Patrick and Maggie colored eggs yesterday. They were impatient for the Easter Bunny to come. I think they were looking forward for it with the same enthusiasm as they awaited for Santa.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Get your dance shoes on, or 'opinci'
Every once in a while I get lucky and have a day off when a special folk dance event is going on. This past weekend the folk dance group in Tucson was celebrating their 50th anniversary and had a special guest teacher Yves Moreau. I asked my husband if he was interested in going to Tucson, so we all went. He dropped me and my son off at Ina Gittings Gym at the University of Arizona, while he and my daughter went on a 'treasure' hunt at the local Bookman stores.
I've never met Yves Moreau, but I've heard from my folk dance friends that he is a great teacher. When I walked into the gym I could hear his voice echoing a Macedonian folk dance song 'Slusham kaj shumat sumite'. It strange to hear a song in my native tongue here in America. Without wasting a second I joined the circle, tried to quickly learn the dance steps and sang along the familiar words of the song, that now I can't get out of my head.
He taught a few other dances and the night went on with quite a few dance request. I knew some and joined in, others I wasn't interested (any couple/mixers), and yet for some I tried to dance behind the circle so I can follow and learn the steps.
We drove back home late last night, it was close to midnight when we got back to Phoenix. And today, I got my Macedonian dance shoes out, known as opinci (see picture) and have been playing Macedonian music and dancing in my house.
I actually realized that YouTube has quite a selection of videos on which the dancers feet are visible so I can try to learn the steps.
Here is list of some of my favorites. You can YouTube them by the name:
Bavno Oro
Chupurlika (I saw some belly dancers do this one)
Eleno Mome
Ravno Oro
Urva Fanka
Kopacka (men dance)
Adana
Kalajdjisko
Dedo Mili Dedo
Karamfil
Pajdusko
Syrto Kofto
Rumelaj
Yalaryal
Imate li vino
Bajracheto (also known as Zensko Beranche)
Pembe
Maleshevsko
Belasicko
I've never met Yves Moreau, but I've heard from my folk dance friends that he is a great teacher. When I walked into the gym I could hear his voice echoing a Macedonian folk dance song 'Slusham kaj shumat sumite'. It strange to hear a song in my native tongue here in America. Without wasting a second I joined the circle, tried to quickly learn the dance steps and sang along the familiar words of the song, that now I can't get out of my head.
He taught a few other dances and the night went on with quite a few dance request. I knew some and joined in, others I wasn't interested (any couple/mixers), and yet for some I tried to dance behind the circle so I can follow and learn the steps.
We drove back home late last night, it was close to midnight when we got back to Phoenix. And today, I got my Macedonian dance shoes out, known as opinci (see picture) and have been playing Macedonian music and dancing in my house.
I actually realized that YouTube has quite a selection of videos on which the dancers feet are visible so I can try to learn the steps.
Here is list of some of my favorites. You can YouTube them by the name:
Bavno Oro
Chupurlika (I saw some belly dancers do this one)
Eleno Mome
Ravno Oro
Urva Fanka
Kopacka (men dance)
Adana
Kalajdjisko
Dedo Mili Dedo
Karamfil
Pajdusko
Syrto Kofto
Rumelaj
Yalaryal
Imate li vino
Bajracheto (also known as Zensko Beranche)
Pembe
Maleshevsko
Belasicko
Friday, March 22, 2013
Bunnies
'The Crochet Dude' had posted a crocheted bunny. It looked like those chocolate bunnies you get for Easter. So I tried to make a template to make my own, sewn one. A miniature one. And it was a success!!! I am now making a whole bunch. They are very tiney (1 1/2" hight). These are the ones I made for my kids. Happy Spring!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mint and parsley
This winter was cold for Arizona standards. Some parts of the Phoenix valley even got snow(flakes). Needless to say that a tomato plant that I started in the fall was killed by the handful of frosty nights. However my mint and parsley flourished.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
What I've been working on
Just a few things I've been working on.
1. Owl necklace. I used muslin and scrap fabric to make my necklace cord.
2. Same concept as the owl, I just used a skeleton key for a charm.
3. Tag art. Still not sure what I am doing with this....practicing for now.
4. This was an old tea box. It held teabags. I kept it because it looked like something that I can use. So I repainted it, and used decorative paper to make each section pretty.
And then filled it with necklaces etc.
1. Owl necklace. I used muslin and scrap fabric to make my necklace cord.
2. Same concept as the owl, I just used a skeleton key for a charm.
3. Tag art. Still not sure what I am doing with this....practicing for now.
4. This was an old tea box. It held teabags. I kept it because it looked like something that I can use. So I repainted it, and used decorative paper to make each section pretty.
