Messiah Sing-in

I got to sing my little heart out in Abravanel Hall with the Utah Symphony at the Messiah concert tonight. It was so fun. How great to be in an audience full of other people who love to sing fun choral music and even own their own score of Messiah! (well, except for the people sitting directly around Emily and I, who didn't sing at all...did they not get that this was a participation thing??) Oh well, we had a blast and only got lost for a few measures. Next year we'll plan more in advance and getting lots of friends to come along as well. Maybe some tenors and basses so we'll have all the parts!

Food Storage

After General Conference in October, I decided it was high time I started my food storage. I found a little nook in my storage/laundry room, built some shelves, and then started bringing home 1-2 extra things (that I actually use) every time I went to the grocery store. I added the emergency propane stove I got last year for Christmas from my parents (Thanks mom and dad!). Also, when I finish a jug of milk, I wash it out and fill it with water. It's a little different from my parents' big drums of wheat that hold up shelves all throughout the house, but I'm very proud of my collection so far.
Any suggestions on things that have worked well for you to build up your supply?

Holiday spirit

First of the many holiday festivities

Played in Turkey Bowl football game

Cooked very yummy Thanksgiving feast with roommates (I made apple-zucchini-pumpkin muffin' stuffin' and the gravy). Michelle actually made homemade cranberry sauce, which was amazing.

Then we decorated my house for Christmas!

Last year

I looked back in my pictures to see if I took something on this same day last year...lo and behold...me and my bad self as a Harley biker chick. LOL. Why not?? ...why do you think I bought a house by the biker bars downtown? Tatoos and leather go great with burly bald men...grrr. You know what I mean, Susan?

Performing Again

So, some of you know that I am performing in a musical production at Desert Star Theater this Christmas Season. It has been lots of fun so far. I am the pianist/accompanist/musical director for the show. I do get a few speaking lines, too.
The show is "Miracle on 42nd Street". True to Desert Star fashion, it is a musical parody (kind of like Miracle on 34th street meets Give my Regards to Broadway meets cheezy local humor). It is definitely entertaining. I still laugh every time I see the show run, no matter that I've already heard/seen it hundreds of times. It's a perfect way to get yourself in the Christmas mood.
It runs every night from Nov 13th-Jan 3. I trade off with the other pianists so I'm not playing every night. I play both shows every single Friday and then some other days (nov 17, dec 1, 4, 11, 17, 22, 24, jan 1). I would love for anyone to come see me. I even have some free tickets to the dress rehearsal on Nov 12 if anyone wants them (but I'm not playing for that one...sorry).
You can buy tickets by calling Desert Star Theater 801-266-2600.

Body Worlds Exhibit

I went to the Body Worlds Exhibit at The Leonardo. It was fascinating! For anyone who likes anatomy, medical science or wants to learn about it, I highly recommend going to see it. You get to see all your insides, muscle structure, cross-sections of brain, etc. The bodies, or parts of the body, are preserved with a process of plastination (created by anatomist, Gunther Von Hagen). My favorite was actually seeing the vascular system (all blood vessels) in the body, without the body (skin, muscles, bones, etc) in the way. This picture gives you an idea, just imagine it without the skull there. Cool, huh! You can learn more by going to www.bodyworlds.com

What's YOUR secret?

Since I have been so sick for the last week and a half, everyone seems to want to clue me in on their natural secrets to staying healthy or getting rid of a cold. These people honestly swear by these methods. Here are some of the "nature's cure" suggestions:

• Swallowing a whole clove of garlic once a day

• Eat broccoli at least 3 times every week

• B12 shots

• 1 gallon of Orange juice a day

• vinegar (drinking it in water, bathing in it, or breathing in the vapors)

• Airbourne and Zicam tablets

• Honey and lemon juice in hot water

So, what's YOUR secret? I'm sure there are more things out there you've tried or heard of. Or do you also use one of the above...?