Pipe Chimes Reveal

It seems like most of the projects I've worked on lately have had a deadline. This was one of the biggest. 

Several years ago we went to a Christmas party and a friend of mine who is a music teacher brought out a set of pipe chimes. Everyone got a chime, and we proceeded to play Christmas songs together. It was a blast. I knew it would be the perfect Linford gift, so I asked her for the directions on making the chimes.

Fast forward to about a week before last Christmas. I casually mentioned to Ray that someday I'd like to make those chimes for our family. What that really meant was that someday I'd like Ray to make those chimes for our family. Much to my surprise, he jumped all over it. I got out the plans, and he was off like a shot to Home Depot to buy the pipes.

Like many of our projects, this one expanded ridiculously. What started out as a gift to our four children grew to include all of Ray's siblings and his parents. That's eight additional sets. Plus us. Plus one for Trish. Yes, that's 14 sets we gave away. 

Two were complete by Christmas. The rest were finished two weeks ago when I had my annual Sisters Weekend with my Linford sisters-in-law. Ray worked like a dog to get them done, and they are exact, let me tell you. I made the covers and painted the numbers on the pipes. Together we put the strings in, tied the knots, and packed the covers. We were up very late for a few nights to get them done. (Think now in your mind of the song I Work Best Under Pressure from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.)

I ended up with about 15 or 20 Christmas songs, a few patriotic songs, and some fun general favorite songs for children. They can be used at all sorts of occasions. 

We'll have a grand old time.

Full shot of the pipe chimes

What they look like individually. The bolt on the left is used to strike the chime.

Here they are, all wrapped up and tied in a bow.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit is one of Ray's favorite books. Consequently, I read it several years ago. I thought it would be great if I knew about one of the books he liked best, and we could discuss it.

I didn't really like it, and we never discussed it.

I just finished it again, for book group. I liked it better, but still wasn't enamored with it. However, it kept me more engaged than some of the other books I've read recently.

I mentioned to Ray that I was reading The Hobbit. His face lit up, and he said, "Don't you just love it?" Then he proceeded to talk about it, and how when you read the book and are absorbed in the story, you think you wouldn't be surprised to see a hobbit, or dwarf, or elf, etc. walking around in this world.

Hmmm, I don't think so.

Bogged

I haven't blogged much lately, because I've been bogged down. Nothing drastic, just time getting away from me faster than I believed possible. Family and church responsibilities have me hitting the ground running in the morning, and falling into bed at night.

Hopefully I'll get caught up with posting some projects and some thoughts soon. At least I've been getting books on. Although I haven't had as much time to read lately either.

This is what can happen when you wonder (foolishly) to yourself: "What do I really do all day long??" Then stuff starts flying at you faster than  you can believe. So take my word for it, and be satisfied with some leisurely time when you happen to get it.

What's in a Name?

These days Matthew is all about calling his parents by their first names - Audrey and Joseph. When I ask him why he doesn't call them Mommy and Daddy, he tells me that their real names are Audrey and Joseph. We have had a running conversation about this all week.

Trish was over this afternoon and the three of us were having a name discussion. After Matthew went through all the full names of his family members, he asked me what my middle name is. I told him "Marie."

There was a pause, then he told me he knew my whole name: G'ma Marie Diane.

Not bad for a four year old who only ever calls me g'ma. I told him the correct order was G'ma Diane Marie. I bet he never gets that one wrong again.

Quote of the Day

Four grandchildren here today. Madeleine was wearing a blue and brown dress with polka-dots.

Matthew said, to no one in particular: "See the polka-dots? That's Madeleine."

It was a grand afternoon with Matthew and Elizabeth, Madeleine and Diane all playing and wreaking havoc in my family room. We missed Rachel and Austin.

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

This is the third Flavia de Luce Novel.  They're fun and diverting.

Flavia is incredibly precocious for an eleven year old, but suspend belief about that and the books are very enjoyable. Personally I have no problem suspending my belief in that regard.

Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language by Deborah Fallows

In light of my upcoming trip to China (more on that later), a friend recommended this book.

Deborah Fallows has a PhD in linguistics, and recently spent three years living in Shanghai and Beijing. She talks about the difficulty of learning Chinese (Mandarin), and weaves in and around her language growth some of the life experiences she had while living there.

It's a short book, and gives some interesting insights into the Chinese people and culture. I'm glad I read it. I think it will enhance my experience while I'm there.

I've read several books on China over the years - Wild Swans by Jung Chang, Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng, Mao's Last Dancer by Cunxin Li, Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, Pearl of China by Anchee Min, Gail Tsukiyama's books, to name a few. And of course The Good Earth by Pearl Buck.

Those books have all given me a small view into the vast country and culture that is and has been China. This book gave me a little glimpse of very current China in Shanghai and Beijing. It will be fun to see it in person.

This One's for Laura

My niece Laura is having a baby in a couple of weeks. She lived with us for a year right before we moved here, so we've had some fun times together. Here's the quilt I made for her new baby (a girl):

Finished: March 2, 2011
Size: 46 inches by 58 inches
Pattern: Double Dutch by Roxanne Carter
The pattern was so easy! It went together like a dream.