They had a sale of homemade jam in aid of Life at Church this weekend. It's very yummy, so I got some for myself and some marmalade for my Dad. They make stacks of it and it's very popular. So much so that as I was putting my purse back into my hand bag, an elderly gentleman picked up my just purchased damson jam and showed it admiringly to his wife and made to buy it, so I had to find another jar of the same price to replace it. (They have this clever system whereby because all the jars are different sizes, they all seem to cost slightly different prices. They have every size from tiny weeny ones up to 1lb jars.)
Last time I bought some I went to the Sunday night Mass and almost didn't get any - the man in front bought about six jars - clearly a toast for breakfast man. As I say it's very yummy.
My last damson jam found its way into one of the Victoria Sponges at Grandma's funeral.
Better go and do some work - the big concert is on Tues - feel the adrenalin rush.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Busy Busy
I have entered into one of those busy times when there are loads of school events, examination teaching, rehearsals and hundred of reports. Hence the lack of blogging. I'm sure everyone else is busy too. It's just like that in the run up to Christmas.
Plenty to worry about in one sense although as there's so much to do, no time to dwell too much, which for me is a good thing. Just have to get on and get it all done and fit baking a Christmas cake ...
Plenty to worry about in one sense although as there's so much to do, no time to dwell too much, which for me is a good thing. Just have to get on and get it all done and fit baking a Christmas cake ...
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Know Popery
Fr Ray has a timely post about Bonfire Night and the town of Lewes in East Sussex. Whilst working in Tunbridge Wells I had a housemate whose prospective father-in-law did Morris dancing at that towns 'celebrations.' I wasn't over enthusiastic.
It seems to tap into a very unpleasant side of Englishness, the sort of Cromwellian, iconoclastic, anti-authority, thuggish side. Burning an effigy of the Pope is not traditional, it was included in the 19thC. Catholic emancipation, Irish emigration, re-establishment of the hierarchy a problem anyone? Only in this country would we have to pretend it was all a quaint old tradition. I do believe that it is no longer shown on the telly. When other people burn flags etc, it is normally taken to be a bit serious after all, but not apparently in jolly old Lewes.
Other countries have fireworks for their national days, we have it for other reasons. England Catholic, what a thought. Better go and get my Roman Candles ready ....
It seems to tap into a very unpleasant side of Englishness, the sort of Cromwellian, iconoclastic, anti-authority, thuggish side. Burning an effigy of the Pope is not traditional, it was included in the 19thC. Catholic emancipation, Irish emigration, re-establishment of the hierarchy a problem anyone? Only in this country would we have to pretend it was all a quaint old tradition. I do believe that it is no longer shown on the telly. When other people burn flags etc, it is normally taken to be a bit serious after all, but not apparently in jolly old Lewes.
Other countries have fireworks for their national days, we have it for other reasons. England Catholic, what a thought. Better go and get my Roman Candles ready ....
Thursday, 1 November 2007
All Saints Day
Happy Feast Day!
I went to the Vigil Mass at St Mary Moorfields in the City of London.
They did the Mozart Missa Solemnis K337 - unexpected and brill.
I don't often go there as it's a bit out of the way but it's always well worth the treck. Wish I could make it more often. Also has a very interesting history and feels very cosmopolitan. Excellent PP. People I chatted to said people were in the street on Ash Wed and they have loads of Masses on Holy Days.
They often have a little 'do' afterwards and it is so great to chat to people who are not competing with you and trying to put you down but build you up and agree with you. So often when I chat to people, I feel like handing them a tick sheet; yes your house, car and job are better than mine, you are married with kids and I'm not and you next holiday will probably be to a more exotic location than mine. Happy?
Ever feel people look a bit odd when you enthuse about what they are doing rather than trying to cap their story or when you ask them about what they are expert in? Funny old world, but at least there are little oasis.
Just back from a Parent's Evening, hence the Mass yesterday. Loads of musical events before the end of term; about two a week, so off to bed - next rehearsal 8am tomorrow morning! (No sympathy -I get paid to play music - poor me!)
I went to the Vigil Mass at St Mary Moorfields in the City of London.
They did the Mozart Missa Solemnis K337 - unexpected and brill.