And then filled it with necklaces etc.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Going to a birthday party
A boy in Maggie's preschool class had a birthday and she was invited. We went to buy a gift and she said to me that he is a boy, and needs a lego toy.
I wrapped it for her, and she drew on the wrapping: shapes, circles, squares, hearts. She wrote To and From.
She was pretty excited and impatient to get to the birthday party. We were the first guests to arrive.
'Happy birthday Levi' - she said and handed him the gift.
He opened her gift first.
I wrapped it for her, and she drew on the wrapping: shapes, circles, squares, hearts. She wrote To and From.
She was pretty excited and impatient to get to the birthday party. We were the first guests to arrive.
'Happy birthday Levi' - she said and handed him the gift.
He opened her gift first.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Mini canvases
Some day when I have some spare time I am going to learn to paint. Until then I am going to use Modpodge, pretty paper and lace, as I did on these tiny canvases.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Phoenix International Folk Dance Festival
This weekend Phoenix International Folk Dancers had their big annual festival. I used to dance with this group every Thursday, and I've not been able to do that in the last few years because of work schedule. I try to catch up with them any chance I get.
I went alone to the festival, no kids. A feeling of guilt and excitement kept me company on the drive to the other side of town where the festival was. There were quite a few people, most of whom I know and can call friends. A couple from Tucson (photo above) was there. I love to watch them dance. They've been dancing for many, many years and now well in their retirement age, they have not given up dancing. It's what keeps them young. They are so beautiful together.
My Bulgarian friend Lora was there. And her husband snapped this photo of us (below) when the festival was over.
Apart from the familiar sounds and steps of Eastern European music, a Phillipino dance group performed for us. These pretty girls moved like flowers in the wind. I enjoyed watching their dance mastery when they performed a dance holding a glass full of liquid on top of their head and one in each hand. (Nothing spilled, wow!!!)
The spectators got a special treat when a local zumba teacher (his name escapes me at the moment) showed up and performed a flamenco dance.
I had a great time. And I am secretly excited now that this week I don't work late and will head over to the Irish Cultural Center on Tuesday night to catch up again with Phoenix International Folk Dancers.
I went alone to the festival, no kids. A feeling of guilt and excitement kept me company on the drive to the other side of town where the festival was. There were quite a few people, most of whom I know and can call friends. A couple from Tucson (photo above) was there. I love to watch them dance. They've been dancing for many, many years and now well in their retirement age, they have not given up dancing. It's what keeps them young. They are so beautiful together.
My Bulgarian friend Lora was there. And her husband snapped this photo of us (below) when the festival was over.
Apart from the familiar sounds and steps of Eastern European music, a Phillipino dance group performed for us. These pretty girls moved like flowers in the wind. I enjoyed watching their dance mastery when they performed a dance holding a glass full of liquid on top of their head and one in each hand. (Nothing spilled, wow!!!)
The spectators got a special treat when a local zumba teacher (his name escapes me at the moment) showed up and performed a flamenco dance.
I had a great time. And I am secretly excited now that this week I don't work late and will head over to the Irish Cultural Center on Tuesday night to catch up again with Phoenix International Folk Dancers.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Happy March 1st
It's March 1st and a beautiful day in Chandler, sunny and clear blue skies. I put on a bright, green, beautiful dress this morning, made out of
eyelet lace. It's probably more suitable for St. Patrick's celebration than March
1st, but I wanted to wear something pretty and inspiring, and this green dress seemed to fit my mood well.
I have a list of things to accomplish, some crafty (working on some St. Patrick's stuff), other require crafty skills but no creativity (making curtains for our movie room). I also have a list of people whose birthday I missed days and weeks ago and I am working on some gifts to mail.
Happy March 1st!!
Martinki (photo above) - on March 1st in Eastern European countries people give & receive martinki which are supposed to bring health and happiness in the coming days. The martinki above were given to me by my Bulgarian friend Lora. However Maggie and I were making martinki bracelets this morning, which is the Macedonian version of martinki.
I have a list of things to accomplish, some crafty (working on some St. Patrick's stuff), other require crafty skills but no creativity (making curtains for our movie room). I also have a list of people whose birthday I missed days and weeks ago and I am working on some gifts to mail.
Happy March 1st!!
Martinki (photo above) - on March 1st in Eastern European countries people give & receive martinki which are supposed to bring health and happiness in the coming days. The martinki above were given to me by my Bulgarian friend Lora. However Maggie and I were making martinki bracelets this morning, which is the Macedonian version of martinki.
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