has dark hair like her mommy did when she was born. She's got a very determined cry, and a healthy appetite. Welcome to the world, little Ella.

I Wish to Go to the Festival (56)!

I took a three day vacation this week. Some theatre friends of mine asked me months ago about going to a theatre festival in Illinois. I thought it sounded like a good idea at the time. Turns out I was right. Festival 56 is a wonderful event that takes place in Princeton, IL which is about 100 miles west (and slightly south) of Chicago. The website tells me that it is "Illinois' Largest Summer Theatre Festival". We saw the three shows featured above, although Jesus Christ Superstar, Vanities, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and A Doll's House were all part of the festival, as well. We saw truly talented actors perform, some of them in all 3 shows. The Odd Couple was phenomenal, but I particularly enjoyed Hamlet, which was performed in the park. I truly enjoy seeing Shakespeare done well, and the Hamlet of this performance was quite good. City of Angels, which I was unfamiliar with, was quite entertaining. It's a "film noir" type of show and also a musical, which makes it interesting. I knew some of the songs without knowing what they were from. Jason Simon, who played in all three shows (most notably as Oscar in The Odd Couple) played Bialystock in The Producers when I saw it at the Honeywell Center*. I didn't put two and two together until I got home, although I had multiple opportunities to speak with him. We could've discussed how awkward it is to sit between your mother and your grandmother during the "Hold Me-Touch Me" scene. Ah, well. Side bar: John Cormier, who played Felix and Laertes, was an exceptionally talented man, and I enjoyed visiting with him after the show, as well.
The girls and I had a fantastic time. In addition to the shows, we spent some time bonding over Project Runway, antiquing, and enjoying some good eats. I found some marvelous pieces of jewelry (as seen to the right), and a juicer for my brother.
I would highly recommend Festival 56 as a destination for theatre-lovers. If you go, be sure to visit the 28 East Tea Room, which serves a full tea service by reservation. Otherwise, you have a choice from 4 entrees from an ever changing menu. I had the Hummus Platter and the White Chocolate Lime Cheesecake with a pot of peppermint tea. Yum! Have some complimentary sherry in the lobby while you wait.

*Update, March 2009: As it turns out, I didn't put two and two together because it actually WASN'T Jason Simon I saw, although it was the same company he had been in. Saw J.S. in the Wizard of Oz and met with him after the show, which is where I learned all this info.

A Piece of Cake!

A few months ago, I agreed to bake cake for my music ministers wedding reception. It wasn't his ACTUAL reception, mind you, he had that in Ohio after his wedding. This was the reception the church was throwing for him after he got back from his honeymoon. In any case, I was a moron. I don't really have cake baking experience, especially on a large scale. But, as seen by my photo above, I decided to get organized. On Thursday night, I planned to bake several cakes. I instead had dinner with my parents, my sister and her husband. I did manage to bake 3 cakes, two 9" round ones and a 9" by 13". I put them in the freezer to frost the next day.

On Friday night, I had a caketastophe. I somehow managed to break a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge, causing the entire gallon to spew down upon every item in the refrigerator. However, I was still able to put together two 9" by 13" carrot cakes. While they were baking, I mixed the cream cheese frosting. I set the bowl of powdered sugar down too hard, and ended up with a reverse dalmatian sitting at my feet. She got relegated to her room, and I finished the frosting without incident.

Once the cakes were out of the oven, however, I was left with this. A carrot caketastrophe. I salvaged what I could, and created a two-tiered ugly cake. It could have been worse. The cake actually tasted delicious. On Saturday, I did manage to finish the rest of the cakes. I made Chocolate Pudding Cake with Toasted Coconut, Lemon Cake (pictured below), Almond Cake with Almond Buttercream, the aforementioned Carrot Cake, and Chocolate Fudge Cake with Toffee and Almonds. After my initial caketastrophes, everything went ok. On Sunday, I had to sing special music and praise team, so I was at church at 7:45am. I sang for first service, rehearsed for praise team, then went home to finish icing my chocolate fudge cakes, ran back to church, begged passing people to get the cakes out of car, sang for second service, sang for third service, then set up the room for the reception. I had lunch and then went back to serve the cakes. They were a hit! People really enjoyed them, however I had made too many. Luckily, I had ready volunteers to take home the leftovers.

All I Want is Loving You and Music, Music, Music!

Yesterday was an enjoyable day, but long. I had praise team brush-up at 8:00, then, of course, praise team & church at 10:45. From there, I drove to Marion to meet up with my brother and his wife, and mutual friends of ours, Travis & Amy Vanest. They're only in the country for a few months, and only in the Wabash area for a few days, then they're on their way back to Albania.

I left their company with a belly full of ribs and wings, and 45 minutes to get back to Wabash to the Dr. Ford Home for a string quartet performance. The music was beautiful, even if the ground was sloshy from the uncooperative weather (RAIN!).

I left the Ford home with sunburn isolated on the left side of my body and 10 minutes to pick up some burn cream and head to Charley Creek Gardens to hear an electric violinist and her band. The music was catchy, even if there was no dance floor to let the cha-cha out. I then continued to the Gardens building to hear a lecture about Music & the Community and a dinner following. It was the culmination of the first annual Charley Creek Music Festival (in coordination with the Paradise Spring Arts Festival). The day was just lovely, and it ended at 9:30-ish when I finally arrived home.

At work today in preparation for my 4-day weekend for the 4th of July, and anxiously awaiting baby news from my cousin Julia, who is a few days past her due date for Wren Alice Stotlar.

Planning to see Footloose at the Wagon Wheel this weekend, with my Kira friend playing Vi, the preacher's wife. Anyone want to go with?

New Do, And a Big To-Do!

So. . . it's been a really crazy week for me, here in the 'Bash. I had just finished the show in Peru (see last posting), when I got a call from my friend Evan on Monday. He lives in the northernmost part of Indiana. On Sunday evening, a couple and their son had stopped in at the restaurant where he works. Low and behold they were on their way to Wabash. The son, Ranaan, happens to be an amazing double bassist. I had seen him perform at the Honeywell Center in his group Time for Three. AMAZING! Seriously. Anyway, Evan said that Ranaan should look me up. Ranaan thought that was a swell idea. He gave Evan his number, and Evan gave it to me. So I was able to meet Ranaan on Monday evening. He was very nice, but I didn't stay long as it was me plus 14 double bass guys at this gathering. Even I'm not THAT ambitious. I then went on Friday night to see his concert at the Honeywell Center. (After buying a new dress and aforementioned 'do in Marion.) The concert was a culmination of a week-long double bass camp that Ranaan and two other instructors had taught that week. The music was beautiful, and with such an extensive variety, especially considering that it was all double-bass or double-bass and piano. Breath-taking. Honestly. After the concert, I went to the post-show dinner. I sat with 4 of the bassists, a co-worker and her husband, and a cutie named Ben. Excellent wine, food, and conversation. All in all a good evening.

Today, I worked til 4, then went to the Paradise Arts Festival for a bit. Bought a beautiful painting that I really can't afford, but I'm still glad I did. Then rushed back home, changed, and left again to have dinner with the fam at the country club. Ran into the bass boys from the previous evening, and was able to show off my nephew, Nicky. Then, it was on to see Bill Cosby at the Honeywell Center. I was amazed at how that man was able to reference his "naughty bits" over and over without actually using words that were over PG-13. Not quite the show that I expected, but still hilarious at 70 years old. Tomorrow, it's praise team in the AM, lunch with Martin, Tatiana, Travis, and Amy, then a concert at the Dr. James Ford Historic Home.

Busy. Busy. Busy.


Finally.