I don't often go there as it's a bit out of the way but it's always well worth the treck. Wish I could make it more often. Also has a very interesting history and feels very cosmopolitan. Excellent PP. People I chatted to said people were in the street on Ash Wed and they have loads of Masses on Holy Days.
They often have a little 'do' afterwards and it is so great to chat to people who are not competing with you and trying to put you down but build you up and agree with you. So often when I chat to people, I feel like handing them a tick sheet; yes your house, car and job are better than mine, you are married with kids and I'm not and you next holiday will probably be to a more exotic location than mine. Happy?
Ever feel people look a bit odd when you enthuse about what they are doing rather than trying to cap their story or when you ask them about what they are expert in? Funny old world, but at least there are little oasis.
Just back from a Parent's Evening, hence the Mass yesterday. Loads of musical events before the end of term; about two a week, so off to bed - next rehearsal 8am tomorrow morning! (No sympathy -I get paid to play music - poor me!)
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Wild Wales
We had a very restful time. My parents are still there. Got to drive through Snowdonia with a beautiful sunset. Saw Portmeirion in brilliant sunshine and just enjoyed being there.
Tried to learn a bit more Welsh. The local chippy has a bilingual menu on the wall. Sglolian = Chips. Thus Sglolian bach and Sglolian fawr for small and big portions and in Tescos where the ailses are labelled in big Welsh and small English papur ty bach = little house paper or loo roll!
My parents are righly dead chuffed with their lovely static caravan and its beautiful location in woods.
Driving home on Fri and Sat was a little epic. Had to take a rustic detour outside Welshpool due to a car smash. Off into the single track, signless wilds. Managed to locate Shewsbury OK though and then on to my Aunt and Uncle's a bit further on.
Back to work the morrow.
No more mountains or bara brith for me!
Tried to learn a bit more Welsh. The local chippy has a bilingual menu on the wall. Sglolian = Chips. Thus Sglolian bach and Sglolian fawr for small and big portions and in Tescos where the ailses are labelled in big Welsh and small English papur ty bach = little house paper or loo roll!
My parents are righly dead chuffed with their lovely static caravan and its beautiful location in woods.
Driving home on Fri and Sat was a little epic. Had to take a rustic detour outside Welshpool due to a car smash. Off into the single track, signless wilds. Managed to locate Shewsbury OK though and then on to my Aunt and Uncle's a bit further on.
Back to work the morrow.
No more mountains or bara brith for me!
Music Meme
Mac seems to think I should do this :-)
What song is in your head?
'Lord for tomorrow and its needs' cos I sang it this morning and for all sorts of reasons it was very apt for today.
What is the newest album in your collection?
Schumann Piano Quartet given to me by a colleague so that I may learn to play it more easily. Did Schumann occasionally 'forget' he was writing for violin, viola, cello and piano and not for two violins et al? I think that maybe he did. I need an E string in the last movement.
What is the top album on your wish list?
Stephen Isserlis's new recording of the Bach Cello Suites.
What is the most recent live music event you have attended?
Magic Flute at ENO
Not a music event, but hey great singing at Mass in Wales and an excellent organist. So good that when he got to the end of his improvisation, cum intro landing on a V7 chord and then went in to the hymn, I started singing, but that was infact the real intro, oops, too keen.
What is the top live music event on your wish list?
Maris Jansons and the RCO doing anything by Mahler or Dvorak or Brahms.
St Antony Variations are a favourite, but then so is Brahms 3, Brahms 4, Dvorak 8
If I had to Choose Mahler, 8 because I've never heard it live.
Mm now the clocks have gone back Bruckner 9 is great. Mulled wine and Bruckner, obviously.
Stuff synaesthesia, I think the links bewteen food and music have been too little explored.
Although a colleague and I did enjoy foxing a line of boys by having a conversation about colours and keys. He thought C major was yellow - a happy smiley key, whereas HoD who has perfect pitch, thought the whole idea was silly and then said C maj was magnolia and neutral.
But I digress.
I also am fond of early music, so some beautiful venue in Italy, with a great group doing Monteverdi ( anything I love it all.) I like Ex Cathedra quite a bit.
