Hopeful Homemaker

Piano Recital

May 27, 2011 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

The end of a school year always raises the pace of our lives to a frenzy. Trying to maintain ongoing responsibilities in addition to big, wrap-up productions nearly makes us all crazy. I tend to resent it somewhat, but I’ve done a little better this year. I’m trying to remember that the frenzy brings brief moments in the eye of the storm that are payoff moments if I’m paying attention.

Four of our children take piano lessons from an amazing instructor. I feel so blessed to have them learn from her. Their spring recital was Wednesday night and we cleared the calendar for the whole family to attend. As I sat and listened I couldn’t help but think of all the collective hours spent practicing in my living room and how slowly, almost imperceptibly, they’re developing. They’re improving.

I watched this guy and realized how much he’s growing. He looks a lot like his older brother did a few years ago.

My oldest daughter worked so hard to master her songs. I love the look of concentration on her face. It’s a look I see often, a look that reveals how focused she is and how much she cares about things, even when she wants no one to know.

My eight year old daughter was particularly nervous. It’s been a lot of work for her to juggle two instruments and I’m happy with her progress. She did an outstanding job.

This guy did an awesome job. His pieces were really enjoyable to listen to. He won’t admit it, but he enjoys playing the piano. He often goes to the piano when he is upset and I’m thankful he finds comfort in music.

As I watched his hands moving over the keyboard I was reminded of a year ago when he was playing with three pins in his finger. I thought of his broken wrist a few months ago. He’s had a crazy year but we’re working at it. I thought of how big he looks and how quickly time is passing.

Above all, I am grateful for music. Several of the pieces played by various performers moved me. I love the sensitivity music conveys and hope that with time my children will truly receive this gift and develop habits and skills that will bring joy to their lives for years to come. We are very blessed.

Lacrosse

May 26, 2011 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

I love the way lacrosse players hold their sticks up in the air when they do their team cheer. So fun.

The season is over. It’s funny how I always look forward to the end of a sports season, relishing the time I’ll get back, the hours I won’t have to spend in the car, thinking of the routine we can re-establish when it’s done.

Then the last game is upon us. I stand on the sidelines in beautiful weather and watch my children do what they love to do. That’s when the sadness hits. All of a sudden I wish it could go on just a bit longer. Spring seasons are especially like this, since summer and fall will bring tryouts, new teams, new coaches. I realize we’ll never get back to this place and suddenly I miss it.

There is a great deal I don’t understand about lacrosse. In my mind it’s a hybrid of several sports, but really I guess it’s all it’s own. What I do know is that my son loves it. It’s been good for him. I’m so proud of him for being unafraid to try something new, for committing himself to learn things he’s never done before.

I am grateful, as well. Grateful for the great friends he has made. Grateful that, by some miracle, he seems to have landed with some good kids. Grateful for the excitement with which they have won, and grateful for the grace with which they have lost. The camaraderie of this team has been remarkable. They have won and lost together . They have cheered for each other. I am proud of them for developing these essential life skills along with athletic skills.

Most of all, I’m grateful for our son, this soon-to-be 14, turning into a tall young man, size 11 shoe, boy of ours. I’m grateful he puts up with me. I’m grateful for the moments when I get a glimpse of who he’s trying to become. These years are so hard, but he’s trying, and I love him for that.

Spanish Lavender

May 25, 2011 jennifer Gardening

Yesterday I wrote about the English lavender I recently planted in my yard. I also planted some Spanish lavender.

The Latin name for Spanish lavender is Lavandula stoechas . In my opinion the most distinguishing characteristic of L. stoechas is the showy “flower” which forms at the tip of the flower head (see below picture). In fact, that bright purple decoration isn’t a flower at all; it’s a type of leaf formation called a bract . Gorgeous.

Spanish lavender’s aren’t as hardy as English lavenders. While most L. angustifolia is hardy to -20 degrees Farenheit, L. stoechas is hardy only to 15 or 10 degrees. It was, perhaps, a gamble to put some in my garden, but I decided it’s worth a try.

The plant I bought was labeled Lavendula stoechas ‘Madrid Purple’ . What I’ve read indicates that the bract is all show and no flavor and that it is also difficult to get much fragrance from the flower heads. On this particular cultivar the individual corollas seem too small to be of much use. It would probably be beautiful, however, in a flower arrangement, and my reading also indicates that the foliage, when cooked or grilled, stands up well as an herb in culinary dishes. Spanish lavender, however, is not a flower of choice for sweet desserts.

In addition to the beautiful bracts, I was attracted to the Spanish lavender because the scent of the foliage seemed stronger to me than the English lavender I’m familiar with. Again, my reading so far has indicated that the aroma of the L. stoechas foliage is, indeed, more robust. Apparently it yields more essential oil per acre harvested than L. angustifolia , (English lavender).

I purchased a second Spanish lavender plant, also labeled Lavendula stoechas ‘Madrid Purple’ which has white bracts instead of purple bracts. The flowers on this plant also seem a bit brighter than the midnight purple color of the flowers above. I’m wondering if this lavender with white bracts is actually a different cultivar. In The Lavender Garden: Beautiful Varieties to Grow and Gather Robert Kourik mentions L. stoechas ‘Alba’ , a Spanish lavender with pure white bracts. This beautiful lavender will, I hope, thrive in my garden for several years to come.

And so, in my little corner of the world I now have three slightly different lavenders growing. While I’m pretty sure L. angustifolia will be my final choice for serious growing, the Spanish lavender is a beautiful plant. It will be fun to observe these plants as summer arrives.

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