Studio3Music Blog

Archive for the ‘Bits and Pieces’ Category

Jan
15

Confessions of a Procrastinator

It’s New Year’s resolution season. Have you noticed all the TV shows, talk radio, church services and even commercials are urging us to tackle bad habits in 2012? Truth is I’m probably hearing all those messages because I feel convicted! I know I’m supposed to do something about my habit of procrastination. But I’ll think about that later…

When I was single, my friends and coworkers complemented me for my self-discipline. Would someone please tell my husband that it’s very rude of him to laugh so hard at that description of his wife? I was disciplined back then! If you only have one duck to line up (me), how hard is that? So why put it off?

But then I got married and had kids, which equals ducks galore, if you know what I mean. And because they rarely lined up for more than a moment anyway, why should I try until the nick of time?

My descent into procrastination was gradual. I tried to keep up “duck management” in my early married life. I continued my notebook with weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. I made out a menu and grocery list for the week. I cleaned the house regularly. Mr. Clean was my bff. Somewhere after baby number one got a baby sister, I lost ground. My personal goals notebook went missing ten years ago.

Though I don’t know how they do it, some mothers don’t procrastinate! Their laundry gets done before someone has run out of clean underwear. They have eggs back in the refrigerator before they get halfway into a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. The sheets are laundered and the bed made up before the mother-in-law is ready to retire to the guest room for the night. Of course I’ve never procrastinated to such an extreme. (I’ll blog about lying next January.)

Somewhere amidst being a wife, mothering, homeschooling and blogging, I guess I slid down a slippery slope into procrastination. So now you know why it’s time for a New Year’s resolution. I feel the call; I’m tired of the chaos. My ducks are a little older. They can actually line up on their own once in a while. I guess it’s time to attempt to return to my former life of discipline. To fan that flame. To find my old notebook. To prove my smirking husband wrong. Wish me luck!

-posted by Donna Detweiler who has not procrastinated in the writing of this blog. Victory # 1.

Image: EA / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: Donna Detweiler

Join the conversation

Jan
11

The day a man leapt through a window for me.

Posted in Bits and Pieces

I frequent the drive-thru Starbucks by my house often and know the brew crew…and they know my name, my van, and even the drink I order the most. That Starbucks is like my “Cheers”, where everybody knows my name. One of the baristas, during our conversation, forgot to give my credit card back to me before I drove off. With a serious brain fog desperately in need of a good cup of Joe, I had not even thought about my card. As I rolled up the window and driving away I hear “Jesikah!”, so I stopped and looked in my mirror saw him waive my credit card out the window. I waved back to let him know I heard, then planned on parking and walking in.

The rest is a memory I will cherish forever: I look in my mirror one more time and I see him leaping through the drive thru window as another car is pulling up (the car saw it coming and crept in slowly, no Starbucks barista was harmed). He is at least 6’ 2”; a tall man! He comes bounding toward me waiving my credit card in the air. Then he leaps to my window, takes a formal stance, bows and then says, “Madame, your card”, gives me a boyish smile like he is oh so charming. The only stupid thing I can think of at that moment, “I could have walked in, but thanks, that was awesome”. I’m so very clever in chivalrous moments He replies (boyish smile still in place), “But that was so much more fun”, then turns, and runs back to the drive-thru window and climbs back in, not going back in through the front door.

My morning is complete. I can now say, I had the man who made my morning coffee leap through a window for me with a wink and a bow!

Although our teachers do not have drive-thru windows to leap through for you, I know they cherish each and every child that walks through their door. We want you to leave every class blessed and with a smile on your face with memories and stories to share with your friends and your loved ones!

Have a funny story to share? We would LOVE to hear it! We may even post it : ). Share a funny customer service story, a funny memory or even something hilarious your child did or said (children are great resources for humor); and we’ll give you a special $10 voucher toward tuition or merchandise. Share with your friends and when they register and we’ll make it $25 for each of you! Send all funny stories to jesikah@studio3music.com and stay tuned for more!

-posted by Miss Jesikah, who looks forward to sharing a laugh and a smile with you, so be sure to send a funny story her way!

Tags: Miss Jesikah

2 responses so far, join the conversation!

Jan
9

Party Mix Anyone?

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Recipes, Things to do

Back in the 60’s, my parents called it “Nuts and Bolts.” Around holiday time, mounded bowls of party mix always accompanied their Christmas parties. On baking day, the savory combination of cheerios, peanuts, and pretzels roasted in butter, seasoning salt and Worcestershire sauce would keep me hovering in the kitchen, my mouth watering as the warm, rich smell permeated the house. When it was done, my mother would spread the hot mix out to cool on a cut-apart brown paper bag.

Today, party mix can no longer be called “Nuts and Bolts.” It has evolved way beyond that nickname. I counted 75 versions of party mix on the Chex website! From sickly sweet to super savory, there is something for every set of taste buds. In the sweet category, these sparked my curiosity: Bananas Foster Crunch, Ginger Honey, Hot-Buttered Yum, and Chai Crunch. Interesting savory selections included: Cajun Kick, Moroccan Crunch, Chili & Lime, and Backyard BBQ.