I also like the relentless play/ sing til you drop of Irish Trad music with all the dancing (clompy shoes particularly)and Welsh choirs. Oh and then there is Cerdd dant. So a day at the National Eisteddfod. Best singing I have ever heard was at the Eisteddfod in Bala. Can't beat it. Welsh being blest with pure vowels plus a harp. Need I say more...
Long list but hey this is a Catholic blog who says we have to hold back?
What are the top three albums currently in rotation at your house?
Mm have to confess I rarely sit down and listen to music, but I do have R3 on a lot.
On Sat when I was driving home, I was able to catch most of CD Review, which is my favourite radio programme. Andrew MacGregor is a top man.
Anyway, they 'did' their stuff on the Schubert C major Cello Quintet D9 hundred and very late. That is a real favourite. You just gotta listen to it, all 50 mins of it.
Does music you are practising count? OK. Bach Cello Suites for Viola and Horn.
And some madrigals I must get to grips with asap.
I notice that Mac has memed Fr Justin. I seem to think that he is a musician as is Fr Ray, so if they are not too busy, it would be good to know what they like.
Plus anyone else. We all have favourites. Let me know and I'll have a read.
What song is in your head?
'Lord for tomorrow and its needs' cos I sang it this morning and for all sorts of reasons it was very apt for today.
What is the newest album in your collection?
Schumann Piano Quartet given to me by a colleague so that I may learn to play it more easily. Did Schumann occasionally 'forget' he was writing for violin, viola, cello and piano and not for two violins et al? I think that maybe he did. I need an E string in the last movement.
What is the top album on your wish list?
Stephen Isserlis's new recording of the Bach Cello Suites.
What is the most recent live music event you have attended?
Magic Flute at ENO
Not a music event, but hey great singing at Mass in Wales and an excellent organist. So good that when he got to the end of his improvisation, cum intro landing on a V7 chord and then went in to the hymn, I started singing, but that was infact the real intro, oops, too keen.
What is the top live music event on your wish list?
Maris Jansons and the RCO doing anything by Mahler or Dvorak or Brahms.
St Antony Variations are a favourite, but then so is Brahms 3, Brahms 4, Dvorak 8
If I had to Choose Mahler, 8 because I've never heard it live.
Mm now the clocks have gone back Bruckner 9 is great. Mulled wine and Bruckner, obviously.
Stuff synaesthesia, I think the links bewteen food and music have been too little explored.
Although a colleague and I did enjoy foxing a line of boys by having a conversation about colours and keys. He thought C major was yellow - a happy smiley key, whereas HoD who has perfect pitch, thought the whole idea was silly and then said C maj was magnolia and neutral.
But I digress.
I also am fond of early music, so some beautiful venue in Italy, with a great group doing Monteverdi ( anything I love it all.) I like Ex Cathedra quite a bit.
I also like the relentless play/ sing til you drop of Irish Trad music with all the dancing (clompy shoes particularly)and Welsh choirs. Oh and then there is Cerdd dant. So a day at the National Eisteddfod. Best singing I have ever heard was at the Eisteddfod in Bala. Can't beat it. Welsh being blest with pure vowels plus a harp. Need I say more...
Long list but hey this is a Catholic blog who says we have to hold back?
What are the top three albums currently in rotation at your house?
Mm have to confess I rarely sit down and listen to music, but I do have R3 on a lot.
On Sat when I was driving home, I was able to catch most of CD Review, which is my favourite radio programme. Andrew MacGregor is a top man.
Anyway, they 'did' their stuff on the Schubert C major Cello Quintet D9 hundred and very late. That is a real favourite. You just gotta listen to it, all 50 mins of it.
Does music you are practising count? OK. Bach Cello Suites for Viola and Horn.
And some madrigals I must get to grips with asap.
I notice that Mac has memed Fr Justin. I seem to think that he is a musician as is Fr Ray, so if they are not too busy, it would be good to know what they like.
Plus anyone else. We all have favourites. Let me know and I'll have a read.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Half Term
Hurray!
Off to the land of my father tomorrow.
No Internet. No land line and intermittent mobile reception. Should be good for a rest.
Have fun merry readers.
Don't forget to vote for Fr Z and Fr Tim et al.
Do other people write blogs? All the top religious ones seem to be Catholic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)