7-Quick Takes

Join Jen and the other Quicktakers over at the Conversion Diary

1. Long-time readers might remember the evergreen tree we planted in 2011.  

You might also remember that 2011 was a very dry year, and as much as we watered the tree, (literally putting a hose to the trunk and letting it run for an hour) the very tip top of the tree died.

In this particular picture, Mr. Pete used a piece of PVC pipe to hold up the star.

Over the years, it seemed as if the tree was trying to send up another branch to be the tippy top of the tree.  One branch on the far west side, the side that gets all of the afternoon sunshine claimed the spot and is currently sticking above the rest of the tree by a good two feet!  It’s so funny how nature finds a way!!
 

2. This was a St. Nicholas I found at a discount last year. He had the honor of being on the table for the big feast day yesterday. So proud of this find!

3. Yogurt.  I am eating yogurt with at least four live organisms in it every day and I am pronouncing myself in complete remission for now.  I bought a yogurt maker but haven’t had time to try it out yet – and then when I was ready I discovered I am going to need a thermometer and mine is missing.  So I probably won’t start until next week.

I did find this great site with information on how to make yogurt in the crock pot.  I wish I had found it before I bought my yogurt maker.  Doesn’t this look great?

4. I am half way through the Wheat Belly book.  Last week I talked to my best friend in Flint and she read the same book and lost 15 pounds since August!  I haven’t stepped on the scale in a few weeks, but my pants and tops are getting baggier. I also have eliminated sweets  and do not feel as if I have been starving myself.  It looks like this may also reduce my cancer risks. 
 

5. We have really gotten serious about reading Billy Budd.  Herman Melville is not an easy read but now that we are into the story I think we’ll be able to finish this week or next.

Interestingly, this was written towards the end of Melville’s career and wasn’t published until after his death.  By that time, Melville’s great works, including Moby Dick, were all but forgotten.  But the manuscript for Billy Budd was found and published and that made Melville’s great works, particularly Moby Dick, more popular again.  People always mention Moby Dick when they are asked about Melville, but the truth is that Moby Dick would be all but forgotten, if it weren’t for Billy Budd!

6.  Tomorrow Noah has a Christmas recital and Mr. Pete and I have a concert – unfortunately there is an overlap in time so Calvin and his girlfriend are picking up Noah to take him and Mr. Pete and I will be there towards the end.  Hopefully Calvin will get it recorded on his phone so we can see Noah, but he will also have another chance to play at a local nursing home in a few weeks and I’ll be able to see it then.

Noah’s piano teacher is leaving at the end of the month.  He has made great progress with her and I am grateful. 

7.  Here is one of the pieces we did last year.  I don’t play flute in this but it is still one of my favorite pieces – it’s so beautiful.

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