"Special Musical Number"

 

My amazingly talented husband sang a duet today with our good friend, Michael Simmons. The cellist is an adorable16 years old high schooler in our ward, Andy Vo, and I was on the piano. The song Peter chose was the Mack Wilberg/Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of Homeward Bound. 

I recorded it with my phone on the pew, so my apologies that it's not the best quality recording. But, you can hear how great the two voices sounded together. Simply beautiful, right? I love Peter's singing voice.

 

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SONG

Personal Goal for this Week

Back in San Diego,* I was always at a piano. I taught it 6 lessons days a week, I was Ward Organist, and Choir Accompanist sometimes. Since we moved to Tucson, I haven't had much time, at all, sitting next to my old friend.

I sat down the other day and noodled though some songs. Peter just loves when I play while he's reading, and I love making him happy. I can tell that I have not been playing much and was tripping up on some songs that I've always been able to play. So, I'm making a goal for this one last week off before I school starts next Monday.

I'm going to practice the piano for a half hour each day this week.

I'll let you know how I do. I'll tell you about another goal while we're here. A long term goal I have is to be able to play through the whole soundtrack to the movie "The Pianist." It's all (but one track) Chopin, who's my favorite because of the beautiful sound and because he's Polish. I can play 4 of them at like a 'B+' level, so 6 left to go and hours of polishing up. I'm miles and miles away from getting this song, but I think it's such an amazing song and presentation of a song.

Wish me luck!

**Please take note, I didn't say back 'home.' I'm working on not always referring to SD as home. I need to start thinking of Tucson as my home. It's coming on a year now...

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Do you know about Mel's Kitchen Cafe? I think it is such an amazing blog and am pleasantry surprised how many of my friends already use her recipes. I can read her blog as if it's a smutty romantic fiction novel! She gives me great ideas and she's always posting fun new recipes.

My sister Anne and I have seem to have a personal goal to cook every recipe on her blog. Most all of the dinners and treats I cook are from here, and everything turns out! I like the level of cooking- it's not a frozen-ready-made dinner and it's not Julia Child's reduction sauces, it's a happy place in the middle. I have really found a love for cooking through her recipes. I love cooking (and Peter loves that I love cooking)!

I listed a few of them- just so you could get a few ideas. I'd love any links to recipes you like!

DINNERS
Peter and I love Sausages, so this Jambalaya is one of our favorite dinners!

I think this Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken is one of my favorites this year.

Good on a cold day, White Chili Bean Soup is delicious.

Loved this Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu. The sauce made it awesome!

Great White Enchiladas! I've made it as a casserole and as individual enchiladas.


DESSERTS
Made this Carmel Apple Cheesecake probably about 6 times, everyone loves it!

Heavy, but amazing. Oreo Cheesecake.

Andes Mint Brownies! Oh yeah!

These Buttermilk Lime Shortbread Bars are basically a fancier Lemon Bars.

We love Tres Leches Cake. Put some strawberries on this and it was a winner for a summer dessert.


BREADS (I had never really baked bread before Mel introduced me)
Easy rolls, similar to the ones you can buy at Costco.

This loaf reminds me of Macaroni Grill's Herb Focaccia bread. I serve it with Balsamic Vineagar and EVOO.

These breadsticks are so easy, cheap and impressive.

Pumpkin Choc Chip Bread a winner in the fall!


I could list about 30 more recipes that are amazing! But I'll stop here...