original score by Carter
I want to fill our home with books that we will actually read, and music instruments that we will actually play, or learn to play.
For Christmas I'm going to have my guitar re-strung, and search freecycle and resale shops for a djembe (african drum), or some bongos, and Gray really wants a ukulele. How I'd love to have a piano again so I can teach them all to play.
Someday, I want to have a party, like,
with tons of mismatched tables and chairs outside in my big back yard that sometimes in my dreams it is in the heart of Chicago, and other times it's out in the country in a forest somewhere. Both settings have lights, and amazing Mediterranean food, and people I love - I'll invite absolutely everyone I know but only the people that are meant to be there will show up. I close my eyes and see the guests at their seats in Chocolat, and the music like the reception from Rachel's Getting Married. And it might last a weekend, not just one night. Here's the one whimsy- I'll wish for it to never end.
OMG, that picture. This idea. LOVE.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you know this but in a previous life I was a semi-professional violinist. Did recitals and all that.
For my birthday Jon bought me a mandolin. Learning to play it is one of the items on my life list! -Christine
{We have a djembe drum that we bought at TJ Maxx. I can bring it over for you to play, if you'd like.}
ReplyDeleteSteph-
ReplyDeleteI love reading your stories & dreams. So inspiring. ;)
I just went away to your beautiful party for a moment. Thanks for taking me there... so lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe have a djembe... it is Isaac's favorite thing in the world. :)
ReplyDeleteMy college has this tradition called Flunk Day where they pick a day during Spring-mester and cancel all the classes and lock up all the academic buildings and let the students party all day long. It's always a surprise - you never know what day it will be. The anticipation is enough to keep you going, though.
ReplyDeleteMy junior year, my Flunk Day was spent out on a huge grassy lawn between two enormous oak trees. We had blankets spread out everywhere. Folks brought guitars and djembes and any other instrument they could think of and we had the most amazingly wicked jam session in history.
It. was. Awesome.
I love the idea of a party like the one in choclat. I love that movie. I hope to be able to do the same someday.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen Because of Winn-Dixie? The bottle tree? That back yard?
ReplyDeleteYeah.
That's the one.
that....sounds divine!
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe have a ukulele! It wasn't very expensive, just $20 or $30, which is pretty darned good for an instrument. It actually sounds pretty good after we replaced the cheapo original strings.
ReplyDeleteI love that Carter is song-writing on actual music staves! Wouldn't it be fun to have a piano and play for him the notes he wrote?! Or if he has a melody in mind, to write out the real notes for him? (Actually, I could do that. If he does and you get a video, I could try to transcribe it for you.)
Oh, I so wish I could invite you all over! Kids always love it when Michael takes out his tuba! Or when they get to slide the trombone slide. Or try to get a sound (any sound!) to come out of the trumpet.
I'M COMING. For Real. I'm trying to learn guitar, and I have this silly little image in my head of someday having a musical little family. Someday I will sing again like I used to, and someday, I will have this same party.
ReplyDeleteMm, I love it when you share your dreams too -- they make me smile and bring a spot of cheer to my day.
ReplyDeleteI loved the reception in Rachel's Getting Married. Cool day dream, I hope it comes true.
ReplyDeleteohhh, I totally get you on the chocolat and the rachel getting married scenes!! beautiful! ill be awaiting my invite!! haa haa!
ReplyDeleteWe had friends who lived on a river - every year they'd invite EVERYONE they knew to bring tents and come stay for the weekend. Everyone went tubing and swimming during the day and at night...oh wow - what fun! The kids ran around and played hide and go seek in the dark and made smores....They even had a huge wooden stage area with electric run to it for amps etc...it was an entire weekend of "Jam session" - Someday I too will have their set up! someday.......
ReplyDeleteAaaahhh... Living the dream!!! We have decided that each kidlet can start a musical instrument when they are nine... and they long and wait for this moment...(nothing magical about nine except that by then we have usually saved enough for the instrument and by then they want it so badly that they practice without too much prodding!!!). So far I live with a trumpeter and a saxophonist and a very new violin player!!! And I can see it happening - a mini orchestra -playing for my ninetieth birthday, hopefully I won't be too deaf to enjoy it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll bring my guitar and play along. And the hummus. :)
ReplyDeleteone day, one day my friend.
xo
You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour dreams are so cool.
And your kids are super talented, they obviously have a great role model.
love this and love your blog... thanks for writing...
ReplyDeleteI love this! Tee hee...our cat's name is Djembe. I recommend the real ones though, they are much easier to take care of and don't eat as much. ;) We have two actual djembes, too (hubby is a percussionist)-a full sized one and a little one for the babies. They love to play!
ReplyDeleteoh I love this. And I will show up. Also, I'm now searching craigslist for a didgeridoo. You need one for your collection.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes ^_^ I'll be there! WITH BELLS ON!
ReplyDeletei love all of it.
ReplyDeletealso, gray needs this: http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H3125-Ukulele-Kit/dp/B0000DD4ME
(p.s. i'm pretty sure that that party is one of your children's weddings. & it sounds perfect.)
Wishing you this party! Please invite! I'm there! ( :
ReplyDeleteDude. I'd totally be there...
ReplyDeleteMy kind of party!
ReplyDelete