As a child, when we made party mix in the oven it was an hour long process. I always hung around and “helped” so I could snack. With the microwave, 15 minutes is all you need to concoct a batch. Little hands can help with measuring, pouring and stirring. This makes a good activity for a wintery day or night with a delicious result.

This week, each of my children chose a Chex mix recipe for me to share with you. Katie, 10, picked the good ol’ traditional. David, 13, chose one called “Deviled.” For these recipes, go to www.Chex.com. For nostalgia sake, I called my mother and got her recipe for the original “Nuts and Bolts” from her dog-eared Betty Crocker Cookbook. Enjoy!

Nuts and Bolts—Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1971

4 c. cheerios
1 ½ c. mixed nuts
1 ½ c. seasoned croutons
1 c. pretzels
½ c. salad oil
2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. garlic salt
1 t. seasoning salt

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Measure cereal into a large roasting pan. Mix spices with salad oil and pour over cereal, mix well. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who has a tradition of taking party mix on airplanes for snacking with the complementary drinks. Yum.

Tags: Donna Detweiler, recipes, Things to do

Join the conversation

Jan
1

I finally broke down and bought an iPad.

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Things We Love

I’m an Android user all the way. And all my computers are HP. My phone allows me to create a mobile access point, so I can get on the internet wherever I take my computer. But I got tired of lugging my HP everywhere (I’m a homeschooling mom, and since I work full-time, too, I work anywhere I can at any hour of the day or night), so I bought an iPad in September.

And then I wondered why I waited so long. I love being able to access email and internet anywhere(thanks to my phone). Netflix is great for the kids on long roadtrips, Angry Birds is a whole lot better on a larger screen.I’m auditing a Latin class, and I never lose my notes, now, cause they are not on paper anymore.

I love the apps for my kids. My sports minded son had no problem learn those pesky 11′s and 12′s multiplication facts with Baseball Math. And we love Jellybean Tunes. But hands down, our favorite is Where’s My Water? (It’s all about physics and logical thinking), created by Disney.

The creators of Jellybean Tunes have a a blog called Moms with Apps, that promotes quality apps for kids and families.

So, tell me, what are your favorite apps – either grownup or kid-friendly? Leave me a note. I’d love to know.

-posted by Miss Analiisa, who still loves her Samsung Galaxy ANDROID phone, and has no plans to trade it in for an iPhone.

Tags: learning, Miss Analiisa

Join the conversation

Dec
30

A Mother Ponders the Christmas Story

Posted in Bits and Pieces

Just because Christmas is officially over, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth still thinking about. And so, this week after Christmas, some things to ponder.

How long did Mary’s first labor last? Was it difficult? Did she have back labor? Were any other women helping in her delivery?

Did Jesus latch on right away? Did he eat heartily? Did he drop below his birth weight?

Did Jesus have colic? Cradle cap? Diaper rash? Thrush? Ear infections? Reflux?

How long did Mary nurse him? When was his first solid food? What did he like? Did he throw food on the floor or smear it in his hair?

When was his first smile? When did he roll over? Did he crawl early or late? Did he crawl army style, sideways, on his bottom? When did he take his first step?

Did he share his toys? Did he go through the terrible twos? Did he poke his new baby brother?

Did he and his brothers play sword fighting? Was he athletic? Did he love to read? Did he like to draw or make things? Did he love animals? Did he think girls have cooties?

Was he a rascal? Did he and his brothers pull pranks? Did they camp in the hills? Make campfires? Tip sheep?

Did Jesus like learning carpentry? Did he ever cut himself? Lose his dad’s tools? Leave them out in the rain? Carve a fishing lure when he was supposed to be making a shelf?

Was Jesus with his earthly dad when he died? Did take over the carpentry shop? Did his brothers work there? Did they get along? Did his mother play favorites?

Did he have a best friend? Did they fish together?

How did he tell his mother and brothers he was leaving the family business? Did they give him a hard time? Was it difficult to live without a home, or a wife, or his own family? Did he feel lonely, or left out, or sad?

What did it feel like to do a miracle? Did he like the common wine? Was he showing off when he made miraculous wine and it was said to be the best?

What was his favorite food? Did he like to garden, or cook?

What did it feel like to be tempted by Satan? Did he feel scared of him, or mad at him? Did they greet one another as familiar enemies? Did Satan push Jesus around? Did Jesus push back?

Where was Mary when Jesus’ trial took place? Who was with her? Was she remembering his birth; Gabriel, the inn, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men? Was she feeling confused?

Did Jesus ever appear to Mary after the resurrection? Did he hug his mother or have a meal with her? Did he tell her details about the home in heaven he had prepared for her?

Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” This Christmas season, I’m joining Mary in pondering the wonder of the birth of Jesus.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by the power of his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14

When the shepherds had seen the baby, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

And He shall be called Emmanuel, which means, “God with Us.” Matthew 1:23

-posted by Donna Detweiler who wishes you all a very Merry after Christmas!