Hosting Houseconcerts

One of the dreams that we had as we hoped and planned for our future home was to gather people from every corner to listen to live music in our living room. It was a dream that began way, way back when Bard was a tiny child and I started looking for venues where we could host live concerts as part of a branch of our then-church. That church wasn't very supportive of my vision, and, eventually, we found ourselves leaving not only the church but making a home in a whole new community.

It was then that our dream of building a home came true. With a lot of cooperation from friends and a lot of hard work and perseverance, we were able to build a house that could not only house our growing family, but our love of gathering as well.

So, for the past several years, we have hosted several houseconcerts--musicians from all different genres and geographic locations--and have welcomed guests from nearby and far away. The musicians bring their unique style and feel, and the guests bring food and applause, and I get to sit on my couch, surrounded by creativity, inspiration, good friends and candles, and pinch myself, wondering if this is all really happening.

Tonight, we will welcome our very first female solo performers, Jan Krist and Kitty Donohoe for a small, intimate houseconcert on this snowy day. We'll all snuggle in and pinch ourselves. Maybe we'll even get snowed in and we'll all have to share this big house long into the night.

When things are kind of rough, and times are a bit frustrating, I remember that this was a dream that God brought to fruition, and I find myself amazed.

You can look at The Sprouted Acorn website for information on upcoming concerts this year. If you find yourself in our area, stop in and say hi, and we can share this big house--and the dream--with each other.

Just a little smackerel of something.

Okay, I know. I've been away forever. I'm sorry. I haven't had much will to blog, really. Yes, some of it is because I've found a new love...facebook. But some of it is because I simply have very little will to write. Actually, I have very little will to do much of anything. Maybe it's these bleak midwinter blahs. Do you get them, too? I mean, the snow is just beautiful, and I like being home more, but I just feel so purposeless, though there's plenty that needs doing. Cleaning and laundry (only always), decluttering and organizing, writing and playing and dancing and laughing and reading and walking and running and singing. But I just don't feel like it.

Still, I've forced myself to sit here and give a bit of an update, and then I'll likely go and peruse some blogs, reacquaint myself with some old friends and see if I can garner some inspiration.

In the household news: Bard just turned 18 this month and we're in the thick of applying to colleges. She has competed in a couple of scholarship competitions with possible full- and half-ride scholarships in the wings, and she has been awarded some pretty good academic and merit-based scholarships. She has it narrowed down to just a couple of places, both within a few hours' drive from home, but we won't know until all of the scholarship information comes back to us. She's trying hard to determine what she wants to do for a living, and I'm trying hard to stay out of it and pray for guidance and inspiration for her.

Houdin will be 17 this summer and has his first serious girlfriend, a sweet gal who has great musical ability and a wonderful personality. We enjoy having her around and will be sad when she goes away to college this fall. It will be a learning experience for us all.

The younger children are basically enjoying being younger children. Nothing really new there.

Bo and I have become more involved at church since the new pastors (husband and wife team) started last summer. On one hand, it's been enjoyable and energizing, but on the other hand, it's been a lot of time away and sometimes stressful. I'm hoping to strike a balance soon.

I do want to tell you the rest of that amazing story of God's provision, and I will get to it eventually. For now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and I still think of you.

Blessings,
TD