Holly's Visit and My Studio Recital

It's hard to believe it's already July, especially since it's been raining almost nonstop for weeks here in Massachusetts.

As you may have surmised from the recent lack of posting on this blog, I've been busy lately!

Our long-lost friend Holly came to visit us from Washington state. We were so happy to be able to spend time with her after almost a year since she moved back to WA for graduate school.

Holly and I went on a couple of runs together, hit up a Saturday morning yard sale (I got a wooden shelf that works well as a spice rack for $0.50!), made lots of healthy spinach and fruit smoothies, talked about vegetarianism and nutrition, and caught up on life. We even made garlic scape pesto using garlic scapes from my produce CSA and enjoyed it over sprouted wheat pasta from Trader Joe's. We really enjoy cooking healthy meals together. With Nathan and friends, we watched quite a few good JAG episodes (best TV show ever), played and listened to lots of music, and enjoyed good food and even better company. We headed into Boston one afternoon and Lisa snapped this photo for us:


Holly's visit happened to coincide with my very first studio recital. Planning this recital was quite a bit of work, and there were lots of discouraging setbacks - by the time the recital rolled around, fewer than half of my usual students were actually able to make it, although all parents had committed to the date months in advance. Despite a few bumps in the road, the recital day came and the effort was well worthwhile. It was nice to have a chance for my students to showcase the fruits of their labors, and we had a good-sized audience of about 50 family members and friends.

Here are the terrific students who played in the recital last Sunday:


And here are a few supportive friends who came to hear my students play. (And my wunderhusband Nathan who accompanied everyone):


What an eventful month June was. As we've been settling into our new home, with lots of unpacking to do and house and yard projects galore, we've been enjoying good times with friends and making the first of many memories here in our colonial house in Danvers.