It's a Blizzard!

My grandchildren in Atlanta watch me walk around my yard pointing out the 2 - 4 foot snowdrifts (via an Ipad ).

   They ask me to jump into those same snow mounds with voices calling out

  "you are so lucky" and "it's not fair ".
 (Celine front and center at the computer monitor
 looks like she's clapping).

Maybe I should have shocked them and actually thrown myself into one...it would have provided some vicarious enjoyment and fits of giggles, I'm sure."  Brielle, (hand to cheek standing at the back of the pack) wistfully wished for the technology to transport instantly up into this northern snow-filled landscape.

 

 

Remember....

A few years ago, we had a snowstorm during your visit and you had lots of fun creating this guy.

Today was a warm, springlike day in their Georgia...

 Here, in southern New England

it was a cold, wintery white morning!

Below is what greeted us from the back and front doors....

  

Snow piled high against                                 Opening the garage door

the door to the back deck.                                    Yes, a 4 foot drift!

So where's the street?

 and now I know why they'll be no mail delivery today !

thank goodness the gas powered snow blower started up

The scene facing the outer back yard beyond the pool fence.

~perennials will stay sleeping snugly under this blanket~

  

The driving ban lifts at 4pm this afternoon, but I think we'll be staying warm and cozy inside.

Neve and Ella (my 2 "northern" granddaughters)

 enjoy the 2+ feet of snow in their yard this morning

Blizzard Brownies

(we needed some comfort food today)

*use your favorite boxed brownie mix,

 mix and cook as directed 

 use foil-lined 9x13 pan,

  cool

~Microwave  1/2 cup honey with 1 cup smooth peanut butter...

 mix well and spread over the cooled brownies.

~Place in refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

~Melt some chocolate with 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

 and 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

(I used 2 oz of a large Hershey's special dark chocolate bar and Hershey's unsweetened cocoa baking powder)

  I did this in the microwave - 40 seconds on high).

   ~Stir this up quickly

 and spread over the cooled peanut butter honey mixture.

~Return to fridge and cool for 20 minutes before cutting.

Enjoyed with a hot cup of decaf!

tiara worthy of an epic blizzard

Prima Ballerina

A child sings before it speaks,
dances almost before it walks,
music is with us from the beginning.

~ Pamela Brown

       It started the first moment I held her in my arms...
we connected through music and movement.

I'd sing any song..... it didn't have to be a lullaby, for any gentle melody conveyed my message of love.  The swaying motion of my walk or the rocking motion in a chair were our special moments together.

           When she was a toddler we'd dance together to all those lively childhood verses.

She enjoyed all music and dance, her small feet moving to the rhythm.  We'd hear her singing while playing with toys...and she'd ask for the same music over and over..

                     never tiring as she choreographed her own..

               
                   Dancing with Paka, she knew all the steps...

                  Of course, she needed the proper clothes

                               and dolls added to the role.                                   

Before long, every step was a dance move

                  Every opportunity to dance was taken,                              

                                   and the world was her stage...

                although most performances were for a home audience.

     Little hands whirling a sparkler gracefully through the night air.. 

                                     would translate well..

                                        
                                           when, finally

                                                          began.

  The positions would be learned...

along with a new language,

       

and hair would be tamed in the traditional way.

Anyone could be a partner when she wanted to..

 She becomes willowy and lithesome...

She learns to love the barre,

and the extension it develops.

She once thought it was for swinging....

now it's all about strengthening and balance.

Even at home, she moves on tip toes,

oops...."pardonne-moi"

Classes get longer,

and harder.

She continues to practice,

as each pose requires concentration,

and precision.

She remembers the small stretches of before,

and now pushes the limits.

She knows the dancer's motto of....

Performances are always special,

there's applause..

and her name written in a Program.

Then shyly, she accepts the congratulatory rose.

She starts to dream of dancing en pointe.

For that is what true Prima Ballerinas do.

Hmmmnn....they say..

Who else supports their total weight on one toe?

 ”In a dancer, there is a reverence for such forgotten things

as the miracle of the small beautiful bones
and their delicate strength.” 
                                                - Martha Graham

It may take some time to get it right,

and, it's a little scarey.

But new beginnings usually are...

and she won't be alone. 

It's a great leap to take

and this might be part of the plan....

I know she'll always dance.......

that's just her way,

of course it may not always be BALLET...

but whatever shoes she decides to wear,

and whatever path she follows,

          she'll have grace, discipline, and poise,

 

because...

Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn!  ~Terri Guillemets

  

The inspiration for this post:

 my beautiful granddaughters

 Avery, Brielle, Celine, and Danae, 

You  bring amazing joy to my life,

I love you

 

2009
“To dance is to be yourself.

Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.

This is power on earth and it is yours for the taking.

                                                                Agnes De Mil

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELINE !  (4-26)

Here's a tiara fit for an aspiring ballerina

watch TRAILER